THE TEACHER

Music by Ludwig van Beethoven, Edward Elgar, Morton Lauridsen, and Florence Price

Intermission

THE STUDENT

Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Maurice Ravel

All selections will be announced from the stage.

Artists: Timothy Christie, violin; Andrew Jennings, violin; Gail Jennings, piano

Night Music

Night Music. Brings to mind Bob Seger and his evident work regarding “night moves.” However, we at WWCMF are taking a different tack. Night means all sorts of things. For example, there are animals that only come out at night. Turns out, these animals make different sounds than those that inhabit daylight. Béla Bartók was a composer who was famously fascinated by night sounds. His Third String Quartet stands as a great example of music conceived with a nocturnal soundscape in mind.

But Bartók is modern, you say. Yes, ’tis true. However, the night occupied classicists, modernists and romantics alike. That’s why we are placing a little bit of each on this program. I don’t need to say anything about Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, do I? And what about poor Schubert? He worked on his “night moves,” too. Enter the Notturno in E Flat, D. 897, which stands as a late masterpiece by Schubert, as late as we can consider age 31 to be.

So, join us for a little bit of night music. We’ll throw in a little bit of Nachtmusik for free.

Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

Notturno In E Flat, D. 897 (1827)

I. Adagio

Béla Bartók (1881-1945)

String Quartet No. 3 (1927)

I. Prima parte: Moderato

II. Seconda parte: Allegro

III. Recapitulazione della prima parte: Moderato

IV. Coda: Allegro molto

INTERMISSION

Joaquín Turina (1882-1949)

Circulo, Op. 91 (1936) For Piano Trio

I. Amanecer

II. Mediodia

III. Crepúsculo

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

Serenade In G, K. 525 (1787) Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

I. Allegro

II. Romanze: Andante

III. Menuetto: Allegretto

IV. Rondo: Allegro

Artists: Norbert Lewandowski, cello; Christina McGann, violin; Jingwen Tu, piano; and the Girsky String Quartet: Natasha Bazhanov, violin; Timothy Christie, viola; Artur Girsky, violin; and Rowena Hammill, cello.

Violist, Dr. Marcus Thompson is the Artistic Director of the Boston Chamber Music Society, Institute Professor at MIT and on the faculty of the New England Conservatory. He also has a role in the origin story of WWCMF. You’ll have to attend his Portrait of an Artist recital to find out the details and partake in an incredible evening of music for viola and piano.

We return to the gallery at Foundry Vineyards for this virtuoso recital featuring music of Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Clarke, and Enescu.

Artists: Marcus Thompson, viola and Henry Kramer, piano.

Violinist, Alessandra Jennings Flanagan (Ali) makes her WWCMF debut. Ali has been a member of the Fort Worth and Colorado Symphonies, holding leadership positions in both organizations. A graduate of the prestigious Shepard School of Music at Rice University and frequent participant summer programs such as Tanglewood and Yellowbarn, Ali now comes west to bring us a program that includes music by Mozart, Copland, Smetana and Clara Schumann. Expect a cameo from Festival regular and dad, Andrew Jennings, too. This special recital affords a unique view into the life of a great violinist from an extremely musical family.

Artists: Alessandra Jennings Flanagan, violin and Oxana Ejokina, piano.

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 Mark Brucks and Susan Monahan.

Robert Hutchinson (b. 1970)

PAS DE QUATRE (2010) FOR STRING QUARTET

Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival Commission

Dimitri Shostakovich (1906-1975)

TWO PIECES, OP. 11 FOR STRING OCTET

I. Prelude: Adagio

II. Scherzo: Allegro molto

INTERMISSION

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

CLARINET QUINTET IN A, K. 581

I. Allegro

II. Larghetto

III. Menuetto

IV. Allegretto con variazioni

Artists: Doyle Armbrust, viola; Timothy Christie, viola; Maeve Feinberg, violin; Norbert Lewandowski, cello; Clara Lyon, violin; Anna Maberry, Violin; Philip Payton, violin; Russel Rolen, cello; Maria Sampen, violin; Kevin Schempf, clarinet; and Spektral Quartet.

Tonight’s performance has been made possible by the generosity of Jim Johnson.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

CLARINET QUINTET IN A, K. 581

I. Allegro

II. Larghetto

III. Menuetto

IV. Allegretto con variazioni

Artists: Timothy Christie, viola; Norbert Lewandowski, cello; Philip Payton, violin; Maria Sampen, violin; and Kevin Schempf, clarinet.

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

Festival Series 3 is a veritable potpourri of great music. What makes a good potpourri? I think a combination of something sweet, something exotic, something familiar, and something savory balanced in perfect proportion. Here’s an example, brought to you by the parfumerie of WWCMF.

Sweet: Poulenc, Sextet for piano and winds, Op. 100
Exotic: Mackey, Indigenous Instruments for piano, violin, cello, flute and clarinet (1989)
Familiar: Mozart, String Quartet in E flat, K. 428
Savory: Copland, Quiet City for trumpet, english horn and strings (1941)

Smells good to me!

Artists: Sarah Brady, flute; Rodger Burnett, horn; Timothy Christie, viola; Christina Dahl, piano; Billy Ray Hunter, trumpet; Norbert Lewandowski, cello; Christina McGann, violin; Stephen Miahky, violin; Philip Payton, violin; Paul Rafanelli, bassoon; Maria Sampen, violin; Kevin Schempf, clarinet; Sally Singer Tuttle, cello; and Dan Williams, oboe/english horn.

W. A. Mozart (1756-1791)
String Quartet in E flat, K. 428
I.   Allegro non troppo
II.  Andante con moto
III. Menuetto and Trio. Allegro
IV. Allegro vivace

If he was alive today, Mozart would love the Tasting Music Series. He would appreciate the convivial atmosphere, the celebration of music and the opportunity to indulge in fine wine.

While he most certainly wouldn’t be able to pay his tab at the end of the evening, his finances were perpetually in a shambles, we would all step up and cover his share. So, for the third installment of the 2016 Tasting Music Series, we visit Rôtie Cellars Production Facility and raise a glass to Mozart. His String Quartet in E Flat, K. 428 serves as the perfect piece of music for the occasion. Upon hearing this work, Haydn told Mozart’s father, Leopold, “I tell you before God, and as an honest man, that your son is the greatest composer I know, either personally or by reputation…” High praise from the greatest living composer of the day! To Mozart!

 Artists: Timothy Christie, viola; Christina McGann, violin; Stephen Miahky, violin; and Sally Singer Tuttle, cello.

Commentary: Timothy Christie

Tonight’s performance has been made possible by the generosity of Dick and Julie Swenson.

Festival Series 2 features two Classical Era masterpieces. One, by Haydn, is known by the loftiest of monikers, “The Emperor.” The other, by Mozart, is known by a somewhat more pedestrian nickname, “Kegelstatt.” Not up on your German? Kegelstatt is the eighteenth century version of a bowling alley. These two nicknamed works could be seen as emblematic of the two composers who penned them.

Haydn, ever known by his compositional wit, was at ease among the upper classes, enjoying patronage and success in business. Mozart, ever known by his sophomoric wit, had difficulty with authority and died in poverty. The two composers were great friends and mutually admired each other’s work. Festival Series 2 will showcase the mastery of both.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

TRIO IN E FLAT FOR PIANO, VIOLA AND CLARINET, K. 498 “KEGELSTATT”

I. Andante
II. Menuetto
III. Allegretto

Samuel Barber (1910-1981)

KNOXVILLE: SUMMER OF 1915, OP. 24

Intermission

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

STRING QUARTET OP. 76, NO. 3 “EMPEROR”

I. Allegro
II. Poco adagio; cantabile
III. Menuetto. Allegro
IV. Finale. Presto

Artists: Timothy Christie, viola; Jennifer Goltz, soprano; Andrew Jennings, violin; Norbert Lewandowski, cello; Stephen Miahky, violin; Laura Renz, viola; David Requiro, cello; Maria Sampen, violin; Kevin Schempf, clarinet; Meta Weiss, cello; and Wei-Han Wu, piano.

Tonight’s performance has been made possible by the generosity of Tom and Margo Scribner.

Festival Founder and Artistic Director, Timothy Christie, usually hosts and moderates the Portrait of an Artist Series, asking probing questions of the Festival’s roster of artists and revealing aspects of musicians’ lives that do not typically make it into the artist biographies in your program book. For the kick-off event of the 2015 Season, Tim becomes the subject of the portrait.

This provokes many a question: Who will host? Will it be courteous, or will it turn into a flat out roast? In all likelihood, there will be a roast-like tenor to the proceedings, but as you might guess, there is only one way to find out. Garrison Creek Cellars lends the acoustics of a Renaissance chapel and bucolic perfection to the proceedings.

ANNOUNCED FROM THE STAGE

Scotland the Brave, traditional — with Charlotte Christie

Duo in G Major for violin and viola, III: Rondo, Mozart — with Maria Sampen

Trio Sonata in D Major, Op. 3 No. 2, Corelli — with Stephen Miahky and Meta Weiss

Trio Sonata in C Major, Op. 4 No. 1, Corelli — with Stephen Miahky and Meta Weiss

Roumanian Folk Dances, Bartok — with Christina McGann, Maria Sampen and Norbert Lewandowski

Chaconne from the d minor Partita, Bach

TIM’S "DESERT ISLAND" MUSIC SELECTIONS

Mahler Symphony No. 2, “The Resurrection”
Respighi "Church Windows”
Mozart Serenade in B Flat for winds, K. 361, “Gran Partita”

Artists: Timothy Christie, viola; Norbert Lewandowski, cello; Christina McGann, violin; Stephen Miahky, violin; Maria Sampen, violin; and Meta Weiss, cello.

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.

The 2014 Winter Festival Series performance is a bit like an episode of Sesame Street devoted to the letter F.

Comprised of three radically different quartets, our program explores the classicism of Mozart, the budding modernism of Benjamin Britten, and a musical form of impressionism in the lone string quartet by French master Maurice Ravel. Interestingly, all three pieces were composed while the respective composer was in his 20’s.

P is for Fantasy: The Phantasy for oboe and string trio, Op. 2, by Benjamin Britten, marked the composer’s first major success. Composed in 1932 and premiered in 1933, the piece eventually garnered international attention by its inclusion in a prominent music festival in Florence, Italy, in 1934. Today the work surely gives Britten serious street cred, if only for his penchant for substituting ‘Ph’ for ‘F’ in his spelling of the word fantasy.

Phantasy. Festival in Florence.

F Major: The Oboe Quartet, K. 370, by Mozart was composed in 1781 for the virtuoso oboe soloist of the famed Mannheim Orchestra, Friedrich Ramm. The English word oboe is derived from the French word haubois meaning high wood. Mozart’s quartet, for all its melodic beauty, is known for its using one of the highest notes of the high wood, the high F.

Famed orchestra. Friedrich. High F.

F Major: French composer Maurice Ravel composed his only string quartet between 1902 and 1903. It is dedicated to his teacher, Gabriel Fauré. While Fauré must have been honored to receive the dedication, he declared the quartet’s Finale to be a failure. Time has proven Fauré to be most incorrect on this score. The quartet is cyclical, meaning that music presented in the first movement reappears throughout the four movements. In the Finale, Ravel makes extensive use of an unconventional rhythmic cycle of five beats and asks the performers to go very fast.

French. Fauré. Finale failure? False! In five. Fast.

If you are the sort who likes to give grades, we hope that you will give our exploration of the letter ‘F’ an A+… certainly not an F!

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

Phantasy Quartet in F minor, Op.2 for Oboe and String Trio

W. A Mozart (1756-1791)

Quartet in F Major, K. 370 for Oboe and Strings

I. Allegro

II. Adagio

III. Rondeau: Allegro

Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)

String Quartet in F Major (1903)

I. Allegro moderato. Très doux

II. Assez vif. Très rythmé

III. Très lent

IV. Vif et agité

Artists: Timothy Christie, Maria Sampen, Sally Singer Tuttle, Dan Williams, Harlem Quartet, Jaime Amador, Ilmar Gavilán, Ismar Gomes and Melissa White

Mozart will lifts your spirits at Tasting Music Two

Mozart is essential. His music lifts our spirits, particularly during the long darkness of midwinter. The oboe quartet in F Major, K. 370, predicts a more temperate time of year. The pastoral quality of the oboe piping merrily above droning strings brings to mind the idyllic image of a shepherd wiling away a pleasant afternoon in the sun... with a handy supply of champagne and a few good friends.

Artists: Timothy Christie, Maria Sampen, Sally Singer Tuttle, and Dan Williams

Mozart’s Divertimento in E Flat, Sonata in C (No. 3) by Gioachino Rossini and a set of original genre-bending compositions by PROJECT Trio.

Three’s Company.

WWCMF inaugurates the First Annual Winter Festival with a Festival Series performance at the acoustically magnificent Power House Theater. The program will begin with the Sonata in C (No. 3) by Gioachino Rossini, the composer of iconic comic operas such as The Barber of Seville, The Turk in Italy, and The Italian Girl in Algiers. For this performance WWCMF incorporates PROJECT Trio, rescoring the work for flute, violin, cello and double bass.

PROJECT Trio will then take the stage for a set of original genre-bending compositions. Jazz, Folk, Rock, Classical? Who knows or cares? It's great chamber music.

The program concludes with Mozart’s finest chamber music composition, the Divertimento in E Flat for violin, viola and cello. Mozart is famous for his theater piece The Magic Flute. While The Magic Flute is played in the most prestigious opera houses the world over, it is a more humble work, intended for a vaudeville-style theater. The original audience enjoyed lots of falling down and misunderstandings of the sort one finds in an episode of Three’s Company. Yet Mozart gave them a work of infinite tenderness and humanity, carefully hidden beneath all of the falling down.

In the more intimate medium of chamber music, he thankfully gives us just such a tender and human work in the Divertimento for string trio, K 563. The title suggests no more than a pleasant diversion… light music for a light occasion. However, no composer imbues chamber music with such heavenly proportions or such meaning as does Mozart in his only work for this form. Three is company, indeed.

Artists: Timothy Christie and Maria Sampen along with Greg Pattillo, Peter Seymour and Eric Stephenson of PROJECT Trio

The Mozart Divertimento in E Flat, K. 563

The Mozart Divertimento in E Flat, K. 563, has been called Mozart's greatest piece of chamber music. It is number one in the Coaches' Poll. The BCS rankings agree, and we anticipate seeing the Divertimento play for the National Championship in January. Sound ridiculous? It's not.

Six movements, three players: “every note is significant, every note is a contribution to spiritual and sensuous fulfillment in sound.” So penned noted Mozart scholar, Alfred Einstein (no relation), regarding the E Flat Divertimento. Would you care for some spiritual and sensual fulfillment? Please join us at Foundry Vineyards and get some.

Artists: Maria Sampen, Timothy Christie and Eric Stephenson

Adams' Hallelujah Junction and music of Enescu, Mozart and Haydn

Festival Series III brings three centuries of chamber music to the WWCMF stage. From the outer ends of the 20th century are John Adams’ Hallelujah Junction (1998) and George Enescu’s First Rumanian Rhapsody (1901). For the Adams, will pianists Winston Choi and Xak Bjerken rouse the combined 176 hammers of the black and white keys of two pianos into a celebratory chorus of Americana Minimalism? I think not… The Enescu First Rumanian Rhapsody, full of both sentiment and dizzying virtuosity, brings to mind the antics of classic Bugs Bunny.

Balancing these works from the poles of the 20th century are works by Mozart and Haydn. The Mozart Grande Sestetto Concertante is an artful reworking of his famous Sinfonia Concertante K. 364, for violin, viola and orchestra. So deft is the transcription that the jobs of two soloists and full orchestra are carried out by just six musicians, providing an intimacy and accessibility unmatched by the large scale original. Finally, Festival Series III pays homage to the Father of the String Quartet, Franz Joseph Haydn. His Op. 71, No. 2 is a compelling example of both his unmatched elegance and his legendary wit.

Artists: Xak Bjerken, Kevin Casseday, Winston Choi, Timothy Christie, Kevin Krentz, Norbert Lewandowski, Christina McGann, Stephen Miahky, Philip Payton ,Julia Salerno, Maria Sampen and MingHuan Xu.

Music of Mozart, Ravel, and Kodaly, plus the world premiere of Commedia Gallery for Flute, Harp and Viola by composer John David Earnest

Festival Series I celebrates unique combinations of instruments. As is our custom, the Festival Series will commence with the world premiere of a work commissioned for the occasion. John David Earnest, composer-in-residence at Whitman College, has created a new work for flute, harp and viola, titled Commedia Gallery. For this premiere, what better venue could there be than the gallery at the Walla Walla Foundry? Also on the program are works by Mozart, Ravel and Kodaly. The elegance of Mozart, the impressionist colorings of Ravel, and the passionate Hungarian folk music of Kodaly will set the 2011 Walla Walla Chamber Music ablaze with glorious musical fire.

Artists: Sarah Brady, Timothy Christie, Amy Ley, Philip Payton, Norbert Lewandowski, David Requiro, Maria Sampen and Kevin Schempf

Music of Mozart, Ravel, and Kodaly, plus the world premiere of Commedia Gallery for Flute, Harp and Viola by composer John David Earnest

Festival Series I celebrates unique combinations of instruments. As is our custom, the Festival Series will commence with the world premiere of a work commissioned for the occasion. John David Earnest, composer-in-residence at Whitman College, has created a new work for flute, harp and viola, titled Commedia Gallery. For this premiere, what better venue could there be than the gallery at the Walla Walla Foundry? Also on the program are works by Mozart, Ravel and Kodaly. The elegance of Mozart, the impressionist colorings of Ravel, and the passionate Hungarian folk music of Kodaly will set the 2011 Walla Walla Chamber Music ablaze with glorious musical fire.

Artists: Sarah Brady, Timothy Christie, Amy Ley, Philip Payton, Norbert Lewandowski, David Requiro, Maria Sampen and Kevin Schempf

Schober: Empty Shells

Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A Major K. 581

Rorem: String Quartet No. 4

Wine, like classical music, can be an intimidating and complex subject: structure, acidity, balance, tannin, and every fruit imaginable (besides grapes!) seems to assert itself in a glass of good wine.

In music, form, structure, harmony, development, motive, and counterpoint are some of the building blocks that remain a mystery for the well-intentioned listener. Tasting Music addresses both, providing sips and sounds that will enhance the experience of listening to classical music, all in an informal tasting room setting. Guests are invited to sample wines, enjoy a snack, and participate in a discussion/performance of chamber music by Festival musicians. Each Tasting Music event will explore one musical work from the Festival Series in an informal but informative hour-long format. Guests can ask questions and interact with the musicians in a relaxed and fun environment. To learn about wine, one must taste. To learn about music, one must listen. Multitasking never felt so good.

Tonight: Mozart Clarinet Quintet

Mozart: String Quartet in G Major K. 387

Debussy: Sonata for Violin and Piano

Schumann: Piano Quintet in E Flat Op. 44

Wine, like classical music, can be an intimidating and complex subject: structure, acidity, balance, tannin, and every fruit imaginable (besides grapes!) seems to assert itself in a glass of good wine.

In music, form, structure, harmony, development, motive, and counterpoint are some of the building blocks that remain a mystery for the well-intentioned listener. Tasting Music addresses both, providing sips and sounds that will enhance the experience of listening to classical music, all in an informal tasting room setting. Guests are invited to sample wines, enjoy a snack, and participate in a discussion/performance of chamber music by Festival musicians. Each Tasting Music event will explore one musical work from the Festival Series in an informal but informative hour-long format. Guests can ask questions and interact with the musicians in a relaxed and fun environment. To learn about wine, one must taste. To learn about music, one must listen. Multitasking never felt so good.

Tonight: Mozart String Quartet in G Major K. 387