The Lancaster Festival Remembers Michael Davis
Michael Davis, Lancaster Festival Orchestra concertmaster, passed away on March 2, 2008.
From Gary Sheldon, Lancaster Festival Artistic Director:
We have all lost a dear friend in the passing of Michael Davis. We were honored to have Michael serve as concertmaster of the Lancaster Festival Orchestra for all 20 seasons of the Orchestra's existence.
Michael's extraordinary musical gifts proved to mean something greater than just performing. He showed that music can teach something about humanity, about connecting people with their families and with their communities. In this way, he was ultimately an educator who gave something from his heart to every student, every orchestra and every audience.
Columbus Dispatch Notice ~ Obituary
SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL condolences.
From Lou Ross, Lancaster Festival Executive Director:
Michael Davis added greatly to the spirit of the Lancaster Festival and the Festival Orchestra. He understood what drove the special people in this community to produce this Festival year after year, loved them for it and gave them thanks through his years of dedicated leadership and superb playing as the Festival concertmaster. Michael was a joy to be with and to listen to. He was a teacher, believing in the musicians of tomorrow, doing his best to give assistance along the way. He will be sorely missed in this community. Our hearts reach out to his loved ones, family and friends.
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Your Violin ~ James Whitcomb Riley
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Your violin! Ah me!
‘Twas fashioned o’er the sea
In storied Italy –
What matters where?
It is its voice that sways
And thrills me as it plays
The airs of other days –
The days that were! |
Then let your magic bow
Glide lightly to and fro-
I close my eyes, and so,
In vast content,
I kiss my hand to you
And to the tunes we knew
Of old, as well as to
Your instrument! |
Poured out of some dim dream
Of lulling sounds that seem
Like ripples of a stream
Twanged lightly by
The slender, tender hands
Of weeping-willow wands
That droop where gleaming sands
And pebbles lie. |
A melody that swoons
In all the truant tunes
Long listless afternoons
Lure from the breeze,
When woodland boughs are stirred,
And moaning doves are heard,
And laughter afterward
Beneath the trees. |
Through all the chorusing,
I hear on leaves of spring
The drip and pattering
Of April skies,
With echoes faint and sweet
As baby-angel feet
Might wake along a street
Of Paradise. |
Preparing to Tune the Orchestra, 2007 |
Mendelssohn Concerto for violin and Orchestra in E Minor OP. 64, 2005 |
Schubert Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 114 “The Trout”
with members of the Lancaster Festival Orchestra, 2007 |
Michael Davis, Maestro Sheldon, Jon Kimura Parker discussing the finer points of Beethoven Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 5, "Emperor", 1995 |
After-concert moment with fellow violinist Darrell Murray, 2007 |
After the concert, with Arnett Howard, 2007 |
Soloists for Bach Brandenburg Concerto #2, 2007
Elizabeth Robertson, Michael Davis, Margaret Swinchoski |
Backstage before "Crescendo!", 2007 |
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