With his national Bach "Listening-Room" Tour, internationally acclaimed cellist Matt Haimovitz is taking BachÕs Suites for Cello Solo out of the concert hall and performing in intimate venues around the country, in what is "by all accounts the first time a classical musician of stature has ventured outside the hallowed halls of conventional concert venues on a national scale." (Boston Globe).

Begun in 2001, the tour has included historic, standing-room-only performances at The Mint in Los Angeles, the Tin Angel in Philadelphia, the Tractor Tavern in Seattle, and at New York's infamous CBGB club last fall. This tour was recently the subject of a full-length feature on ABC's Nightline Upclose program.

At the Bull Run Restaurant, long-standing venue in the area, known for bringing talent from many genres, Haimovitz brings Bach full circle, finishing the 6 suite cycle in two New England venues, and offering new programs in two others.

Matt Haimovitz will play selections from his upcoming Anthem CD, including his own arrangement of Jimi HendrixÕs "Star-Spangled Banner," which was recorded live at New York's CBGB. The recording, to be released in fall 2003, will coincide with the beginning of HaimovitzÕs ÒAnthem Tour,Ó in which the cellist will bring new American compositions to cities in all 50 states.

"Oxingale's upcoming fall 2003 release, Anthem," explains Matt Haimovitz, "is my celebration of AmericaÕs fine-art culture through the lens of the solo cello." Focusing on living American composers with whom Haimovitz has had a close connection, the album includes ÒSeventh Avenue KaddishÓ by David Sanford, current winner of the Rome Prize, commissioned especially for Anthem as a reaction to the tragedy of September 11, as well as works by Luna Pearl Woolf, Tod Machover, Osvaldo Golijov, Steve Mackey, Augusta Read Thomas, Bruce Adolphe, Robert Stern and Lou HarrisonÕs Prelude to "Rhymes With Silver."

Over the last two years Haimovitz has been broadening the reach of his audience and provocatively - yet constructively - questioning the strict boundaries of classical traditions. His innovative touring schedule has brought new and curious audiences from one type of venue to the other: from beer hall to concert hall and vice versa, with audiences rising to their feet in appreciation.

Martha Luehrmannwho recently attended a Berkeley California performanceÊcalled Haimovitz "our hero." She and her husband discovered him in Connecticut a year ago, when they wandered into a club [Vanilla Bean CafŽ!] where Haimovitz was playing the Bach cello suites. "It was mesmerizing. I fell in love," said Luehrmann. This from someone who as a girl witnessed the playing of Pablo Casals in Puerto Rico, where the master often performed. "I think Casals would have liked him," she said of Haimovitz.

Tickets are available for Matt Haimovitz at The Bull Run Restaurant, 978-425-4311, and at all Strawberries Music and Video Stores.

Ticket purchases and pre-concert dinner reservations can also be made at:
Action Music & Sound (Acton, Gardner and Leominster)
Music Box (Fitchburg)
Centre Music House (Framingham)
University Music (Lowell)
Robinson Music Co (Marlborough & Westborough)
Bearly Read Books (Sudbury).

The Bull Run Restaurant's popular concert series offers something for everyone. Check out our upcoming events at www.BullRunRestaurant.com