It’s not fair to say Tim Fain merely plays the violin. A more accurate portrayal would be that Fain pulls out the potential lying dormant in the instrument – the classic and the contemporary, the sweet and the aggressive.
He’s an accomplished musician, who has worked with well-known artists; American composer Philip Glass wrote a work especially for Fain and his popular, often sold-out multimedia show, “Portals.”
Fain’s resume includes appearances in the symphonies in Mexico City and Oxford, and the Brooklyn and Hague philharmonics. He was in the blockbuster movie, “Black Swan,” and plays on a violin made by Francesco Gobetti in 1717, on loan from the Stradivari Society.
But words can only describe Fain’s talent and style to a point. To get the real picture, you would have to see his dynamic performance on stage.
For Flathead Valley residents, the chance to see Fain perform is as easy as attending the fifth-annual Festival Amadeus, a weeklong classical music festival hosted by the Glacier Symphony and Chorale, taking place from July 22 through July 28. During the week, audiences will be introduced to new soloists cellist Amit Peled and pianist Alon Goldstein, and enjoy performances from clarinetist Dinah Weimer.
This year marks the second time Fain will take the stage during the festival, having performed in it three years ago. Fain said he has enjoyed working with GSC music director and conductor John Zoltek in the past.
“It was such a wonderful experience; I love this part of the country and John’s a good friend,” Fain said. “This time around we’ve got a really diverse programming.”
Fain is scheduled to play three times. The first performance is on Sunday, July 22, at the festival’s free, open-air concert in Whitefish’s Depot Park at 7:30 p.m. Fain will perform with the Festival Amadeus Orchestra, playing pieces from Beethoven, Dvorak, Kreisler, Rossini, Saint-Saens and Mozart.
His second appearance is on Tuesday, July 24, at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. for “Magnificent Duo.” The performance will include Paul Coletti on viola and April Lane on piano. Pieces will range from the classic to the contemporary, with Fain soloing music from Glass’ opera, “Einstein on the Beach.”
The third performance is scheduled for Thursday, during the “Serenade of Soloists” evening, with Fain and Coletti joining forces again, this time with the Festival Amadeus Strings. They will play works from Bach and Vivaldi, as well as the premiere of Coletti’s “Planets Concerto” for solo viola and chamber music.
Like the music he has mastered, Fain, 35, is a performer with a mix of classic and contemporary. He plays the masterpieces on stage, but doesn’t mind a bit of interaction with crowd.
Some musicians are put off by the crowd showing its appreciation during pauses between movements, he said.
“I feel like I have a little different take on that,” Fain said. “I would say that I’m a really communicative player.”
Connecting with the audience is exciting, he said, but oftentimes he’s so enthralled in the music that it is all that exists at the moment. And playing on such a special instrument enhances that feeling.
“You really have a feeling that you’re communing with another soul,” Fain said of his violin. “The violin itself brings so much to the table; there’s so much potential for the sounds and the types of expression.”
Fain began working with Glass about six years ago, and the two created the “Partita” for Fain’s show, Portals. What started as a three-piece movement ended up being seven movements, Fain said, and showcases how Glass is still evolving even in his 70s.
“I’m convinced it’s one of his best compositions to date,” Fain said.
And while music is a major part of his life, Fain said he is looking forward to taking a month-long vacation in August and spending more time with his wife and child in the Bitterroot.
But sharing music with others drives him. He will continue with more shows in major cities after leaving Whitefish, connecting with audiences through works old and new.
“I really love what I do. As you get older start to have a little more perspective; you see people around who didn’t have the opportunity to connect with people,” Fain said. “Ultimately what really most important for me is the music, just the expression of the music and making something beautiful for people.”
Festival Amadeus 2012 runs from July 22-28. For ticketing and a full schedule of events, visit www.gscmusic.org or call 406-257-3241.