Curtis students, alumni, and faculty, are making remarkable accomplishments in the music world and beyond. Learn more about Curtis in the News.
Month: July 2019
Jenny Q Chai Joins the Faculty at UC Berkeley
Curtis students, alumni, and faculty, are making remarkable accomplishments in the music world and beyond. Learn more about Curtis in the News.
Final Concerts of Curtis Summerfest Faculty Recitals Feature Distinguished Chamber Musicians
PHILADELPHIA—July 17, 2019—The 2019 Curtis Summerfest Faculty Recitals conclude with three programs in Field Concert Hall on July 19, July 26, and August 1, which feature esteemed faculty performers from the Young Artist Summer Program, including popular touring artists Ray Chen and Imani Winds.
Faculty performers on Friday, July 19 at 8 p.m. include Garrett Arney, Steven Copes (Violin ’94), Rebecca Harris, Patrick Kreeger (Organ ’13), Priscilla Lee (Cello ’03), Nokuthula Ngwenyama (Viola ’96), Sonora Slocum (Flute ’11), Amy J. Yang (Piano ’06), Mari Yoshinaga (Timpani and Percussion ’12), and Natalie Zhu (Piano ’97). The program combines chamber works by living composers—including Curtis alumni Nick DiBerardino (Composition ’18), Jonathan Bailey Holland (Composition ’96), and Nokuthula Ngwenyama—with selections from Mendelssohn and Ravel.
Veteran faculty and local favorites join forces with performers giving their Summerfest debut on Friday, July 26 at 8 p.m. Rieko Aizawa (Piano ’04), Soo Bae (Cello ’01), Ray Chen (Violin ’10), Dennis Kim (Violin ’96), Gabriel Kovach (Horn ’99), Elizabeth Steiner, Mimi Stillman (Flute ’99), and Sharon Wei (Viola ’04) offer repertoire by Beethoven, Handel, Hindemith, and Summerfest faculty David Serkin Ludwig (Composition ’01) and Dmitri Tymoczko.
The final recital takes place on Thursday, August 1 at 8 p.m. with Charles Abramovic (Piano ’76), Toby Appel (Viola ’70), Rebecca Harris, Patrick Kreeger (Organ ’13), Heather Miller Lardin (Double Bass ’96), Peter Miyamoto (Piano ’92), Katherine Needleman (Oboe ’99), Desirée Ruhstrat (Violin ’91), and Imani Winds, which is in its first year on the Summerfest faculty roster. The eclectic program includes works by Carl Maria von Weber, Giovanni Battista Vitali, Charles Martin Loeffler, Paquito D’Rivera, and Moritz Moszkowski.
These performances are the last of the 2019 Curtis Summerfest Faculty Recitals series. “A wonderful jolt of established Curtis insiders with outside talent” (Philadelphia Inquirer), these popular summer concerts, now in their fifth season, feature distinguished chamber musicians from the Curtis Summerfest faculty. These remarkable artists, many of them Curtis alumni, perform a variety of repertoire—from beloved classics to the music of today—in the timeless setting of Field Concert Hall.
All recitals take place in Field Concert Hall at the Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust Street, Philadelphia. Single tickets for $20 or a three-concert subscription for $48 are available from the Curtis Patron Services Office at (215) 893-7902 or Curtis.edu/SummerRecitals.
The Curtis Institute of Music educates and trains exceptionally gifted young musicians to engage a local and global community through the highest level of artistry. One of the most selective schools in the United States, Curtis accepts four percent of applicants each year on average. A tuition-free policy ensures that talent and artistic promise are the only considerations for admission. With a small student body of about 175, Curtis provides each young musician with an education of unparalleled quality, distinguished by personalized attention from a celebrated faculty and a “learn by doing” philosophy. Curtis students hone their craft through than 200 orchestra, opera, and solo and chamber music offerings each year in Philadelphia and around the world.
The Young Artist Summer Program (June 13–August 3) is one of Curtis Summerfest’s flagship programs, designed for musicians aged 14 to 22 who have studied privately at the advanced level. The three-week course combines conservatory-style living, a rigorous musical schedule, and opportunities to perform in an intimate, challenging, and supportive environment. Each participant receives personalized attention from celebrated faculty, many of whom are Curtis alumni with thriving pedagogical or performance careers.
CURTIS SUMMERFEST FACULTY RECITALS
Friday, July 19 at 8 p.m.
Field Concert Hall at the Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust Street, Philadelphia
GOROSITO/ ALBERTO |
Seeds Mari Yoshinaga, percussion Garnett Arney, percussion |
HOLLAND
|
Sonata Sonora Slocum, flute Natalie Zhu, piano |
NGWENYAMA |
Duo |
RAVEL |
Sonata in G Major, M. 77 Steven Copes, violin Amy J. Yang, piano |
DiBERARDINO | Jasper Beach Sonora Slocum, flute Steven Copes, violin Priscilla Lee, cello Patrick Kreeger, piano |
MENDELSSOHN | Trio No. 2 in C minor, Op. 66 Steven Copes, violin Priscilla Lee, cello Natalie Zhu, piano |
Friday, July 26 at 8 p.m.
Field Concert Hall at the Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust Street, Philadelphia
BACH | Chaconne Ray Chen, violin |
HANDEL/HALVORSON | Passacaglia, Op. 20, No. 2 Dennis Kim, violin Soo Bae, cello |
HINDEMITH | Sonata (1939) Gabriel Kovach, horn Rieko Aizawa, piano |
LUDWIG |
Nigunim (2019) Mimi Stillman, flute Dennis Kim, violin Rieko Aizawa, piano |
TYMOCZKO | Cathedral Mimi Stillman, flute Sharon Wei, viola Elizabeth Steiner, harp |
Thursday, August 1 at 8 p.m.
Field Concert Hall at the Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust Street, Philadelphia
WEBER | Jubel Overture, Op. 59 Patrick Kreeger, organ |
VITALI | Toccata, Bergamasca, and Ciaccona Heather Miller Lardin, double bass |
LOEFFLER | Two Rhapsodies Katherine Needelman, oboe Toby Appel, viola Peter Miyamoto, piano |
D’RIVERA |
Kites Imani Winds |
MOSZKOWSKI | Suite in G minor, Op. 71 Desirée Ruhstrat, violin Rebecca Harris, violin Charles Abramovic, piano |
Single tickets for $20 or three-concert subscriptions for $48 are available from the Curtis Patron Services Office at (215) 893-7902 or Curtis.edu/SummerRecitals.
Support for the Young Artist Summer Program is provided in part by the Council for Canadian American Relations and the Ritz Chamber Players.
# # #
Curtis on Tour Returns to Nantucket July 17–21
PHILADELPHIA—July 15, 2019—Curtis on Tour returns to Nantucket for an eleventh season, as alumni and students from the Curtis Institute of Music—from those with celebrated performance careers to fast-rising young artists—appear at free events across the island July 17–21. The artists continue their touring activities in Falmouth, Mass. on July 22 and Kingston, R.I. on July 24.
These programs include a lecture-recital at Nantucket Dreamland on the chronology and evolution of the guitar; two mid-day concerts of solo guitar works and violin and cello duos at the Unitarian Universalist Church; and performances at the Nantucket Atheneum and the Siasconset Casino of works by Bartók, Marais, Mozart, Paganini, and David Serkin Ludwig—who will also contribute context and facilitate discussions throughout the week.
The performers all hail from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, “one of the world’s finest music academies” (BBC Culture), known for its unique tuition-free policy, extremely low acceptance rate, and track record of producing top performers, composers, and conductors. The touring artists include violist and Curtis president and CEO Roberto Díaz (’84), principal flute of the Cleveland Orchestra Joshua Smith (’90), guitarist Jordan Dodson (’13), violinist Maria Ioudenitch (’18), and current cello student Albert Seo. They are joined by composer David Serkin Ludwig (’01), chair of composition studies at Curtis, who offers commentary and leads audience discussions.
All performances are free and open to the public. Details and ticket policies for each venue are below. For more information, visit Curtis.edu/Nantucket.
These performances, as well as the subsequent performances in Falmouth, Mass. and Kingston, R.I., are part of Curtis on Tour, the Nina von Maltzahn global touring initiative of the Curtis Institute of Music. An embodiment of the school’s “learn by doing” philosophy, it offers students real-world, professional touring experience alongside celebrated alumni and faculty. Since the program was established in 2008, students, faculty, and alumni have performed over 300 concerts in more than 90 cities in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Visit Curtis.edu/CurtisOnTour for more information.
Curtis on Tour: New England 2019
NANTUCKET
Wednesday, July 17 at 6 p.m.
Siasconset Casino
Joshua Smith (’90), flute
Jordan Dodson (’13), guitar
Maria Ioudenitch (’18), violin
Roberto Díaz (’84), viola
Albert Seo, cello
MARAIS | Les folies d’Espagne |
LUDWIG | Three Ladino Folksongs |
MOZART | Quartet in D Major, K. 285 |
PAGANINI | Quartet in A minor, M.S. 42 |
David Serkin Ludwig (’01), chair of composition studies, offers remarks about the works being performed.
Members: Reserve tickets at Sconsetcasino.com.
Non-members: Free admission; no tickets required.
Thursday, July 18 at 12 p.m.
Unitarian Universalist Church
Jordan Dodson, guitar
Works for solo guitar (30 minutes) will be announced from stage.
Free admission; no tickets required.
Saturday, July 20 at 12 p.m.
Unitarian Universalist Church
Maria Ioudenitch, violin
Albert Seo, cello
Solo and duo works (60 minutes) will be introduced from stage.
Free admission; no tickets required.
Saturday, July 20 at 4 p.m.
Nantucket Dreamland, Studio Theater
The Guitar: A History in Music
Jordan Dodson, guitar
David Serkin Ludwig, lecturer
Curtis Institute of Music composition faculty David Serkin Ludwig and guitar alumnus Jordan Dodson explore the extraordinary history of the guitar, in a musical journey stretching back 500 years. This guided, chronological tour will feature a lecture by Dr. Ludwig on the repertoire and evolution of the guitar, with iconic works performed by Mr. Dodson throughout.
Free admission; reserve tickets at nantucketdreamland.org.
Sunday, July 21 at 7 p.m.
Nantucket Atheneum
Joshua Smith, flute
Jordan Dodson, guitar
Maria Ioudenitch, violin
Roberto Díaz, viola
Albert Seo, cello
BARTOK | Rumanian Folk Dances |
LUDWIG | Three Ladino Folksongs |
MOZART | Quartet in D Major, K. 285 |
PAGANINI | Quartet in A minor, M.S. 42 |
David Serkin Ludwig (’01), chair of composition studies, offers remarks about the works being performed.
Free admission; no tickets required.
FALMOUTH, MASS.
Monday, July 22 at 7 p.m.
Highfield Hall
Joshua Smith (’90), flute
Jordan Dodson (’13), guitar
Maria Ioudenitch (’18), violin
Roberto Díaz (’84), viola
Albert Seo, cello
MARAIS | Les folies d’Espagne |
BARTOK | Rumanian Folk Dances |
PIAZZOLLA | Histoire du Tango |
LUDWIG | Three Ladino Folksongs |
MOZART | Quartet in D Major, K. 285 |
PAGANINI | Quartet in A minor, M.S. 42 |
Presented by Highfield Hall and Gardens. For tickets and more information, visit highfieldhallandgardens.org.
KINGSTON, R.I.
Wednesday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m.
University of Rhode Island Fine Arts Center, Concert Hall
Joshua Smith (’90), flute
Jordan Dodson (’13), guitar
Maria Ioudenitch (’18), violin
Roberto Díaz (’84), viola
Albert Seo, cello
MARAIS | Les folies d’Espagne |
BARTOK | Rumanian Folk Dances |
PIAZZOLLA | Histoire du Tango |
LUDWIG | Three Ladino Folksongs |
MOZART | Quartet in D Major, K. 285 |
PAGANINI | Quartet in A minor, M.S. 42 |
Presented by the Kingston Chamber Music Festival. For tickets and more information, visit kingstonchambermusic.org.
# # #
Curtis Mourns the Death of Aaron Rosand
Curtis mourns the death of longtime violin faculty member Aaron Rosand, a world-renowned violin virtuoso and pedagogue, who passed away on July 9 at age 92 after a long illness.
A prodigy who made his professional debut at age 9, Mr. Rosand studied with Leon Sametini at Chicago Musical College and performed repeatedly as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra before entering the Curtis Institute of Music in 1944 to study with the school’s director, celebrated virtuoso Efrem Zimbalist.
After his graduation from Curtis in 1948, Mr. Rosand made his New York recital debut in 1948 and his New York Philharmonic debut with Leonard Bernstein (Conducting ’41) in 1960. In the subsequent decades he gave recitals with his first wife, the late pianist Eileen Flissler (Piano ’43), and performed as soloist with major orchestras and conductors of the world. He also recorded extensively, becoming known for his signature Romantic-leaning repertoire.
Mr. Rosand joined the Curtis faculty in 1981, becoming a beloved member of the Curtis community and performing repeatedly with the Curtis Symphony Orchestra and in recital in Field Concert Hall. He held the Dorothy Richard Starling Chair in Violin Studies. Throughout his long career as a soloist, he played the ex-Kochanski Guarneri del Gesù violin, and upon its sale in 2009, he donated some of the proceeds to Curtis to fund a faculty chair then held by his longtime friend and Curtis classmate, the late Joseph Silverstein.
Mr. Rosand leaves behind a unique legacy, having provided generations of Curtis students with an invaluable link to the Russian violin school and the tradition of Leopold Auer and Eugène Ysaÿe through his own studies with Efrem Zimbalist and Leon Sametini. Of this legacy, he told an interviewer in 2008: “It’s a grand tradition of violin playing, where you’re not cloning people, giving them all the same advice so that they all sound the same. It’s a freedom of creative interpretation in making music.”
Mr. Rosand’s students have won every major violin competition; can be found as concertmasters in top ensembles including the Metropolitan Opera, Saint Paul Chamber, and National Symphony orchestras, Deutsch Oper Berlin, and the Royal Danish Opera Orchestra; and are themselves highly sought-after teachers. In May he announced his retirement from the Curtis faculty after 38 years, and received an honorary doctorate at the school’s annual commencement ceremony.
The Curtis community extends heartfelt sympathy to the family, friends, and students of Mr. Rosand.
From the New York Times:
Aaron Rosand, Renowned Violinist With a Famous Fiddle, Dies at 92
From the Philadelphia Inquirer:
Violinist Aaron Rosand, 92, longtime Curtis Institute of Music professor
From Fall 2014 Overtones: