Philip Payton, violin

WWCMF lifer and violinist Philip Payton is a popular guy around Walla Walla. He is friendly. That’s a fact. He also loves every aspect of this community, and attempts to visit every corner during his annual June residency.

For his Portrait of an Artist recital, he can cross one of the more scenically beautiful corners of Walla Walla off his list, that being the bucolic super-venue, Garrison Creek Cellars. Come spend an hour getting to know Phil: what makes him tick, and what he’s excited about musically.

This consummate artist enjoys a career of wide variety on Broadway, in pop culture and classical music. Concertmaster for Jay-Z at Carnegie Hall? You bet. The Late Show? Yup. What about SNL? Well, at this point you better come to the performance and find out for yourself! Featuring music by Brahms, Piazzolla and Turina among others.

Artists: Winston Choi, piano; Timothy Christie, viola; Norbert Lewandowski, cello; Christina McGann, violin; Stephen Miahky, violin; and Philip Payton, violin.

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

Pop culture often depicts heaven as a place in the clouds with pearly gates. Angels clad in robes of classical Greek design soar to and fro on diminutive wings. One musical instrument above all others has come to be associated with such a scene, the harp.

Harpist Amy Ley will dispel as poppycock such frivolous notions of her chosen instrument. The harp stands six feet tall, weighs 90 pounds, and its 47 strings exert 4,400 pounds of pressure on the instrument’s soundboard. Try flying around in a toga carrying one of these babies!

And yet, Amy’s life as a musician is bound to this impractically large instrument. Third floor walk-up? Sure. Public transportation? Yup. The harp goes everywhere. This evening’s performance is sure to convince you why it is all worth it!

ANNOUNCED FROM THE STAGE

Concerto in B-Flat, Handel

solo from "Lucia di Lamermoor,” Donizetti

Ariadne’s Dance from “The Crown of Ariadne,” Schafer

Stairway to Heaven, Led Zeppelin

Fauré

Bordel 1900 from "L’Histoire du Tango,” Piazzola — with Timothy Christie

Artist: Amy Ley, harp

Tonight’s performance is made possible by the generosity of Dr. Michael and Susan Gillespie.

Walla Walla audiences have been drawn to charismatic violinist Philip Payton since the first season of WWCMF in 2008. Whether he’s playing Kinky Boots on Broadway, a concert at Lincoln Center, appearing on Saturday Night Live, the Today Show, or Late Night with David Letterman, Phil seems to pop up all over New York City.

When the asparagus, morels and Walla Walla wine call, however, New York heaves a collective sigh, knowing that Phil has gone west for the month of June to play chamber music and reunite with his Walla Walla friends. Main Street Studios will provide the perfect setting to have Phil to yourself for an evening. We’ll see if we can find out what makes this tireless artist and all around goodfella tick. Music will include selections by Vivaldi, Ysaÿe, Piazzola and Mozart.

Artists: Timothy Christie, Norbert Lewandowski, Stephen Miahky, and J. Patrick Rafferty.