Pianist Winston Choi has been a WWCMF staple since 2009. He doesn’t know it, but he was the inspiration for the whole Portrait of an Artist Series. While on tour in New England with new music ensemble Brave New Works, a rare night off coincided with an invitation for the whole ensemble to dine at an exclusive Back Bay social club in Boston. Aperitifs. Multi-course dinner. Digestifs. The whole nine yards. But not yet epic…

After dinner, overstuffed musicians settled into overstuffed chairs for brandy by a roaring fire when someone noticed a piano across the room. “Hey Winston,” someone called. “What are you working on these days?” He described an upcoming solo recital tour across Canada and volunteered to get up and play through some of the repertoire. Very cool, but not yet epic…

At some point, people just began shouting out requests. One particular request was for the Brahms A major Intermezzo, Op. 118. Winston replied that he had never played it. The group was incredulous. “What!” Winston said, “lemme see…” He went into a trance-like state and played a piece he had never played before, just from the memory of its sound… As the Intermezzo faded into silence, he looked up. “You mean that one?” Yes. That one. Epic.

Now you have the opportunity to spend an evening in the glow of Winston’s artistry, much as we did so many years ago. All selections will be announced from the stage.

Artists: Winston Choi, piano; Timothy Christie, moderator