Clarinetist David Krakauer Presents 'The Big Picture' Feb. 28

Clarinetist David Krakauer will present the multimedia piece, The Big Picture, on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the Weis Center for the Performing Arts at Bucknell University.

In The Big Picture, Krakauer reimagines familiar themes by such renowned film music composers as John Williams, Marvin Hamlisch, Randy Newman, Wojciech Kilar and Vangelis and interprets melodic gems by the likes of Sidney Bechet, Sergei Prokofiev, Mel Brooks, Ralph Burns, John Kander & Fred Ebb and Jerry Bock that have appeared in popular films.

New York graphics giant Light of Day has created original films for the production. Instead of using the visual element as a creative starting point, Krakauer's music serves as the catalytic agent with visuals that embrace his adventurous and individual spirit of self-discovery.

"The Big Picture is a special kind of project," says Krakauer. "It's a tour through Jewish history and an exploration of how‎ the movies show us the universality of our individual quests. I want this experience to serve as an opportunity for all. I am privileged to be the tour guide for this incredible voyage."

Widely considered one of the greatest clarinetists on the planet, he has been praised internationally as a key innovator in modern klezmer as well as a major voice in classical music.

Known simply as "Krakauer" to his followers, he is an American original who has embarked on a tremendous journey transforming the music of his Eastern European Jewish heritage into something uniquely contemporary. That journey has led him to an astounding diversity of projects and collaborations ranging from solo appearances with orchestras to major festival concerts with his own improvisation based bands.

He has shared the stage with a wide array of artists such as the Klezmatics, Fred Wesley, Itzhak Perlman, Socalled, Eiko and Koma, Leonard Slatkin and Iva Bitova while being sought after by such composers as Danny Elfman, Osvaldo Golijov, David Del Tredici, John Zorn, George Tsontakis, Mohammed Fairouz and Wlad Marhulets to interpret their works.

In addition, he has performed with renowned string quartets including the Kronos, Tokyo and the Emerson and as soloist with orchestras such as the Orchestre de Lyon, the Orquestra Sinfonica de Madrid, the Phoenix Symphony, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, the Dresdener Philharmonie and the Detroit Symphony, among many others.

Tickets for the performance are $20 for adults, $16 for seniors 62+, $10 for youth 18 and under, $10 for Bucknell employees and retirees (limit 2), $10 for non-Bucknell students and $10 for Bucknell students (limit 2).

Tickets can be purchased online at www.bucknell.edu/BoxOffice or by calling the Campus Box Office at 570-577-1000.

For more information about this performance contact Lisa Leighton, marketing and outreach director, at 570-577-3727 or by email at lisa.leighton@bucknell.edu.

The next event in the Weis Center's 2014-15 Series is a family-friendly performance of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favorites on Saturday, March 7, at 1 p.m. at the Weis Center. Three beloved stories by Eric Carle are retold on stage through the magic of black light and fanciful puppets. The 60-minute performance is suggested for ages 3-7. Tickets for the performance are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 62+, $5 for youth 18 and under, $5 for Bucknell employees and retirees (limit 2), $5 for non-Bucknell students and $5 for Bucknell students (limit 2).

For more information about the Weis Center for the Performing Arts, go to www.bucknell.edu/WeisCenter or www.facebook.com/WeisCenter