A School Concert review:
HELSINGE SCHOOL - March 1996:
ANIMALS IN THE MUSIC.
The introduction was presented by Finn and Jochen themselves: Guitar and violin was the subject.
A chat with the kids. Nice and easy. The children were immediately curious. Was it Jochen's small accent that struck this blow from the big world?
They took their places. Finn was seated, Jochen was below. The children sang along to "See the Little Starling". Between verses the musicians conjured variations on the melody with free expression, which finally ended with a sad twist in the minor key. We were fine in time with the animals in the music.
There was "Dance of the Mosquitos", "The Bumblebee”, and "The Canary", where Jochen demonstrated the violin's incredible possibilities.
There was an elephant ballet for solo guitar and Finn succeeded in using the instrument almost like a small orchestra, that is, sustaining melody, chords, rhythm section as well as the bass. There was Kuk-Kuk (cuckoo): a charming little piece of music by the French composer Louis Claude Daquin (1694 -1772). There was the Swan. Incredibly, Jochen was the Swan. And if Finn had been afloat playing the guitar, then a swan would not have been able to swim about as beautifully.
It was refreshing to follow the way the musicians tackled guessing rounds:
Which animal is it? What do you say? A bee. No. What do you say? A mosquito. Yes. Not 'something something': It could be that you might also be right about it. Oh no. Here you go. Clear end results. And how! The children immediately went along with these rules that created fun and good entertainment.
Throughout the concert Finn and Jochen presented a high-class ensemble. Apart from the basic layout with Jochen standing, the song leader, with his violin and Finn seated accompanying on guitar:
They juggle, play around with the musical substance presenting a richly varied ensemble that greatly entertained the children's interest which they held.
Towards the concert's end, we had reached a sort of workshop-like situation. There was a period of music with lots of spirit in the air: Jochen played, gesticulated, directed, gave tips, "again", "view", etc. - multi-performances with violin and body language, the children spontaneously expressing great joy in being cast.
Great applause for the musicians, encores and autograph signing rounded-off the highly successful concert.
Programs - Brusch & Svit
Programs for Violin and Guitar with the violinist Jochen Brusch.
Program 1:
Händel: Sonata D major, Paganini: Sonata in E minor and various works, Chopin: Nocturne C sharp minor, Sarasate: Romanza Andaluza, and works by Kreisler, Henriques, a.o.
Program 2:
Veracini: Sonata A major, Tartini; The Devils Trill Sonata, Chopin: Mazurka in A minor, Dvorák: Indian Lament, Vieuxtemps: Yankee Doodle, Bazzini: La Ronde des Lutins, etc.
Program 3:
Bach: French Suite, Haydn: Sonata in E minor, Schubert: Arpeggione sonate (2. and 3. Sentence)
Program 4:
Homage a Denmark
Danish composers and music related to Denmark: works by Buxtehude, Dowland, Vivaldi, Nielsen, Lumbye etc.
Program 5:
Schubert: Aonate Arpeggione, Paganini: selected works for violin and guitar at for both solo violin and guitar solo.
Programs for the young:
"Animals in Music"
"Around the World In 45 Minutes"
"Witches Dance"
"Classical music with Brusch & Svit".
MY FRIENDS IN MUSIC:
1. Brusch & Svit
JOCHEN BRUSCH & FINN ELIAS SVIT
CV – DUO BRUSCH & SVIT
Frederic Chopin once exclaimed: "There is nothing lovelier than the sound of a guitar - except for the sound of two guitars!" With all due respect to the honorable Maestro, we would like to claim that the sound of a guitar together with a violin is even lovelier. So, in 1992 we decided to prove the charm of this combination of instruments, and created our duo.
RECORDINGS :
TREASURES for Violin and Guitar 1996
MORE TREASURES for Violin and Guitar 1998
BAROQUE TREASURES - 1999
HOMMAGE AUX DANMARK 2003
ANIMALS IN MUSIC 2006
FAMOUS KEYBOARD WORKS BY BACH for Violin and Guitar 2010
SCHUBERT & PAGANINI for Violin and Guitar 2014
About the Duo:
The Jochen Brusch & Finn Svit Duo has given concerts all over Denmark and numerous places in Germany, in addition to festival appearances, masterclasses and recitals in many other European countries and the USA. Their numerous school concerts - with programs such as the popular "Musical Animals" - have thrilled thousands of young audience members, both in Denmark and abroad. Among the many enthusiastic supporters of the duo's music, one of the most prominent was Yehudi Menuhin, the legendary violin virtuoso, who gave the duo his warmest recommendation.
CV - Jochen Brusch:
Jochen Brusch has given recitals in most European countries and has appeared on several occasions in the USA performing, for instance, the entire Bach solo violin repertoire. He has recorded and published more than 100 pieces on CD and has received glowing reviews for his work. His teaching duties include courses, seminars and lectures at university level. Jochen Brusch plays a violin duplicated from Paganini's famous Guarneri.
HOHENZOLLERICSHE Zeitung:
“The language Jochen Brusch and Finn Svit offer the public is clear and very honest....The audience clapped, stomped and whistled for the best concert ever on Schloss Lindich.”
FLENSBORG AVIS:
"The two musicians are deeply committed to the repertoire, they love to play, and they love to communicate. They manage to create closeness during the experience. An intimate concert - a great experience."