Chang returns for performances ... and to surf

By Derek Paiva
Advertiser Staff Writer

Sarah Chang returns this weekend for two performances with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. At 21, Chang is among the world's top violinists. Her fourth performance with the orchestra includes Goldmark's Violin concerto in A Minor, which she described as romantic and technically challenging. Sarah Chang with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra 4 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday Blaisdell Concert Hall $15-$55; 792-2000

"I'm so sorry," says Chang, as the 10-year-old voice of her now 14-year-old brother Michael fills the line. "It'll be over soon."

And so we sit and listen to Michael's high-pitched and happy squeal — offering up the choice of leaving a message or hanging up — until the tape runs out and Chang again apologizes.

"His voice has completely changed, but we keep it as a souvenir," explains Chang, sweetly. "My brother hates it. He absolutely hates it. But we like to torture him with it."

Home only hours earlier after three months away on tour, Chang is already enjoying the simple Pavlovian pleasures of extracting niceties from her brother by dangling a free trip to Hawai'i in front of him.

"It's actually his spring break, so this all collided beautifully," says Chang, mischievously. "He's been so amazingly nice! You have no idea."

Hailed as a prodigy for much of her childhood and then as one of the world's top violinists during her teenage years, Chang arrives in town this weekend for two performances with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. Now 21 and enjoying each passing minute separating the present from her New York Philharmonic debut as an 8-year-old wunderkind, the dates mark the fourth time Chang has played with the Honolulu orchestra.

"Maestro Wong has always been ... so laid back," says Chang. "And he's such a joy to work with because he makes it so much fun. He's always given me so much freedom with repertoire ... letting me program works that I've wanted to play."

Chang's program this time around will feature Rimsky-Korsakov's "Russian Easter Overture," Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 1 and Goldmark's Violin Concerto in A Minor. The violinist is particularly fond of the Goldmark composition, one of the more recent additions to her repertoire.

"The Goldmark is one of the most beautiful concertos that I've ever worked on," says Chang. "I recorded it about three years ago and people came up to me and said that they had no idea that this concerto existed. It's a wonderfully romantic piece with a lot of technical challenges and, ohhh, I just can't wait to get there!"

Accustomed to the grind of mostly overnight or multi-night tour stops offering little more than "airport-concert hall-hotel room-airport" views of cities worldwide, Chang enjoys the extra time afforded her in Hawai'i to get to know orchestra musicians as well as hit the beach.

"They give you Sunday matinees, and then they give you Mondays off!" says Chang, incredulously, of the orchestra. "It's so beautiful!"

Nevertheless, she spins a cautionary tale— told to her by previous symphony guest musicians — of Mondays spent snorkeling, surfing or trying some other outrageous outdoor activity and then getting hurt right before showtime.

"This has almost always been the case with me," confesses Chang. "I've always done something stupid on that Monday."

Well, since you opened up the box, Sarah, do tell.

"Oh my God, the last time I was there, I tried surfing for the very first time on that Monday," remembers Chang. "And then after about two or three hours in the water, I got back to my hotel and could barely move my shoulders. I was like, 'Oh, this is just great, Sarah!'"

Slated for an encore of Brahms' Concerto in D Major — otherwise known by Chang herself as "one of the most massive monstrous concertos out there, where I need all the physical energy that I have" — the violinist cautiously offered Wong a full embarrassed confession the next day.

"I told him, 'You won't believe me, but I went surfing yesterday and I can barely tune the violin right now,'" says Chang, barely stifling laughter. "He was just ready to strangle me. But he was such a sweetie and told me that most artists do that anyway."

Chang went on to perform the evening's program flawlessly, albeit in considerable pain.

"Some of the symphony members even offered to take me out the next day to teach me how to surf properly," says Chang.

Bet you can just guess the next question tossed Chang's way.

"Oh, are you kidding, I'm absolutely doing it again," says Chang. "Actually, you know, I might even surf on Saturday after rehearsal."

Consider yourself officially warned, maestro Wong.