YEHUDI MENUHIN

Laura & Eduard Schmieder, Founders of iPalpiti

Welcome! After 25 seasons of local and international accolades, and naming the festival “…one of the highlights — in some years, THE highlight — of the summer here,” iPalpiti festival transitions into biennial production.

In this 26th interim summer season, we bring you the “striking,” “remarkable,” “brilliant” Trio Zadig from Paris. The Trio, with a blessing from the legendary founder of the Beaux Arts Trio, Menahem Pressler, is poised to become THE TRIO of its generation.

First heard in LA in 2019, the Trio made waves in Southern California with “take-your-breath-away performances,” thunderous ovations, even shouts of “We will adopt you now!” The highlight was their solo with the iPalpiti orchestra at Walt Disney Concert Hall, in “Fantasia Hungariana … a de facto triple concerto showcase for the festival’s charismatic ensemble-in-residence, Trio Zadig (Boris Borgolotto, violin; Marc Girard-Garcia, cello; Ian Barber, piano).” —LA Times, Richard Ginell

Their scheduled return to LA in July 2020 as soloists at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Beethoven’s Triple Concerto turned into a virtual “In the Time of Corona” festival: the Trio recorded a very special program with LOVE from Paris to our audiences from the famed Fondation Singer-Polignac castle. And, for iPalpiti’s 25th anniversary, the Trio played a Happy Anniversary from Paris!

This season the Trio comes with new programs, including the US premiere of their award-winning Orpheus project and “From Love to Loss: Young Shostakovich and Rachmaninoff.”

From the early reviews “Exhilaration, thrills and awe conquer audiences faced with the irrepressible virtuosity and musical achievement of emerging young performers. These are the stock in trade of Young [iPalpiti] Artists International.” (Daniel Cariaga, LA Times, 2000) and through the decades “…an invigorating world-class performance by young players with technique to burn and a palpable desire to live every note.” (Mark Swed, LA Times 2010) iPalpiti remains a testament of new discoveries, new music, and another great week in summer classical cultural life in LA.

Enjoy!

Director, iPalpiti Artists International, Inc.

Music Director & Conductor, iPalpiti orchestra

Distinguished Carnell Professor of Violin & Chamber Music | Artistic Director for Strings

Temple University, Philadelphia, USA

“UNITED NATIONS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC”

26th annual FESTIVAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAUREATES Presents

July

2023

Beverly Hills • 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”

“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.

Presents TRIO ZADIG

19 JULY [Monday]

12:00pm Tradition

Rotary Club, Beverly Hills

19 JULY [Wednesday]

FRENCH NIGHT

6:00pm Dinner on the Terrace | French Chef Creations

7:30pm Concert in the Mansion | Orpheus US Premiere Greystone Mansion

21 JULY [Friday]

8:00pm Love & Loss: Young Shostakovich & Rachmaninoff Saban Theatre

22 JULY [Saturday]

7:00pm Petit Soirée Petit Ermitage

23 JULY [Sunday]

2:00pm Artists Selections Rolling Hills UMC

Locations:

Rotary Club

The Beverly Hills Hotel

Greystone Mansion 905 Loma Vista Drive Beverly Hills 310.285.6830

Saban Theatre 8440 Wilshire Blvd. Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Petit Ermitage 8822 Cynthia St, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Rolling Hills

United Methodist Church 26438 Crenshaw Blvd, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 (310) 377-6771

Info & Tickets: (310) 205-0511 www.iPalpiti .org

“Exhilaration, thrills and awe conquer audiences faced with the irrepressible virtuosity and musical achievement of emerging young performers. These are the stock in trade of Young [iPalpiti] Artists International.”

—Daniel Cariaga, LA Times, 2000

Artists and programs are subject to change without notice.

“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)

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. (ee-PAHL-pit-ee is Italian for “heartbeats.”) 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: 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.”

• Presented awards and scholarships to over 400 outstanding young musicians in 54 countries.

• Presented more than 600 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.

MONDAY, July 17, 12:00 p.m.

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

Program as announced.

In a tradition since the early years of the Festival, iPalpiti artists are invited to Rotarians’ new Presidential 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”—resonate; this special annual event unites both through personal interactions and musical performance.

Thank you to the City of Beverly Hills for continuing support since 1998: Art & Culture Community Services Department: Patty Acuna, Paul Avalone, Stephanie Harris, Corrina Lesser, Brandy Scott, Sara Scrimshaw

Mayor: Hon. Julian A. Gold, M.D. • The City Council Members: Lili Bosse, Lester Friedman, John A. Mirish, Sharona R. Nazarian

WEDNESDAY, July 19, 7:30 p.m. Greystone Mansion, Beverly Hills

Orpheus: HOMMAGE A SAINT-SAËNS

US Premiere

Trio Zadig

Franz Liszt (1811-1886)

Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764)

Orpheus, S.98

(transcribed for piano trio by Saint-Saëns)

Pièces de clavecin en concerts (arr. Saint-Saëns)

La Coulicam

La Livri

Le Vézinet

Pièces de clavecin en concerts, Cinquième (arr. Saint-Saëns)

La Forqueray

La Cupis

La Marais

Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)

Piano trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 92

I. Allegro ma non troppo

II. Allegretto

III. Andante con motto

IV. Grazioso, poco allegro

V. Allegro

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 iPalpiti 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

Program Notes for Trio Zadig’s Homage to Saint-Saëns: From Arranger to Composer

Hello, dear friends! Thank you for joining us tonight on this incredible musical journey where we honor the enduring legacy of Camille Saint-Saëns. We have curated a unique program that offers a different perspective on Saint-Saëns, not only as a composer but also as an ingenious transcriber and arranger of other composers’ music. As we shine a spotlight on Saint-Saëns this evening, we will traverse the musical landscapes of Franz Liszt, Jean-Philippe Rameau, and of course, Saint-Saëns himself.

Our program opens with Saint-Saëns’ arrangement of Franz Liszt’s symphonic poem, “Orpheus” (S. 98). “Orpheus” is a musical testament to the mythological figure known for his tragic love story and exceptional musicianship. Originally composed for a large orchestra, Saint-Saëns, with his profound understanding of musical texture, masterfully reduces the vast orchestral sound to a compact yet equally expressive trio version, in the process bringing Liszt’s music to new life.

Our next piece, Rameau’s Pièces de clavecin en concerts 1 and 5, were initially intended for harpsichord, accompanied by a violin or flute and a second violin or viol. Saint-Saëns transcribes these Baroque masterpieces with a meticulous and scholarly approach, retaining their authentic charm while rendering them in a fresh, 19th-century idiom.

The grand finale of tonight’s performance is Saint-Saëns’ Trio for piano, violin, and cello in E minor, Op. 92. As one of his most mature works, this ambitious and skillfully constructed composition showcases Saint-Saëns at his most confident and imaginative. With its five contrasting movements, Saint-Saëns weaves a rich musical tapestry marked by deeply expressive lyricism, lively dance rhythms, and a striking display of counterpoint. As we perform this trio, you may be reminded of a grand arch, as Saint-Saëns brilliantly integrates all the diverse musical elements into a unified and cohesive whole.

Tonight, we hope to deepen your appreciation of Saint-Saëns, the multifaceted genius who was not only a composer but also a brilliant pianist, organist, improviser, and a pioneer in music history. Through his works and his insightful arrangements of other composers, Saint-Saëns continues to inspire and captivate us. Let us now journey together through this rich musical landscape in tribute to Camille Saint-Saëns.

With warm regards,

Trio Zadig: Ian Barber (piano), Boris Borgolotto (violin), and Marc Girard Garcia (cello)

FRIDAY, July 21, 8:00 p.m. Saban Theatre, Beverly Hills

LOVE & LOSS: A Musical Journey with Young Shostakovich and Rachmaninoff

Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975)

Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)

Piano Trio No. 1, Op. 8 in C minor (1923)

Piano Trio élégiaque No. 2 Op. 9 in D minor (1893)

I. Moderato

II. Quasi variazione

III. Allegro risoluto

Hello, dear listeners! We’re Trio Zadig. We’re delighted you’ve joined us to explore and enjoy an evening of music that’s very close to our hearts.

Let’s start our journey with the first brushstrokes of Dmitri Shostakovich’s musical career. Aged just seventeen, Dmitri penned his Piano Trio No.1 as an ode to his first love, Tatyana Glivenko. Bursting with raw emotion, this piece was Shostakovich’s way of serenading Tatyana from afar. It’s a rollercoaster ride, from dreamy Impressionist-like episodes to moments echoing Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, and Glazunov. We’ll also hear the seedlings of his “obsession with the Grotesque” – a trait that didn’t please everyone at the time, but one that Shostakovich wore as a badge of honor.

The young Shostakovich would often play this trio as accompaniment to silent films in his job as a cinema pianist. As we perform, try to imagine the visuals that could go along with the music. Perhaps it’ll give you a new perspective on this work!

After the break, we dive into Sergei Rachmaninoff’s heartfelt Trio élégiaque No.2. There’s something about Russian composers using piano trios for tributes or memorials, and this trio is Rachmaninoff’s touching homage to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Composed when Rachmaninoff was only twenty, this piece encapsulates his shock and sorrow at Tchaikovsky’s untimely death.

Inspired by Tchaikovsky’s Piano Trio, Rachmaninoff crafted a demanding piano part for himself, complete with an expansive cadenza-like passage. His musical signature is evident throughout, and the second movement cleverly incorporates a theme from his symphonic poem “The Rock,” which Tchaikovsky had intended to conduct.

2023 marks the 80th anniversary of Rachmaninoff’s death, and performing his Elegiac Trio No.2 is our way of paying tribute to this legendary figure in classical music.

So let’s immerse ourselves in these moving pieces of music, full of love, loss, and everything in between. Let’s celebrate the genius of these two great composers together, exploring their hidden gems and reveling in the beauty of their music. Thank you for embarking on this exciting journey with us. Enjoy the concert!

SATURDAY, July 22, 7:00 p.m.

Petit Ermitage, West Hollywood

Petit Soir E

By Invitation Only

Program announced as performed.

At Petit Ermitage hotel, home of the Festival for many seasons, iPalpiti musicians enjoy the hospitality and artistic atmosphere of this unique landmark, give rooftop soirée and dine on chef’s selections.

SUNDAY, July 23, 2:00 p.m.

Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, Rolling Hills Estates

PROGRAM AS ANNOUNCED FROM THE STAGE

Presented in collaboration with Classical Crossroads’ “Second Sundays at Two” series at RHUMC.

“Extraordinarily gifted instrumentalists and, at the same time, truly searching musicians”

—Menahem Pressler, legendary pianist, founder of the Beaux Arts Trio. iPalpiti Artistic Advisor (1998 -2023).

February 2023:Back to the Concertgebouw Amsterdam for two concerts of the “Orpheus” programs