Journey of 100
In May 2012, at Lincoln Center in NYC, I set out on a journey to share myself as an equal partner with listeners in experiencing the Chaconne: a profound work of solo violin music that is the culminating movement of the Partita in D Minor byJ. S. Bach. Player, Listener and Music coming together as a Trinity.
100 performances provide a long-term focus to refine my capacity to connect all the parts of this Trinity, and develop a violin technique that creates clear musical independence of the three and sometimes four voices that Bach uses in his works for solo violin.
I write today having recently passed the half-way mark of the Journey of 100. I am more certain than ever that this entire Partita is one of his rare, personal expressions, the five movements forming a continuous story of his personal experience of the Soul’s journey and his questions of Life and the Beyond.
Croton-on-Hudson, NY January 18, 2026
Upcoming Journeys
Chaconne #39 – Private performance, Sag Harbor, NY – October 13, 2018
This 39th performance in the Journey of 100 was a house warming concert for Robert, Deborah and their friends. Before starting, I described my intention through the series of performances to more deeply explore the rapport between a Divine musical work, the listeners and me the performer. After hearing some of the audience’s response to the music I began to feel in awe of the potential Music has to open connections between us as people because it was clear that folks felt moved, seemingly more connected with themselves and with the composer’s spirit. It has been over a year since performance…
Read MoreAugust 8, 2018 Bennington College
Dvorak Quintet Op. 77 in G with Andrea Schultz, Violin Veronica Salas, Viola Michael Finckel, Cello and Alexander Jacobsen, Bass part of Bennington Chamber Music Conference Faculty Artist Series
Read MoreAugust 4, 2018, Bennington College
Mahler Piano Quartet in a (composed circa 1875-76) with Amadie Azikiwe, Viola, Michael Finckel, Cello and Adam Golka, Piano part of Bennington Chamber Music Conference Faculty Artist Series
Read MoreAugust 1, 2018 – Bennington College
Haydn String Quartet in C, Op.20 #2 with Mayuyki Fukuhara, Violin, Amadie Azikiwe, Viola Lutz Rath, Cello as part of Bennington Chamber Music Conference Faculty Artist Series
Read MoreWednesday June 20, 2018 Franklin and Marshall College
Antonin Dvorak Three Miniatures, Op. 75a with Linda Rosenthal, Violin and Andrew Knebel, Viola Summertrios Faculty Concert Series Barshinger Center, Franklin and Marshall College
Read MoreJune 6, 2018 at Summertrios ProAm week
Beethoven String trio in D, Op.9 #2 Summertrios Faculty Concert Series with Leslie Tomkins, Viola and Robert Burkhart, Cello
Read MoreMarch 10th and 24th, 2018 – Midland Music Concert Series
Beethoven – from Improvisations to the Pen is a two concert mini series that explores Beethoven’s profoundly human and personal process of creating some of the greatest music on our planet. 7:30 PM both nights – Bronxville Womens Club, Bronxville, NY Artists: Oxana Mikhailoff, Piano, Shem Guibbory, Violin, Robert Burkhart, Cello, Leslie Tomkins, Viola and Toby Kasavan, composer/speaker. A few words from Shem: In the last years I have been performing and teaching the early chamber music of Beethoven – Op. 1 Piano Trios written when he was about 23 years old, and the Op. 9 String Trios written when he was…
Read MoreFebruary 25, 2018 Salon Soutine, NY, NY
Preview performance of Beethoven – from Improvisations to the Pen – with Oxana Mikhailoff, Piano, Robert Burkhart, Cello and special guest Toby Kasavan, composer/speaker 4pm by invitation only
Read MoreOctober 18, 2017, Utica College, Utica NY
Noontime concert series. Mozart Sonata in e, K304 – J.S. Bach Sonata in b, BWV1014 – Stravinsky Suite Italienne, arr. Stravinsky/Dushkin With Sar-Shalom Strong, Piano
Read MoreBeethoven’s Improvisations: from Piano to Pen
These two programs survey some of Beethoven’s first published works – the Piano Trios Opus 1 and the astonishing String Trios Op.9. A musical illustration by composer and pianist Toby Kasavan will show how Beethoven’s universal improvisational vocabulary can be brought into a variety of musical styles. Beethoven the Master Improvisor 2018_March Performers Tickets
Read More