Pavel Šporcl: Rebel with the Blue Violin in Review
Pavel Šporcl, violin
54 Below, New York, NY
October 1, 2025
So you are a classical violinist, and have performed throughout the globe in venues such as Carnegie Hall and Disney Hall, with excellent orchestras as both ensemble member and soloist, under the batons of some of the leading conductors, but you want to branch out in a new direction-what do you do? If you are Pavel Šporcl, you trade in your tux for jeans, recruit some rock musician friends (Keyboardist/Hammond Organist Brian Charette, guitarist Sebastian Skalitzky, and drummer Otto Hejnic), arrange some classic rock hits, and take your act on the road- and yes, you put aside your “normal” violin in favor of one that is blue. You are now the Rebel with the Blue Violin, and you’re ready to rock! The first stop for Mr. Šporcl’s US tour was at 54 Below in New York City, to celebrate the recently released recording Rebel with the Blue Violin (available at Universal Music in both LP and CD). To learn more about Pavel Šporcl, including the story behind his blue violin, visit his website by following this link : Pavel Šporcl – Rebel with the Blue Violin.
Let’s start the obvious – this was not a concert; it was a show. Playing in a club has its own dynamic and unique demands placed on the artist, complete with servers weaving in and out of tables delivering drinks and food during the music, flashing lights, audience members with their phones out taking videos (with the blessing of the performer and the operators of the venue), and calling out selections from the stage for a “set”, instead of a printed program. This reviewer loves concerts and “classical” music, but he also loves shows and can more than hold his own with most as regards “rock.”
After the house introduction, Mr. Šporcl took the stage and immediately launched into a solo which started out as Bach as a springboard, but evolved into an improvisatory display leading to Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir with the band entering. After a little banter with the audience, more Led Zeppelin was on the horizon – Stairway to Heaven. One could say that Mr. Šporcl chose these pieces wisely, as both have riffs that almost anyone would have recognized hearing at some point. even if they didn’t know the group or the title ( although one could claim that everyone knows Stairway to Heaven), and both songs have extended sections for instrumental solos. Mr. Šporcl’s solos in both had the appearance of being improvised in a virtuosic way that was in keeping with the spirit of the music, while showcasing his considerable talent. The Rolling Stones’ (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction got a similar treatment. The audience enjoyed every minute, with some swaying to the music and whistling their approval. Mr. Šporcl also offered two of his own works, Boundless and Surprise, both spirited and having enough “edge” without becoming caricatures of hard rock.
When Mr. Šporcl announced Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, the audience reacted with excited “oohs!” – I suspect this is what brought many in the audience to the show. Mr. Šporcl did not disappoint – this was a showstopper in every way, from the ingenious arrangement to the brilliant playing, capturing the quirky timbres and the mock operatic style with near perfection. It was a tour-de-force in a way one would not expect for a rock song! The audience roared its approval, and I shared their enthusiasm for what was the highlight of the set.
Mr. Šporcl did “sneak” some “classical” into his set. Two Paganini Caprices were his choice, the 5th as a solo demonstration, leading into an arrangement of the 24th for rock band, which he called Magic 24. It was a smart choice to select two caprices in the same key, making the transition almost seamless. Movie fans might have recognized the 5th Caprice from the “guitar duel” scene of the 1986 Ralph Macchio film Crossroads. Mr. Šporcl gave it the razzle-dazzle that was sure to wow the crowd, sort of in the same way countless people do Flight of the Bumblebee. As for Magic 24, it could be likened to Walter Murphy (think A Fifth of Beethoven) without the disco elements, but still with a lot of rhythmic drive. Paganini himself might have enjoyed this romp, as did this listener.
Billie Eilish’s What Was I Made For? (featured in the movie Barbie) was a sweet way of dialing back the frenetic energy of Magic 24. A smoldering Smoke on the Water (Deep Purple) and a thoughtful arrangement of the Beatles’ Let It Be as an encore ended the set. Much praise is due to Mr. Šporcl’s band, who were all stars in their own right.
Mr. Šporcl greeted his many admirers after the show, and no doubt this personable man and excellent musician made new fans this evening. If one likes some good classic rock and wishes to embark on a unique musical adventure, then Rebel with the Blue Violin is something to explore.
