Ilya Shterenberg
Carmit Zori
bring the phenomenal Brazilian Guitar Quartet to CPMF audiences,” Sant’Ambrogio said. “They were winners of a 2011 Latin Grammy Award and are going to blow people away.” The Washington Post praised the ensemble for their “seductive beauty” and “virtuosic gusto,” and their unique use of six- and eight-string guitars brings to their audiences both original and uniquely transcribed repertoire.
tribute to Italy — with all of its colors, flavors and vistas — and to a few of the composers who have found inspiration there. From Hugo Wolf’s Italian Serenade to the only surviving chamber work by Giuseppe Verdi, his String Quartet in E Minor, the festival then climaxes with Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence, the Russian’s masterful ride through the Appian countryside.
Back to the heart of Europe, Sant’Ambrogio said, “Who needs first names when speaking of these three composers? Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms are truly the Germanic giants! In this fourth program, we’ll be presenting well-known and little-performed works by these giants. The music is going to be fabulous, but we are really excited to welcome for the first time Eric Gratz, the new concertmaster of the San Antonio Symphony. I know our San Antonio audiences are going to love to see him on stage with Cactus Pear.”
Sant’Ambrogio is ready for the journey, her 19th at the helm as founder and artistic director. “I just love the creative process of traveling across borders, across eras, and through musical styles to discover just the right combination of musicians and masterpieces which connect to make up the festival programs. It’s always a thrilling ride, one I’m sure festival-goers will find exhilarating, too.” The 19th season of Cactus Pear Music Festival will be filled with “Foreign Connections” beginning July 9 in Kerrville, July 10 in San Antonio, and July 12 in Boerne.
Bella Italia, Program 5 [July 18] finishes the festival with For a complete listing of program pieces and artists, go a trip south to the rolling hills of Italy. The program is a to www.cpmf.us/cpmf_season. 78 On The Town | May/June 2015