You never know where you might spot pianist David Korevaar. Pop your head into Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center, and you might catch him. Take a hike or a trail run near Boulder, Colorado, and he might go whizzing by. Sweep through the dial on your car stereo, and you might catch him on Performance Today or St. Paul Sunday.

A pianist of extraordinary creativity and refinement, David joins WWCMF for the second time. His first? That was back in January 2021 on the festival’s Virtual Concert Hall series. So it is a joy to welcome David to Walla Walla in person and delight in his magnificent artistry. On January 13, 2022, you now know exactly where to spot him, the beautiful gallery at Foundry Vineyards in Walla Walla.

Cécile Chaminade (1857-1944) 

SONATA IN C MINOR, OP. 21

I. Allegro appassionato

Florence Price (1887-1953) 

SONATA IN E MINOR (1932)

II. Andante

Adolphus Hailstork (b. 1941)

IGNIS FATUUS

MYSTERIOUS FIRES (1976)

H. Leslie Adams (b. 1932)

ETUDE IN G

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)

ETUDES, OP. 25, #1-5

Artists: Timothy Christie, moderator; and David Korevaar, piano.

Jingwen Tu, piano

Pianist Jingwen Tu has been heard around the world in iconic venues such as Alice Tully Hall, Matav Music Hall (Budapest) and the Banff Centre. Now she makes her WWCMF debut in the beautiful gallery of Foundry Vineyards.

WWCMF Founder and Artistic Director Timothy Christie joins Jingwen for a conversation and recital of works by Berg, Bach and Chopin. Kick off the 2019 June Festival in style with this extraordinary mix of sonata, partita and ballade.

Artist: Jingwen Tu, piano

The magnificent production facility of Rôtie Cellars provides the stage to celebrate the initial events of the Tenth Anniversary Season of the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival in style.

The program, featuring Tina Dahl, Meta Weiss, Maria Sampen and Timothy Christie, explores the mature compositions of two child prodigies, Mozart and Chopin. Mozart and Chopin lived a combined 74 years. Both enjoyed fame and attention from the elite circles of Europe. While Mozart concluded his life anonymously in poverty, Chopin concluded his in comparative prosperity, or at least in the care of more prosperous patronage. Both made pilgrimages to Paris, and both won over the city’s cultural elite. Chopin stayed, taking French citizenship, while Mozart returned home to Austria. Though the two composers’ lives did not overlap, Mozart’s Requiem was sung at Chopin’s funeral, uniting the two consummate artists in one final musical communion.

The two composers are here united on happier terms as we explore the effervescent Piano Quartet in E flat, K. 493, of Mozart, and the heroic Sonata for Cello and Piano in G minor, Op. 65, of Chopin. Both works demand much of the performers, and will have listeners jumping for joy. Here’s to ten great years of chamber music in the Walla Walla Valley!

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)

ENTR’ACTE FROM SLEEPING BEAUTY, OP. 66 FOR VIOLIN AND PIANO

W. A. Mozart (1756-1791)

PIANO QUARTET IN E FLAT, K.493

I. Allegro
II. Larghetto
III. Allegretto

— INTERMISSION —

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)

SONATA IN G MINOR FOR CELLO AND PIANO, OP. 65

I. Allegro moderato
II. Scherzo. Allegro con brio
III. Largo
IV. Finale. Allegro

WWCMF acknowledges the generous support of the Walla Walla Piano Group in providing the Steinway Model B piano for this performance. Bravo, and thank you!

Artists: Timothy Christie, viola; Henry Kramer, piano; Maria Sampen, violin; and Meta Weiss, cello

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)

SONATA IN G MINOR FOR PIANO AND CELLO, OP. 65

I. Allegro moderato
II. Scherzo. Allegro con brio
III. Largo
IV. Finale. Allegro

By the mid nineteenth century, Frédéric Chopin had achieved musical stardom in Europe. He supported himself primarily by the publication of his own piano compositions and through private teaching. As a performer, Chopin preferred the intimacy of his own apartment and a circle of friends to the bright lights of the concert stage. Historians count the number of public performances given by Chopin during his life at 30. There were no symphonies or grand oratorios or operas. Chopin composed primarily for the piano alone. However, he did have a particular affection for the cello, returning to the instrument at various stages in his career. The Sonata in G minor, Op. 65 is Chopin’s final work of significance. In it, we hear the final lyrical verses penned by the “Poet of the Piano.”

WWCMF acknowledges the generous support of the Walla Walla Piano Group in providing the Steinway Model B piano for this performance. Bravo, and thank you!

Artists: Henry Kramer, piano; and Meta Weiss, cello

Tonight’s performance has been made possible by the generosity of a donor who wishes to remain anonymous.

Due to performance-related injury, Benjamin Hochman will be unable to perform this June. Pianist Winston Choi has generously agreed to step in. We wish Benjamin a speedy recovery. We look forward to a return engagement once he heals.

The Chicago Tribune had this to say about Winston Choi: “There doesn’t appear to be anything Choi can’t play — and with virtuosic panache to boot.” I think that sums it up pretty well. Winston is the winner of several prestigious international competitions including the 2002 Orléans Concours International and the 2003 Honens International Piano Competition.

But more importantly, Winston was the inspiration for the Festival’s Portrait of an Artist Series.

It all began in Boston at the exclusive St. Botolph Club. Several musicians, Winston among them, were relaxing following a delicious meal. Before long, someone noticed the grand piano across the room. It was suggested that Winston play through some of his repertoire for an upcoming recital. After a few beautifully rendered selections, musicians began calling out requests. Winston gamely played through a staggering amount of repertoire that night, and we all felt that we knew him better for it.

Tonight’s recital will be moderated by Festival Founder and Artistic Director, Timothy Christie. Tickets are extremely limited for this special event.

ANNOUNCED FROM THE STAGE

Partita No. 1 in B Flat, Bach

6 Bagatelles, Op. 126, Beethoven

Prelude in D-Flat, Op. 28, No. 15, “Raindrop,” Chopin

Variations on a Theme of Handel, Brahms

Fugue, Bach (Encore)

Artist: Winston Choi, piano.