2019 Festival Focus Week 2

FESTIVALFOCUS YOUR WEEKLY CLASSICAL MUSIC GUIDE

SUPPLEMENT TO THE ASPEN TIMES

MONDAY, JULY 1, 2019

VOL 30, NO. 2

ALSO NOTE: July 5: McGegan Conducts ACS On Friday, July 5, the Aspen Chamber Symphony, lead by conductor Nicholas McGegan, presents Holst’s Walt Whitman Overture, Prokofiev’s First Violin Concerto played by alumna Simone Porter, Schubert’s Symphony No. 5 , and Vivaldi’s Concerto in G minor.

Fourth of July Band Concert!

Don’t miss the AMFS annual free fourth of July band concert at the Benedict Music Tent at 4 pm. Lawrence Isaacson leads the AMFS band in stirring patriotic favorites

by Sousa and others.

Pianist and AMFS alumna Joyce Yang presents a recital on July 3, collaborating with fellow pianist and friend Conrad Tao on Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances.

Guest star alumni Yang and Tao in two recitals JESSICA CABE Festival Focus Writer

Pianists Conrad Tao, 25, and Joyce Yang, 33, met each other more than fifteen years ago, but it was only this year that the two played together.

With recitals at the Aspen Music Festival and School (AMFS) back-to-back—Tao’s on Tuesday, July 2 and Yang’s on Wednesday, July 3—it was a perfect opportunity for them to come together artistically. They will play

Rachmaninoff’s two-piano arrangement of his lush, rhythmically powerful Symphonic Dances as the closing work on Yang’s recital.

“He’s such a great inspiration to me, such a great pianist,” Yang says of Tao. “I’ve just been totally in admiration of his projects, of how he thinks. He’s actually taught me quite a bit about this piece, even though it was his first time performing it.”

Symphonic Dances is usually heard as an orchestral work, but the composer arranged it

for piano himself, and Yang says there is something naturally pianistic about the piece. The work shows off Rachmaninoff’s mastery as a storyteller and quotes his other music.

“What gives the piece shape, that speaks to something powerfully elusive, is the fact that Rachmaninoff is engaging with his own past through the work,” Tao says. “The experience of playing it with Joyce was getting to find all those places Rachmaninoff wants to take us.”

See Recitals, Festival Focus page 3

Top music students from around the world arrive CHRISTINA THOMSEN Festival Focus Writer

It’s that time of the summer again when the street corners in Aspen start to fill with the sounds of classical music. More than 690 students arrived last week from all corners of the world to study and perform this summer at the Aspen Music Festival and School (AMFS).

For an intense eight weeks, students take lessons, perform weekly with orchestra, opera, or in chamber music, compete for competition titles, meet and perform with world-class guest artists, and even teach local children.

“I often hear students say that a summer at the Aspen Music Festival and School equates to an entire year at a conservatory in terms of their development as musicians,” says AMFS Vice President and Dean of Students Jennifer White.

Students range in age this year from nine to thirty-nine

and come from forty-two states and thirty-three countries, with one of the largest percentages of students from racially diverse backgrounds of any classical music institution.

Thirty-eight percent of students are returning this summer, and all come from different stages of their careers. Most are in the process of earning their bachelors, masters, or even doctoral degrees. Nine-year-old pianist Olivia Larco, from Pasadena, California, is looking forward to her second summer in Aspen; she recently guest starred in the season finale of the ABC show Modern Family as a “piano prodigy.”

Some students come to Aspen having already begun their professional careers, such as Nate Olson who just won the principal bass position with the Omaha Symphony and Hayley Miller

AMFS Vice President and Dean of Students Jennifer White (center) greets over 650 music students from around the world as they arrived last week.

See Arrival, Festival Focus page 3

BUY TICKETS NOW! 970 925 9042 or WWW.ASPENMUSICFESTIVAL.COM

2

MONDAY, JULY 1, 2019

FESTIVALFOCUS | YOUR WEEKLY CLASSICAL MUSIC GUIDE

Supplement to The Aspen Times

Bronfman plays Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1, Weilerstein conducts SHANNON ASHER

and pianist Clara,” says Weilerstein. “It is a complicated and

Festival Focus Writer

complex piece emotionally, but Brahms works out all of

Known internationally as one of today’s most esteemed pianists, Yefim Bronfman returns to Aspen on July 7 to perform Brahms’s First Piano Concerto with the Aspen Festival Orchestra. “Bronfman is one of those pianists that can do anything. The depth of his sound is something I can’t wait to experience when it comes to the Brahms,” says conductor Joshua Weilerstein, director of the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra and an Aspen Music Festival and School (AMFS) alumnus, who will lead the Sunday performance.

“It is always a great day when Yefim Bronfman plays in Aspen, and Brahms’s monumental First Piano Concerto is an especially strong choice for his exceptional technique and questing intellect,” says AMFS President and CEO Alan Fletcher.

Brahms’s First Piano Concerto started as a sonata for two pianos and went through many revisions before taking its current shape. “Brahms was so insecure about Beethoven’s shadow, since they shared the century,” says Asadour San-

these feelings in the most spectacular way.”

Weilerstein spent many summers of his childhood in Aspen as his parents were (and are currently) artist-faculty members at the AMFS. He then studied here as both a violinist and conductor. “There is always a feeling of coming home when I find myself on my way into town. Hearing strains of music accompanying the stunning views is a thrill,” he says.

Also on the program is Sibelius’s triumphant Fifth Symphony. “I can’t think of a better place to perform Sibelius’s Fifth Symphony than in Aspen. It is a piece that is full of an appreciation for nature and for life,” Weilerstein says. Sibelius’s Fifth Symphony was inspired by swans in flight and begins with a simple four-note horn theme that develops organically, culminating in an exhilarating rush of energy.

“The Sibelius Fifth Symphony comes at the height of his compositional and creative powers. It is a work particu-

Yefim Bronfman performs Brahms’s massive First Piano Concerto with the Aspen Festival Orchestra on July 7.

tourian, AMFS vice president for artistic administration and

larly known for fooling the audience,” says Santourian. “The

Augusta Read Thomas, also an AMFS alumna, entitled Brio.

artistic advisor.

Sibelius builds such a climax in that moment that people

Fletcher explains that the piece was commissioned by the

“The first movement was partially inspired by the shock

just burst out applauding when they want to, even though

Des Moines Symphony as a birthday tribute to Kay Bucks-

of Brahms’s friend Robert Schumann attempting suicide,

it most likely is in the wrong place because there is yet

baum, for whom the AMFS’s Bucksbaum Campus is named,

and the second movement explores the complicated feel-

another chord.”

in honor of her and her late husband’s vision and generosity.

ings Brahms had for Robert’s wife, the wonderful composer

The concert opens with a work by American composer

“It is a suitably sparkling and lively work,” he says.

BUY TICKETS NOW! 970 925 9042 or WWW.ASPENMUSICFESTIVAL.COM

Supplement to The Aspen Times

FESTIVALFOCUS | YOUR WEEKLY CLASSICAL MUSIC GUIDE

MONDAY, JULY 1, 2019 3

Recitals: Tao plays Beethoven’s “Tempest” Sonata, more Continued from Festival Focus page 1

Both Yang and Tao are alumni of the AMFS; both are known for their energetic playing and deep, thoughtful interpretations.

“I would say they’re both superb technicians, and yet the technical aspect of their work is never the first thing you think of,” says AMFS President and CEO Alan Fletcher.

“Instead, it’s the way they make the music they play sound fresh and important.”

The rest of Yang’s program features playing with other AMFS musicians.

She says, “I just love small-group chamber music concerts where I get to share the pieces I love with the people I love to play with.”

The evening begins with Mozart’s Piano Quartet in G minor, featuring violinist Bing Wang, violist Choong-Jin Chang, and cellist Desmond Hoebig, followed by Carl Vine’s Anne Landa Preludes—“a wonderful piece with elements of classical repertoire stacked in surprising ways,” Yang says.

The second half of the recital is all Rachmaninoff, with three contrasting preludes, and, finally, his Symphonic Dances.

“These are very contrasting works; it’s a very colorful

ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL AND SCHOOL BOX OFFICE HOURS

Pianist and AMFS alumnus Conrad Tao presents a recital on July 2.

program with many textures,” Yang says. “I hope it goes to many different places. It’s a true journey of the senses.”

Before Tao joins Yang on her recital, he plays his own

on Tuesday, July 2. The program is “mostly intuitive, as it tends to be with me,” Tao says.

The evening begins with Jason Eckardt’s Echoes’ White Veil, an “astoundingly colorful and dense work,” Tao says.

“My experience as a player with it is like trying to play time.

You’re listening to music happening at different speeds, in some ways.”

Tao will segue directly into Beethoven’s “Tempest” Sonata without pause, his intention being to draw parallels between these two pieces of music that, on the surface, may seem dissimilar.

“They’re both experimental in some way,” Tao says.

“Beethoven is really interested in sonic experimentation, and in the “Tempest” Sonata, you really hear him engaging with the piano’s mechanics through the sustain pedal.

There’s this sense that he’s trying to conjure the temporal experience of the listener.”

The program closes with Schumann’s Kreisleriana, one of the composer’s most inspired works, written in one creative outpouring over just four days.

Tao’s recital takes place at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, July 2, and Yang’s recital takes place at 8:30 pm on Wednesday, July 3. Both are in Harris Concert Hall.

Harris Concert Hall: 9 am through the intermission of the evening concert, daily.

Wheeler Opera House: 12 pm–5 pm M–F, 9 am–5pm Saturdays, one hour prior to operas.

New student Spotlight performances LAURA E. SMITH Festival Focus Writer

Every summer, more than six hundred music students from around the world come to the Aspen Music Festival and School (AMFS) to study with classical music’s top artist-faculty. In their lessons and coachings, they hone core classical music works to a fine sheen, working toward not only technical perfection, but also sophisticated musical interpretation, individual expression, and an engaging personal presence with the music.

Once a student has mastered a work this way, he or she is ready to bring it to the stage at one of many free student Students perform a varied selection of works at Music with a View every concerts presented in Aspen throughout Tuesday at 6 pm at the Aspen Art Museum, starting July 9. the summer. (concerts run approximately 90 minutes). Also see the For the audiences at these concerts, hearing these Physics Center Piano Recitals at the Aspen Center for young musicians give performances full of passion and Physics at 5 pm (concerts run approximately one hour). individuality is one of the best parts of summer.

On Tuesdays, see Music with a View, a curated mix “The student performances have an amazing energy,” of chamber and solo works played on the scenic roofsays Jennifer White, AMFS Vice President and Dean of top of the Aspen Art Museum at 6 pm (concerts run Students. “For each student, this is his or her moment in approximately one hour). the spotlight, literally! It’s their chance to shine, and they On Wednesdays, see Spotlight recitals in Harris put their all into it.”

Concert Hall at 3:30 pm (concerts run approximately AMFS Vice President for Artistic Administration and two hours).

Artistic Advisor Asadour Santourian carefully crafts On Thursdays, see Spotlight recitals in Harris Conthese programs to take full advantage of the young talcert Hall at 3:30 pm (concerts run approximately two ent he sees. “Student Spotlight programs are curated hours), AMFS Chamber Music Performances at the with these brilliant young performers in mind,” he says.

Pitkin County Library at 4 pm (concerts run approxi“These works are plumbed from the standard repertoire mately 90 minutes), and AMFS Chamber Music Perforgiving opportunity for our talented students to shine.” mances at the Basalt Library at 5:15 pm (concerts run These performances include favorite repertoire of approximately 90 minutes). both performers and audience, like Beethoven, Mozart, On Fridays, see Spotlight recitals at the Aspen Chapel Rachmaninoff, and Shostakovich, and are free. Programs at 3 pm (concerts run approximately two hours). are posted online before the events. There are one, two, On Saturdays, see Spotlight recitals at the Aspen sometimes three a day starting in early July.

Community Church at 1:30 pm (concerts run approxiOn Mondays, see the AMFS Chamber Music mately two hours).

Performances at the Pitkin County Library at 4 pm

ARRIVAL: 130 artist-

faculty members Continued from Festival Focus page 1

who recently earned the second flute position with the Rochester Philharmonic. They will go on to join the large network of AMFS alumni who play professionally, like sisters Julia and Jennifer Choi, who just landed positions as a violinist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and a cellist with the Dallas Symphony, respectively.

In addition, 130 artist-faculty members also arrived this week, settling into another summer in Aspen. These brilliant musicians come from every major orchestra and conservatory in the U.S., as well as internationally, to lend their talents to performances and to teach the next generation of classical music stars.

The connection between student and teacher is at the core of the AMFS’s mission. In a wonderful reunion this season, Erik Nielsen, alumnus of the AMFS’s conducting, oboe, and harp programs, will conduct the August 9 Aspen Chamber Symphony concert featuring Martin’s Three Dances for Oboe, Harp, and Strings—with both his former Aspen teachers as soloists, oboist Elaine Douvas and harpist Nancy Allen.

“The school is the heart of the institution,” says White, “we are producing the stars of tomorrow who will one day grace our stages as professionals partaking in the Festival.” Just take a look at the Festival calendar and you’ll find alumni throughout the teaching and performing faculty, and AMFS alumni returning as guest artists every week—from Sarah Chang, Midori, and Robert McDuffie, to more recent alumni like Conrad Tao, Joyce Yang, and Stefan Jackiw.

The Aspen Philharmonic Orchestra, made up entirely of talented students, performs every Wednesday night at 6 pm in the Benedict Music Tent. Programs feature masterworks like Dvořák’s “New World” Symphony as well as contemporary works like Wynton Marsalis’s Violin Concerto and Stephen Hartke’s Cello Concerto.

These performances cost just $25.

Around town this summer, you’ll see students hiking Smuggler, busking in front of Paradise Bakery, biking to the Tent with instruments strapped to their shoulders, performing on top of Aspen Mountain on Saturday mornings, singing karaoke at Ryno’s, and milling around the Benedict Music Tent in their concert attire before a performance. They bring with them a bright burst of energy and creativity, characteristic of summer in Aspen.