At age 27, violinist Randall Goosby has already achieved more than most musicians can hope for in a lifetime. A protégé of luminaries Itzhak Perlman and Catherine Cho, Goosby has performed with major orchestras around the world and recorded two groundbreaking albums that showcase a rich legacy of Black composers. On November 17–19, Goosby will make his debut with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra as part of the Korngold and Dvořák program.
Goosby has been widely praised for his nuanced and soulful musicianship, a sensitivity that he says is inspired by vocalists. Among his awards and accolades, he’s a recipient of Sphinx’s Isaac Stern Award and has made two appearances at Carnegie Hall as part of the organization’s Young Artist Development Program.
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But Goosby isn’t content to rest on his laurels. He also advocates for social justice, education, and outreach, using his music as a tool to inspire and empower others. He works with such nonprofits as the Opportunity Music Project and Concerts in Motion in New York City, and he participates in community programs across the country.
“The opportunity and responsibility of having some level of talent and passion, and of being able to share that with the next generation—whether it be musicians, orchestra managers, concertgoers—is huge for me,” says Goosby. “For me, the privilege of being able to perform with orchestras around the world comes with the opportunity to connect with parts of that community that don’t get to enjoy, often enough, those musical experiences and certainly those concerts.”
Goosby’s first album, Roots, released in 2021 by Decca Classics, reflects his own heritage (his father is Black, and his mother is Korean) and his commitment to celebrating diversity in classical music. The album features a number of works by composers of color, such as William Grant Still, Florence Price, and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.
For his debut performance in St. Louis, Goosby will play Korngold’s Violin Concerto, a piece that premiered—with acclaimed violinist Jascha Heifetz as soloist—in 1947 at the St. Louis Concert Hall. He’ll be joined by conductor Christian Reif, who’s also making his debut with the SLSO.
“One of my biggest inspirations for this piece was the recording of Heifetz, who Korngold had in mind when he was writing this piece,” Goosby says. “A lot of [qualities] in the piece have that steely brilliance that I associate with Heifetz. There’s so much tension and release in that piece—it’s incredibly satisfying.”
PLAYLIST
GET TO KNOW THE PIECES HIGHLIGHTED BY THE KORNGOLD AND DVOŘÁK PROGRAM.
Vítězslava Kaprálová Suita Rustica:
This charming, colorful work draws on Czech folk melodies and dances, with a touch of Stravinsky’s influence. Kaprálová composed this suite in just nine days, a testament to her prodigious talent and originality.
Erich Wolfgang Korngold Violin Concerto:
The romantic, lyrical concerto blends Korngold’s cinematic music themes with his classical style. The solo violin sings with expressive beauty and brilliance, while the orchestra provides a rich, dramatic accompaniment.
Antonin Dvořák Symphony no. 7:
This powerful, passionate symphony reflects Dvořák’s personal and national struggles. It combines a turbulent emotional soundscape with melodic and rhythmic vitality, culminating in a triumphant finale.
