Beethoven’s creative life is divided into three neat sections, Early, Middle and Late. The Early Period is defined by his tendency to shake up convention and thwart expectations with persistent and needling harmonic escapades and emphatic rhythmic accentuations where they don’t belong. In the Middle Period, Beethoven confronts form itself, testing the limits of Classical proportion. In the Late Period, Beethoven moves into a completely uncharted territory, looking ever inward. His shadow would loom large across the 19th century and beyond.

Here in the 21st century, we have the opportunity to visit with a remarkable violinist and WWCMF Lifer, Stephen Miahky. Steve played the first-ever June Portrait of an Artist recital back in 2013. He was in his Early Period back then. Life has thrown a lot his way in the last half-decade, and he has thrown a lot back. Welcome to his Middle Period!

Kick off the 2018 June Festival at Rasa Vineyards with Portrait of an Artist, Stephen Miahky 2.0. Back in 2013, we didn’t have the capacity to program works with piano at satellite locations like Rasa, but thanks to the inspired work of the Walla Walla Piano Group, we now benefit from a magnificent Steinway Grand in all of our locations. The program will include music of Mozart, Bach, Debussy/Heifetz, Mark O’Connor, and Ysaÿe.

Artists: Stephen Miahky, violin; with Kristin Vining, piano; and Christina McGann, violin

Tonight’s performance has been made possible by the generosity of Albert Marshall.

It was June, 2008. A future Festival Board member was digging in his backyard. He heard a sound that caught his attention. A violin. A good violin. A darn good violin! What piece is that? Who could be playing this amazing music?

It was the first season of the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival, and violinist Christina McGann was practicing in her room at the Festival rental house on Catherine Street. The music was the demanding Tempo di ciaccona from Bartok’s Sonata for Solo Violin.

The future Board Member was none other than jazz trombonist, composer, and Whitman College Professor, Dave Glenn. Dave understands what happens when Christina plays. Come find out for yourself as the Festival visits Forgeron Cellars for the first time. You will forge an instant friendship with Christina, just as Dave did seven years ago.

ANNOUNCED FROM THE STAGE

Passacaglia, Biber

Sonata for 2 violins in A minor, Ysaÿe — with Stephen Miahky

Wolfgang’s Tango, Glenn — with David Glenn and Norbert Lewandowski

Albumblatt, Wagner — with Stephen Miahky, Maria Sampen and Norbert Lewandowski

Czardas, Monti —with Stephen Miahky, Maria Sampen and Norbert Lewandowski

Artist: Christina McGann, violin.

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.