David Garrett, the Midland Theatre – an Unparalleled Night of Entertainment

Two years ago on an episode of Dancing with the Stars, a young violinist was featured for the entire evening. He provided all the music that night for which the stars were to dance.  His music was not quite classical, not quite rock n' roll – no it was a crossover of the two as well as other genres.

The passion this man showed as he played had me entranced. It didn't hurt that he was "knock you dead gorgeous" – with long blond hair, mischievous eyes and a scruffy beard.

I learned that his name was David Garrett and that he was from Germany, the son of a German man and an American prima ballerina. Garrett had just begun touring the U.S., however, in one short evening, his music had already captured my heart.

I downloaded an album onto iTunes and listened to his music over and over.  I found him on Facebook and 'liked' his page, adding him to a list of rather eclectic taste. My likes range from Enya to Jon Anderson, to the Beatles, to David Arkenstone (Celtic), to James Asher (my favorite), to Earth, Wind & Fire, to Praise Music, Genesis, Tangerine Dream, King Crimson, 10CC, Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, Bluegrass, PAVLO, Deva Premal and Ottmar Liebert, just to name a few!

And then came David Garrett. For the most part, it was just him and his violin. Oh the sweet sounds.

David Garrett, center, performing live at the Arvest Midland
Theatre in the Power & Light District, Kansas City, MO, 2014
(Photo owned by the author, Liz Johnson)

Sometimes we get so caught up in day-to-day life that we forget to get out an enjoy things, but one thing my husband and I like to do is get out during the holidays and take in some concerts. Some years we attend the Nutcracker and every year we look forward to Trans Siberian Orchestra's visit to Kansas City.

Last year in late November we were flipping channels and hit on the local PBS station. It was fundraiser time and who should they be featuring but David Garrett.

"Stop!" I yelled to my husband, who was clutching the remote, "That's David Garrett!"

He had no idea of whom I was speaking, but he deferred to me and remained on the station. After a few minutes he looked at me, completely wowed over by Garrett's talents.

"Has he ever come to Kansas City?" he asked. "I have no idea," I replied, telling him that I watched his Facebook page, but had not thought much about it.

Sure enough, during the fundraising part of the program, the PBS folks were offering David Garrett concert tickets to those spending a certain amount of dollars in their pledge to PBS.

What? David Garrett is coming to Kansas City? I hopped on my laptop and immediately pulled up his website and sure enough, he was coming to Kansas City on Jan. 12, 2014.  He would be performing at the Arvest Midland Theatre in the Power and Light District.

On impulse, I bought us two tickets, choosing to sit as close to the front as possible. "You just bought me my Christmas gift," I yelled to my husband.

Sunday, Jan. 12 came and we headed into the city, never having been to the Midland. We found the theater and parking close by. Before we had even crossed the street my excitement over the impending concert was increased by viewing the beautiful architecture of the Midland.

Once inside I couldn't contain myself. There is something to look at in every nook and cranny in the building, from the beautiful marquee outside to the rounded skylights with their crystal chandeliers to the stained glass in the ceiling in the theater, the balconies, the art on the walls, the ceiling – everywhere.

Inside the Midland Theatre, even with bad lighting the
gorgeous lights, balconies and accoutrements are evident.
(Photo owned by the author, Liz Johnson)

Designed by architect Thomas Lamb of New York (he built some of the most beautiful theaters across the U.S.) and the Boller Brothers of Kansas City, the theater was built in the style of French and Italian baroque (indeed, the furls, cherubs and art is outstanding) and was completed in 1927 for $4 million dollars.

We found our seats, delightfully close to the stage and settled in to wait. Despite arriving 90 minutes ahead of time, we had plenty to occupy ourselves, from watching the interesting fellow concert goers to the architecture.

Finally, the time had come for Garrett to open. His back-up group began playing, but no Garrett. Our aisle was lit so I began looking over my shoulder and sure enough, there HE came, down OUR aisle from the back of the theater, smiling and belting out one of his signature pieces.

Like most of the gals in the theater, I couldn't contain myself. Garrett is electrifying. His composition and crossover from classical pieces and modern rock to violin made you want to close you eyes and believe you were in heaven.

Garrett peppered his performance with interesting and funny anecdotes in between musical pieces. He was sweet and amusing, his voice inflected with his German accent that endeared him to all present, including the men who had accompanied their wives and girlfriends. He played some of the greatest of all composers ... Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, to name a few, plus Coldplay, Michael Jackson and the Beatles – then there was a mix of Argentinian, South American and Hungarian.

The theater was packed with concertgoers, about $3,500+, so the little secret was out ... David Garrett's talent for violin and performing had hit the U.S.

The beautiful Czechoslovakian hand-cut crystal chandelier
in a ceiling dome with hand-painted motifs and gold leaf,
was located in the center of the seating area. (Photo owned
by author, Liz Johnson)

Performing since he was 5, Garrett took Europe by storm for years before settling in New York City and attending Julliard where he majored in musicology and composition.

Since then he has set the world on fire. He has introduced young and old to the joy of the classics, while entertaining them and cultivating an interest in a variety of music genres with his versions composed for violin.

We came away from the concert that night feeling fulfilled. We were happy Garrett was new enough to perform in such a prestigious, yet small venue and thrilled that we got to witness his musical genius early on in his adult career.

We are sure we will be watching for his return to Kansas City and make his concerts yet another of our yearly traditions.

I have just one more request Mr. Garrett ... find your way to Trans Siberian Orchestra. I could just imagine the sensation of your superb violin and TSO's rock operas would equal an experience of a lifetime.