This two-performance adventure examines the essential influences of Bach on composers through the centuries. Jennifer Koh, a violinist acclaimed for her “burnished sound and nimble technique” (The New York Times) conceived this program in part because of her own love for the Six Sonatas and Partitas of Bach, long considered the definitive works written for solo violin. When exploring solo violin works written in the past and present day, Ms. Koh found an array of compositions to be especially directly connected to Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas. Hear a thoughtful exploration—and extraordinary performances—of the music of Bach alongside contemporary composers in these two evenings in the Mansion. The November 14 performance begins and ends with Bach Partitas, embracing works by Ysaye, Saariho, and Salonen; the February 28 concert mixes a wonderful pair of works by contemporary American composers Anna Clyne and Missy Mazzoli with Bach’s Sonata No. 1 in G minor, the Partita No. 1 in D minor and Bartok’s Sonata for Solo Violin.

In this performance, Koh mixes traditional Bach with exciting works from Anna Clyne and Missy Mazzoli.

 

Eminent violinist Elena Urioste brings her formidable talent to this concert featuring American works for violin. Signs of Life II, by the late American composer Russell Peck, features lush and invigorating music for string orchestra. Second on the program is the world premiere of Two Lyric Pieces by Steven Gerber, one of America’s most accessible contemporary composers. The evening also includes the late Washington, DC, composer Andreas Makris’s compelling Violin Concerto and Leonard Bernstein’s Serenade, a musical tribute to love’s power.

A free pre-concert lecture will be offered in the Concert Hall at 6:45 pm.

 

This 25-year-old violinist has won praise for her “rare stylistic aptness” and “mastery of tone and rare mood in a performer of any age” (The Strad). Since her explosive concerto debut with Orchestra Atlanta at the age of 10, she has appeared as soloist with major orchestras throughout the U.S. and abroad; an accomplished chamber musician, she has shared the stage with such renowned artists as Itzhak Perlman and the Orion String Quartet. To her Strathmore debut she brings a vivid and varied program of works by William Bolcom, George Walker, Ryan Francis, Samuel Barber, John Corigliano and George Gershwin. Gloria Chien will accompany Lee on the piano.

 

When this female quartet won the 1991 International Cleveland Quartet Competition, they made history, becoming the first African American ensemble ever to win a classical music competition. To highlight this singular achievement the members of the quartet asked permission of the great contralto, Marian Anderson, to use her name as their own. Miss Anderson responded with heartfelt approval; and for two decades the ensemble has strived to honor the name with musicmaking that embraces both classical music and works by African-American composers, traditional folk music, and spirituals. Their “big sound and bold theatricality” (Los Angeles Times) enhance a program of works by William Banfield, Coleridge Taylor Perkinson, and Antonín Dvorák.

 

Strathmore Commissioned World Premiere

A 2010 Strathmore Artist in Residence, Chelsey Green is a multi-faceted performer, teacher and arranger, whose boundless love of music and hunger for new experiences has made her one of the most exciting artists to watch in the Baltimore-Washington area. Equally at home in classical, jazz, funk, soul, and hip-hop repertoire, she released her debut recording in spring 2012, winning a rave review from the City Paper for her “fluid string work, the clear centerpiece” of original music that crosses genres to create its own new groove. In this return engagement, Chelsey Green will perform the world premiere of a new work by composer Robert Miller, commissioned by Strathmore.

 

 

READ ABOUT CHELSEY GREEN'S JOURNEY WITH THE VIOLIN

In this performance, Koh plays Bach alongside the modern sensibilities of Saariaho and Salonen.

 

And now, for something completely different! This vibrant young quartet is committed to transforming the chamber music experience for its audiences, and to exploring lost or rarely heard music. On both scores, they succeed overwhelmingly: using innovative programming, thematic concerts and popular music, cameras and video to enhance the visuals, and speaking from the stage, Carpe Diem is bringing new audiences to a classic art and drawing critical acclaim for their mission. “The Carpe Diem String Quartet is to be commended for its adventurousness in rescuing these appealing works from neglect. The playing is excellent, unanimous in spirit, homogeneous in tone, with fine give-and-take between leading and supporting” (Strings Magazine). Hear this innovative ensemble in Korine Fujiwara’s Fiddle Suite Montana.

Be sure to join a free post-concert discussion with the artists.

 

 

READ KORINE FUJIWARA'S STORY OF FIDDLE SUITE MONTANA (.PDF)