NEW YORK--Much of the fun of student concerts is in spotting future stars of the concert stage. A light bulb went on last November 25 when Vladimir Jurowski, principal conductor of the London Philharmonic, led the Juilliard Orchestra in an all- Shostakovich concert at Alice Tully Hall. A glance at the players’ roster elicited an instant spotlight of recognition: Francesca Rose dePasquale Concertmaster.
DePasquale’s rich, expressive playing at that concert captured every mood, from pathos to acerbity, her pitch centered firmly in each note.
Talking with her a month later at the Juilliard School, where she studies with Catherine Cho and Itzhak Perlman and will graduate in May with a Master of Music degree, she revealed herself to be a well-spoken, mature, and thoughtful young musician. She is as aware of the dilemmas facing a career in today’s economically turbulent classical-music world as she has command of her violin. Moreover, her remarkable background has endowed her with the perception and drive that appears certain to lead to an exceptional career.
Perlman’s appreciation of his receptive student is clear: “The first word that comes to mind is ‘classic.’ She’s a classy young lady, a beautiful musician, very artistic. It’s interesting that her personality and music-making are very integrated, which is not always the case. When we work together, we talk about music on a very high level, and she absorbs. She’s remarkable.”
