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 #38 – Bennington College, August 11, 2017
I am looking forward to re-connecting with this work that I performed last week with the painters in Tim and Lala’s art studio. Tonight is for a few friends, old and new. ______ Tonite was one of the performances for which I did not specially prepare, as I have been working hard all week for the Conference. My focus was to just let go, and allow the piece to play itself, so to speak. The hall without people is very resonant, and I found myself just allowing the tones to have lots of time, so the rhythmic framework was…
Read MoreChaconne #37 – August 2, Art New England program
A live performance for a session at Art New England, “The Mark and Beyond…” taught by ANE faculty Timothy Hawkesworth and Lala Zeitlyn. This performance for their painting students, is one in which we explore how the live performance of the Chaconne will facilitate the artists’ access to individual creative places in their own bodies. (Teaching this access is part of the expertise that Tim and Lala bring to their students). Performed in their teaching studio at Bennington College, VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts) center. We anticipate that the results of the artists’ work (photos) will be posted here in the blog at the end of this…
Read MoreChaconne #36 – July 30, 11:30a Art New England Faculty
A live “test” performance for ANE faculty Timothy Hawkesworth and Lala Zeitlin and a few friends. We are considering a performance for their painting students this week, one in which we explore if the live performance of the Chaconne will facilitate the artists’ access to individual creative places in their own bodies. (Teaching this access is part of the expertise that Tim and Lala bring to their students). Tim and Lala want to experience the creative possibilities directly, for themselves, before bringing the opportunity to this week’s class. Performed in their teaching studio at Bennington College, VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts) center. My post-performance comments:…
Read MoreMarch 25th 7:30pm with pianist Oxana Mikhailoff and photographs Peter Latin
Memories and Reflections – Enesco and Laytin
Read MoreChaconne #35 – 7:00pm 2/24/17 Opus Cafe
The third and final Journey of 100 performance sponsored by Hamilton College
Read MoreChaconne #34 – 3:30pm 2/24/17 Kirkland Public Library
55 1/2 College St, Clinton, NY 13323 (315) 853-2038 The second of three Journey of 100 performances sponsored by Hamilton College
Read MoreChaconne #33 – 12 Noon 2/24/17 Science Center Atrium
The first of three Journey of 100 events at Hamilton College, Clinton NY 13323
Read MoreWCNY Radio Performance and Interview
http://www.wcny.org/february-8-2017-shem-guibbory-and-sar-shalom-strong/ A live performance and interview with pianist Sar-Shalom Strong promoting my Artist Residency at Hamilton College, Clinton NY February 23-25, 2017. on this link: Stravinsky Suite Italienne Introduzione and Enesco Impressions D’Enfance – Gypsy Violinist, Old Beggar, Stream at the Bottom of the Garden
Read MoreChaconne #32 – The Explorers Club, NYC Mon Feb 13
https://explorers.org/events/detail/public_lecture_series_with_shem_guibbory_and_dorit_donoviel This performance in my series Journey of 100 is part of an amazing evening: a program I am sharing with my niece Dr. Dorit Donoviel, one of the chief scientists in charge of the medical program for NASA astronauts. We are calling it For the Love of Music and Space. RESERVATIONS 212.628.8383 or email us at [email protected] Date: Monday, February 13th Time: 6:00 pm Reception, 7:00 pm Lecture Location: Explorers Club – 46 East 70th Street, New York, NY, 10021 Member Ticket Price: $10 Guest Ticket Price: $25 Student Ticket Price: $5 with a valid academic ID
Read MoreChaconne #31 – January 23 10:30am – Tarrytown NY
at the JCC on the Hudson in Tarrytown, NY just next to Hyatt Doubletree. 371 S. Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591, phone (914) 366-7898 Admission $5 http://shamesjcc.org/events/2017/01/23/events/j.s.-bach-journey-of-100-lecture-performance/
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