Summer of Concerts: Week of August 21

August 23: Appalachian Chamber Music Festival - Lost in Plain Sight: Cassadó and his lost Iberian Legacy

In collaboration with Durham University and Shepherd University

This concert is a continuation of the enlightening concert discussion from 2022 with Dr. H Rosi Song, exploring the 20th century catalan composer, Gaspar Cassadó. We offer a juxtaposition of Cassadó’s music paired with Derrick Skye’s “American Mirrors” which draws on a rich tapestry of colors and expression of America.

An exploration of the work of Spanish Catalan cellist and composer Gaspar Cassadó (1897-1966). Regarded as one of the top cellists of the 20th century whose work continues to be played worldwide, his name and history remain mostly forgotten in Spain and abroad. An early advocate for the modern cello, he played an active role in trying to expand the repertoire for cellists, composing and collaborating with composers of his time like Luigi Dallapiccola (1904-75) who dedicated a concerto to him. Today, his name remains connected to that of his world-famous teacher, Pablo Casals (1876-1973), and fraught by the complicated legacy of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). Cassadó’s significance in cello performance and composition deserve a new look as his works reflect important musical trends in pre-war Europe regarding the concept of a regional or national sound. As part of a research project to recover his legacy while examining of what could be identified or understood as a “Spanish sound” in 20th century classical music, the recital presents a combination of lecture and performance, where the audience is invited to learn about the life and work of Cassadó in conversation with the work of other composers.

Program:

String Quartet No. 2: Gaspar Cassadó (1897-1966)

Allegro giocoso

Canzona e pavana. Andantino cantabile

Recitativo e Finale. Grave - Allegro assai con brio

American Mirror (2017): Derrick Skye (b. 1982)

String Quartet No. 3 : Gaspar Cassadó (1897-1966)

Allegro, pesante ed appassionato

Vivace e con spirito

Andante cantabile

Allegro con fuoco ed appassionato

August 25: Appalachian Chamber Music Festival - Water and Beauty

Two of the most celebrated works from the 19th century Europe, Schubert’s “Trout” quintet and Tchaikovsky’s “Souvenir de Florence” feature in this exhilarating program. The Shenandoah and Potomac rivers whose confluence is in Harpers Ferry were the original inspiration for this program. The first half draws on the idea of water as a place, and in the second half provides a stunning postcard of the beautiful city of Florence. Also featuring the world premiere of “Wind and Sail” by Rufus Reid, featuring Sam Suggs, bass.

Program:

Wind and Sail (2022; World Premiere): Rufus Reid (b. 1944)

Piano Quintet in A Major, D. 667 (“Trout”): Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

Allegro vivace

Andante

Scherzo. Presto

Andantino - Allegretto

Allegro giusto

-Intermission-

String Sextet in D Minor, Op. 70 (“Souvenir de Florence”): Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)

Allegro con spirito

Adagio cantabile e con moto

Allegretto moderato

Allegro con brio e vivace

August 26: Garth Newel Music Center - Piano Weekend I

Fantasie in F minor, D.940 – Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

Visions de l’Amen (Visions of the Amen) – Olivier Messiaen (1908–1992)

Amen de la Création

Amen du désir

Amen des anges, des saints, du chant des oiseaux

Amen de la Consommation

Les préludes, S. 97 (Arr. for 2 Pianos, 8 Hands) – Franz Liszt (1811-1886)

Jeannette Fang, piano

Genevieve Fei-wen Lee, piano

Paul Nitsch, piano

Jeremy Thompson, piano

Dinner Menu

• Smoked Salmon Mousse in a Parmesan Tuile with Cucumber Salsa, Pea Shoots with Radish and Shallot Mignonette
• Arugula, Peach, Candied Walnuts, Blueberries, Caromont Goat Cheese, Rosemary White Balsamic Honey Vinaigrette and Kale Chips
• Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Goat Cheese White Polenta, Roasted Scallions, Mushrooms and Onions, Broccoli and Roasted Garlic Pesto and Spinach Rosemary Cream
• Coffee, Creme Caramel, Shaved Chocolate, Vanilla Cream and Raspberries

August 26: Appalachian Chamber Music Festival - Places That Inspire: Regions of the World

Enjoy some of the highlights of the 2023 festival that will dazzle, excite, and warm your heart in this program that amalgamates all the ideas around our places that inspire theme, including regional music, beautiful places, large open spaces, and the entire nation of America with its rich cultural tapestry in American Mirror.

In this final evening performance of the 2023 season, ACMF is delighted to return to the beautiful Charles Washington Hall where we premiered our John Brown-inspired work by Ailbhe McDonagh in 2021.

PROGRAM:

Elevation for Solo Violin and Strings (2022): Paul Frost

Miniatures Algeriennes: Salim Dada (b. 1975)

Aurore de Djurdjura

Danse Zaydan

American Mirror (2017): Derrick Skye (b. 1982)

~intermission~

Voodoo Dolls (2008): Jessie Montgomery (1981)

String Sextet in D Minor, Op. 70 (“Souvenir de Florence”): Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)

Allegro con spirito

Adagio cantabile e con moto

Allegretto moderato

Allegro con brio e vivace

August 27: The Kennedy Center - Summer at the Reach Chamber Music Concerts

Enjoy free chamber concerts from members of the Washington National Opera and Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestras.

Beer and Wine garden open from 3–8 p.m.

Adria Foster, flute

Emily Tsai, oboe

David Jones, clarinet

Chris Jewell, bassoon

Christy Klenke, horn

Music by Bernstein, Mozart, Bizet, Grieg, Marc Mellits, Gershwin, and Verdi

August 27: Garth Newel Music Center - Piano Weekend II

La carnaval des animaux (The Carnival of the animals) – Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)

arr. Lucien Garban (1877-1959)

Introduction et marche royale du Lion (Introduction and Royal March of the Lion)

Poules et Coqs (Hens and Cocks)

Hémiones (animaux véloces) (Wild Asses)

Tortues (Tortoises)

L’Éléphant (The Elephant)

Kangourous (Kangaroos)

Aquarium

Personnages à longues oreilles (Characters with Long Ears)

Le coucou au fond des bois (The Cuckoo in the Depths of the Woods)

Volière (Aviary)

Pianistes (Pianists)

Fossiles (Fossils)

Le Cygne (The Swan)

Finale

Fantasy on Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess – Percy Grainger (1882-1961)

for two pianos

~intermission~

Symphonic Dances, Op. 45 for two pianos – Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)

Non Allegro

Andante con moto. Tempo di Valse

Lento assai-Allegro vivace

Waltz from Faust for two pianos eight hands – Charles Gounod (1818-1893) arr. by Renaud de Vilback (1829-1884)

Jeannette Fang, piano

Genevieve Fei-wen Lee, piano

Paul Nitsch, piano

Jeremy Thompson, piano

Picnic Menu

• Sausage, Tomato, Spinach bake Farfalle Pasta and Shaved Manchego
• Mushroom, Sundried Tomato, Feta, Baked Couscous Casserole
• Various sides, salads, and desserts

August 27: Appalachian Chamber Music Festival - Festival Finale: Appalachia in America

Join ACMF and NPS for a fun and relaxed festival finale on the historic Storer College lawn! Featuring a special performance by old time fiddler Earl White, National Park Artist in Residence participant author Nancy Cook, and more! (Rain location is on site.)

In our finale performance, we celebrate music that both inspired the rich tradition of music in Appalachia and has also been inspired by the rich cultural and musical landscape we have here!

Program includes music by Don Redman, legendary jazz musician and West Virginia native, who studied at Storer. We also feature music by Mark O’Conor, our very own Domenic Salerni, and other festival highlights!

Program may include:

Trilobites for String Quartet (2021): Domenic Salerni (b. 1987)

Wind and Sail (2022): Rufus Reid (b. 1944)

Voodoo Dolls (2008): Jessie Montgomery (b. 1981)

Elevation for Solo Violin and Strings (2022): Paul Frost

Poem: Adagio for String Quartet (1926): Rebecca Clarke (1886-1979)