Issuu

With the blessing and support of the late Lord Yehudi Menuhin – after years of collaboration, friendship, and conversations about the future of classical music with Eduard and Laura Schmieder – Young Artists International was born in 1997. In 2008, we became iPalpiti Artists International.

Musician and Visionary

YEHUDI MENUHIN 1916-1999

TABLE O F CONTE NTS

Calendar

Greetings

Commendations

The Honorees: iPalpiti "Heartbeat" Award

About iPalpiti: From the Media

Letter to the Audience

15-24

Festival Concert Programs

Testimonials (continued on page 47)

Meet the Artists

About iPalpiti: History

Discography

Alumni Achievements

Founders, Artistic Advisors, Board of Directors

Supporters

How You Can Help

1998 – 2021 Memories & Highlights

iPalpiti ORCHESTRA

The acclaimed “United Nations of Music”

25th annual FESTIVAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAUREATES

On Wings of Peace

July 2022 Beverly Hills • Encinitas • La Jolla • Los Angeles

From la Reine Fabiola, Queen of Belgium “Her Majesty strongly supports the aim of the iPalpiti Artists International and especially the purpose of creating a spiritual contact with the audience. Her Majesty really hopes that the classical music played by these young musicians will bring together different cultures and promote peace and unity”

CALENDAR 14

JULY

iPalpiti Festival of International Laureates 2022

[Thursday]

7:30pm VIRTUOSI I: Fandango i solisti Encinitas Library

JULY

[Friday]

7:30pm VIRTUOSI II: Splot Quartet/Poland & Łukasz Yoder, piano Encinitas Library

JULY

[Saturday]

7:30pm VIRTUOSI III: String Quintets Bruckner, Beethoven & more Encinitas Library

JULY

[Sunday]

2:00pm Palpiti Orchestra / Eduard Schmieder Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center Baker-Baum Concert Hall, La Jolla

JULY

[Monday]

12:00pm iPalpiti Soloists Rotary Club of Beverly Hills 6:00pm iPalpiti Soloists Petit Ermitage, West Hollywood

JULY

21JULY [Thursday] 6:00pm iPalpiti orchestra & Soloists "Hollywood Night" Elsewhere Topanga Estate

JULY

[Friday]

7:30pm Splot Quartet, Festival quartet-in-residence Powell Library Rotunda, UCLA

JULY

[Saturday]

8:00pm iPalpiti Orchestral Ensemble of International Laureates Eduard Schmieder, Conductor Soloist: alumnus Pavel Šporcl, violinist Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall “ON WINGS OF PEACE” FESTIVAL GRAND FINALE

Encinitas Library 540 Cornish Drive Encinitas 760.633.2746

The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center 7600 Fay Avenue La Jolla, CA 92037

Petit Ermitage 8822 Cynthia St, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Greystone Mansion 905 Loma Vista Drive Beverly Hills 310.285.6830

Elsewhere Topanga 21914 Gold Stone Rd. Topanga, CA 90290

[Wednesday]

7:30pm iPalpiti Soloists Greystone Mansion, Beverly Hills

Locations:

Powell Library Rotunda, UCLA Election Walk Los Angeles, CA 90095

Music Center's Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 South Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tickets for all events: (310) 205-0511 www.iPalpiti.org

Artists and programs are subject to change without notice.

ALUMNI GREETINGS

“iPalpiti will always hold a special place in my memory, both personally and musically. The environment created by the Schmieders is a unique combination of hard work and fun, and I created lasting friendships with some of my fellow iPalpitians. I hope the festival and its spirit will continue on for many years to come!” - Karina Canellakis Chief Conductor, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra Principal Guest conductor, London Philharmonic Orchestra Principal Guest conductor, Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester Berlin

Dear Music lovers and iPalpiti family I will always cherish the amazing musical and personal experiences I have gathered in my many years of playing in iPalpiti! Even though I won’t be able to be there in person this summer, my spirit will always be there with you and I wish both the musicians on stage and the fantastic California audiences many unforgettable musical moments and memories! - All the best, Kian Soltani Deutsche Grammophon artist “a soloist of the highest level among the new generation of cellists”

I will always be grateful to Maestro Schmieder who offered me the opportunity to be part of his chamber orchestra "iPalpiti" in the early 1990s and learn so much! I met amazing musicians with whom I developed very strong friendships. It was so motivating to share this experience with them, each summer for many years... I wish a long life to iPalpiti, and from the bottom of my heart, thank you to Laura and Dr. Schmieder for making this dream come true. -Love and big hug, Liza Kerob Concertmaster of the Monte Carlo Philarmonic orchestra. Violinist, Trio Goldberg.

Greetings to iPalpiti! …you should be proud of your superb performances. The many people I have talked to, all remarked not just on the prodigious technical prowess displayed, but even more on the expressive quality of the performances, and the shared “passion” of the musicians. I agree. I am filled with admiration for the extraordinary musicians we call iPalpiti. What life, and energy and tenderness I heard! To all of you great musicians, I send my deepest gratitude, my admiration and my warmest wishes. You make the world a better place. THANK YOU. — Jonathan Steinberg Chairman of the Board 2000 - 2020

HONOREE

Honoree | Recipient of the “Heartbeat” Award Lloyd E. Rigler-Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation | James Rigler, President Lloyd Eugene Rigler (1915-2003) was born in Lehr, North Dakota. He was an industrialist, investor, and philanthropist. His arts philanthropy ranged from music in Los Angeles to ballet in his native Northern Plains to the New York City Opera to public television. After graduation from University of Illinois, he moved to New York City, working for a marketing research agency and heading guest relations for RCA’s exhibit featuring “television”, its newest invention, at the 1939-40 New York World’s Fair. A year later he moved to Los Angeles and became a salesman for Decca Records. As a businessman, he and his partner, Lawrence E. Deutsch, made Adolph’s Meat Tenderizer a national brand prior to its acquisition by Unilever. Following the sale of their company, Lloyd and Mr. Deutsch formed the Lloyd E. Rigler – Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation. Besides helping with the restoration of Carnegie Hall in New York, both Lloyd and Mr. Deutsch commissioned the Jacques Lipschitz sculpture “Peace on Earth” for the Music Center Plaza in Los Angeles, where it remains as a landmark to this day. One of Lloyd’s notable philanthropic efforts was the establishment in 1994 of Classic Arts Showcase, noncommercial television channel promoting performing arts at no cost to public television stations. He was on the board of the Los Angeles Philharmonic for twenty years and on the board of the City Center of Music and Drama in New York. He was co-chairman of the New York City Opera board until the long cross-country commute prompted him to become vice chairman. Lloyd appointed his nephew James Rigler as a successor to preside over the foundation. James has been continuing the legacy of the philanthropy with his keen ear and appreciation for talent, and as a producer of Classic Arts Showcase, now in its 28th year of continuous broadcasts, bringing a wide range of music and arts to the public free of charge. James Rigler (2014) with iPalpiti artists alto-tenor Daniel Bubeck & Icelandic soprano Disela Lárusdóttir after performance of “Stabat Mater” at Disney Hall. A MET soprano since 2013, Disela won a Grammy 2022 for the Best Opera Recording of the Year. The “Stabat Mater” recording of iPalpiti received Grammy nomination in 2014. Laura & Eduard Schmieder were introduced to Lloyd in 1998 by a dedicated volunteer Barbara Capell, and it was a “match” from the first sight. Starting with the first iPalpiti orchestra concert in Los Angeles in 1999 at the Ford Theatre, Classic Arts Showcase has been filming and showcasing iPalpiti’s memorable performances at each annual festival, from local venues including Zipper Concert Hall, Greystone Mansion, Saban Theatre, and from 2004, each annual concert from Walt Disney Concert Hall. Lloyd and his nephew James Rigler attended all iPalpiti performances, and Lloyd was the guiding light in setting up our FIRST grant challenge (the year was 1998!). He also was instrumental in setting-up iPalpiti’s Student Coalition for the Arts, which we have been actively implementing until Covid. His vision was that students in public schools must learn early that concert attendance must be paid for with earned money. iPalpiti musicians went to public schools to 6-8 graders, performed and spoke about their chosen professions, and dozens of students each year came to concerts with their parents, paying for the tickets from $2-5 each with their saved money. Lloyd also encouraged us to start a Mentor Program between iPalpiti musicians and an aspiring students learning in public school orchestral programs. This too was a very successful program in many performing arts schools that were in existence in the 1990-2010.

We are grateful to Rigler-Deutsch Foundation for the guidance and the generous support in these 25 years. 8

iPalpiti “Heartbeat” Award was conceived and created in 2007 for the iPalpiti “Young” Artists International 10th anniversary. In celebrating 25th anniversary, iPalpiti “Heartbeat” Award recipients are: • Founders: LAURA & EDUARD SCHMIEDER • Leadership: PETER RAINER-Germany, iPalpiti’s concertmaster since 1994. • Dedication: MIKHAIL GERSHFELD, First Chairman of the Board (1998-2000) and 2020 – to date • Visionary: ROBERT R. STROKER, Dean, Boyer College of Music & Dance/Center for the Arts; Vice Provost for the Arts, Temple University. • Visionary: JOYCE & AUBREY CHERNICK • Never Miss a Beat: CONRAD CHOW-Canada, violinist since 2010. • Never Miss a Beat: JOSEPH KAUFFMAN-USA, violinist/violist, orchestra manager/van driver since 2010. • Never Miss a Beat: MIDORI MARUYAMA-Japan, violist since 2012. • Never Miss a Beat: FRANCISCO VILA-Ecuador, cellist since 2009.

Previous Recipients:

2007: MARY LEVIN CUTLER, Founding Chairman ADA & LEONARD SANDS 2010: JONATHAN STEINBERG, Chairman of the Board 2000 - 2020 (on occasion of his 10 years leadership). BACK

FRONT

The music notation is a famous tune from Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” a celebratory poem addressing the unity of all mankind.

Sasha Shagin, Creator/Designer:

Shagin’s first medal commemorating 300th birthday of Peter the Great was produced by the Leningrad (St. Petersburg) Mint and acquired by the Hermitage Museum for their permanent collection (1972).

Among the highlights of his work are: • Collection of coin designs for the Moscow Olympics of 1980 was produced by the Russia's Treasury Dept. • Medal for the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics was awarded the first prize by AMSA, produced by the Metallic Art Co. • Medal "One Planet" was selected by the Society of Medalists and produced by MAC. (1988) • Received prestigious Medal of Excellence Award from The American Numismatic Association (1990) • A collection of designs "500 years of the Americas" licensed and marketed by Bahamas authorities (1992) • Solo exhibit of over 40 of cast medals at the Ariel Art Gallery in SoHo, New York • Art medals exhibit by the American Numismatic Society with the Sanford Saltus Award in recognition for contributions to national numismatic community (1995) • Commemorative coin for Anne Frank selected and produced by the Numismatic Authority by the State of Israel (1997) • U.S. Mint project commemorating the U.S.Capitol was accepted by the U.S.Treasury (2001) • Bronze cast medal "Bonjour FIDEM" [Fédération Internationale de la Médaille] was selected as an official gift from American Medallic Sculpture Association (AMSA) to the participating delegations at the International Congress in Paris, France (2002). On display at The British Museum.

Shagin’s art continues to be in high demand nationally and internationally in medal and awards making for celebrities, museums, and Medal Collectors of America. 9

“Los Angeles County is honored indeed to host [iPalpiti events]… Please join me in welcoming iPalpiti Artists International and savoring their contribution to the artistic life of our community.” –Hon. Zev Yaroslavsky, Supervisor, Los Angeles County, 1994-2014

Music is a chain reaction that reaches down through the generations. Musicians are its links. It is wonderful to know that young musicians have a hand held out to them that they, in their turn, will reach out. Bravo iPalpiti Artists International.

The international press is unanimous in writing about iPalpiti and its artists. A leitmotif resonates through the distances year after year: “…For one evening in July, the iPalpiti Orchestra, the flagship of the region’s Festival of International Laureates, holds its annual Grand Finale concert in Walt Disney Concert Hall, and it has become one of the highlights - in some years, the highlight - of the summer here.” — Richards Ginell, American Record Guide (2015) “Eduard Schmieder’s art is all about communicating energy through glorious sound.” — Rick Schultz, Los Angeles Times, July 2014 “The international ensemble’s playing at Walt Disney Concert Hall, led by conductor Eduard Schmieder, proves to be world-class…sensational… This was an invigorating world-class performance by young players with technique to burn and a palpable desire to live every note.” – Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times (2013) “… [led] by conductor Eduard Schmieder with passion, intelligence, refinement and imagination, iPalpiti demonstrated an almost uncanny unanimity of sound and vibrato, a quality repeated again and again throughout the evening... It was especially remarkable to hear such a wide variety of individual tones emerge and then slip back into those fabulous unisons…” — Bill McLaughlin, The Strad (June 2009). Review on the Carnegie Zankel Hall concert of March 5, 2009 “…[under Mr. Schmieder’s direction] iPalpiti sprang to life as a single, singing voice. It was the natural, “vocal” quality that stayed with me long after the final notes of the concert were sounded… “ — John Ardoin, Music Critic, Dallas Morning News “… an astounding demonstration of seamless and beauteous string playing… memorable, luminous, deeply moving performance…” — Daniel Cariaga, Los Angeles Times (2000) “…the ensemble was particularly noteworthy for its unity of purpose and blend. It was as if the musicians’ hearts were beating to the same buoyant rhythm…lustrous, polished tone and graceful phrasing.” — Vivien Schweitzer, New York Times (2007) “..rich sonorities [of iPalpiti] audibly took the audience’s breath away - especially whenever concertmaster Peter Rainer, whose technically immaculate tone throughout the night was sweet and thrilling, had a few bars to play showed that iPalpiti had charms to soothe a hall well filled with music lovers of all ages.” —STRINGS Magazine (2005) “Eduard Schmieder transforms the young professional players of his iPalpiti orchestra into tomorrow’s first-rank musicians.” — The Strad Magazine (2004) “iPalpiti played with striking unity and spirit and had an infectious way of making music...” — The Strad Magazine (1999) “[iPalpiti] performance can be called righteously overwhelming…”

— Noord Holland Dagblad (1996)

“When one hears these musicians play, one realizes there is a connection between the title and the musical outcome… when it comes to 24 very talented string players … and a conductor who leads them with great musicality, the result is naturally captivating and exciting.” — Ora Binur, Ma’ariv Daily, Jerusalem (2006) “…astonishing musical odyssey…elegant Maestro Eduard Schmieder at the helm, conducting this world-class group with a brilliant sense of balance, tension and phrasing.” — Beverly Hills Outlook (2004)

LETTER TO THE AUDIENCE

...a b out i Pal p i t i an d “ O N W I N G S O F P EA CE ” progra m a t Con ra d Preby s Performin g A rts Cen ter July 17, and Wa lt Disn ey Con cert H a ll July 23

Dear Friends, Music is a gift that enables us to muse without words. “Music is my life and my life is music.” – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart The name of the orchestral ensemble, iPalpiti - THE HEARTBEATS - is a spiritual child of my belief in music as a reflection of the psyche and the soul, as a manifestation of the divine. Genuine music comes from within; it comes from the heart. I perceive the art of music-making as a poetic idiom, a fascinating inspiration, and a cultural component to express a broader spectrum of emotional, intellectual, and philosophical experience. I impart these principles in my interaction with iPalpiti. An ancient Jewish work of mystical lore identifies three dimensions of human experience that the Divine reveals in the world: space, time, and soul. All of these elements are essential to music. True music contains multiple levels of meaning, a potential of a greater dimension. A composer is a vessel who absorbs and translates the highest impulses into music, often with a more complex meaning than at first appearance. Nowadays, we are admonished repeatedly to find a fixed and certain meaning in a work of art. And yet, all interpretation is relative, no matter how impartial the artist may try to be. There is no art in absolute exactness; it survives poorly in a changing world. “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything” - Plato “Imagination is greater than knowledge because knowledge is limited…” - Albert Einstein

If a “correct” interpretation were to be found, only one performer and no critics would be needed. The opportunity to experience a new view of a familiar work should be cause for celebration. At a time when the spiritual dimension of the creation and re-creation of music is evaporating, it is our intention to replenish souls with loving energy, beliefs, and ideas by infusing music with positive spirit. “To love alone can music ever yield, and love is melody” – A.S. Pushkin We have selected the compositions to be performed in the hope of inspiring you, the listener, to explore the interconnections among the pieces as you discover the immeasurable potential of these beautiful works of art. “Beauty in music is not a heap of effects, but simplicity and naturalness” – P.I.Tchaikovsky THE THEME OF THIS FESTIVAL IS DEDICATED TO WORLD PEACE. “ I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” – Ezekiel 36.26 RAGE IS FUELED BY ITS ATTENDANT SHADES OF ANGUISH, GRIEF, AND HEARTBREAK AT SENSELESS CRUELTY AND LOSS OF LIFE, AT THE UGLY SIDE OF HUMAN NATURE, WHICH MANIFESTS IN WAR. Con Furia: Charles Avison (1709-1770), Newcastle-born composer and organist, “the most important English concerto composer of the 18th Century” (New Grove), achieved acclaim for a total of 60 concerti grossi for strings and for establishing and directing the subscription concert series of the Newcastle Musical 11

LETTER TO THE AUDIENCE Society. Known as a man of great charm, he was able to attract those around him, inspire loyalty and achieve results of a high caliber. Avison arranged 12 Concertos in Seven Parts (1744), based on the solo harpsichord sonatas in the concerti grossi style by Domenico Scarlatti, a highly popular composer in England during his lifetime (1685-1757). These works were presented in aristocratic courts, in homes in the typical English consort music tradition, and performed in the newly conceived Public Concerts, which gained popularity under Avison’s direction. “Con Furia” is a 2nd movement from Concerto Grosso No 6. AND AFTER THE TEMPEST IS SPENT COMES A TIME THAT SOME MIGHT CALL THE CALMNESS OF DESPAIR, BUT IT IS ALSO A SEASON OF REST AND REFLECTION AND THE DAWN OF A SEARCH FOR ANSWERS. Quiet Music: Born in Kiev, Ukraine in 1937, Valentin Silvestrov was considered one of the leading representatives of the "Kiev avant-garde" around 1960 and was violently criticized by the proponents of the conservative Soviet musical aesthetic. His music was ignored in his own country on the official level; premieres, if given at all, were heard only in Russia, primarily in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), or in the West. Silvestrov's international acclaim began in the 1980s, being performed in festivals by prominent musicians around the world. Always maintaining his independence, he believes that melody is an important precondition for the survival of music; a view that reveals the lyric basis of his art regardless of the period in his career - his music often sorrowful, nostalgic, poetic and exquisitely beautiful. Silvestrov says, "Poetry ... is the salvation of all that is most essential, namely, melody as a holistic and indispensable organism. Either this organism is there, or it is not. I believe that Music – even if it cannot be 'sung' – is song nevertheless; it is neither philosophy nor a world view, it is the song of the world about itself, as it were a musical testimony to existence." This approach governs his instrumental music, which is always richly infused with both logical and melodic tension. Minimax: Paul Hindemith (1895-1963), champion and master of modern music of his time, composed in a variety of styles: from neo-classic to impressionistic. His other side was an inclination for jokes, for making parodies and fun. Minimax is a parody on military music. Mockery of tyranny robs it of its power. As an American comedian once observed, “the only way…is to ridicule them…bring them down with laughter.” And so it is with tyrants of every kind. Hindemith’s colleagues and friends remember his tendency to play the “clown.” These clown-like spirits held a serious side, however; Hindemith later described them as a means of overcoming the inevitable frustrations, the sterility and even what he called the “treadmill” of musical life: “routine takes the place of earlier enthusiasm. Feelings lose their genuineness; continual repetition of a limited number of facts creates an atmosphere which is merely an illusion. Among all the hundreds of professional musicians I have met, there are only a few who have found their way back to genuine musical communication, and those who, despite all progress, have retained the musical freshness and naturalness of youth can be counted on my fingers.” Paul Hindemith’s observation is no less true today, and is in full harmony with the iPalpiti credo. ULTIMATELY A PART OF HUMAN NATURE, TOO, IS TRANSCENDING ALL PARTISAN PASSIONS, THE STRIVING FOR THE FIRST TENDRIL OF HOPE OF THOSE HIGHEST OF HUMAN ASPIRATIONS: LOVE AND PEACE. “Earth is the right place for love” – Robert Frost

Langsamer Satz: Anton Webern’s Langsamer Satz (Slow Movement) is a miniature masterpiece inspired by love. This rare composition, dating from 1905, is rooted in Brahmsian Romanticism and tonality. It expresses strong emotions from yearnings to dramatic turmoil to a tranquil, peaceful resolution. Anton Webern, a protégé student and significant follower of Arnold Schoenberg’s 12-tone system, is well known as one of the founding fathers of the Second Viennese School. This composition reveals that Webern, like his teacher, Schoenberg, was capable of writing very fine music in a tonal idiom if he chose.

...a b ou t i Pa l p i t i an d “ O N W I N G S O F P E A C E” progra m a t Con ra d Preby s Performin g A rts Cen ter July 17, and Wa lt Disn ey Con cert H a ll July 23

AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF HUMAN NEEDS IS PLEASURE, SO WE CONCLUDE OUR PROGRAM WITH Romanian Rhapsody No. 1, Op 11, by Georges Enescu, his best-known composition for orchestra. Written in 1901 and first performed in 1903, this masterpiece has long held a permanent place in the repertory of major orchestras. It employs lautareasca folk music with vivid Romanian rhythms, elements of Romano and Jewish-klezmer, and an air of spontaneity. The arrangement that you will hear tonight for solo violin and string orchestra, by contemporary Romanian composer Cristian Lolea, demands brilliant virtuosity. AT A TIME WHEN THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSION OF THE CREATION AND RE-CREATION OF MUSIC IS EVAPORATING, IT IS OUR INTENTION TO REPLENISH PEOPLE’S SOULS WITH LOVING ENERGY, BELIEFS, AND IDEAS BY INFUSING MUSIC WITH POSITIVE EMOTIONAL ENERGY. Follow us, Dear Listener. Talent is a mission and must be repaid to the Creator through people. The most beautiful things in the world can only be felt with the heart. “It is only with the heart one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible for the eye.” - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry We are in accord with Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who said, “it is the union of hearts which constitutes their felicity.” The inspired young musicians of iPalpiti, from 18 countries, are united in their hope of bringing beauty into your life through celestial sound, vital rhythm, and eternal emotional energy. May we all be blessed by the touch of higher harmony!

And long will people fondly call to mind my story About the kindly feelings which my lyre awoke That in my cruel age, I sang of Freedom’s glory And mercy for the fallen spoke. — From a poem by Alexander Pushkin

Eduard Schmieder Founder of iPalpiti Laura H. Carnell Professor of Violin Artistic Director for Strings, Temple University, Philadelphia

CONCERTS

Festival opens in Encinitas Southland partner to iPalpiti since 2012 THURSDAY, July 14, 7:30PM Encinitas Library Auditorium

VIRTUOSI I: Fandango i solisti Luigi Boccherini

“Fandango” from the Guitar Quintet in D-major, G.448 (1798)

(1743-1805)

Gyehee Kim/ Samuel Nebyu, violins

Midori Maruyama, viola/ Dilshod Narzillaev, cello Aleksandr Milovanov, guitar

Samuel Coleridge Taylor

Four African Dances

(1875 -1912)

III. Allegro con brio IV. Allegro energico

Samuel Nebyu, violin Svetlana Smolina, piano

Edvard Grieg

Sonata N 3 in C-minor, Op.45

(1843 -1907)

Allegro molto ed appasionato Allegretto esperssivo alla Romanza Allegro animato

Gyehee Kim, violin Svetlana Smolina, piano

Nicoló Paganini

Variations on one string on a theme from Rossini “Mosè in Egitto”

(1782 -1840)

Arranged for 2 celli Josephina Kim & Dilshod Narzillaev

Albert Markov

Psalm of David (1996)

(1933)

Carnevale-2 (1977)

Davide De Ascaniis, violin Svetlana Smolina, piano

CONCERTS FRIDAY, July 15, 7:30 p.m. Encinitas Library Auditorium

VIRTUOSI II: Splot Quartet/Poland,

Festival quartet-in-residence & Łukasz Yoder, piano

Philip Glass

String Quartet No. 4 “Buczak” (1989) 7’

(1937 -)

II. Untitled Glass wrote this quartet commemorating visual artist Brian Buczak (1954-1983), whose work has been exhibited internationally.

Ludvig van Beethoven

String Quartet N6 in B-flat Major, Op.18 (1798-1800) 24’

(1770 - 1827)

Allegro con brio Adagio ma non troppo Scherzo: Allegro La Malinconia: Adagio –Allegretto quasi Allegro

Karol Szymanowski

String Quartet N 2, Op 56 (1927) 17’

(1882-1937)

Moderato dolce e tranquillo Vivace, scherzando Lento-Andante-Moderato, tranquillo

Karolina Gutowska, Kornelia Grądzka/violins Agnieszka Podłucka/viola Dobrawa Czocher/cello

Grażyna Bacewicz

Piano Quintet N.2 (1965) 16’

(1909-1969)

1. Moderato. Allegro. Molto allegro 2. Larghetto 3. Allegro giocoso

Splot Quartet Łukasz Yoder, pianist

CONCERTS

SATURDAY, July 16, 7:30 p.m. Encinitas Library Auditorium

VIRTUOSI III:

Fritz Kreisler

String Quintets Bruckner, Beethoven & more

Praeludium and Allegro in the style of Pugnani 5’

(1875-1962)

Manuel de Falla

Dance Espanol N1 from “La Vida Breve” 3’

(1876-1946) Yuan Tian & Zi Wang, violinists Łukasz Yoder, piano

Anton Bruckner

String Quintet in F major. Adagio 13’

(1824-1896) Takamori Arai/Xuan Shirly Yao, violins Agnieszka Podłucka/Joseph Kauffman, violas Josephina Kim, cello

Ludvig van Beethoven

String Quintet in c minor Opus 104 (1817) 30’

(1770-1827)

Allegro con brio Andante cantabile con variazioni Menuetto. Quasi Allegro Finale. Prestissimo

Conrad Chow & Samuel Nebyu, violinists Midori Maruyama & Joseph Kauffman, violas Dilshod Narzillaev, cello

CONCERTS SUNDAY, July 17, 2:00 p.m. Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center|Baker-Baum Concert Hall, La Jolla

iPalpiti Orchestra / Eduard Schmieder Charles Avison

Con Furia

(1709-1770)

(Concerto N 6, arr. from Domenico Scarlatti Harpsichord Sonatas)

Valentin Silvestrov

The Quiet Music for strings: III. Moment of Serenade

(1937 - )

Paul Hindemith

MINIMAX “Repertorium für Militärmusik” Parody on Military Music

(1895-1963)

I. Army march 606 “Der Hohenfürstenberger” II. “Alte Karbonaden” March III “Ein Aben an der Donauguelle” Intermezzo for two distant trumpets IV. “Löwenzähnchen an Baches Rand” Concert waltz V. “Die beiden lustigen Mistfinken” Character piece, solo for 2 piccolos VI. Overture to “Wasserdichter und Vogelbauer”

Anton Webern

Langsamer Satz (1905)

(1883-1945)

Georges Enescu (1881-1955)

Romanian Rhapsody N 1 (arr. by Cristian Lolea for violin & string orchestra) Davide De Ascaniis, soloist

iPalpiti has a very special spirit. A place where the music is behind the notes, where we look for the meaning of the music, not only what is written in the music. A place where it is important that everybody gives something from his heart and his soul, what makes it so special. iPalpiti Artists International is very important to me. – Isabelle Lambelet/Switzerland. First violinist, Tonhalle Orchestra, Geneva 18

CONCERTS

MONDAY, July 18 From Beverly Hills to West Hollywood

iPalpiti Soloists 12:00PM | Members

Rotary Club of Beverly Hills MEETS iPalpiti program announced as performed In a tradition since early years of the Festival, iPalpiti artists are invited to Rotarians’ new President installation meeting. The international missions of iPalpiti “dedicated to the artistic career advancement of exceptionally gifted young professional classical musicians and to promotion of peace and understanding through music” and the Rotary “provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders” resonates; this special annual event unites both through personal interactions and musical performance.

6:00PM | Members

Petit Ermitage, West Hollywood program announced as performed

David De Askaniis, Gyehee Kim, Samuel Nebyu, violinists Midori Maruyama, violist Josephina Kim & Dilshod Narzillaev, celli Alexander Milovanov, guitar

iPalpiti Artists International is a superb and unique organization, which helped me to develop myself to highest extent. Moreover, Maestro Schmieder and Mrs. Schmieder have a special place in my heart, because of their endless care for their artists, and their enormous contribution not only to the music, but also to the cultural education of many young musicians, who are given the chance to express their talent. I will always be grateful to them.

–Rumen Cvetkov, violist/Bulgaria. Soloist, chamber musician. 19

CONCERTS Wednesday, July 20, 7:30 pm Greystone Mansion

iPalpiti Soloists

Ludvig van Beethoven

String Quintet in c minor Opus 104 (1817) 28-30’

(1770-1827)

Allegro con brio Andante cantabile con variazioni Menuetto. Quasi Allegro Finale. Prestissimo

Conrad Chow & Samuel Nebyu, violins Midori Maruyama & Joseph Kauffman, violas Dilshod Narzillaev, cello

Nicoló Paganini

Variations on one string on a theme from Rossini “Mosè in Egitto”

(1782 -1840)

Arranged for 2 celli Josephina Kim & Dilshod Narzillaev

Albert Markov

Psalm of David (1996)

(1933)

Carnevale-2 (1977)

Davide De Ascaniis, violin Łukasz Yoder, piano

iPalpiti has been festival-in-residence of the City of Beverly Hills since 1998

Thank you to the City of Beverly Hills for continuing support since 1998: Art & Culture Community Services Department: Ben Johnson, Brandy Scott & Sara Scrimshaw Mayor Hon. Lili Bosse • The City Council Members: John A. Mirish, Julian A. Gold, M.D., Lester Friedman, Bob Wunderlich 20

CONCERTS

Thursday, July 21, 6:00 pm “Hollywood Night” at Elsewhere Topanga Estate

iPalpiti orchestra & Soloists Maestro’s selections from Festival programs announced from the stage

An evening in a private gated estate amidst rural and tranquil setting Surrounded by breathtaking nature accompanied by deer roaming freely Begins with Champagne Social in a Great Hall of Infinite Proundry A gourmet picnic basket & rosé in a Riding Ring Amphitheater iPalpiti “astounding, memorable, moving” performance followed by Dessert & libations at the Little Barn Terrace Meet the Artists reception

The Great Hall of Infinite Proundry | elsewherecalifornia.com

CONCERTS Friday, July 22, 12:00 pm Powell Library Rotunda, UCLA |Election Walk

Splot Quartet, Festival Quartet-In-Residence Philip Glass

String Quartet No. 4 “Buczak” (1989) 7’

(1937 -)

III. Untitled Glass wrote this quartet commemorating visual artist Brian Buczak (1954-1983) whose work has been exhibited internationally.

Ludvig van Beethoven

String Quartet N6 in B-flat Major, Op.18 (1798-1800) 24’

(1770 - 1827)

Allegro con brio Adagio ma non troppo Scherzo: Allegro La Malinconia: Adagio –Allegretto quasi Allegro

Karol Szymanowski

String Quartet N 2, Op 56 (1927) 17:40

(1882-1937)

Moderato dolce e tranquillo Vivace, scherzando Lento-Andante-Moderato, tranquillo

Karolina Gutowska, Kornelia Grądzka/violins Agnieszka Podłucka/viola Dobrawa Czocher/cello

This is Agnieszka’s “third” season with iPalpiti. Recommended by iPalpiti alumni Maria Machowska (2004-2009) who is a Concertmistress of the Warsaw Philharmonic [Filhamonia Narodowa/ Sinfonia Varsovia] since 2008, Agnieszka joined iPalpiti in 2019, and applied to the 2020 season with her newly formed Splot quartet. Due to COVID restrictions, quartet was not able to travel. Meanwhile, Agnieszka won principal position at the Warsaw Philharmonic. We are delighted to welcome Agnieszka and her Splot as quartet-in-residence this 2022 festival. Read quartet bios in Meet the Artists (page 32) Splot quartet is supported in part by Adam Mickiewicz Institute in Poland and the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland, Hon. Jarosław J. Łasiński 22

TESTIMONIALS ...continued on page 47

Our favorite excerpt “reviews” from young audiences 7th graders from Berendo Middle School: Dear Maestro Schmieder, …You conducted iPalpiti beautifully. The music that iPalpiti played was not only wonderful but entertaining as well. I think you kept the group on key and in unison… — Matthew Ramos Dear iPalpiti Orchestra and Maestro Schmieder, …I had a great time and would like to go anytime again. It sounded really great how you put all your energy into playing the instruments. It sounded actually a lot like a rock concert. It sounded like that, since all the musicians played the instruments really fast. In my opinion the only difference was that it was more classical. It was really amazing of how you could hear the music loud without any speakers…. I got used to liking this type of music which is classical. — Juan Augusto Dear Conductor Schmieder, When I first went in I thought it was going to be really boring, but it was the complete opposite… It was very nice music. It was different kind of listening to the music, because I do not hear that kind of music at home. My friend next to me also liked it as much as I liked it. … It was a really fun experience to hear music that I don’t listen to at home. Thank you for letting us students listen to this beautiful music. — Francisco Avalos From Youth-at-Risk: Dear orchestra iPalpiti, I, Shetara Marie Sheard, greatly appreciate the tickets that you donated to my placement. I made my own dress especially for this evening. I have much respect for the people who are willing to help children in need. I highly appreciate this evening generosity and can’t wait to hear this wondrous opportunity. Allowing Youth-at-Risk to experience the “Arts” is a great thing. Your giving makes a difference. The group learned to appreciate classical music and were speechless. Thank you for sharing your beautiful music. — Kimberly McKinney, Deputy Probation Officer Dear Orchestra, …we really don’t get these opportunities but once in a life time, your generosity has uplifted and changed my life in such a genuine way. Thank you, I will remember this night always. — Ashley Crawford Dear Orchestra, Thank you for the tickets and giving us the opportunity to see the world. For most of us aren’t that fortunate but your consideration and kindness have given us a chance. THANK YOU! — Lucy Malveaux From the Rescue Mission: … it was a phenomenal performance, thank you so much and G-d bless. …it was one of a kind night … being a musician at the mission I was so happy and astounded at the level of the performance …thank you for the fabulous and inspiring time…words are not sufficient to express our gratitude. — Rescue Mission [an emergency shelter for homeless families with children – a room for 40 with sleeping cots] 23

Festival Grand Finale "On Wings of Peace" Saturday, July 23, 8:00 pm Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall

iPalpiti Orchestral Ensemble of International Laureates Eduard Schmieder Soloist: alumnus Pavel Šporcl, violinist Charles Avison

Con Furia

(1709-1770)

Valentin Silvestrov

(Concerto N 6, arr. from Domenico Scarlatti Harpsichord Sonatas)

The Quiet Music for strings: III. Moment of Serenade

(1937 - )

Paul Hindemith

MINIMAX “Repertorium für Militärmusik” Parody on Military Music

(1895-1963) I. Army march 606 “Der Hohenfürstenberger” II. “Alte Karbonaden” March III “Ein Aben an der Donauguelle” Intermezzo for two distant trumpets IV. “Löwenzähnchen an Baches Rand” Concert waltz V. “Die beiden lustigen Mistfinken” Character piece, solo for 2 piccolos VI. Overture to “Wasserdichter und Vogelbauer” Anton Webern Langsamer Satz (1905) (1883-1945)

Georges Enescu

Romanian Rhapsody N 1 (arr. by Cristian Lolea for violin & string orchestra)

Pavel Šporcl / soloist (1881-1955) Walt Disney Concert Hall House Staff Ron Galbraith, Master Carpenter Marcus Conroy, Master Electrician John Phillips, Master of Properties Kevin Wapner, Master Audio

Sharon F. Stewart, Director, Scheduling & Events Marisol M Garcia, Scheduling Administrator, Scheduling & Events Jason Clark, Director of Production Justin Hamblen, Senior Production Manager Katie Miller, Production Manager Lisa Quang, Production Coordinator

Greg Flusty, House Manager Jenny Calvo, Jose Garibaldi, Courtney Rabena and Jose Rivas, Head Ushers The stage crew, wardrobe crew, makeup artists, hair stylists, and box office staff are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States of America and Canada, AFL-CIO, CKC, Local Numbers 33, 768, 706 and 857, respectively.

The House Managers employed by the Music Center are represented by the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers.

MEET THE ARTISTS Eduard Schmieder

music director & conductor “… a serious and resourceful podium personality.” — Daniel Cariaga, Los Angeles Times “… He elicits great dynamic from the orchestra…altogether, all the participants honor and wait anxiously for the conductor’s wishes… predominant excitement brought out by Schmieder.” — Eberhard Iro, Review on Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Landshuter Rathausprunksaal “… The virtues of Mr. Schmieder as a sensitive and true musician inspired the players to create a very deep and emotional interpretation which kind of magnetized all its sensual harmonies and well phrased performance. This was a concert which could be titled as “pearls of music” from any point.” – Ora Binur, Ma’ariv Jerusalem Daily

(1980)

“… Eduard Schmieder, the founder of the admirable iPalpiti, believes that music remains a functional universal language… Schmieder is an authoritative conductor. A tall and serious Russian of the old school, he goes in for intense expression and dug-in string sonorities…” — Los Angeles Times, Mark Swed, Chief Music Critic (2010) Born and educated in the Soviet Union, Eduard Schmieder has been characterized as an “extraordinary musician of the late 20th century” (Henry Roth). As artist and teacher, Schmieder seeks to preserve and enhance the great traditions of American and European art. He maintains a concert schedule as conductor and violinist and teaches an internationally selected class of students. Schmieder has performed in such prestigious halls as Cite de la Musique in Paris, Carnegie Hall in New York, Crown Hall in Jerusalem, Grand Philharmonic Hall in St. Petersburg, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and other major concert halls worldwide. He has collaborated with such musicians as Yehudi Menuhin, Ida Haendel, Martha Argerich, Brooks Smith, Nathaniel Rosen, Jon Kimura-Parker, Erick Friedman, Maria Kligel, Atar Arad, John Perry, Dame Diana Andersen, Fou Ts’ong, Lynn Harrell, and many others. He was a founding member and artistic director of the Venice International Violin Institute and the Moscow Trio. In 1996, Eduard Schmieder performed a recital in Genoa on Paganini’s famous Guarneri del Gesu “Il Cannone” violin which is only given for the performances to exceptional virtuoso violinists. On this rare occasion, it was a posthumous International Peace Prize ceremony given by the Italian government to Yitzhak Rabin. One of the most highly regarded violin pedagogues of his generation, Eduard Schmieder is the L. H. Carnell Distinguished Professor and Artistic Director for Strings at Temple University in Philadelphia. Prior to his appointment at Temple University, he held the Distinguished Algur H. Meadows Chair of Violin and Chamber Music in the Meadows School of the Arts in Dallas (1990-2006), and a tenured Professor of the Violin at the University of Southern California, the position formerly held by Jascha Heifetz. Students of Professor Schmieder are winners of top prizes at the most prestigious international competitions, have established careers as soloists, chamber musicians, and hold leading positions in orchestras in Europe, Asia, and the United States. He is a recipient of American Cultural Specialist Award from United States Information Agency (1999), and throughout the years received numerous awards for his accomplishments as a Musician and Teacher and recognition for his invaluable contributions to culture. In 2020 he was honored with a prestigious Great Teacher Award, given annually to two university professors across all disciplines. Schmieder has taught master classes in virtually every foremost conservatory in the world. He has been performing, teaching, and conducting at international music festivals in Canada, Germany, Japan, The Netherlands, and other countries. In the United States he has worked in music festivals at Aspen, Interlochen, Musicorda, Idyllwild, and Summit in New York. Since 2004, he is a member of the faculty at the Mozarteum Summer Academie Salzburg. He frequently represents the United States as a jury member at leading international competitions including the Queen Elisabeth, Sibelius, Paganini, Sarasate, Lipizer, and ARD. In 2003, he was invited and accepted the position as Artistic Advisor to the Sarasate International Violin Competition in Spain. He is also an Artistic Advisor to the Foundation “Remember Enescu” in Romania. He has been written about in books by Henry Roth “Violin Virtuosos: From Paganini to 21st Century” and Margaret Campbell “The Great Violinists,” as well as three featured articles in The Strad magazine. www.EduardSchmieder.com

Orchestral Ensemble of International Laureates Acclaimed by the press for its “beauteous string playing,” “lustrous, polished tone,” and “vocal quality,” iPalpiti (ee-PAHL-pit-ee is Italian for “heartbeats”) is a consortium of prize-winning young professional musicians from around the globe, where each member is considered a soloist. “Eduard Schmieder, the founder of the admirable iPalpiti, is a serious and resourceful podium personality...he goes in for intense expression and dug-in string sonorities…” — Los Angeles Times Under his direction, iPalpiti has performed to sold-out audiences in prestigious venues such as Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Mozarteum Grosse Hall (Salzburg), Nikkei Hall (Tokyo), Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles), YMCA (Jerusalem), Carnegie Zankel Hall (New York), and has been invited as ensemble-in-residence at festivals in Slovenia, Israel, Carinthia, Belgium, and Italy, as well as the Martha Argerich Festival in Beppu, Japan. Founded by Eduard Schmieder in 1991, iPalpiti has since grown to an ensemble of international recognition, establishing a summer residency in Beverly Hills, California in 1999. iPalpiti Festival of International Laureates in Los Angeles — presented annually since 1998 — is one of the nation’s significant music festivals and the subject of international accolades. The prestigious STRAD magazine devoted numerous enthusiastic features and reviews, and the Los Angeles Times acclaimed the Festival’s “take-your-breath-away demonstrations of musicianship and technique,” where artists are encouraged to find their “own voice,” performing as iPalpiti Soloists in solo and chamber ensemble concerts. Referred to as a “Musical Peace Corps,” iPalpiti has created an international cultural network of hundreds of classical artists, forging life-time associations and friendships that transcend the conflicts of our time. The orchestra’s players (ages 19 - 32) are all winners of prestigious international awards and represent countries worldwide. iPalpiti alumni have established solo and chamber ensemble careers and have taken up leading positions in major international orchestras such as the Chicago, Tokyo, Jerusalem, Monte Carlo, Bavarian State and Munich Symphonies, London, Berlin and Israel Philharmonics, Dresden Staatskapelle, etc. Several have exclusive recordings with labels like Decca, Telarc, and Supraphon records, and are considered among the premier musicians of their generation. iPalpiti’s performances have been acclaimed by critics throughout the world. In 1996 Noord Holland Dagblad proclaimed “[iPalpiti’s] performance can be called righteously overwhelming.” John Ardoin of the Dallas Morning News raved “iPalpiti sprang to life as a single, singing voice. It was the natural, ‘vocal’ quality that stayed with me long after the final notes of the concert were sounded,” while the Los Angeles Times hailed the group’s performances as “an astounding demonstration of seamless and beauteous string playing…memorable, luminous, deeply moving performance” (Daniel Cariaga, 2000) and as a “cool display of virtuosity…unified to an often startling degree” (2006). The New York Times noted that “… ensemble was particularly noteworthy for its unity of purpose and blend. It was as if the musicians’ hearts were beating to the same buoyant rhythm…lustrous, polished tone and graceful phrasing.” (2007) iPalpiti has produced 25 CDs released on TELOS, YAI/iPalpiti and BCM+D Records. Performances are broadcast by Classic Arts Showcase nationally to over 62 million viewers on PBS/Art Channel and other public television channels, in Philadelphia on WRTI, New York on WQXR-FM. iPalpiti is represented worldwide by iPalpiti Artists International. www.ipalpiti.org

“The orchestra with such musicians is notable for the richness of colors; it is a great pleasure to listen to range of expression... The Festival provides [participating] young musicians with unique possibilities for the creative growth and artistic improvement. In my opinion, implementation of this outstanding international forum requires not only very through organization but also ultimate artistry... Thank you!!!” – Mark Kopytman, composer, Israel 26

MEET THE ARTISTS PETER RAINER / GERMANY Concertmaster, Violinist Peter has been iPalpiti’s Concertmaster since 1994. In his native Germany, he is a concertmaster and a founder of the Kammerakademie Potsdam, and leads an active career as a chamber musician, soloist, and the teacher. Since 2007, Peter has been on the faculty of the “Universität der Künste” (University of the Arts) in Berlin and of the “Stern Institute” for young talented students. In 2018 Peter has been appointed as the Head of the string department of “Musikgymnasium Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach at the Hanns Eisler Hochschule für Musik" in Berlin, a school for highly talented musical kids in Berlin. He was the founder and leader of the Persius Ensemble, focusing mainly on repertoire written for the classical nonet, and has released three CDs; a CD with nonets by Spohr, Clementi and Mozart was chosen by Berlin-Brandenburg Radio (RBB) as one of the best releases of 2007. He has been a member of the Max Brod piano trio from 2012 -2017. In 2016, the trio released a CD of compositions by Robert Kahn, a wonderful discovery of romantic music in style of Johannes Brahms. Music-loving children know Peter Rainer through the many interactive concerts he developed for them in the past 20 years, such as Till Eulenspiegel, Ferdinand the Bull, The Horse on the Violin, to mention a few. For many seasons he has appeared at the Festival International de Musique de Chambre en Charente together with iPalpiti artist Jacob Shaw, and continues to collaborate with iPalpiti alumni on international musical projects. Peter Rainer studied violin in Würzburg with Max Speermann and in the U.S. with Professor Eduard Schmieder at the Meadows School of the Arts in Dallas, Texas where he received his Artist Certificate in 1994 and his Master of Violin Performance degree in 1995. Upon his return to Germany, he was appointed first concertmaster of the Brandenburgische Philharmonie in F.M. Schneider Potsdam from 1996 to 2000. Peter has worked as the assistant to Stefan Professor Schmieder at the Holland Stefan F.M. Consul General of the Schneider Federal Republic of Germany Music Sessions, at the Southern Methodist University in Dallas and at Temple University in Philadelphia. Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany In 2005, he received a commendation from the City of Los Angeles for his leadership of iPalpiti and his contributions to culture. During the “corona crisis” he rediscovered string quartets by Johannes MaRhias Sperger, an almost unknown composer today, who lived in the north Germany the same as Mozart Losof Angeles, June 20,at 2022 and Haydn. The CD of these quartets will soon be released by the label JPC. This year Peter Los Angeles, June 20, 2022celebrated the F.M. Schneider 20th anniversary of his Kammerakademie Potsdam with a series of 8 Stefan concerts in 9 days. Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany

Stefan F.M. Schneider

Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany

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Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany

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Alumnus SOLOIST I am t hank f ul for my pl ace i n thi s world; from here I can cont ribute to enrich i ng ot her peopl e ' s l i ve s, not j ust by play ing t he v iolin, but also by sharing my posi t i v e atti tude towards l i fe - which I really enjoy - Pav el Š porcl

PAVEL ŠPORCL /CZECH REPUBLIC Violinist Pavel Šporcl and his blue violin are celebrated around the world. He is considered in the ‘royal line’ of Czech violinists, having been taught by the legendary teacher Vaclav Snítil (himself taught by Jaroslav Kocian) as well as by Itzhak Perlman, Eduard Schmieder and Dorothy DeLay. Šporcl, whose iconic blue violin was created by leading contemporary instrument maker Jan Špidlen, has done a great deal to popularise classical music in his country – having sold more than 230,000 CDs and frequently appeared on television, including his recent documentary series on the great Czech violinists of yesteryear, and his regular top-rated program introducing children to music. Šporcl records for Hanssler Classic and for Universal Music (previously for Supraphon or Cedille Records). His recordings including the Dvorák and Tchaikovsky Violin Concertod with the Czech Philharmonic under Vladimir Ashkenazy, Richard Strauss’s and Korngold’s concertos with the Prague Symphony Orchestra under Jirí Kout, and the complete Bach Sonatas and Partitas. Of his recording of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, Gramophone magazine wrote, “Pavel Šporcl has established himself on disc as the most charismatic of Czech violinists, spontaneously imaginative and individual in everything he does...” His last album, “Christmas On The Blue Violin'” (with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sebastian Lang-Lessing, for Universal Music Group) went platinum within eight weeks and even made the top 10 bestselling pop albums chart of its year (the only classical album to do so). In addition to his classical activities, Šporcl leads a hugely successful gypsy music ensemble that has played more than 400 concerts internationally and recorded two successful albums.. He is the Artistic Director of the Kocian Usti Festival, Ameropa Music Summer Academy and also Patron of the Music Festival Znojmo. During the pandemic-hit 2020-21 season Šporcl was a tireless innovator and cultural leader – being the first classical musician to perform a ‘drive in’ concert, the first to give a concert on a lake (to socially distanced audience members in boats!), and giving livestreamed full concerto performances with pre-recorded backing tracks from his living room for The Strad and The Violin Channel. He also tirelessly and successfully lobbied members of the Czech government, in meetings with the Prime Minister, President of the Senate and ministers, to restore concert performances and for the government to be considerate of the plight of locked-down musicians. Šporcl regularly performs internationally, in recent years including London’s Cadogan Hall with the English Symphony Orchestra (“This may just be the finest account of Mendelssohn’s E minor Concerto that I have heard” – Musical Opinion), sell-out concerts in Japan, festivals in Europe and tours of the US. PAVEL HAS BEEN PRESENTED WITH SRI CHINMOY TORCH BEARER AWARD AT THE UNITED NATIONS IN NEW YORK FOR HIS WORK BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER THROUGH MUSIC (2018). HE IS A RECIPIENT OF THE MEDAL OF MERIT OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC. Pavel’s first year with iPalpiti was 1999: both as a member and a soloist on the stage at the Ford Theater; He returned as featured soloist in 2012 at Disney Hall, has returned to LA to support iPalpiti’s events through the years, and we welcome his special return on this 25th season celebration.

MEET THE ARTISTS DAVIDE DE ASCANIIS/ITALY Violinist Featured soloist in Enescu’ Romanian Rhapsody at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, July 17 Winner of the AGIMUS Prize in Rome, the Szeryng International Violin Competition in Mexico, and the Grand Prix at the LISMA Foundation in New York City, among other numerous awards, Davide has been concertizing extensively. He continues an intense concert activity as violin soloist (160 + concerts per year on the average) beside his mission to attract a younger audience with his shows “from Baroque to Rock” presenting original arrangements and compositions of different genres featuring two unique instruments: a carbon fiber violin and an electric violin, designed and made exclusively for him. In the United States, de Ascaniis made his debut with the Gateway Orchestra in May 2014, with a review in Brooklyn Eagle: “His dazzling finger work, musicality, pizzicato and incredible cadenzas evoked the wizardry of Paganini.” Following performances in New York featured Davide as soloist with orchestras and in solo appearances at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and at the Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Music Center. Davide performed in Taiwan at the Taipei Arena for an audience of 15,000 and played to great media acclaim in concert halls in Tokyo (Suntory Hall), Rome (Auditorium Parco della Musica, Palazzo del Quirinale), Venice (Teatro La Fenice), Milan (Teatro dal Verme), and across America. He also participated and performed in international music festivals including the Orford in Canada, the Mozarteum in Salzburg, the Bled in Slovenia, Nippon Foundation festival in Japan, Trans-Siberian Art Festival in Siberia, Festival Dino Ciani and the Bologna Festival in Italy, to name a few. An iPalpiti artist since 2012, he performed in iPalpiti festivals at prestigious venues throughout Los Angeles, including the Walt Disney Concert Hall and Soka Performing Arts Center, as well as touring Israel in 2017, performing at the Keshet Eilon Music Center, Tel Aviv Recanati Auditorium, YMCA Jerusalem, and other major cities. Davide remains one of the very few violinists in the world who performs the entire set of the 24 Paganini Caprices in a single recital. Born in Italy in 1991 to a family of pianists, Davide's first professional engagement was in 2000 in France, performing Bruch Violin Concerto with orchestra. After earning a Master's Degree cum laude from the Conservatorio in Vicenza at the age of 16, he was awarded a Diploma at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, and continued his studies in New York with the eminent virtuoso violinist/composer Albert Markov. Recent headlining concerts were the sensational Italian premiere of Markov’s “Six Rhapsodies” for violin and orchestra, “Two Suites” for violin and piano, and “Solo Violin Sonata n.3,” which was dedicated to Davide. In February 2022 Davide was appointed violin professor at the Music Conservatory “da Palestrina” in Cagliari (Sardinia). Upcoming engagements are scheduled in USA, Europe, Russia, Japan, the Middle East and South America.

“Exhilaration, thrills, and awe conquer audiences faced with irrepressible virtuosity and musical achievement of emerging young performers. These are the stock in trade of Young [iPalpiti] Artists International.” – Daniel Cariaga, Los Angeles Times (2001) 29

MEET THE ARTISTS

iPalpiti 2019, Dana Ross Photography

iPalpiti Festival 2022 Eduard Schmieder, conductor Violins

Peter Rainer, concertmaster / Germany Takamori Arai / Japan Davide de Ascaniis / Italy Conrad Chow / Canada Kornelia Grądzka / Poland (Splot Quartet) Karolina Gutowska / Poland (Splot Quartet) Lina Juknevičiūte / Lithuania Gyehee Kim / South Korea

Juliya Kuzmina / Russia Taisiya Losmakova / Belarus Nebyu / Ethiopia-Hungary Yuan Tian / China Xuan Shirley Yao / China Diego Zapata / Venezuela

Violas

Violoncelli

Midori Maruyama / Japan Joseph Kauffman / USA Agnieszka Podłucka / Poland (Splot Quartet) Zygmund Wang / China

Francisco Vila / Ecuador Josephina Kim / South Korea-USA Dobrawa Czocher / Poland (Splot Quartet) Dilshod Narzillaev / Uzbekistan

Bass

Piano

Blake Hilley / USA

Svetlana Smolina / Russia-USA Łukasz Yoder / Poland-USA

Alumnus Soloist: Violinist PAVEL ŠPORCL/Czech Republic iPalpiti is a unique festival, giving stage to its outstanding participants both in orchestral ensemble setting and chamber music. The consolidation and unity of the young players, both musically and personally, creates an incomparable rehearsal atmosphere which produces unforgettable concerts. Tibi Cziger/Clarinet (Israel) 2009 30

MEET THE ARTISTS TAKAMORI ARAI / JAPAN Violinist Winner of numerous prizes in international and national competitions, Takamori has been performing in concerts and music festivals in Japan and Europe. This May 2022 he gave a debut solo performance at Weill Carnegie Hall in New York as a First Prize winner of IBLA Grand Award Japan international violin competition, with comments “…his tone production reminds the sound of the great vinyl records which are from violinists in the last century such as Oistrakh.” A graduate of The Tokyo University of Arts with the top score and the Acanthus Music Prize for the outstanding academic achievements, Takamori was selected numerous times as a soloist with the university symphony orchestras, and played under baton of such conductors as Professors Kazuki Sawa, Douglas Bostock, and Ken Takaseki. In 2014 he was selected as a soloist of the Musical Activity Supporting System by YAMAHA Music Foundation and performed throughout Europe. As participant in international music festivals he performed at Mozarteum Salzburg, IBLA Sicily, and in iPalpiti festival of international laureates in Los Angeles. During his college years he studied with professors Takashi Shimizu, Sungsic Yang, Eszter Perenyi, and Pierre Amoyal. He studied with Professor Eduard Schmieder in his international class Artist Diploma program at the Boyer College of Music at Temple University in Philadelphia. At present, he is an associate violinist at Musashino University of Music in Tokyo. This is his third season with iPalpiti.

CONRAD CHOW /CANADA Violinist Born and raised in Toronto, Conrad has established himself as a foremost performer and teacher in his native Canada. A review in the Halifax Chronicle-Herald praised “the full, sweet, seductive intensity of Chow’s sound”, and his performance alongside Ani Kavafian with the Columbia Festival Orchestra was hailed as “ornate and satisfying”. He is a prize-winner of the 2006 International Stepping Stone Competition in Quebec and the David G. Whitcomb Foundation’s Young Artist of 2003. Conrad began his violin studies at the age of three at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. His Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees are from Indiana University’s School of Music, studying with Miriam Fried. Conrad completed his DMA from the State University of New York, Stony Brook (under noted violinists Pamela Frank, Ani Kavafian, and Philip Setzer), and later pursued further post-doctoral work with Eduard Schmieder at Temple University in Philadelphia. He studied chamber music with the Grammy Awardwinning Emerson String Quartet and is appearing in chamber music performances with Paul Biss, Christina Dahl, David Finckel, and Miriam Fried. His string quartet was winner of the Indiana University Kuttner String Quartet Competition, performing as the quartet-in-residence for the 2001-2002 seasons. As soloist, he appeared with numerous orchestras, in recitals, broadcasts, and on international stages including Mozarteum in Salzburg, Qingdao Music Hall in China, and 2010 Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall debut. As a member of the prestigious iPalpiti orchestral ensemble of international laureates since 2008, he performed at Carnegie Zankel Hall, Disney Hall in LA, Philadelphia's Kimmel Center, and Israel. Being a teacher of one of the leading precollege private violin studios in Canada; his students are winners in many important national and provincial competitions and have made solo debuts with Canadian orchestras, in 2010 he has been appointed to a faculty position at the Canadian Royal Conservatory of Music's elite pre-college academy. He was a Visiting Assistant Professor of Violin at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia for the 2006-2007 seasons, and was a member of the faculty at the Summit Summer Music Festival in New York in 2010. Conrad has served as jury member and adjudicator of various Canadian competitions, at the international “Remember Enescu” competition in Romania, and gives master classes in Canada, the United States, and Asia. A member of iPalpiti since 2010, Conrad has been serving as Associate Concertmaster, Principal 2nd Violins, and featured in solo and chamber ensembles.

MEET THE ARTISTS KAROLINA GUTOWSKA / POLAND Violinist (Splot Quartet) Wroński Youth Competition for Solo Violin and 1st prize at III Grażyna Bacewicz National Competition of String Chamber Ensembles. She was nominated for Yamaha financial support and is a recipient of Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Wien scholarship with participation in the International Summer Academy in the class of renowned Dora Schwarzberg. While on studies, she was chosen with her string quartet to represent the University in a concert exchange with Universität der Künste Berlin and participate in the Warsaw Spring Festival in Tallin, organized by the Warsaw Autumn, International Festival of Contemporary Music. She has also participated in numerous festivals such as an International Academy of Art in Zakopane, Princess Daisy Ensemble Festival in Książ Castle, Musethica Festival in Zaragoza and Berlin and workshops, during which she worked with eminent international musicians. This is Karolina’s first season with iPalpiti.

KORNELIA GRADZKA / POLAND Violinist (Splot Quartet) Kornelia graduated from Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw at professor Roman Lasocki’s violin class and at professor Katarzyna Jankowska’s and prof. Maia Nosowska’s chamber music class. She is a laureate of several national and international competitions including 3rd prize at National Competition for Young Violinists in Lublin (Poland), 3rd prize in the “A. Januszajtis” National Violin Competition in Gdańsk (Poland), and 2nd prize at International Chamber Music Competition in Jurmala (Latvia). Kornelia participated in many masterclasses and orchestral workshops: in Łańcut (Poland), Bremen (Germany), Moscow (Russia), Paris (France) among others, where she worked with renowned international artists. This is Kornelia’s first season with iPalpiti.

SPLOT STRING QUARTET/POLAND Festival’s quartet-in-residence “Splot” was formed in 2019 by four graduates of Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw. Winners of competitions, participants of prestigious festivals and members of leading Polish orchestras, the girls had already known each other. On one occasion, all four artists - violinists Karolina Gutowska and Kornelia Grądzka, violist Agnieszka Agnes Podłucka (page 39), and cellist Dobrawa Czocher (page 41) - were brought together for another musical project. They were so delighted with the energy, fun, and pleasure of making music, that a decision not to part was clear to each of them. Thus, “splot” (intertwined, tightly knit in Polish) quartet was born. Each musician in Splot quartet has a busy musical career, but with one priority for all: the joy of playing together and spreading the love for music. The quartet weaves together four musical personalities. Full of female passion and sensitivity, with interpretations of the great classical repertoire, the Splot is open to the unknown and the new. Splot was selected for the iPalpiti 2020 festival, and after two years of “wait” we are delighted to bring the quartet here.

MEET THE ARTISTS LINA JUKNEVIČIŪTE / LITHUANIA Violinist Grand Prix and Special iPalpiti prize-winner at the XI International Bialis Dvarionas Violin Competition in Vilnius, Lithuania (2021), Lina’s solo debut took place in Lithuanian National Philharmonic Hall when she was ten years old. Lina studied in Vilnius with Inga Gylytė and professor Jurgis Dvarionas and continued her studies at the Purcell School for young musicians in London with Aistė Dvarioanitė-Beržanskienė. Currently, Lina is furthering her musical education at the University of Music Franc Liszt Weimar with Prof. Friedemann Eichhorn and Sönke Reger. Lina is a prizewinner in numerous competitions including “Concours International de Alexandre Glazunov” in Paris, International Georg Philipp Telemann Violin Competition in Poland, ''Marine Iashvili International Competition for string instruments'' in Georgia. In 2021 Lina received the Grand Prix in "XI International Balys Dvarionas" Competition after performing with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra. In 2018, she won EMCY (European Union of Music Competitions for Youth) prize, followed by performances throughout Europe. In 2019, she performed in Wigmore Hall and the Purcell Room (Southbank Centre). Lina continuously performs in Lithuania and other European countries. As an acknowledgement of her achievements, Lina received official presidential recognition from Her Excellency Dalia Grybauskaitė, the President of the Republic of Lithuania. Lina has participated in masterclasses, chamber music, and orchestra projects such as Hope Academy, Meisterschüler Meister, Moritzburg Academy, Ticino Musica, and, is a scholarship recipient of the International Academy of Music in Liechtenstein and “YEHUDI MENUHIN Live Music Now.”

GYEHEE KIM / SOUTH KOREA Violinist FEATURED SOLOIST 2017 Gyehee Kim won First Prize and two additional special prizes at the prestigious 2016 George Enescu International Violin Competition, one of which was the iPalpiti Prize to attend the iPalpiti Festival. The winner of the George Enescu International Music Competition, Andrea Postacchini International Violin Competition, and Munetsugu Angel Violin Competition, Korean violinist Gyehee Kim has firmly established herself as one of the eminent young rising stars of the international concert stage. Among many honors, Gyehee is also a laureate of numerous other international competitions such as the Guadagnini Stuttgart International Violin Competition, the Isang Yun International Music Competition, Manhattan International Music Competition, Torún International Violin Competition, and the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians. Gyehee has been named as part of “the Rising Star Series” in 2018 by the Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation. As a frequent guest artist at music festivals worldwide, she has performed at the George Enescu Festival, Moscow Meets Friends, iPalpiti Festival, Mozarteum International Summer Academy, and Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music. Ms. Kim has been invited as a soloist to perform with the George Enescu Philharmonic, Russian Symphony, Stuttgart Philharmonic, iPalpiti Orchestra, Toruń Symphony, Central Aichi Symphony Orchestra, Korean Symphony, and the Korean Chamber Orchestra, Gyeonggi Philharmonic and among others. Recently, she gave the world premiere of Dan Dediu’s Brahmsodia Triple Concerto at the Opening Gala Concert of the 2020 George Enescu International Competition. She has given concerts in prestigious venues such as the Grand Kremlin Palace, Romanian Athenaeum, CKK Jordanki, Seoul Arts Center, and as a soloist with iPalpiti at Mozarteum Solitar Saal, Soka Performing Arts Center, and Walt Disney Concert Hall. Ms. Kim has been a member of the contemporary and baroque music ensemble ‘Ensemble Blank’. From 2017-2020 she played the "Rainville" Antonio Stradivarius violin, loaned to her by the Nippon Violin. She is an alumni of Curtis Institute of Music, Seoul National University, and currently, is pursuing her Zertifkarstudium Meisterklasse’s degree at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Munich, Germany with Professors Christoph Poppen and Lena Neudauer as the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Scholarship holder. Since 2020, Ms. Kim is on the faculty of Seoul Central Conservatory as a visiting professor. This is Gyehee’s 2nd season with iPalpiti.

MEET THE ARTISTS JULIA KUZMINA / RUSSIA-USA Violinist-Violist Trained in the Russian violin tradition, a graduate of the Novosibirsk State Conservatory, Julia made her solo debut at the age 7. In Novosibirsk she studied under the tutelage of the prominent professor Marina Kuzina-Koifman. As soloist and an experienced orchestral musician, Julia has performed with orchestras for diverse and distinguished audiences worldwide, including major venues in South Korea, China, Tchaikovsky Concert Hall and the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, and, in the United States, at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. Julia is a winner of top prizes in numerous national and international competitions, including the West-Siberia-East (2015, 2018), the national competition of young ensemble music performers Siberian Musical Assemblies (2013) and the World Art Games (2020) International Music Competition. Also, she has been invited to participate in the Trans-Siberian Art Festival, founded and led by the renowned violinist Vadim Repin, in 2016 and 2017, and in XII & XIII International Violin Music Festival. As orchestral musician, Julia served as first violinist in the Symphony Orchestra of the Novosibirsk State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater (2018 to 2021), guest artist of the Khakass Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, assistant principal of the Variety Orchestra of Novosibirsk State Philharmonic, as a member of the string ensemble “Bright Bows”, as a soloist with Collegium Musicum Orchestra in New Jersey, and as concertmaster of Temple University Opera Orchestra. Since the fall 2021 Julia has been pursuing her Artist Diploma from Temple University on full scholarship, in an international class of Professor Eduard Schmieder. This is her first season with iPalpiti.

TAISIYA LOSMAKOVA / BELARUS Violinist Born in Brest, Belarus in a family of musicians, Taisiya started playing violin at the age of 4. In 2010 she entered the Republican Gymnasium-College at Belarusian State Academy of Music, the class of Professor Eduard Kuchinsky. During this time, Taisiya became the laureate of international and national competitions, and was a soloist with the Belarusian State Philharmonic performing the Bruch Violin Concerto No.1. She also performed with chamber orchestra in Qatar, Germany and Belgium, and at Musica Mundi festival, playing alongside eminent musicians Maxim Vengerov and Misha Maisky. From 2014 to 2019 Taisiya continued her education at Belarusian State Academy of Music in the class of Professor Regina Krivel, and served as Principal Second Violin of the Chamber Orchestra of the Belarusian State Academy of Music. In 2016, Taisiya won a position in the ensemble of soloists "Classic-Avantgarde" of the Belarusian State Philharmonic Society under the direction of Vladimir Baidov. In 2019, Taisiya joined the Presidential Orchestra of the Republic of Belarus, appointed as Concertmaster in 2020, and held this position until her move to the USA in 2021. Taisiya recorded solos for CDs of Belarusian artists and actively participated in the Tritformat Theater project as a solo violinist. During the last several years Taisiya gained extensive concert experience in various genres classical music, chamber music, pop music, rock music, jazz and theater music. At the end of 2021, Taisiya has moved to the USA to start the next chapter of her musical path.

MEET THE ARTISTS SAMUEL NEBYU / HUNGARY-ETHIOPIA Violinist Samuel is the winner of numerous national and international competitions including Grand prizes at the National ASTA (American String Teachers Association) Solo Competition (2015), “Remember Enescu” International Violin Competition (Romania, 2013), the Flame International Violin Competition (Paris, 2008), and the Beverly Hills National Auditions (CA, 2014). Born in Hungary of Ethiopian-Hungarian descent, Samuel spent most of his early childhood in Asia. He started playing the violin at the age of six; at fifteen, he was admitted to the Young Talents Program at the Brussels Royal Conservatory where he received tutelage from renowned musicians, including Igor Oistrakh. Samuel was a violinist-in-residence for several years at the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Belgium. He continued his education in the US in the international violin class of Professor Eduard Schmieder at Boyer College of Music at Temple University in Philadelphia, where he received his BM, MM, and in May 2022, became a DMA. From 2017, Samuel teaches at the Community Music Scholars Program at Temple University. Samuel has performed as soloist with number of orchestras, including the Brussels Philharmonic, at important international music festivals, and in venues such as the Centre of Performing Arts in Brussels (BOZAR), the Peles Castle in Romania, the Wiener Saal in Salzburg, and Alice Tully Hall in New York. In 2015, he was selected as an iPalpiti Junior and was a featured soloist with iPalpiti orchestra in Los Angeles at the Wallis Annenberg Center. Since, he has returned to iPalpiti every season; in 2017 he was featured in Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante with iPalpiti alumnus violist Juan-Miguel Hernandez at Walt Disney Concert Hall, and in 2019 was a soloist in a West Coast premiere of Alexey Shor “Seascapes” violin concerto at the Conrad Performing Arts Center in La Jolla and at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. In 2016, Samuel received the prestigious Clifton Emerging Artist Award and gave a recital at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia; same year he became a prize winner of the Mozarteum Salzburg Festpiel competition – the only one of 291 violinists to be selected as one of the eight prize winners – and was further honored to conclude the winners concert at the Mozarteum Grosse Saal. Highlights of the recent seasons included performance of a Concerto for Violin with Choir and Orchestra by Jennifer Higdon at Kimmel Center Verizon Hall in Philadelphia, recital with Professor Lambert Orkis (long-time piano partner of violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter), a recital with Prof. Charles Abramovic (the collaborative pianist of Midori) at LACMA’s Sundays Live! Livestream series, and a South America’ tour with Mutter’s Virtuosi. Samuel is the 3rd iPalpiti artist chosen by the great violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter for her foundation (prior artists were cellist Kian Soltani and bassist Roman Patkolo). His CD “Violin Gems from Black Composers” was released on BCM+D label in 2018; selected for Grammy nomination, it was named Best Album of the Year by numerous classic radio stations across the nation, including KUSC-FM. This spring, Samuel performed Brahms’ Violin Concerto with the Temple Orchestra. After iPalpiti festival, he will give a solo recital at the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland. This is Samuel’s 7th season with iPalpiti.

Dear Maestro Schmieder, Thank you for the inspiring us so much, including myself. I look back to my time at iPalpiti – and forward also – with a great joy. I learned so much from you and hope that there will be many years forward for people learning and loving you around the world! —Kian Soltani, cellist. Deutsche Grammophon artist. 35

MEET THE ARTISTS YUAN TIAN / CHINA Violinist Tian was born in Harbin, the city of music. With the unique musical atmosphere and the influence of his hometown and family, Tian began learning violin at the age of three with his father and had his first public performance at the age of four. At the age of seven, he entered the Harbin Children's Palace High School Symphony Orchestra and was considered as the exceptional youngest first violin player there. In 2008 Tian came to Beijing to study with the famous violin teacher Lin Yaoji, continuing at the affiliate primary school of Central Conservatory of Music; there, he received the highest scholarship from Central Conservatory of Music and Hong Kong Brothers Fund. In 2011, Tian gave a solo concert in the Harbin concert hall, performing 11 solo compositions and the virtuosic Vieuxtemps's Fourth Violin Concerto. A critic’s review raved, “ … the pride of the city of music, this warm night, due to Tian Yuan's wonderful string playing made city more romantic, more charming." The highlight of 2012 was the successful performance of the famous violin concerto "Butterfly Lovers" at the Harbin Summer Music Concert. Winner of the Outstanding Performance Award at the Schoenfeld International String Competition in 2014, Tian took part in the Central Conservatory of Music scholarship competition and won third prize (2015), and the following year, won a second prize in the Hong Kong Art Festival violin competition. In July 2017, Tian was selected to the NYO-China Youth Symphony Orchestra concert in the US Carnegie Hall and a world tour with conductor Ludovic Morlot and pianist Yuja Wang. Tian participated in the Karvendel Music Festival in the Mittenwald, Germany, in masterclasses with prof. Viktor Tretyakov, and in SUMMIT Music Festival in New York, performing in festivals’ concerts. As a winner of the First Prize of the Young Talent World Festival of Performing and Visual Art 2019, he had a chance to debut with a solo performance at Carnegie Hall. Selected again by NYO-China again, he performed in Shanghai Oriental Art Center, followed by European tour in Konzerthaus Berlin that broadcast to millions via ARTE, United Kingdom’s Snape Maltings Concert Hall and Italy’s Fondazione Teatro Comunale as part of the 2019 Bolzano Festival. On this tour, he also played in piano trio at the Chinese Embassy in the UK. Tian received his BM degree this May, and will continue his violin studies toward MM in the class of Prof. Eduard Schmieder as recipient of a full scholarship at TEMPLE University in Philadelphia. This is his second season with iPalpiti.

Dear Laura and Dr. Schmieder, My heart is full of memories and warm feelings which I will never forget. iPalpiti is a festival where I can laugh more than in many months. The facilities and experiences which you create and offer to your musicians are unique! Many musicians could only dream to be in my position.. I am truly grateful of what I can feel and learn through your festival. I am full of inspiration and ideas to bring classical music to the people and new audience. I highly respect both of you and your sense of music making. And it is really rare to hear every day that someone says “I love you all”! This great gesture from Dr. Schmieder made my days. I am very much looking forward to study under him and learn more from his passion for music and to deliver it forward in many ways in the future. Sincerely, Kreeta-Julia (post-festival 2015) Kreeta-Julia Heikkilä has served as concertmaster of the Danish National Chamber Orchestra, Oulu Symphony and Vaasa City Orchestra in Finland and guest concertmaster of London BBC Symphony Orchestra. She is a co-founder of the Helsinki Chamber Music Festival with a fellow iPalpiti cellist Jaani Helander, now in its 5th successful season.

MEET THE ARTISTS XUAN SHIRLEY YAO / CHINA Violinist Xuan Yao began to learn violin at age four, studying from 2004-2010 with Weijian Tang in the middle school of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. While in Beijing, Xuan was actively performing as soloist, in string quartets, piano trio and was an assistant concertmaster of the Chinese Youth Symphony Orchestra. In 2010, Xuan was accepted to Temple University in Philadelphia on a full scholarship to study with Professor Eduard Schmieder in his select international violin class at Boyer College in the Center of Performing Arts; she received Bachelor degree in 2015 and Master degree in 2017. A recipient of the Garrigues Scholarship, as DMA student at Temple University, Xuan has been a teaching assistant in Professor Schmieder’s studio. While in Philadelphia, she performs actively as a chamber and orchestral musician. Xuan is a prize-winner of national competitions in her native China including First Prize of the Hunan Province Soloist Competition in 2002, First Prize of the Chinese Junior New Artist competition, and Grand Prize of the Changsha Soloist competition (2003). In the USA, she received 2nd prize in Pi Kappa Lambda Competition in 2017 and won a First Prize at the Young Talents World Festival of Performing Arts in 2018. Xuan has been performing in numerous international music festivals, including at the Mozarteum Salzburg and the Summit Music Festival in New York. In May 2022, Xuan received her Doctor of Musical Arts Diploma. This is her third season with iPalpiti.

DIEGO ZAPATA / VENEZUELA Violinist Born in Carupano, Sucre State, Venezuela in 1993, Diego began his training as a musician when he was five years old. At ten he began musical studies in Caracas Simon Bolivar Conservatory with Professor Eddy Marcano and Efrain Lara; he continued at the School of Music Mozarteum Caracas, with teacher Richard Biaggini. He was part of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, conducted by Maestro Gustavo Dudamel and in concerts conducted by the Director of the Berlin Philharmonic, Sir Simon Rattle. He received bachelor degree in Juan N Corpas University, in Bogotá, Colombia, followed by an Artist Diploma and a Performance Certificate at the Richard Wagner Conservatory in Vienna and the University of Kansas, respectively. In 2021, Diego graduated from the University of Kansas where he was working on his Master’s degree with the violin professor David Colwell. Diego took part in numerous festivals including the seminar on advanced technical development of violin in Merida, 2007-2008, summer courses with professor Yuval Yaron in Santa Barbara, California, and master classes with such violinists as Kristof Barati, and Daniel Austrich (iPalpiti alumnus). Diego has played several times with the National Symphony of Colombia and he was featured in the Documentary Film Foundation Orchestras of Venezuela "Tocar y Luchar." This is his second season with iPalpiti.

Dear Laura – Great music speaks for itself… what you and Eduard do so lovingly is nurture, educate, and advance these young savants allowing them to move forward into mature careers as professional musicians. These exceptional musicians find safe haven, family and direction under your extremely knowledgeable care. The world of music, the world at large is a far better place with it. THANKS! – All of us from the City of Encinitas (2015) 37

MEET THE ARTISTS JOSEPH KAUFFMAN / USA Violinist - Violist Born in Oakland, California, Joseph began his violin studies at the age of five. He has studied with Yayoi Numazawa of the Philadelphia Orchestra, James Lyon and Max Zorin of The Pennsylvania State University, and Eduard Schmieder of Temple University. A graduate of the Pennsylvania State University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance, he was honored to receive the Creative Achievement Award, given to only one exceptional student. Winner of many competitions in Pennsylvania, Joseph received first prize in the PSU Philharmonic Concerto Competition performing the Sibelius Violin Concerto (2008). He returns to State College every summer for the Penn’s Woods Music Festival under the direction of Maestro Gerardo Edelstein. Joseph founded and performed with the “Valens” Piano Quartet, which received First Prize in the MTNA Chamber Music Competition. As a chamber musician – both as violinist and violist - Kauffman was featured live on classical radio in Los Angeles and Philadelphia. In 2008, Kauffman was accepted into the international class of Prof. Eduard Schmieder in the Master’s Degree program at Temple University, which he completed in 2011, with distinction and received the Albert Tashjian Prize for excellence in performance. He frequently served as concertmaster for the TU Symphony Orchestra and TU Opera Theater. He has performed on major concert stages including Disney Hall, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kimmel Center, and the Kennedy Center, among others. He has participated in master classes with world-class soloists and ensembles, including Jaime Laredo, Philip Setzer, Martin Chalifour, the Shanghai, Emerson, the American, the Tokyo quartets, and many others. Currently, Joseph is in the DMA program at Temple University, where he is also an adjunct faculty member. He teaches a talented class of students at the NBS School, maintains a thriving private violin studio, and leads an active performance career. Together with iPalpiti alumnus and cellist Yoni Draiblate, in 2016 he founded and successfully directs the MUSIC TRANSFORMS concert series in Philadelphia. Joseph was selected to join the iPalpiti in 2010, taking principal roles as both violinist and a violist in orchestral ensemble as well as in chamber ensembles. He also has been a dedicated orchestra manager during the festivals.

MIDORI MARUYAMA / JAPAN Violist Midori started playing violin at the age of four and has studied at the Tokyo college of Music from 2004-2010 with Prof. Takashi Shimizu and Saiko Azuma. During these years she attended many master classes in Japan, Portugal, Italy, and Austria. In 2008 she won the third prize at the Japan Players Competition and also began to study the viola and play chamber music. She won the 2nd prize at the Osaka International Competition and received a Special award at the Japan Ensemble Competition with her quartet. Midori continued her studies as a violist at Scuola di Musica di Fiesole in Italy with Antonello Farulli and Felice Cusano as a scholarship student in Corso di Perfezionamento, and participated in the master class of Jürgen Kussmaul and in summer course of Jurij Bashmet at the Accademia Chigiana in Siena. Midori is a recipient of numerous awards: the "Grand Prix d'Honneu" at the Concours International de Musique Léopold Bellan in Paris, France with piano quintet (2011), First Prize as a soloist at the 4th Concorso Musicale Europea Città di Filadelfia and 10th International Music Competition Premio Vittoria Caffa Righetti (2012), First Prize at Concorso Internazione di Musica “Euterpe” di Corato and VII Concorso Internazionale di Musica da Camera Città di Chieti as member of duo (2013). As Mozarteum Summerakademie "praistreger", Midori performed in prestigious concert halls in the Salzburg Festspiele in 2012 and during the same season was selected to join iPalpiti. Midor has been a leading violist at The Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra, Japan since 2014; in 2017, Midori accepted a principal position at the Kyoto Symphony. Midori has been member of iPalpiti since 2012. 38

MEET THE ARTISTS AGNIESZKA PODŁUCKA, VIOLIST / POLAND Violist (Splot Quartet) Born in Łódź, Agnieszka started her violin education at the age of seven. Since, she has been awarded First Prizes at numerous national and international violin, viola and chamber music competitions, including ARD International Music Competition in Munich (2018), Michał Spisak XI International Music Competition (2017), Intercollegiate Viola Competition (2017), II Baltic Competition for String Duos (2016), II Chamber Music Competition in students category (2015), XX International Johannes Brahms Viola Competition (2012, semifinal); IV Tadeusz Wronski Young Solo Violin Competition (2012, distinction).She was awarded the “Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage” scholarship and continues her studies at the Frederik Chopin University of Music in violin and viola with professors Jan Stanienda and Piotr Reichert. Agnieszka has been a participant in many festivals as violinist, violist, chamber musician and orchestral player, including International Summer Academy of the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, Musethica International Chamber Music Festival in Spain, Sweden and Germany, International Chamber Music Festival in Wałbrzych, International Chamber Music Festival “Quarto Mondi” in Poznan, Warsaw Festival, Summer Academy of Music from Berliner Philharmoniker, and in master classes worked with Tabea Zimmerman, Jerzy Kosamala, Stefan Kamasa, Wolfgang Boettcher, Peter Riegelbauer, Jose Gallardo, and many others.Agnieszka has performed extensively as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician in her native Poland in as well as in different countries of Europe, Japan, South Korea, United States. She was a member of Sinfonia Varsovia Academy as a violist and a member of European Union Youth Orchestra. In 2020, Agnieszka joined the Warsaw Philharmonic/Sinfonia Varsovia as its principal violist. This is Agnieszka’s “third” season with iPalpiti. Recommended by iPalpiti alumni Maria Machowska (2004-2009) who is a Concertmistress of the Warsaw Philharmonic [Filhamonia Narodowa/Sinfonia Varsovia] since 2008, Agnieszka joined iPalpiti in 2019, and applied to the 2020 season with her newly formed Splot quartet. Due to COVID restrictions, quartet was not able to travel; we are delighted to welcome Agnieszka and her Splot as quartet-in-residence this 2022 festival.

ZI ZYGMUND WANG / CHINA violinist-violist Zi Wang was born in Shanghai and started to learn the violin at the age of four. He attended Szechuan Conservatory of Music with Professor Kaixiang Li and at the High School for Gifted Children of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music with Professor Mengla Huang. During 2016 -2018 seasons he was selected to work in violin section of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and Shanghai Opera Orchestra, and performed with the Zurich Youth Symphony Orchestra. He participated in numerous music festivals, including Summit Summer Music Academy in New York. In 2018 Zygmund was accepted into Professor Schmieder international violin class at the Boyer College of Music at Temple University where he is currently working toward his Bachelor’s Degree. As the first prize winner of the 2019 World Youth Talent Festival, he performed solo at the Carnegie Hall in New York in the 2020 season. Zygmund’s father is a well-known luthier in China, and for this iPalpiti season, he will be playing a viola made by his father. This is his second season with iPalpiti

MEET THE ARTISTS FRANCISCO VILA / ECUADOR Cellist “Vila brought out the fervour and vitality…consummate projection.” — The Strad Magazine, April 2012

Francisco Vila began playing the cello at age eight and had his solo debut with an orchestra at age fourteen. Having performed in concerts throughout Europe, North and South America, Vila has been described by cellist Janos Starker as “an exceptionally talented young cellist and musician. He is heading for an important place in the world of music.” As a chamber musician, Francisco has collaborated with Nobuko Imai, Cho-Liang Lin, Gary Hoffman, Martin Chalifour, and others. As a soloist, he has appeared with the Houston Symphony, Liège Royal Philharmonic, the Royal Chamber Orchestra of Wallonia, Aalborg Symphonyorkester, the Bolivia Clásica Youth Orchestra, Mexico National Orchestra, South Dakota Symphony and all principal orchestras in his native Ecuador. He has been a participant in Ravinia Steans Institute festival in Chicago, guest artist at the Beaumaris, Santander and the Stavelot Music Festival, among others. As an iPalpiti artist since 2009, he has performed at Zankel Carnegie Hall, Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in a radio broadcasted recitals, Mozarteum Salzburg, and on international tours. Francisco was granted Presidential Scholarship to the Boston Conservatory for his Bachelor studies, after which he received a Performance Diploma from Indiana University where his teachers were Janos Starker, Sharon Robinson and Menahem Pressler. In 2012, he was selected to the inaugural cello class at the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Belgium, where he earned an Artist Diploma under the famed cellist Gary Hoffman. In the same year he became the second-prize laureate of the Sphinx Competition in Detroit Michigan. Francisco views teaching as an important aspect of music-making. In 2015 he has founded the International Music Festival of Esmeraldas (Ecuador), his hometown – supported by a grant from iPalpiti Artists International - social project of free master classes to young talents from Central and South America. In its inaugural 2015 season, iPalpiti alumnus violinist Daniel Austrich was among its international guest artists. For his work, Francisco also received grants from the US State Department, Tarisio Trust, and the Sphinx MPower Grant. Francisco serves on the faculty at the Longy School of Music at Bard College, MA. He was a Principal Cellist of the Aalborg Symphoiorkester in Denmark – in a happy collaborations with concertmaster Vesselin Demirev and Principal 2nd Alexander Dzyubinsky, both iPalpiti alumni. Francisco performs on a fine 1790 Vincenzo Panormo cello, on generous life-term loan from the “Karl McNutt Family Trust”, as well as the “ex-Janos Starker” E. Tubbs bow.

Dear Maestro, I want to thank you for the incredible eye-opening opportunity to join iPalpiti in 2004, inspiring and fun super hi-level chamber music, and since, traveling with you around the world. What you and Laura built together for young talented musicians is incredibly important. It is definitely I always would hope to be part of, because I know how great this mission is, and I forever, will be appreciative to be a part of this world-class iPalpiti” – Juan-Miguel Hernandez

Concert violist. Professor, Head of Chamber Music, University of Montreal. Visiting Professor, RAM, London. Former: Fine Arts Quartet (2013-2021) Professor, Royal Academy of Music, London. 40

MEET THE ARTISTS JOSEPHINA KIM / USA Cellist Josephina You-Kyung Kim performs internationally as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician. Among numerous international competitions prizes, she received top winner prize at the prestigious Heida Hermann’s International Competition, the same contest that launched the cello careers of Amit Peled and Rajan Krishnaswami. As a recipient of a full scholarship award, Josephina attended the esteemed Juilliard Pre-College, where, as a winner of the concerto competition she performed the Korngold Cello Concerto with the Juilliard Orchestra at Lincoln Center. At age 15, she was invited to play solo recital at the Carnegie Hall. Josephina graduated with an undergraduate diploma from the Longy School of Music of Bard College as a student of Dr. Terry King, where she won all of the institution’s top honors; most notably, performing Elgar Cello Concerto at Harvard University’s Sanders Theater under the direction of Leon Botstein. A core member of Lyrica Chamber Music, Josephina has performed with Lyrica, ArtsAhimsa, the Yale Cellos, and Philharmonic Orchestra at Carnegie, Lincoln Center, Sanders Theater, and Boston’s Symphony halls. Josephina received Master of Music at the Yale School of Music, and currently is at New England Conservatory in the studio of Laurence Lesser. She has been honored to play for cello luminaries such as Yo-Yo Ma, Aldo Parisot, Ralph Kirshbaum, Sol Gabetta, Matt Haimovitz, and Laurence Lesser. Currently, Josephina is a Co-Principal Cellist of the Lyrica Chamber Orchestra. This is her 2nd season with iPalpiti.

DOBRAWA CZOCHER, CELLIST/POLAND Cellist (Splot Quartet) Dobrawa began studying the cello at the age of seven. A graduate of the General Music School of Feliks Nowowiejski in Gdańsk at Jadwiga Ewald's cello class, she received her Bachelor and Master degrees at Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, and Master Solo Studies of the Hochschule fur Musik Detmold in Germany in prof. Alexander Gebert's cello class. Dobrawa is a winner of several solo and chamber music competitions, including: National Competition Luigi Boccherini in Zamość, National Student Cello Auditions I and II degree in Łódź, National Bach Competition in Zielona Góra, tournament for Cellists in Warsaw, National Chamber Auditions in Sochaczew, the International Music Competition Julius Zarebski in Lomianki; and in VI International Competition for Chamber of Johannes Brahms in Gdańsk with a trio (2012), with Sillage Piano Quintet at International Chamber Music Competition in Latvia and at the National Chamber Music Competition in Bydgoszcz, Poland (2014). She has participated in numerous master classes with renowned cellists and with ensemble musicians, including prof. Thomas Herbut, prof. Jose Gallardo; while attending Festival Ensemble in Książ (Poland) for three seasons she has been collaborating with artists such as Kevin Kenner, Paul Gulda, Jakub Jakowicz. In 2008 - 2010 she was a scholar of the National Fund for Children On. In 2017, Dobrawa joined Junge Deutsche Philharmonie and also became the principal cellist of the Neue Philharmonie Berlin (Germany). In 2018 she won an audition to Szczecin Symphony Orchestra as solo-cellist. Founding the duo "Hania Rani & Dobrawa Czocher" in 2012, the duo released their debut album "Biała flaga" in 2015, which was a bestseller in Poland. Dobrawa performed in many prestigious concerts halls in Poland and abroad (Germany, Lebanon, Serbia, Austria, Turkey, Portugal). This is Dobrawa’s first season with iPalpiti

MEET THE ARTISTS DILSHOD NARZILLAEV / UZBEKISTAN Cellist Born in Navoi, Uzbekistan, Dilshod began studying cello in 2007 under the tutelage of Professor Ibragimov at the R.M. Glier specialized lyceum of music in Tashkent, where he also was a recipient of the “Tasanno” Special Award given by Uzbekistan Government (2008-2013). From 2015, he continued his studies in the USA with Daniel Veis at the International Center for Music at Park University in Missouri, and, currently, with Prof. Laurence Lesser in Boston at the New England Conservatory where he earned his MM in 2022 and will continue his post-graduate. In master classes he performed and worked with eminent cellists such as Garry Hoffman, Frans Helmerson, Ophélie Gaillard, Diana Ligeti, Antonio Lysy, Ralph Kirshbaum, David Geber, Eugene Drucker, and Colin Carr, among others. Grand-prize and top prize winner in numerous international competitions, including 7th Antonio Janigro International Cello Competition in Zagreb, Croatia (2020), Alexander Glazunov competition in Paris (2014), Rovere d’Oro Prize in Italy (2011), Special Audience Prize at “Shabyt” International String Competition in Kazakhstan (2012), he also was a selected participant in Queen Elisabeth Cello Competition in Brussels, Belgium (2017). Narzillaev has performed concertos of Saint-Saens, Dvorak, Haydn with Uzbek National Symphony Orchestra, Shostakovich’s first concerto with the Croatian Radiotelevision Symphony Orchestra, and made his New York debut with Kansas City Chamber orchestra in Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in 2016. As a recipient of international awards, Dilshod participated and performed at music festivals such as Heifetz International Music Institute, Ecoles d'art Américaines de Fontainebleau France, “New Names”Moscow, Russia, Orford Music, Canada. Dilshod was “recruited” by fellow cellist Josephina Kim, successfully accepted, and we welcome him to iPalpiti family.

ALEXANDER MILOVANOV / BELARUS-USA Guitar Top prize winner of numerous international competitions including the Vienna International Music Competition, the preeminent International Concert Artist Competition of the Guitar Foundation of America, and the Boston GuitarFest International Competition, Alexandr performs internationally and throughout the United States. Originally from Belarus, Alexander has earned his Bachelor of Music from the Glinka State College of Music. After moving to the U.S., Alexander received his Master of Music from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University and the Artist Diploma at the Yale University School of Music under a full scholarship. In 2017, Alexander completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Texas at Austin. Currently, Alexandr is on the faculty of the French Conservatory of Music in Beverly Hills, CA, and the instructor at the South Bay Guitar Academy in Torrance, CA, which he has recently founded. A U.S. citizen since 2010, "Alexander Milovanov's playing is simply transcendent..” - Austin Classical Guitar Alexander also has been a supporting staff of iPalpiti festivals since 2018.

MEET THE ARTISTS BLAKE HILLEY / USA Double Bass Blake Hilley is an award-winning double bassist who performs both as a classical soloist, an orchestral bassist, and loves to explore the versatility of the bass, bringing the voice of the instrument to the public. Top winner of the Camerata Artists International Competition 2020, Blake is BM graduate with academic honors from Juilliard this year, and is returning for a Master of Music with Tim Cobb, principal bass of the New York Philharmonic. Blake arrives to iPalpiti straight from his tour across Germany with Juilliard415 and Yale Schola Cantorum as the Principal Double Bassist, as well as a featured soloist. As a composer, Blake debuted with his original double bass composition "Pride and Steel." His discography includes his EP of classical impressionistic songs "Selections for Double Bass and Piano," original rock song "Fairytales," and a debut Single "Kol Nidrei" which was lauded by Jason Heath from Contrabass Conversations. You can listen Blake’s interview at ContrabassConversations.com podcast discussing his passion for the bass further. In Juilliard Orchestra Blake performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's David Geffen Hall and Alice Tully Hall under the batons of Maestro Itzhak Perlman, Maestro John Adams, Maestra Marin Alsop, and Maestro David Robertson; he was a principal bassist of the Juilliard Opera for Mozart's "Cosi fan Tutte" and the featured bassist with the New Juilliard Ensemble under the baton of Maestro Dr. Joel Sachs. Most recently, Blake's premiered a new work for the solo double bass called "Bass Heart" by Bishu Chattopadhyay; chamber music concerts included Beethoven's 1st Piano Concerto arranged for String Quintet and Piano and David Anderson’s Seven Double Bass Duets. Artists Blake has played with include the Goat Rodeo Sessions, featuring Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile, and Stuart Duncan. During the pandemic, Blake was honored to be selected to perform with Itzhak Perlman and the Juilliard Orchestra in their virtual performance featured on CBS Sunday Morning. As an artist who enjoys connecting with his audience, he has played concerts at libraries and retirement homes in Atlanta with his talented sister, cellist Ilana Hilley. They both enjoy demonstrating the power of music not only in the concert hall, but in the everyday moments that can be made to last through music. Blake has also joined quarantineconcerts.tv as a way to bring music to individuals at home during the pandemic. www.blakehilleybass.com

There are several reasons iPalpiti is such a special festival. First and foremost is the inspiration of Eduard Schmieder. Dr. Schmieder is a tremendous artist with such creativity and spirit in his musicianship, and he knows how to communicate his passion and love of music to those around him. With iPalpiti, he and Laura Schmieder gather together a group of young artists who are all interesting and unique. This blend of personalities from around the world contribute to the special environment found at iPalpiti, with friendships formed through the sharing of musical and cultural ideas. I believe there is a mutual respect and affection between the young artists and Dr. Schmieder that enables each to offer their best during the festival. – Jennie Jung Pianist / Canada - USA 2010 43

MEET THE ARTISTS SVETLANA SMOLINA, PIANIST/RUSSIA-USA Pianist Born in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, Svetlana performed with orchestras and in recitals worldwide. A recipient of “New Names” scholarship program, her notable appearances with orchestras include Mariinsky Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall, St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Orchestra National de France, Dublin Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Symphony, South Florida Symphony, Odessa Philharmonic and many others. A frequent guest at festivals worldwide, Svetlana has performed at the Salzburg Festival, Hollywood Bowl, Ravinia Rising Stars, White Nights, Maggio Musicale, Rotterdam Phillips Gergiev, Hennessy Artists Series at Hanoi Opera House, Royal Covent Garden Opera, Mariinsky 3 Concert Hall, Mozarteum, Merkin Hall, Gulbenkian Foundation, Grand Artists Series in Tel-Aviv, Academia Santa Cecilia in Rome, and iPalpiti Festival, to name a few. Recordings include Stravinsky’s Les noces (Valery Gergiev, conductor on Decca/Phillips and on Mariinsky Label which received ICMA award for Best Choral Work in 2011), solo Chopin Album for the Chopin iTunes Project, Benjamin Britten’s Young Apollo live recording with iPalpiti from Walt Disney Hall for BCM+D records and many broadcasts for NPR, WQXR New York, BBC, PBS, RAI, Cultura TV and other networks. Svetlana joined iPalpiti Festival of International Laureates in Los Angeles in 2011, with a debut at Walt Disney Concert Hall with iPalpiti Orchestra. Winner of 2014 “Live on Stage” showcases, she was chosen as their only Classical Pianist Artist for 2015-16 season, touring 20 states, and featured in the Keyboard Magazine. Svetlana’s collaboration with violinist Vadim Repin in 2014-19 received an astonishing critical acclaim as they toured Canada, Monaco, London, Washington DC, Repin’s Trans-Siberian Art Festival, and Columbia. Other collaborative highlights included performances and recordings with Christopher O’Riley released on Pentatone Oxingale Records, a Carnegie Hall recital with Lee-Chin Siow, Singapore for the International Women Day, Buenos Aires at CCK Symphony Hall in “The Best Pianists of the 21st Century” series, as well as a duo recital in Basel, Switzerland with violinist Charlie Siem. Collaborations with Dublin Philharmonic featured tour in China’s seven major halls with Rachmaninov concerto, India’s Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, and an orchestra recording of Beethoven Double Concerto with Maestro Derek Gleeson and Pavel Šporcl at Bulgarian National Radio in Sofia, Bulgaria. 2022 performances include Ushuaia International Festival in Argentina as their annual Artist in Residence Pianist, a tour in Brazil, solos with Symphonicity at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Belarusian State Chamber Orchestra, and Nizhny Novgorod Soloists Chamber Orchestra. Svetlana is a Grand Prix Winner of numerous international competitions including Citta Di Senigallia International Piano Competition and the Dranoff International Duo Piano Competition. In the US, she studied at Indiana University with Professor Alexander Toradze, at Oberlin Conservatory with Monique Duphil, at Brussels Royal Conservatory with Eugeny Mogilevsky, and at the University of Michigan with Arthur Greene she received her DMA. Svetlana is a Director of the piano program at the Philadelphia International Music Festival, and, in 2020 was appointed as Program Director at the Piano Academy at the European Academy of Fine Arts, Sofia, a Division of Irish-American University.

I continue to be impressed by the quality of the musicians you find, certainly for their artistry and musicianship and also for their being such rich human beings. Looking at the past years, I’m constantly reminded of iPalpiti when I regularly hear Robert Thies, Valentina Lisitsa, Jonathan Karoly, Catherine Leonard, Ken Aiso, and Cameron Carpenter play. Indeed, I must hear Thies a dozen times a year, and Karoly almost every week during the LA Phil season. You understand how extraordinary your selection and education process is, and how each year becomes a high point of the musicians’ and audiences’ lives. Warmest regards, Grant Barnes, Esq. 44

MEET THE ARTISTS ŁUKASZ YODER / POLAND-USA Piano Praised by the Los Angeles Opus for his “liquid sensitivity” and “formidable power” as a soloist, and for his “discreet exactitude” as a collaborative pianist, Łukasz is a winner of numerous awards, including the Grand Prize of the Lansum International Music Festival, The Kosciusko Foundations National Chopin Competition in Washington D.C, Claudette Sorel International Piano Competition in New York, The International Chopin Competition in Hartford, Connecticut, and many others. Lukasz has performed extensively on both coasts of the United States, Europe and Puerto Rico, in venues that include Zipper Hall of the Colburn School of Music, the Polish Embassy in Washington DC, the Kosciuszko Foundation’s headquarters in NYC, the Steinway Society of Puerto Rico, the Dzialynski Palace and White Hall of Poznan, Poland, as well as Zelazowa Wola, Chopin's birthplace. He has recorded for Polish Radio and Television, and has been featured in the Polish and American Press. As a winner of Beverly Hills National Auditions 2020, he toured Southern California, performing on the Noontime Concert Series at Los Angeles City College, the Modrzejewska Club Evening Concerts, The Music by the Sea Concert Series in Encinitas, the Interludes Concert Series in Torrance, as well as the Classical Encounters Concert Series in Orange County and Music in the Mansion in Beverly Hills. In his spare time from music, Lukasz is a model, currently represented in Southern California by Otto Models, and nationally and internationally by Main Line Models and Talent and Iamincover. In between of his musical and modeling endeavors, Lukasz surfs as much as possible. He’s surfed twelve foot Manhattan beach, cracked three surfboards, stepped on five stingrays, seen ten turtles, and around five hundred dolphins. He’s hiked the Sierra Nevadas, off-roaded in Death Valley, rock climbed Joshua Tree, got assaulted by monkeys in the Burmese jungle, and surfed everywhere from Mainland Mexico to Italy. Lukasz is currently studying at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music on a full scholarship, under the tutelage Professor Inna Faliks, Chair of the Piano Department. He continues to be mentored by his mother, Roza Kostrzewska Yoder, as well as American Pianist Garrick Ohlsson. Lukasz had a unique upbringing; he grew up homeschooled, and his mother taught him piano until college and teaches his two younger brothers. He documents his pianistic career, as well as random adventures on his Instagram, where he can be found as @barefoot_pianist.

The remembrences of the AMAZING time we spent in last month are with me everyday. You can't even imagine how many things I learned. I miss I Palpiti so badly!!! You gave me wonderful opportunity and chance, I will never forget that. Contact with Maestro enriched me enormously and gave me new power and understanding for music. I send greetings and words of biggest respect for You and Maestro, Robert Kowalski (iPalpiti member 2005 -2015) Violnist, Szymanowski Quartet. Former: First Concertmaster, Radio Orchestra in Lugano, Switzerland 45

iPalpiti ® Artist International, Inc.

Dedicated to the artistic career advancement of exceptionally gifted young professional musicians and to the promotion of peace and understanding through music.

HISTORY With the blessing and support of the late Lord Yehudi Menuhin — after years of collaboration, friendship, and conversations about the future of classical music with Eduard and Laura Schmieder — Young Artists International was born in 1997. In 2008, we became iPalpiti Artists International. From the beginning, our mission has been to discover and support post-conservatory musicians, whose talents were destined to make them the leading classical musicians of their generation. Sometimes referred to as a “Musical Peace Corps,” iPalpiti has created an international network of classical artists, forging lifetime associations that transcend the conflicts of our time. Our mission attracted the attention of a group of the world’s leading classical musicians, who joined as Artistic Advisors, with the Great Dame of the Violin Ida Haendel, CBE as Honorary President. With their support and keen ear for talent, we have been able to promote the most exceptional young professional musicians from around the globe. Our program grew from a six-artist festival in 1998 into an annual production of international significance, centered on the iPalpiti Orchestral Ensemble of International Laureates with Maestro Eduard Schmieder as conductor. In addition to the iPalpiti Festival of International Laureates at our home base in Los Angeles, iPalpiti has been an invited ensemble-in-residence in Japan, France, Italy, Holland, Belgium, Korea, Austria, Slovenia, and Israel, performing to sold-out audiences in venues from the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam to Carnegie Hall in New York. Since 1998, iPalpiti Artists International has: • Presented awards and scholarships to 388 outstanding young musicians in 49 countries. • Presented more than 500 private and public concerts promoting young exceptional artists nationwide, including international tours. • Presented annual “Benefactors Concert Series” throughout the years in private estates. • Released 25 CDs of iPalpiti Orchestra & Soloists in live performances. • Created the Mentor Program and Student Coalition for the Arts for 7-12th graders to nurture the growth of interests, personal confidence and building a future audience. • Released three short documentaries about iPalpiti and its Festival. In 2007, iPalpiti celebrated its 10th anniversary with a New York Carnegie Hall debut to a rave review in the New York Times. Now a bi-coastal presence in the US, iPalpiti is an ensemble-in-residence at Temple University in Philadelphia, with “iPalpiti Musicales” has been presented in New York at the home of Susan & Charles Avery Fisher since 2007. In 2009, iPalpiti expanded its festival to the East Coast, with performances in Philadelphia (Kimmel Center), a finale concert at Carnegie Hall, and returned to the East Coast in 2011. iPalpiti’s Festivals have been featured in publications such as the STRAD magazine (1999, 2004, 2013), Strings magazine (1998, 2004) and the Los Angeles Times (1998, 2003, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2017), calling the Festival’s performances “world-class” and “take-your-breath-away demonstrations of musicianship and technique.” iPalpiti Artists International is a non-profit, humanitarian organization that stands on the belief that “music is the spiritual factor which brings people together and unites them irrespective of religion and culture, appealing to sublime senses.” 46

TESTIMONIALS ...continued from page 23

What a phenomenal ensemble! Thank you again for one of the most enjoyable evenings we’ve ever had listening in classical music and once again reiterate how incredible the orchestra was last night. We still can’t get over how your orchestra sounds like “one big soloist.” … extraordinary performance. — Karen Benjamin [noted soprano] & Alan Chapman [host KUSC-FM, pre-concert lecturer at LA Phil] Year after year you give us a gift of the best concert in town. Impeccable Dvorak! — Dennis Bade [LA Phil program writer, musicologist] What a magnificent concert last night at Disney Hall; truly remarkable. You are without doubt one of the most gifted musicians I have ever encountered in my life. And one of the few conductors in the world who understands how to elicit character from the musicians’ performance. In short, I was blown away. — Derek Gleeson [conductor & music director of Dublin Philharmonic] “After this concert one wants to live again”– Let this gratitude enter the flow of gratitude coming to you from myriad of hearts, and sustain you in continuity of the noble task you and Eduard have taken upon yourself. Congratulations to you and your extraordinary musicians on the success of the festival. Listening Mahler I received answers to my questions. How right Eduard is: music helps to pray without words. Impressions overcame all expectations. — Galina Stolina, Journalist, Almanac Panorama It was so magical and fantastic. The energy and passion was tremendous. We gave many standing ovations to the musicians. Thank you so much — MaryJane Mitchell I am on the Expo Line back home after an evening of amazing music at the Walt Disney Concert. I am enamored by iPalpiti. Thank you for the opportunity of this once-a-year experience. — Nora O’Connor Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to see and hear the great iPalpiti Orchestra perform. The maestro was truly mesmerizing not only for us but for the rows upon rows of his enthralled audience who were standing, waving and cheering so deafeningly. Again, thank you so much. — George, Clark and Katya You have to check out this [iPalpiti] concert. I have been there 3 years in the row and it is by far the best classical music I have ever heard. — Goldstar Audience …captivated…the program was extremely rich in content, touching on a whole series of memories/ emotions, with the acute execution of iPalpiti once again proving the brilliance of this ensemble concept. The (nearly?) uniquely exposing acoustic of Disney Hall revealed the results -- the myriad sound spaces a string ensemble can achieve. Magnificent! — Mark Evans, Delos Records/OWN TV Words fail to say how much we enjoyed that excellent concert! Everything about the evening was just perfect. The music was a real revelation—composers and pieces you thought you knew in a completely fresh and unexpected light. The joy and camaraderie of the musicians was truly infectious. — Donald G. M.(Pres., Downey Symphonic Society) It was a magical night. The program was marvelous - each piece was a delight. Our only complaint was that the time went so fast! Please congratulate from us Maestro Schmieder for the painstaking research he did for the Beethoven etc. And that is before one considers the exquisite playing of the orchestra members, with their usual precision and musicality. We love them all. I think this was the finest of all the iPalpiti finales that we have attended. — Irene W

Enjoy iPalpiti music year-around CDs available for purchase after the concerts, online: www.iPalpiti.org, CDBaby.com, Amazon.com, and at iTunes.

LOOK FOR NEW RELEASES ON

“ Schmieder led [iPalpiti] with crisp signals more concerned with impulses and phrases than beats …they produced a splendid and colorful sound… and polished armor. The virtuosity was quite impressive.” —Timothy Mangan, The Orange County REGISTER, 2013

Acclaimed by the press for its “beauteous string playing”, “lustrous, polished tone,” and “vocal quality”, iPalpiti (ee-PAHL-pit-ee is Italian for “heartbeats”) is a consortium of prize-winning young professional musicians from around the globe, where each member is considered a soloist. “Eduard Schmieder, the founder of the admirable iPalpiti, is a serious and resourceful podium personality...he goes in for intense expression and dug-in string sonorities… - Los Angeles Times

“The international ensemble’s playing at Walt Disney Concert Hall, led by conductor Eduard Schmieder, proves to be world-class…sensational… This was an invigorating world-class performance by young players with technique to burn and a palpable desire to live every note.” — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 2013 Midori Maruyama /Japan Francesca Gilbert /UK Can Sakul /Turkey Emma Wernig /USA-Germany

www.EduardSchmieder.com

Eduard Schmieder holds the Temple University Carnell Chair Professor of Violin at Center of the Arts in Philadelphia where he is an Artistic Director for Strings and teaches an internationally selected class. Prior positions were a Distinguished Algur H. Meadows Chair of Violin and Chamber Music in the Meadows School of the Arts in Dallas (1990-2006), and tenured professor of the violin at the University of Southern California, the position formerly held by Jascha Heifetz. Schmieder has taught master classes in virtually every foremost conservatory in the world. Since 2004, he is on the faculty at the Mozarteum Summer Academie Salzburg. He frequently serves as a jury member at international competitions including Queen Elisabeth, Sibelius, Paganini, etc. Throughout the years he received awards as a Musician and Teacher and for his invaluable contributions to culture. He has been written about in books by Henry Roth “Violin Virtuosos: From Paganini to 21st Century” and Margaret Campbell “The Great Violinists,” as well as three featured articles in THE STRAD magazine.

Rachel van Amburgh /USA Siri Bloom /USA

VIOLA

Peter Rainer, Concertmaster /Germany Stephanie Appelhans /Germany Davide de Ascaniis /Italy Niv Ashkenazi /Israel-USA Azer Damirov /Azerbaijan Joseph Kauffman /USA Lorenzo Mazzamuto /Italy Nuné Melik /Canada-Armenia Sami Merdinian /Argentina Ryo Mikami /Japan Samuel Nebyu /Hungary Semyon Promoe /Russia Irakli Tsadaia /Georgia-Germany

VIOLIN

EDUARD SCHMIEDER, born and educated in Russia has been characterized as an “extraordinary musician of the late 20th century” (Henry Roth). As conductor and violinist Schmieder performed in prestigious concert halls worldwide and has collaborated with such musicians as Yehudi Menuhin, Ida Haendel, Martha Argerich, and many others. In 1996, he performed a recital in Genoa on Paganini’s famous Guarneri del Gesu “Il Cannone” violin.

OBOE

Founded by Eduard Schmieder in 1991, iPalpiti has grown to an ensemble of international recognition. With a summer residency in Beverly Hills, California since 1998, iPalpiti features 24-30 select international laureates in an annual Festival in Los Angeles with a grand-finale at Walt Disney Concert Hall, which “has become one of the highlights - in some years, the highlight - of the summer here” (LA Times). iPalpiti has performed to sold-out audiences in prestigious venues such as Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Mozarteum Grosse Hall (Salzburg), Nikkei Hall (Tokyo), Disney Hall (Los Angeles), Carnegie Hall (New York), and has been invited as ensemble-in-residence to festivals in Slovenia, Israel, Carinthia, Belgium, Italy, Poland, and Martha Argerich Festival in Japan. iPalpiti considers each member a soloist. The orchestra’s players are all winners of prestigious international awards and represent countries worldwide. Referred to as a “Musical Peace Corps,” iPalpiti has created an international cultural network of hundreds of classical artists, forging life-time associations and friendships that transcend the conflicts of our time. iPalpiti alumni have established solo and chamber ensemble careers, and taken up leading positions in over 20 orchestras including the Chicago, London, Berlin, Tokyo Israel symphonies and philharmonics. iPalpiti has produced 24 CDs, released on TELOS, YAI/iPalpiti and BCM+D Records. Performances are broadcasted by Classic Arts Showcase nationally to over 62 million viewers on PBS/Art Channel and other public television channels, and heard on Philadelphias’s WRTI-FM, New York WQXR-FM, Los Angeles KUSC-FM. iPalpiti represented worldwide by iPalpiti Artists International. www.ipalpiti.org

* Featured Soloist Derek Tywoniuk /USA Edward Hong /USA

PERCUSSION

Rachel Mellis /USA Katherine Grant / USA

FLUTE

Adam Wolf /USA Chris Wilson /USA

FRENCH HORN

Sam Shuhan /USA

BASS

Egor Antonenko /Russia Sinead O’Halloran /Ireland Eldar Saparayev /Kazakhstan-Switzerland * Francisco Vila/Ecuador

CELLO

Alex Rosales Garcia /USA Anne Ranzani /USA

BASSOON

Micah Wright /USA Ryan Glass /USA

CLARINET

Eduard Schmieder, Conductor

Orchestral Ensemble of International Laureates

PICTURES DESCRIPTION  Pictures at an Exhibition

Orchestral Ensemble of International Laureates

iPALPITI LIVE 2018  Eduard Schmieder, conductor

Eduard Schmieder, Conductor

Scherzo Op.81

10’16”

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750)

Chaconne for String Orchestra

17’26”

Anton Webern (1883 – 1945)

Langsamer Satz

12’12

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 – 1893)

Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op.33 for violoncello and orchestra

12’43”

Eldar Saparayev, violoncello

DISC II Pictures at an Exhibition

Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881)

(arr. J. Cohen & iPalpiti)

38’39”

I. Promenade II. Gnomus (The Gnome) III. Il vecchio castello (The Old Castle) IV.. Tuileries V. Bydlo VI. Ballet of the un-hatched Chicks VII. Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuyle VIII. Limoges IX. Catacombs (Roman Sepulchre) X. Con Mortius in Lingua Mortua XI. The Hut on Fowl’s Legs XII. The Great Gate of Kiev

PICTURES At AN EXHIBITION “A painter paints pictures on canvas, but musicians paint their pictures on silence.” – Leopold Stokowski

 Recorded LIVE at Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles

Eduard Schmieder, Conductor DISC I

Felix Mendelssohn (1809 – 1847)

iPALPITI LIVE 2018  Eduard Schmieder, conductor

Promenade: This prelude, which reappears as an interlude throughout the suite, represents the composer strolling for picture to picture. As the suite progresses, however, it emerges less frequently as the viewer becomes more involved in the pictures. Indeed, after its 5th official rendition, its two remaining appearances are integrated in the pictures themselves. It has been suggested that the irregular, changing meter reflects the composer’s uneven gait, but it seems more likely that this trait, more commonly associated with 20th century music, is attributable to the influence of Russian folksong. Gnomus (The Gnome): The design for a wooden nutcracker that inspired this extraordinary composition must have been a fearful creature. A unique juxtaposition of alternately fast and slow music punctuated by abrupt silence builds up to a terrifying climax. The whole short movement is pervaded by a mood of menace. A more subdued Promenade follows. Il vecchio castello (The Old Castle): A melancholy troubadour sings nostalgically by a medieval Italian castle on a mysterious, warm summer evening. This movement is notable for its sad, beautiful melody underpinned throughout by a drone. Promenade follows. Tuileries: This delightedul miniature depicts children quarreling in the famous Parician gardens. The middle section depicts the governesses (in this version played by sedate solo quartet) trying in vain to pacify them. Bydlo: A Polish oxcart travels towards us, reaching a climax before disappearing back into the distance. The snap pizzicators represent the drivesr’s whip cracks. Promenade follows. Ballet of the un-hatched Chicks: This humoresque represents Hartmann’s illustration of costumes for the ballet Trilbi Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuyle: The 6th movement has been popularly regarded as a musical portrayal of a single painting, a dialogue between a rich Jew and a beggar. In fact, two separate portraits exist, one of a prosperous Jew in a fur hat and the other of a Jew in rags, cane in hand, head bowed in dejection. But this general conception can be viewed in another light! Mussorgsky, who had been anti-Semitic, as was fashionable in 19th-century Russia, experienced a personal epiphany brought about by a Jewish doctor (baptized as a Christian), who was in charge of a military hospital. At the last stages of composer’s life, this doctor unselfishly laid his career and reputation on the line by falsifying Mussorgsky’s record to reflect a fictitious military career, allowing the composer to enter the hospital and enabling the doctor to care for him. Thus the idea put forth as “Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuyle” can be regarded as that of two peers sharing their respective problems and tragedies, a counterpoint of equality and brotherhood. Promenade follows. Limoges: This hilarious scherzando portrays the ferocious arguing of fishwives in the well-known French marketplace. It leads directly into: Catacombs (Roman Sepulchre): The original picture showed Hartmann himself with a lantern, actually in the catacombs of Paris, not Rome! Con Mortius in Lingua Mortua (With the Dead in a Dead Language): Notes in the autograph score reveal that this subsection conveys the composer, representedby the Promenade theme, communing with the soul of his friend. The Hut on Fowl’s Legs: this drawing was a design for a clock in the shape of the home of Baba Yaga, the infamous, cannibalistic Russian witch. The middle section isthought to represent the witch flying through the air with pestle and mortar as she pursues her victim! This leads straight into: The Great Gate of Kiev: The gate was designed by Hartmann to celebrate the narrow escape from assassination of Czar Alexander II in 1866, but was never built.The triumphant theme is twice interrupted by a religious procession, the 2nd procession climaxing with the final appearance of the Promenade theme – perhaps tosuggest the composer walking home!

Producer: Robert T. Stroker • Engineers: Fred Vogler Media • Design: Alan Chan /iPalpiti Interior photos: Dana Ross © 2018 • Image: Steinway art case piano by Paul Wyse (inspired by “Pictures at an Exhibition”) Recorded LIVE on July 7, 2018 at the Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, California © iPalpiti Artists International, Inc. 1900 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1880, Los Angeles, CA 90067 www.iPalpiti.org All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. Made in USA ©+℗ 2019 BCM&D Records, Boyer College of Music and Dance, Temple University 1715 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122 temple.edu/boyer

Bach • Mendelssohn • Mussorgsky • Tchaikovsky • Webern

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ALUMNI iPalpiti’s alumni have become leading soloists, concertmasters, and orchestral and chamber players around the world. While the accomplishments of all 300+ alumni would be too lengthy to list, here are some highlights: Roman Patkoló ( Slovakia) - Double Bass Soloist under Columbia Artists Management. Leader, Bassonia Amorosa. Member, Zurich Opera. Collaborates with Anne-Sofia Mütter, including performance with the Boston and London Symphonies in the premieres of Previn’s Double Concerto. “I’ve never heard such a fantastic player,” said Previn. “...[Patkoló] certainly lived up to his billing as a sensational soloist...” - Strad Magazine Alexandru Tomescu (Romania) - State Soloist of Romania, international soloist. Performs on Stradivarius violin from the State collection. Records four CDs annually. Winner of 28 international awards, and recognized as a “violin superstar” by the prestigious Strad (UK) and Classica (France) magazines. Pavel Sporcl (Czech Republic) - Ranks among the foremost representatives of today’s young generation of violinists. Frequent guest of TV and radio programs; exclusive Supraphon artist, awarded Gold & Platinum albums. Valentina Lisitsa (Ukraine - France) - Compared by critics to the legendary artists Horowitz and Rachmaninov. Collaborates with Lynn Harrell, Ida Haendel, Cho-Liang Lin, Vadim Repin, and Hilary Hahn. IMG Artists. Sayako Kusaka (Japan) - First Concertmaster of Konzerthaus Orchester Berlin (formerly Berlin Symphony Orchestra founded by Kurt Sonderling). “Best Musician of the Year” award from Critic’s Association of Japan (2005), Idemitsu Music Prize (2009). Top prizes in the most prestigious competitions. Solo engagements in prestigious series in Europe and Japan. Luiza Borac (Romania) - Concert pianist. BBC 2007 award for the best solo CD recording of the year. (Avie Records) “… pianist of enviable professionalism”- Gramophone. Featured covers & reviews in Fanfare and Gramophone and other major international publications. Faculty, Hanover Hochschule. Cameron Carpenter (USA) - Multiple Grammy nominee. “Maveric Organist” –New York Times. Multi-album record contract with TELARC® Digital. Karina Canellakis (USA) - Guest Conductor with major orchestras. Appointed as Chief Conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra starting 2019 season. Concert Violinist. Askonas Holt Management Latonia Moore (USA) - Performs with Dresden, Covent Garden and Houston Opera companies in leading soprano roles. Winner of the Metropolitan Opera’s National Auditions. Recorded Mahler 2nd Symphony with Deutsche Grammophon. Laifer Artist Management. Boris Brovtsyn (Russia) - Soloist and Chamber ensemble violinist, IMG Artists. Former: Concertmaster, Kremerata Baltika, Royal Coventgarden. Prize-winner of international violin competitions. Under prestigious Caecilia management. Svetlana Smolina (Russia - USA) - Performs with orchestras and in recitals worldwide, including Mariinsky Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, New York Philharmonic at Avery Fischer, St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Orchestra National de France. iPalpiti debut at Walt Disney Concert Hall in 2011. Daniel Austrich (Russia - Germany) - Violinist and member of the Michelangelo Quartet – the youngest to play alongside such renowned artists in a classical international world as violist Nobuko Imai, cellist Frans Helmerson, and violinist Michaela Martin. Qing Yung Yu (China) - Associate Concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony. 51

ALUMN I Vadim Tchijik (France) - Award and recording contract with Harmonia Mundi, recital engagements and festival performances in Europe. Professor at Rameau & Satie conservatories in Paris. Lisa Kerob (France) - Concertmaster of the Monte Carlo Symphony, Monaco. Peter Schoeman (RSA) - Leader of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Robert Kowalski (Poland) - Violinist, Szymanowski Quartet. Former: First Concertmaster at the Radio Orchestra in Lugano / Switzerland. Catharina Chen (Norway) - iPalpiti Ambassador. Soloist. First Concertmaster, Norway National Opera Theater. Leader: Oslo Camerata, Norway Chamber Orchestra. Member of iPalpiti since 2004. Conrad Chow (Canada) - Soloist. Faculty, Royal Conservatory of Music. Jury, international competitions. Peter Rainer (Germany) - Concertmaster, Kammerkademie Potsdam; Leader, Persius Ensemble; guest soloist. Professor, Unversitat der Kunste Berlin and Hanns Eisler Hochschule fur Musik. Juan Miguel Hernandez (Canada) - Concert violist. Professor, Head of Chamber Music, University of Montreal. Former: Violist, Fine Arts Quartet, Professor, Royal Academy of Music, London. Julia Sakharova (Moldova) - Violinist, Arianna String Quartet. Assistant Professor of Violin, University of Missouri, St. Louis. Former: Associate Concertmaster, Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Daniel Turcina (Slovakia) - Violinist, Trondheim Orchestra and Soloists, Norway. Artistic leader, Chamber Philharmony. Alexander Snytkin (Lithuania) - Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Former: Concertmaster, Bergen Philharmonic, Norway. Vladimir Dyo (USA) - Founder, Global Music Partnership. Former: Faculty, Boyer College of Music, Temple University, Philadelphia. Concertmaster, Capital Philharmonic, New Jersey. Vesselin Demirev (Bulgaria) - Concertmaster, Aalborg National Symphony, Denmark. Yamei Yu (China) - Concertmaster, Bavarian State Orchestra in Munich. Professor chair for violin at the Robert Schumann Hochschule Dusseldorf. Eugenia Pikovsky (Israel) - Principal violinist, Israel Philharmonic. Former: Concertmaster, Bern Symphony, Switzerland; Concertmaster Jerusalem Symphony. Ryo Mikami (Japan) - Co-Concertmaster, Sapporo Symphony. Former: Member, Lausanne Soloists (Swiss). Misa Yamuro (Japan) - 1st violinist, Berlin Radio Symphony; former, Munich Philharmonic (Zubin Mehta, Director). Catherine Leonard (Ireland) - Leading violinist in Ireland and sought-after soloist in Europe. Miroslava Ivanchenko (Ukraine) - Tours as soloist and chamber musician throughout Europe and the U.S. Dayton Philharmonic, assistant principal. Former: Alabama Symphony, Concertmaster New World Symphony (Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor). Lauraine Desgrees De Lou (France) - Chamber musician, 1st violinist, Paris opera. Michael Arlt, Philipp Bonen (Germany) - Violinists of the Berlin Philharmonic. 52

ALUMNI Xinlai Jiang (Hong Kong / China) - Principal Bass, Hong Kong Philharmonic. Thibault Vieux (France) - Assistant Concertmaster, Paris Opera. Peter Danis (Slovakia) - Concertmaster, Malaysia National Symphony. Ken Aiso (Japan) - Violinist/violist, chamber musician, Former: Leader of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in London. Faculty - Royal Academy of Music. Eliah Sakakushev (Bulgaria) - Artistic Director of Villa Seligmann of Hanover - Germany’s only full time organization for Jewish Music and Jewish Sacred Music. Artistic Director, Musikfest Schloss Wonfurt, Germany. Former: Director of the Jewish Music Festival in Madrid. Principal, Auckland Symphony, New Zealand. Pedro Carneiro (Portugal) - Recognized as one of the world’s foremost solo percussionists, performs frequently in Europe, the Far East and the USA, and a guest soloist with numerous orchestras. Solo recordings. Alexander Dzyubinski (Moldova) - Principal, 2nd Violins, Aalborg Symfoniorkester, Denmark. Fumika Yamamura (Japan) and Gabriel Bussi (Uruguay) - Violinists, members of Orquestra de Sinfonia de Galicia, one of Spain’s premier orchestras. Robert Ashworth (Canada) - Member of Auckland Philharmonic, New Zealand. Timo-Veikko Valve (Finland) - Principal Solo Cellist, Australian Chamber Orchestra; founding member, Helsinki Cello Ensemble. Emmanuel Held (Germany) - 1st violin section, Dresden Staatskapella. Janna Dimont (Israel / Cyprus) - Concertmaster, Cyprus Chamber Orchestra. Dennis Posin (Germany) - 1st violin section, National Mannheim Opera. Dmitri Ratush (Israel) - Violist, Israel Philharmonic. Former: Principal Violist, Bern Symphony, Switzerland; Israel Camerata. Raushan Akhmedyarova (Kazakhstan) - 1st violinist, San Francisco Symphony; former: Concertmaster of New World Symphony. Alex Akimov (Russia) - Violist. Member, Moscow State Orchestra. Winner, Brahms International Competition (Vienna, 2004). Kazuhiro Takagi (Japan) - Soloist. Concertmaster Dallas Chamber Symphony. Former: Concertmaster Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Osaka Symphony Orchestra. Eldar Saparaev (Kazakhstan) - Soloist/Chamber musician. Director, Festivals Switzerland. Peter Dènes (Hungary) - Violist, Salzburg Camerata. Isabelle Lambelet (Switzerland) - 1st violinist, Tonhalle Orchestra, Zurich. Maria Machowska (Poland) - Concertmistress of the Warsaw Philharmonic [Sinfonia Varsovia] Sukeyuki Iwatani (Japan) - Concert Master, Kansai Symphony Orchestra

iPalpiti COUPLES Over the seasons, among life-time associations and friendships, some romances fourished, and families were born: Isabelle Lambelet, violinist/Switzerland & Thomas Weilbach, violist/Germany Greetings: iPalpiti has a very special place in our heart. It made it possible to live very deep musical moments with Dr. Schmieder and we met wonderful musicians. This experience bound us all and we are still in good contact with many of them. iPalpiti also changed a lot in our private life! Our path joined there and our family is the result of that! We are very thankful and wish iPalpiti all the best for the future! Current positions: Isabelle, 1st violin Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich / Thomas, director of Erlenbach Music School, member of Munich Bach Orchestra, violin teacher.

Gabriel Bussi, violinist/Uruguay & Fumika Yamamura, violinist/Japan Gabriel and Fumika met at iPalpiti in 2000. They live in LaCoruna, Spain. Dear Mr. and Mrs. Schmieder: It is an honor to be part of iPalpiti Alumni! We are doing very well. Our Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia in La Coruña (Spain) is well established, on a very strong level and with very good conductors. Fumika is the principal of the second violins, and I am in the first violins. We’re keeping ourselves quite busy with chamber music, having mainly two permanent groups: Piano quartet with Daniel del Pino: www.cuartetodelpino.com and String quartet (I am violist!!!) www.schubertstringquartet.com Also, Fumika and me have been playing some duo concerts, and doing very well together (which usually is not so easy with couples!!! ;-) I play violin and viola on the same concert, having fun with this!!! I attach a photo of our family, and that sounds great to bring us together next year!!! Best wishes, Gabriel and Fumika Mari-Liis Pakk, violinist/Estonia & Jason Calloway, cellist/USA Met in iPalpiti in 2006, married two seasons later, this iPalpiti Couplemake their home in Miami. Mari-Liis is a member of the Florida Grand Opera Orchestra, the Nu Deco Ensemble and is the director of orchestra & strings at Miami Arts Charter School. Jason is a member of the Amernet Quartet since 2010. Called “One of America’s finest ensembles” by Cincinnati Enquirer and praised in the STRAD review on their Merkin Hall’ NY concert review for “conviction, commitment, and character,” Amernet tours internationally, including four tours in Israel. www.amernetquartet.com

FROM ALUMNI Over than 15 years, I have been a participant in the iPalpiti festival, which can undoubtedly be called the jewel of the annual music seasons in California. Unfortunately, the situation this year has changed the traditional plans for musical summer highlights. But musicians all over the world still need audience members with whom to share a piece of our soul and heartfelt music from the stage. Everyone believes in the speedy end of this difficult period and we look forward to the genuine joy when we can meet again on the big stage and give our art, share new masterworks and accept the warm love of our listeners. ARTEM CHIRKOV St.Petersburg Philharmonic Principal Bass|Bradetich Foundation Board Director DoubleBass World Festival President|Bassiona Amorosa ensemble member iPalpiti Artists International has a special place in my heart. I was fortunate and privileged to be a member of this wonderful group from 2004 to 2013, including tours in Northern California and Israel. I always looked forward to make music with the iPalpiti family under Maestro Schmieder’s baton and perform in beautiful concert halls such as Walt Disney Hall, Carnegie Hall and Kimmel Center. Maestro Schmieder inspired all of us during rehearsals and on stage to perform in “one heartbeat.” One of the special moments for me was the performance of Tchaikovsky’s String Serenade at Disney Hall when everyone played in one breath from the beginning to the end. All of this wouldn’t be possible without the support of iPalpiti benefactors and devoted audiences. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Maestro Schmieder and Mrs. Schmieder for your guidance and for creating this opportunity for young musicians from all over the world. In these unprecedented times I wish iPalpiti to stay strong and continue to have successful seasons! AISHA DOSSUMOVA DMA|Artist-in-Residence at Boyer College of Music and Dance, Temple University, Philadelphia. I became a member of iPalpiti in the Summer of 2016 and joined the Israel tour in Fall 2017. The tour to Israel changed my life. Not only did we get to play incredible music, including Tchaikovsky’ Souvenir de Florence, we got to see the most amazing historical sites in Israel thanks to the extraordinary planning by director Laura Schmieder. I met so many remarkable people that I continue to be in contact with, and will treasure these memories for the rest of my life. I’m thankful to iPalpiti for bringing us all together to make music, even when that might be very difficult. I wish Dr. Schmieder, Laura Schmieder, all current and former iPalpitians, as well as our beloved audiences good health during this incredibly difficult time. JULIA CLANCY, Violist/USA | Staatskapelle Berlin, Konzerthaus Orchester Berlin I had the honor to join the iPalpiti Orchestra in 2014. Many thanks to Maestro Dr. Schmieder and Laura Schmieder for allowing me to share my talent in the viola section. The immense talent of each musician in iPalpiti and world-class music making is abundant. With a unique pool of international talent, iPalpiti brings together musicians from all walks of life for an experience you won’t find anywhere else. I urge anyone who supports the arts to offer their support to this ensemble. While we live in such a dark time in our world history, music has always been a way for each and every one of us to escape. The current state of affairs have placed many performing artists in a difficult place. Live performances have been either canceled or postponed with no potential date in sight. Besides it affecting our income, it also prevents us from expressing ourselves musically and gifting that expression to our beloved audiences. I remain hopeful that one day, all artists will be able to take the stage once again. I look forward to seeing iPalpiti continue to heighten the artistic lens of the classical community in Los Angeles, and the world, for many years to come. STEFAN L. SMITH, Violist & Composer | Hollywood Bowl Orchestra

FROM ALUMNI

…iPalpiti has become part of my life. And a huge part. From initial email almost 5 years ago, to the friendships I’ve made (for life), the invaluable time spent with maestro Dr. S, and the lessons learnt from you Mrs. S in building festivals/sponsors/ professional relationships. …Peter, Conrad, Lars, Kian, Catharina, Nora, Marie, etc. etc. etc. the list goes on – all iPalpiti family that I continue to work with on each season: each of us introducing each other to other contacts, sharing beautiful concerts together, travelling around to meet each other informally too – iPalpiti is a real family. It’s unique. The supporters and benefactors of iPalpiti - such kind and generous people is invaluable to my emotional health, and gives me such strength knowing the support I have the other side of the world. …Hearing Peter play that first rehearsal back almost 5 years ago sticks in my memory… his solos, grace, attitude has taught me many things: especially how to cope with situations professionally. And what a player......... Any time on rehearsal or performance with him is just 100% joy. …The time with Dr. Schmieder - both in rehearsal/performance and out. The things I’ve learnt – and the inspiration is impossible to measure. I think he is without doubt, one of the biggest influences on my musical development in the last 5 years since I met him. And he will continue to be for many years to come. And the things that he has opened my mind to play SUCH a role when I teach. Even my students, when I start the phrase “you know, Dr. Schmieder told me........,” immediately sit up and know that what I am about to say comes directly from my innermost feelings. …I just had a great tour in Toronto with Conrad [Chow]. Such a mature artist – and one on the most warm people I’ve ever met – preparing concerts (recital and Brahms double) in Canada with him was an unforgettable experience. …This season several iPalpiti coming to my own festival. Socially, meeting numerous ones all over the world, as our touring paths cross. …I could go on - iPalpiti as you must know, is deeply installed in my life. All my love, very warmest and best wishes, Jacob.

JACOB SHAW/Cellist UK-Denmark: Founder of the Scandinavian Cello School, director of his own festival in South France, solo artist…

FOUNDERS & ARTISTIC ADVISORS “Young Artists International is an organization that consists of active and participating musicians following the dictates of their conscience; i.e. their responsibility to the younger generations. I endorse it with all my heart.” (1997) -Lord Yehudi Menuhin Founding Member, In Memoriam

Eduard Schmieder Ida Haendel, CBE Carnell Distinguished Professor Great Dame of the Violin violinist, conductor / USA United Kingdom/Canada, In Memoriam

Artistic Advisors

Vladimir Ashkenazy

Lynn Harrell, In Memoriam

Cho-Liang Lin

Schmieder & Lord Menuhin

Board of Directors

Mikhail Gershfeld, Chairman Mary Levin-Cutler, Founding Chairman Ada Sands, Vice Chair Theodore Bikel, In Memoriam Stefan Ashkenazy Lauren Chung Dani Helena Kolodziey

Director

Laura Schmieder

Julius Berger

Gary Karr

Wynton Marsalis

Yefin Bronfman

Gidon Kremer

Igor Oistrakh

Community Advisory Board Thomas Backer, Ph.D. Jim Gilliam, Arts Administrator, City of Encinitas Monte M. Lemann II, Esq. Harold Schloss, The Schloss Group of Merrill Lynch Wanda Presburger, Community Liaison Jonathan Steinberg Anna Volkoff, CPA Hon. Zev Yaroslavsky International Council

Directors, International Competitions

Menachem Pressler

Ruggiero Ricci, In Memoriam

Angel Romero

Vadim Repin

Martin Chalifour

Nathaniel Rosen

Silvano Robles - Graphic Design

Jason Robinson - Cover Design

Count Yvan De Launoit - Vice President Queen Elizabeth International Competition (Belguim) Kaija Saariketu - Director, Sibelius International Competition (Finland) Mihai Constantinescu - Director, George Enescu International Competition & Festival (Romania)

Festival Staff Jedediah Jenk Juan Tomas Lopez Alexander Milovanov Alfiya Latypova 57

CONTRIBUTORS MAESTRO CIRCLE ($50,000 - $100,000) Joyce & Aubrey Chernick Lloyd Rigler Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation James Rigler, President LAUREATE CIRCLE ($5,000 -$18,000) Anonymous Foundation (2) Mary Levin Cutler City of Encinitas Bernard Franklin, MD County of Los Angeles Arts Commission Ernest Lieblich Foundation| George Pao Celeste Van Myers Ada Sands Laura & Eduard Schmieder Jonathan Steinberg & Dr. Buf C. Meyer Robert R. Stroker/Dean Boyer College of Music and Dance Vice Provost for the Arts, Temple University David & Sheryl Wiener BENEFACTORS ($1,000+) Anonymous Foundation Beverly Hills Rotary Community Fndn. Lauren Dani Chung Valerie Field Susan & Charles Avery Fisher Mikhail & Tonia Gershfeld Monte Lemann & CC Pulitzer-Lemann Anita Lorber

Polish Consulate of Los Angeles ProtoStar Foundation/ Gary Poon Dale Seltzer Yana & Roman Shukman Hugh & Barbara Smith Ali Vahdani PATRONS ($500+) Francine & David Coeytaux Ariane David Jack & Lola Gershfeld Fred Manaster Dr. Lana Milton Aga Orsi Nancy Scanlan William Schneider Nancy Snyder Alex & Sandy Scott, Shuping, Jr. Eduard Schwan & Jeri Abernathy Herb & Annette Wolas Georgeann Wyatt Trude & Hermann J.W. Zillgens PARTNERS ($100+) Linda Bame Phylane Bemel Richard Blumenberg Brian Byrnes Bonetta Cacavas Martin & Nancy Chalifour Stephen Ehrlich Karen Fishman Kevin Flynn Alla Furman James Gilliam Serafima Goldberg Marjorie & Dr. Jay Goldsmith Lianne Halfon

(Cannot exist without you - THANK YOU!)

Sofia Horowitz Andrew & Halina Jagoda Gary Karr Barry & Lisa Kay Marian Komori Esfir Lebovich Seymour Lipton Daniel Lowenstein Rosy Macarah|Rocio Williams Johanna & Ronald Odrich Nancy & Harris Oliff Lambert Orkis Ron Ozur Ellen Walker Rienstra Ernest Robles Regina Rogers Natalia & Marat Rosenberg Lida Sandera Michael Shaw Andrea & Gregory Smith Michael Steinfeld Abby Suckle Thereza Verboon Katherine & Howard Sands Andrea & Gregory Smith William Vestal Osvaldo Humberto Viveros Anna Volkoff & Norman Rachitsky Irene Wainright Stephen & Julie Webber Rocio Williams Mark Wishniewski FRIENDS & ASSOCIATES ($75 AND UNDER) Audrey Albert Dorota Baczynska Diane Bagg Timothy Barker

Alice & Guo Chu Sofia Completo Polina Divinsky Bruce Ellman Inna Fatkhieva Alla Feldman Stella Friedman Barbara Glazer Theresa Gordon Larry & Shirley Grodsky Joseph Kovalik Jennifer Kutner Sergei Lyass Douglas McPherson Fredy Muks Sabino Piazzolla Quentin Pizzini Mary Poteet Wanda Presburger Gail Ruder Harold Schloss Joseph Shalant Zane Searchwell Kathrin Soldau Glen Steffen Galina Stolina Leda Tcharfas Irina Vainstein Sherri Vinokur Constance Yanicka Sofia & Isaak Zukerman July 1, 2021 – July 1, 2022 Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of this list. Any omissions are sincerely regretted.

Many of our donors endured a difficult year, and our fundraising has been hard hit. We need your help to rebuild for this coming year! IN-KIND Stefan Ashkenazy|Petit Ermitage City of Beverly Hills City of Encinitas Jaime Castellanos| Conroy’s North Hollywood

Jack Gershfeld, IT Helena & Stanley Kolodziey|Host Joe McNally |instrument loan Rotary Club of Beverly Hills Sands & Associates LLC

Harold Schloss|IT support TOPA Management Thereza Verboon|Host Anna Volkoff, CPA NuColor Inc.

VOLUNTEERS While this season Volunteers could not participate in full, we are grateful for their dedicated support over the years and in the future seasons Linda Bame John Conconnon Alla Feldman/WHCHC Residents

Rada Konvisser Esther Lebovich Svetlana & Alexandr Milovanov

Judy Montague Dolly Munitz Florence Selfman

Wonderful dedicated people who give their talent, time, knowledge and experience so generously help us make it all possible. In our goals to unite the future generation of musicians internationally, we are also building a social group of supporters at our home base in Los Angeles. Many of our volunteers are young professionals who make it even more exciting. Volunteers are vital part of iPalpiti Artists International. Join us! 58

….IN REMEMBRA NCE ERNEST LIEBLICH (1914 -2008) Mr. Lieblich attended our first season (1998) final concert at Luckman Theater at Cal State LA, rushed backstage ecstatic with, “this is the best concert in Los Angeles I ever heard,” with a $100 donation in hand. Next we saw him at all the festival's concerts in 1999, and he has never missed even one since, as long as he was able to walk. A known philanthropist, his foundation’s generosity to iPalpiti extended beyond his passing, through 2020, in some years, supporting the entire season, and we are still beneficiaries of his vision. THOMAS DENGLER (1937-2021) After our first festival ended, about a month later we received our festival brochure 1998, with corrections and a $1,000 check, marked “for proof-reading.” Mr. Dengler too, became our angel; in addition to an ongoing support on Laureate Circle level, he hosted annual after-concert dinners for all iPalpiti musicians at Marie Callender’s by LACMA. With a formidable knowledge of classical music, he truly appreciated the iPalpiti artist(s) coming to his home when he was no longer able to be at the concert in person. The iPalpiti CDs stack was always by his bedside. His last check came shortly before his passing with a mark “for memories.” A gentleman of an era. CELESTE VAN MYERS (1935 – 2022)

Mrs. Van Myers came to iPalpiti in 2004 when we put a note in our neighborhood newsletter about our concert at the just opened Disney Hall where iPalpiti was the FIRST to perform on the Disney stage before LA Phil. Since that first concert she became a steady annual supporter on Laureate Circle level. In 2014, she was honored with LA City commendation on her 10th anniversary of supporting iPalpiti, which she carried well into 2nd decade and beyond. In 2019 she wrote, “the talented musicians under the direction of Maestro Schmieder reached a new pinnacle to be heard over and over… I am proud to contribute my annual gift to such a fabulous musical group. With great admiration and affection, CVM”

MICHAEL KREMENETSKY (1958 -2022) Michael was among founding board members. The newly formed board was present in its entirety for the very first rehearsal (July 27,1998) at Beverly Hills Public Library Auditorium - iPalpiti has become a festival-inresidence in the City of Beverly Hills since – and were in awe of the tremendous power of talent they heard from the first note played. Michael got so excited that during the break he ran to nearby Whole Foods and returned with a basket of “nourishments” for the musicians. Last summer he joined the pre-festival board meeting, with a grandiose idea for 2022. We miss his always positive and enthusiastic personae.

Young Artists International is an extraordinarily passionate organization that gave me a unique experience unlike any other. I was continually motivated by and drawn to the larger-than-life musicians we worked so hard to support. Never in my life have I been so rewarded as I was hearing them play at the Walt Disney Concert Hall – it was a night I will always remember. It was made even more special through the time I was allowed to get to know them during the festival leading up to the finale. It goes without saying that these people are truly gifted even beyond the mastery of their instruments. Working with [iPalpiti] proved to be the most supportive environment for growth as a professional. Now working for an international accounting firm, my time with Young Artists forced me to develop skills I never knew existed through the massive communication and careful organization that goes in to putting together an event like ours. All in all, I’ve realized that Young Artists seeks to benefit all who get swept up in the emotional and spiritual experience they provide. I will be hard pressed to ever find something so genuine again. David Ringe, Festival 2004 assistant. David was a graduate of USC in Computer Science when came to YAI, and already was employed from September 2004 by Deloitte & Touche, currently with Mattel inc. 59

Please extend our thanks by patronizing our supporters. Let them know that you noticed their support of iPalpiti Artists International.

Thank you John E. Anderson & TOPA Management Company for your invaluable support!

Thank you for providing iPalpiti office space since 2005 60

Thank you for supporting iPalpiti since 1999!

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(Cannot exist without you - THANK YOU!)

Dedicated to the artistic career advancement of exceptionally gifted young professional musicians and to the promotion of peace and understanding through music.

We invite you to Give LIFE to iPalpiti for this 25th season and future years, and, in return receive the “music from the heart” which iPalpiti is so known for. You, our Audiences and Supporters, mean the world to the musicians and the Maestro. $3,000 + “Adopt” an Artist (Award, Lodging & Travel) $1,680 provides housing for 1 musician during the festival $500 provides 25 tickets for local and disadvantaged students $160 provides lunch for 1 musician during the festival $104 provides breakfast for 1 musician during the festival $50 provides a string set for 1 musician $

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100% of Your Contribution goes toward support of exceptional prize-winning young professional classical musicians and Musicians Relief Fund.

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Festival promotes peace and understanding through music. Scan this QR code with your phone camera to make a donation instantly through PayPal!

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iPALPITI ARTISTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

1900 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1880 • Los Angeles, CA 90067 (310) 205-0511 • www.iPalpiti.org • email: info@iPalpiti.org 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization EIN: 95-4618040

PLEASE REMEMBER US IN YOUR END OF THE YEAR GIVING... "They [iPalpiti] take diversity and make harmony. If the world would only understand how important that is" - Ada Sands, Vice Chair 63

1998

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2015

2016

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2017

2018

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MAESTRO EDUARD SCHMIEDER celebrating 70th “Eduard Schmieder is one of the outstanding teachers of the violin today. I have the highest admiration for his work, his dedication, and his integrity.”

In the beginning...1956, USSR

- Lord Yehudi Menuhin

First tour from USA, billed as an American Violinist and conductor (1982)

Genoa, Italy (1996) playing recital on Paganini's famous Guameri del Cesu "il Cannone" violin, bequeathed by Paganini to the city of Genoa for performances by exceptional virtuoso ciolinists only.

Alumnus Eldar Saparaev (Kazakhstan-Switzerland) plays Tchaikovsky’ Rococo Variations.

Conducting iPalpiti's first concert in Los Angeles at the Ford Amphitheater(1999)

Cellist Francisco Vila drives the cake onto stage as orchestra plays Happy Birthday and 1500+ audience sings-along.

FROM GREAT MUSICIANS: “His musicianship and knowledge of music are outstanding…”

- Ida Haendel, CBE Grand Dame of the Violin

“His teaching addresses technique not as an item unto itself, but as part of the total musical and human quest for personal growth and self-expression.” - Maxim Shostakovich 84

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2019

Festival’s Pulse of Music Beats Strong in its 22nd season: • • • • •

26 artists from 19 countries Festival’s ensemble-in-residence: French Trio Zadig Festival’s composer-in-residence: Azerbaijani Franghiz Ali-Zadeh Two world premieres: commissions of “Harmony” by Franghiz Ali-Zadeh and “Fantasia Hungariana” by Sergei Dreznin U.S. premiere: Beethoven’s String Symphony after Kreutzer Sonata. “…The Festival of International Laureates rolled around to its annual grand finale July 20 in Walt Disney Concert Hall. As always, the concert was staffed by iPalpiti — the festival’s flagship ensemble of 26 expert young string players from around the globe — and led by the group’s perennial maestro and co-founder, Eduard Schmieder. One thing that hasn’t changed in the 22 seasons of this festival’s existence is Schmieder's willingness to ignore fashion and so called authenticity by programming outof-the-way, audience friendly repertoire and transcriptions of chamber pieces….”

- iPalpiti soloists performed Rimsky-Korsakov string sextet, first time to be heard in LA: “… at noontime concert at UCLA on July 16 in historic Rotunda across Royce Hall, a group of expert iPalpiti string players carried out one the organization’s most admirable missions – resurrecting little-known, audience-friendly music that other groups don’t bother looking for…the piece is a gem…a polyglot sextet….seemed to relish every bar, revving up the scherzos with rumbling energy abd abandon, digging deeply into the Slavic Romantic soul in the lone slow movement..” –Richard Ginell, SFCV

Trio Zadig and iPalpiti orchestra, premiering Dreznin-Brahms “Fantasia Hungariana” | Credit: Dana Ross

SEXTET L-R: Semyon Promoe/Russia, Samuel Nebyu/Hungary, Midori Maruyama/Japan, Agnieszka Podlucka/Poland, Sevak Avanesyan/ArmeniaBelgium, Egor Antonenko/Ukraine.

Finale Cheers| Credit: Dana Ross

2020

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In t h e T im e o f C o r o n a

2020 Virtual Festival opened with cheers from around the world in a Zoom performance of the audiences favorite Carl Böhn's Perpetuum Mobile, iPalpiti 2014 Archival LIVE, and a YouTube Premiere: ARCHIVAL 2004 inaugural Disney Hall opening concert with an introduction by Theodore Bikel.

iPalpiti Orchestra | Eduard Schmieder, conductor All Festival links are still active on the website, feel free to watch anytime: wwiPalpiti.org

FESTIVAL MEMENTOS

SELECT ARCHIVAL: alumni Svetlana Smolina, piano/ Yury Revich, violin / Jacob Shaw, cellist Ernest Chausson Piano Trio in G minor iPalpiti Festival 2015 Greystone Mansion, Beverly Hills.

SELECT ARCHIVAL: alumni Czech virtuso Pavel Šporcl featured in the "From Homeland" program with Svetlana Smolina, piano. Also, a soloist with iPalpiti at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 2012

LIVE FROM PARIS: Trio Zadig was scheduled to return as soloists at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Beethoven's Triple Concerto. For this in the Time of Corona festival, the Trio has recorded a very special program with LOVE from Paris to our very special audiences: Dvořák Dumky Trio and Tchaikovsky' Seasons. As resident artist of the famed Foundation Singer-Polignac, the concert was recorded in the concert space of the Foundation'castle.

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2021

C oming out of Corona

"iPalpiti Returns to Live Performances in a Heartbeat" a title of the SFCV feature article by Tom Jacobs July 2021

…By returning to live performances ahead of many other music organizations, iPalpiti is “pioneering what we have preached from our founding in 1998,” said Festival Director Laura Schmieder. Its mission, she said, is to “preserve traditions of great classical music, support exceptional talents,” encourage “unity and hope,” and promote the idea that “music is the spiritual factor which brings people together and unites them irrespective of religion and culture.” At Conrad Prebys Performance Arts Center | Baker-Baum Concert Hall La Jolla. Jaewon Wee, soloist Winner of the Special iPalpiti Prize at the George Enescu International Competition 2020-2021 in Bucharest.

"Hollywood Night" at Elsewhere Topanga 24th iPalpiti festival was a welcomed celebration, reuniting over 2000 LIVE audiences with LIVE musicians in sold-out concerts taking place as scheduled. The “reunion” was emotional for both the artists and the audiences. The new venues: Conrad Prebys Hall in La Jolla, Elsewhere Topanga’s outdoor “Hollywood Night,” and the finale at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills were “oohs & aahs” to the delight of all attending patrons. iPalpiti group photo 2021 @Saban Theatre, Beverly Hills

Roman Genn salutes iPalpiti & the Maestro!

Roman Genn is a contributing editor for the National Review. His work appears regularly in leading publications nationwide, such as the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times.

iti i Pa l p ts Artis nal n at i o r e t n I

If you would like to learn more, be a part of, or support the programs of iPalpiti Artists International, please fill out and mail page 65. 88

ALUMNI AMBASSADOR

“I have heard of diﬀerent

similar organizations. All of these things are so often promised, but so seldom seen. iPalpiti has done it for me and I shall always remember that; therefore, I consider that its future development is vital for young musicians and for saving classical music. Alexandru Tomescu, State Soloist of Romania/International soloist/Recording Artist One of the six original iPalpiti soloists in 1998 inaugural festival 89