La Jolla Music Society Announces SummerFest 2008 “Star”-Studded SummerFest to Include: New FREE Concert under the stars, the return of the Composer Series featuring Brahms, “An Evening With…” Series and World and West Coast Première works

SAN DIEGO, CA — La Jolla Music Society announces SummerFest 2008– a nationally-recognized chamber music festival featuring over 70 world-class artists and ensembles performing 16 concerts from August 1-24, 2008.

SummerFest 2008 pays tribute to the most revered composers of all time while continuing to promote the creation and performance of modern-day masterworks. Since its inception in 1986, SummerFest has welcomed over 550 renowned artists and ensembles, four talented artistic directors and nearly a quarter of a million audience members at venues in San Diego and over the airwaves nationwide. This year’s festival highlights include:

• “Star”-Studded Festival highlighted by a FREE outdoor concert: “SummerFest Under the Stars” on Thursday, August 14.
  
• Return of the Composer Series, exploring the life and music of Johannes Brahms starting Tuesday, August 5.
  
• Enjoy an “Evening with…” a different SummerFest virtuoso as the Series returns to MCASD Sherwood Auditorium each Wednesday night of the Festival. • SummerFest premières four newly commissioned works.
  
• From “Fire and Passion” to “French Connections”, Opening Weekend starts with a bang.
  
• “Note”able SummerFest debuts of “The Belanich Steinway” and other “note”able pianists.
  
• Ensembles: the Formosa Quartet, the Tokyo String Quartet, and the Sonora String Quartet are making their SummerFest debuts this year while Real Quiet returns for its second SummerFest appearance.

A “STAR”-FILLED FESTIVAL: FROM “SUMMERFEST UNDER THE STARS” TO A “STAR”-STUDDED OPENING WEEKEND.

SummerFest 2008 is proud to announce a new, FREE outdoor concert, “SummerFest Under the Stars” at the La Jolla Cove on Thursday, August 14. Acclaimed violinist and SummerFest Music Director Cho-Liang Lin leads this exciting new concert which promises to bring a fun evening filled with stars both on the stage and in the sky. Now in his eighth year as Music Director of SummerFest, Cho-Liang Lin has once again assembled an all-star roster of artists that brings to life the dynamic range of chamber music. A violinist of superb musicianship and eloquent playing, Cho-Liang Lin can be seen performing throughout SummerFest, beginning with the Opening Night performance.

August 1 opens SummerFest on a fiery note with a night suitably entitled “Fire and Passion”. Featuring an exciting, newly-commissioned world première by Julian Milone of Piazzolla’s famous tango Death of an Angel, Milone joins this new arrangement with three of his other tango arrangements in a work entitled Piazzolla Suite for Four Violins and Bass. Also blazing the stage on this “star”-studded opening weekend are some returning SummerFest favorites - violinists Gil Shaham and Kyoko Takezawa, pianist Garrick Ohlsson and cellists Carter Brey and Ralph Kirshbaum, among others. This year also marks the debuts of other shining stars joining the SummerFest family including: the Tokyo String Quartet, the Formosa Quartet, violinist Jennifer Koh, pianists Jacques Loussier, Christopher Taylor and Joyce Yang and dance ensemble Pascal Rioult Dance Theatre

THE FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, AND GRANDEUR OF BRAHMS: THREE EVENINGS EXPLORING HIS WORKS AND INFLUENCES

Johannes Brahms is one of the central composers of the classical music tradition. La Jolla Music Society honors the chamber music repertoire of Brahms over the course of three Festival nights – “Brahms I- Friendship Among Masters,” “Brahms II- Unrequited Love,” and “Brahms III- Intimacy and Grandeur” – at MCASD Sherwood Auditorium.

Showcasing works from both Brahms and his mentor and friend Robert Schumann, around the time of their artistic kinship, “Brahms I- Friendship Among Masters,” on Tuesday, August 5 shares with audiences Schumann’s seldom heard Andante and Variations for Two Pianos, Two Cellos and Horn and two Brahms quartets, one for string and one for piano. The exploration of Brahms’ and Schumann’s life-long friendship continues into the second evening “Brahms II- Unrequited Love” on Tuesday, August 12 which focuses on a new facet of inspiration for Brahms, Schumann’s wife, Clara, for whom Brahms felt a deep, unrequited love. Fourteen years his senior and an accomplished pianist and composer herself, she was not only his muse but also his musical confidante whose opinions and guidance he sought for any new piece.

The immeasurable brilliance of Brahms is the inspiration for the closing night of the series “Brahms III- Intimacy and Grandeur” on Tuesday, August 19 which celebrates the deeply expressive and richly-textured works that are characteristic of Brahms. A special highlight of the evening will be Brahms’ String Quintet No.1 in F Major, Opus 88 performed by Tokyo String Quartet joined by violist and former SummerFest Artistic Director Heiichiro Ohyama.

Beyond the three nights devoted to Brahms, his works and influences can be heard throughout the festival. His Piano Trio No.1 in B Major, Opus 8, played by Grammy® Award-winning musicians, pianist Garrick Ohlsson and violinist Gil Shaham and principal cellist for the New York Philharmonic, Carter Brey closes SummerFest’s opening night “Fire and Passion”. Acclaimed pianist Leon Fleisher will play Brahms’ transcription for Piano Left-Hand of J.S. Bach’s Chaconne from the Partia No. 2 in D Minor for Solo Violin on August 20 in “An Evening with Leon Fleisher”.

“AN EVENING WITH…” CONTINUES DURING SUMMERFEST 2008 WITH THREE EXTRAORDINARY TALENTS AND A KALEIDOSCOPE OF RUSSIAN MASTERPEICES

The “Evening with…” Series at MCASD Sherwood Auditorium returns to SummerFest 2008 showcasing a different virtuoso each Wednesday night of the Festival. Acclaimed pianist Leon Fleisher celebrates his 80th Birthday with a return to SummerFest to close the “Evening with…” Series on Wednesday, August 20. Regarded as one of the great interpreters of composers such as Bach and Brahms, he will be performing their masterworks alongside works by Schubert and Ravel, in the intimate SummerFest setting of MCASD Sherwood Auditorium. Joining him on this special evening will be his wife, accomplished pianist Katherine Jacobson-Fleisher who will perform with him on the two piano four-hand pieces he has chosen.

Opening this year’s “An Evening with…” Series is violinist Leila Josefowicz on Wednesday, August 6. A champion of contemporary works, Leila Josefowicz has selected a diverse Russian program consisting of works by 20th century composers Stravinsky, Shostakovich and Prokofiev.

Russian-born pianist Vladimir Feltsman makes his SummerFest debut in his own “Evening with…” on Wednesday, August 13. A regular guest soloist with every leading orchestra in the United States, he is recognized as one of the most imaginative and constantly interesting musicians of our time. He will perform masterpieces by Russian composers Schnittke and Mussorgsky.

Broadening the range of works by Russian composers in this Festival, “Russian Kaleidoscope” on Sunday, August 10 will be a concert of unusual scope. Opening with Prokofiev’s classic Russian piece Melodies for Violin and Piano, Opus 35bis, the night will then lead you to a rare performance of Rimsky-Korsakov’s sunny Quintet in B-flat Major for Flute, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon and Piano and ending with Taneyev’s lush Piano Quintet in G Minor, Opus 30.

SUMMERFEST CONTINUES TRADITION OF COMISSIONING AND PREMIÈRING NEW WORKS

SummerFest continues to support the creation of new works this year by co-commissioning music from composer Huang Ruo and Kaija Saariaho to première on Friday, August 8 as part of the “SummerFest Commissions: Music of Our Time” concert at the Birch North Park Theatre. The commitment to commissions extends back to La Jolla Music Society’s earliest years, and this concert honors that great tradition as we continue to support the creation of new works with four commissions and five premières throughout SummerFest.

The premières of Kaija Saariaho’s Serenatas and Huang Ruo’s Real Loud were written for and will be performed by Real Quiet: a three-man ensemble dedicated to the advancement of contemporary music comprised of cellist Felix Fan, pianist Andrew Russo, and percussionist David Cossin. Real Loud and Serenatas are the second and third of four new works to be created especially for Real Quiet as part of a three-year joint commissioning project with the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. SummerFest Music Director Cho-Liang Lin has collaborated with the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival on numerous commissions in the past, and both organizations are proud to continue this partnership with the premierès of Ruo’s Real Loud and Saariaho’s Serenatas and a forthcoming new work from composer George Tsontakis (2009).

Also on August 8, Steven Mackey returns to SummerFest with the west coast première of Ground Swell. A distinguished composer, Mackey has been honored by numerous awards including a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Charles Ives Scholarship from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, two awards from the Kennedy Center for the performing arts, and the Stoeger Prize for Chamber Music by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.

Other premières at SummerFest include: Julian Milone’s Piazzolla Suite for Four Violins and Bass, a riveting arrangement of four Pizzolla tangos made into a suite, including a new arrangement of one of his most famed tangos Death of an Angel, on August 1, and a new work by composer and jazz legend Jacques Loussier written for jazz trio and strings, to be performed on August 15.

FRENCH CONNECTIONS FROM THE OLD TO THE NEW MAKE THEIR WAY INTO SUMMERFEST

Opening weekend will host a night of “French Connections” on Saturday, August 2, featuring a program of Debussy, Ravel and Fauré in performances by cellists Ralph Kirshbaum and Carter Brey, pianist Garrick Ohlsson, and the Formosa String Quartet. SummerFest celebrates the centennial of French Composer Olivier Messiaen on Saturday, August 16. Known for his rhythmically complex and innovative melodies, this concert will feature his most performed and inspirational piece Quatour pour la Fin du Temps (Quartet for the End of Time) which he composed with smuggled paper and pencils and debuted while imprisoned in a camp during World War II.

French composer and jazz legend Jacques Loussier will make his SummerFest debut on August 15 at the Birch North Park Theatre. Over the course of a remarkable career now spanning more than 40 years, Jacques Loussier has pursued a musical path that is completely unique. A master in a technique of adaptation and improvisation, he is commonly referred, to, as the "unclassifiable" musician of his generation. His program will showcase his legendary jazz variations on Bach’s classical works as well as the world première of his new work for jazz trio and strings.

As a wonderful complement to the world-class chamber music of SummerFest and following the San Diego debut of Jacques Loussier, SummerFest presents “Dancing at SummerFest: Pascal Rioult Dance Theatre” on Friday, August 22 at the Birch North Park Theatre. Pascal Rioult Dance Theatre builds on tradition, expanding the definition of contemporary dance. Known for his daring and imaginative explorations of classical scores, French choreographer Pascal Rioult creates new works that bring fresh perspective to timeless themes, flawlessly blending his European sensibilities with a strong background in American modern dance. Their SummerFest program will feature choreography to Ravel’s La Valse and Bolero, alongside Jacques Loussier’s jazz arrangement of Mozart.

“THE BELANICH STEINWAY” MAKES ITS SUMMERFEST DEBUT!

“The Belanich Steinway” makes its SummerFest debut opening weekend with famed pianist Garrick Ohlsson at the keyboard. Mr. Ohlsson, accompanied by President & Artistic Director Christopher Beach and piano technician G. Earl Kallberg, traveled to New York to personally select the instrument. “The Belanich Steinway” will be featured in 12 performances throughout SummerFest. “The Belanich Steinway” will have some notable pianists making their SummerFest debuts at its keys, including Vladimir Feltsman, Christopher Taylor, Joyce Yang and Ken Noda.

“The Belanich Steinway” will also be featured in several two-piano and piano four-hand pieces. SummerFest veteran, pianist Shai Wosner, will be performing for the second year with pianist Orion Weiss in performances for two pianos. Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, Ballet for Two Piano, originally written as a working piece for the dancers, is their first joint performance on Sunday, August 17. On August 19, the last evening of the composer series “Brahms III: Intimacy and Grandeur”, the duo takes the stage again for Brahms’ Variations on a Theme by Haydn for Two Pianos. “The Belanich Steinway” will also be featured in two pieces for piano four-hands played by acclaimed pianist Leon Fleisher and his wife, pianist Katherine Jacobson-Fleisher, during his 80th Birthday Celebration on August 20.

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLES AND FELLOWSHIP ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE

SummerFest 2008 welcomes four outstanding ensembles: The Formosa Quartet, Jacques Loussier Trio, red fish blue fish and the Tokyo String Quartet make their SummerFest debuts this year while Real Quiet returns for its second SummerFest appearance.

Regarded as one of the supreme chamber ensembles of the world, the Tokyo Quartet will be performing in three SummerFest concerts, “Messaien Centennial: Music for All Time,” “Legends and Rituals” and “Brahms III: Intimacy and Grandeur.” Percussionists red fish blue fish will perform on Friday, August 8, while the Formosa Quartet - Winners of the First Prize and the Amadeus Prize at the Tenth London International String Quartet Competition in 2006 – will be performing both individually and as an ensemble throughout the Festival.

SummerFest 2008 continues to nurture the great chamber musicians of tomorrow. Music Director Cho-Liang Lin has hand-picked seven talented fellowship musicians to participate in coaching sessions, open rehearsals and performances at SummerFest. Pianist Jeewon Lee, violinist Elena Urioste and cellist Ani Kalayjian will receive concentrated study and mentorship by other well-established SummerFest artists. Also benefiting from this fellowship is the Sonora String Quartet, a new quartet formed by Julliard graduate students: violinists Shih-Kai Lin and SoJin Kim, violist Elzbieta Weyman, and Yves Dharamraj.

Audiences are invited to follow the growth of these fellowship artists throughout the Festival, and observe top musical coaches in action through a series of Coaching Workshops at the La Jolla Riford Library which are free and open to the public. In addition to performing in various concerts throughout the Festival, the Fellowship artists can be seen in special musical preludes prior to the SummerFest performances on August 10, 16, 17 and 24!

In addition to attending Coaching Workshops, audiences are also invited to actively participate in other unique behind-the-scenes activities such as Guided Open Rehearsals and Artist Encounters throughout SummerFest. [A complete schedule of free enrichment events will be available at a later date.]

SUMMERFEST TICKET INFORMATION

SummerFest subscriptions are priced from $295-$695. Single tickets are priced from $15-$75. SummerFest subscription renewals and concert tickets will go on sale May 1. For ticket information, call the La Jolla Music Society box office, (858) 459-3728 or visit www.LaJollaMusicSociety.org.

ABOUT THE LA JOLLA MUSIC SOCIETY

“We bring the world to San Diego.” As one of Southern California's leading presenters of world-class performing arts, La Jolla Music Society contributes to San Diego's cultural vitality year-round through a rich variety of presentations, including classical, jazz and contemporary music, and dance. La Jolla Music Society SummerFest is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art. Additional support comes from the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture.

Editors, please note:
Select artists are available for interview.
High-resolution images available.
All artists and programs are subject to change.
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