Samantha Kline
Twenty-four-year-old violin virtuoso Samantha Kline of Manassas presented a program of accompanied and unaccompanied songs to 140 appreciative friends, relatives and church and community members the evening of April 27 at Manassas Baptist Church.
Ms. Kline’s selections ranged from J. S. Bach’s Violin Sonata in G major for Piano and Violin, K. 301 to W. A. Mozart’s Sonata #1 in G Minor for Solo Violin, to Paganini’s Caprice No. 10 in G minor, Op. 1, demonstrating technical and emotional control of the songs and of her instrument, creating moods that were by turns melancholy, lyrical and spirited, according to the work.
After a short intermission, Samantha returned to give voice to Beethoven’s Sonata #3 in Eb for Piano and Violin, op.12 with finely interpreted lyrical sections in contrast to following dramatic passages, all of which Samantha took in stride. The closing movement, “Rondo Allegro Molto” was fluid and flawless.
With contemporary German composer Johannes X. Schahcter’s Florolegium—Hommage a Leopold Mozart, Samantha took on the experimental-sounding work with courage and technical virtuosity, exploring a range of tones and effects, producing at times electronic, ethereal and dissonant sounds, using glissandi and percussive effects to good advantage. Following this adventure for the ear, Samantha turned to the recognizable Carmen: Fantasie Brilliante for Violin and Piano by Jeno Hubey, showcasing her consider range of expression, emotion and sensitivity, which provided a rich and rhythmic close to the evening.
Samantha gave this concert as “practice” for competition in the Leopold Mozart International Violin Competition in Augsburg, Germany. She participated left for Augsburg soon after the concert, and although she didn’t make it past the first round, she took a philosophical view of her experience. As she wrote in an email,
Unfortunately, I did not make it to the next round of the competition, but that is all right. I felt I didn’t play my best, and the competition is very difficult: only 12 people made it to the next round. I am happy to be in the competition in the first place. This is the first International competition I have applied for and participated in. I have more time to participate in other competitions if I choose and I think this has given me a better idea about what to expect for next time.
Anyone who has heard her play would agree that how Samantha did in the competition is immaterial. To them, and to me she still is, and will continue to be, a winner of the highest order.
Biscuit City 