Calendar

Alta Schrock Memorial Concert for young performers

Emma is 13! Even so, she has appeared with many symphony orchestras and achieved remarkable acclaim from audiences and critics. In case you are skeptical of her talent, do a quick Google search and you will find a plethora of reviews and performance excerpts. Here are several YouTube performances.

Program
Chant de Linos (1944) André Jolivet (1905-1974)
Introduction and Variations on “Trockne Blumen” (1824) Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Claire de Lune (1905) Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
—Intermission—
Ballade for Flute and Piano (1939) Frank Martin (1890-1974)
Great Train Race (1993) Ian Clarke (b. 1964)
Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20 (1878) Pablo de Sarasate (1844-1908)

Marc and Olivia have been recipients of a Fulbright fellowship, and prizes from competitions including the BBC Young Musician of the Year, the European Violin Competition, and the Henryk Szerying Violin Competition, among others. In addition, they were the only chamber music finalists in the Concert Artists Guild International Competition, 2000. Marcolivia presents masterclasses worldwide and are artists-in-residence at the Tokyo College of Music. The duo has been on the faculty of Shenandoah University, Las Vegas Summer Music Festival, Dartington International Summer Festival, Blue Mountain Festival, Garth Newel, and the Adriatic Music Festival [Italy]. Marcolivia is on the roster of the Millenium Stage at the Kennedy Center and the Touring Artists for the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

Their performances have been featured on radio and television broadcasts, seen and heard throughout North America, Europe and Asia. They have performed chamber music at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, the Ravinia Festival in Chicago, the Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall, and with chamber music notables including Leon Fleisher, Awadagin Pratt and Edgar Meyer.

For a sample of their talent, there are several available on their web site.

Program
Suite for 2 violins in E minor by Jacques Aubert.
A selection from the 44 Duos by Bela Bartok for 2 violins.
Jazz Duos by Robert Elkjer, for 2 Violins
—Intermission—
A selection from arias from Mozart’s Magic Flute, arranged for violin and viola by Marcolivia.
Benedikt Brydern: Bebop for Beagles for violin and viola.

“One of Pittsburgh’s greatest treasures” says the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Chatham Baroque continues to excite local, national, and international audiences with dazzling technique and lively interpretations of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century music played on instruments of the period. Founded in 1990, Chatham Baroque continues to thrive with a full calendar of concerts, tours, musical collaborations, and the CD releases. The trio of baroque violin, viola da gamba, theorbo and baroque guitar tours nationally and internationally, and has recorded eight critically acclaimed CDs.

The ensemble offers audiences the opportunity to hear baroque music that is accessible and thrillingly vivid, with a freshness akin to improvisational jazz. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette proclaims, “Pound for pound, you aren’t going to find a better ensemble… than Chatham Baroque.” Chatham Baroque is repeatedly listed among the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s “Top 50 Cultural Forces in Pittsburgh” and “Ten Best Classical Concerts.”

The trio’s Pittsburgh concert series in recent seasons has been substantially broadened by exciting collaborations with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Pittsburgh Opera, and Renaissance & Baroque, and Attack Theatre. The ensemble prides itself on its commitment to the Pittsburgh region and its ability to serve nationally and abroad as ambassadors for the city. In addition to local and touring concerts and recording, Chatham Baroque presents Peanut Butter & Jam Sessions for pre-schoolers and Music All Over the Place performances in various community venues. Chatham Baroque is Ensemble-in-Residence at WQED-FM and Calvary Episcopal Church.

Chatham Baroque has toured across the United States as well as in South America and Mexico, the Virgin Islands, and Canada. On the road, the ensemble consistently receives high praise. The Washington Post calls them “musically impeccable”; the Chicago Tribune, “a splendid period-instruments ensemble”; and the New York Times praises their “colorful virtuosity."

During his 32 years as a professional musician, Dr. Neal Corwell has worked diligently to gain recognition for the euphonium as a solo instrument. As part of that effort, Neal has presented well over 1,000 solo recitals in an attempt to introduce music lovers across the world to the beauty and technical capability of the euphonium and other brass instruments. You’re invited to his appearance as part of the Music at Penn Alps series on July 13, 7:30. The recital will feature a wide variety of music to include new original works and arrangements of masterworks from years gone by. Neal will be playing solos on euphonium, trombone, and tuba, and will also make use of some electronic instruments. Dr. Corwell’s piano accompanist for the recital will be his wife Kathryn Sincell-Corwell. She has accompanied him numerous times during their years together, to include recent appearances in England and a recital tour of the US Midwest during the Fall of 2012.

Dr. Neal Corwell is currently a member of The US Army Band in Washington DC, “Pershing’s Own”, the premiere band of our nation’s senior service. He first joined The US Army Band in 1981, having won a position with that organization during his senior year as an undergraduate Music major at Frostburg State University. Neal soon became a frequent and popular featured euphonium soloist with the organization, but left the military in 1989 to pursue other avenues. During his subsequent 13 years as a civilian, he earned a Doctoral Degree in Music, taught at two universities, traveled the country presenting many recitals and master-classes, and wrote over 50 new compositions and arrangements to showcase the euphonium and other brass instruments. Neal rejoined “Pershing’s Own” in 2002, and is currently the Ceremonial Band’s euphonium section leader, non-commissioned officer in charge of the Ceremonial Tuba-Euphonium Quartet, and a bass trumpet player with The US Army Band Herald Trumpets.

Kathryn Sincell-Corwell, a native of Garrett County Maryland, has a B.A. Degree from Frostburg State University and a M.A. Degree in Vocal Music Performance from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. She has served on the Faculty at both Frostburg State University and Hagerstown Community College, and currently teaches private voice and piano lessons at her home in Clear Spring, Maryland.

Program
Quella Fiamma by Francesco Conti euphonium with piano
Asturias by Isaac Albeniz/arr. Corwell (euphonium with piano)
2 AM by Neal Corwell euphonium with guitar
Dusk (from 4 short Narratives) by Neal Corwell euphonium with stomp box and Air Synthesizer
Gypsy Airs (Zigueunerweisen) Pablo de Sarasate/arr. Corwell euphonium with piano
—Intermission—
House of the Rising Sun Traditional/arr. Corwell baritone horn with guitar and brass
Away, I’m Bound Away Traditional/arr. Neal Corwell tuba with piano
Prelude No. 2 by George Gershwin/arr. Corwell trombone with piano)
Venetian Carnival Animals by Neal Corwell

Joe Herrmann is a singer and multi-instrumentalist who has been making music for over 45 years. He is well-known in traditional music circles for his singing and playing. The Critton Hollow String Bandwas created in 1975 and has toured internationally and recorded 8 albums.

Eya is a vocal ensemble based in Washington, DC specializing in the interpretation of medieval music for women’s voices. Launched in 2010, Eya has established its place in the Baltimore/Washington, DC community as an early music ensemble of impeccable vocal quality, deep spirit, and smarts.

Directed by Allison Mondel, Eya presents concert programs that interweave diverse repertories of the 12th through 15th centuries, from Hildegard von Bingen to Notre Dame to the flyleaves of early English manuscripts and beyond. Through this lens, these programs seek to tell a story that forges new points of connection between contemporary audiences and medieval repertoire, underlining our common humanity with these early poets and composers.

The performers are some of the finest young early music specialists in the region. Audiences have praised the ensemble for its vocal beauty, fascinating and accessible programming, fresh and inspired interpretations, and musicianship of the highest standard.

Program
Ave maris stella Hymn, plainchant
Stella splendens in monte Virelai, Llibre vermell, 14th century
Ave maris stella Conductus, Las Huelgas Codex, 13th century
Novi sideris Conductus, Notre Dame, 12th century
Stillat in stellam radium Conductus, Notre Dame, 13th century
Iam vellus imbuitur Conductus fragment, Worcester, 13th century
Stella serena Conductus, Notre Dame, 13th century
—Intermission—
Polorum regina Virelai, Llibre vermell
O Maria virgo Davitica/ Motet, Montpellier Codex, 13th century
O Maria, maris stella/VERITATEM
Salve virgo tonantis solium Conductus, Worcester, 13th century
Salve rosa venustatis Conductus, Worcester, 13th century
O Maria virgo pia Sequence, Worcester, 13th century
Salve, mater misericordie Rondellus, Worcester, 13th century

Praised by Strad Magazine for their "high-octane" performance, the Aeolus Quartet is among the finest young string quartets performing today. Violinists Nicholas Tavani and Rachel Shapiro, violist Gregory Luce, and cellist Alan Richardson formed the Aeolus Quartet in 2008 at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Since its inception, the all-American quartet has been awarded prizes at nearly every major competition in the United States, and performed across the globe to great acclaim. Luke Quinton of the Austin-American Statesman writes, "The Aeolus Quartet is a powerful and thoughtful group of young musicians who are plotting an ascending course...this vibrant group shows great promise."

The Aeolus Quartet are Grand Prizewinners of the 2011 Plowman Chamber Music Competition and 2011 Chamber Music Yellow Springs Competition. They were awarded First Prize at the 2009 Coleman International Chamber Ensemble Competition, a Silver Medal at the 2011 Fischoff International Chamber Music Competition, and a Bronze Medal at the 2010 International Chamber Music Ensemble Competition in New England. The 16th Annual Austin Critics' Table named the Aeolus Quartet their 2010-2011 "Best Ensemble." The Quartet was also the recipient of the 2012 John Lad Prize awarded by St. Lawrence String Quartet in recognition of their “high level of musicianship.... the passion, the dedication, and the great generosity of spirit they have demonstrated...”

Program
Purcell “Three Fantasias”
Christopher Theofanidis “Ariel Ascending”
Beethoven Quartet in F Major, op 59 no 1

Music at Penn Alps presents Italian pianist Mattia Mistrangelo. Winner of the Special USF Steinway Award at the Isidor Bajic International Piano Competition in Serbia. A selection of his repertoire can be found here.

Program
Concerto in d minor BWV 974 after Allessandro Marcello J.S. Bach
    Adagio, Presto
Sonata in C Major KV 330 W.A. Mozart
    Allegro moderato
    Andante cantabile
    Allegretto
Sonata in F Major Op. 10 No. 2 L.V. Beethoven
    Allegro
    Allegretto
    Presto
—Intermission—
Fantasia in f sharp minor Op. 28 F. Mendelsshon
Polonaise in A flat Major Op. 53 F. Chopin
Fantasia quasi Sonata “Après une lecture de Dante” F. Liszt

The West Virginia Brass Quintet is one of the most exciting chamber ensembles in West Virginia. This versatile group’s repertoire spans five centuries of music, from Renaissance and Baroque to Contemporary and Jazz with an emphasis on traditional American music. Their public performance credits include a Holiday Residency at the Greenbrier Resort (Lewisburg, WV), the Artist Series Concert at Tamarack (Beckley WV), and the Italian Heritage Festival (Clarksburg, WV).

Program
Canzona Bergamasca by Samuel Scheidt/arr. De Jong Brass-Quintet by Jan Koetsier
    I. Andante con moto
    II. Andantino
    III. Molto Vivace
Piece for a New Organ by Samuel Barber/arr. John Schooley with vocalist Katie Loudin
Suite from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein/arr. Jack Gale
    1. Prologue
    2. Something’s Comin’
    3. Maria
    4. Tonight
    5. America
    6. One Hand, One Heart
    7. I Feel Pretty
    8. Somewhere
—Intermission—
Sabre Dance by Aram Khachaturian/arr. Mel Broiles
La Rose Nuptiale by Calixa Lavallée/arr. Howard Cable
Well Tampered Bach arranged by Luther Henderson
    1. Bebop Bach
    2. Cool Bach
    3. Dixie Bach

Since their first performance on the Western Shore of the Chesapeake Bay in 2008, the West Shore Piano Trio has brought passion, color, and penetrating insight to the works they perform, not only through their playing but also through their commentary and interaction with audiences.

The WSPT believes that education and live performance enhance each other, and that the better informed an audience is about a work, the more deeply they will appreciate its performance. To this end, the members of the trio accompany each concert with brief verbal commentary, providing biographical details about the composer, framing the work in the context of its time, and highlighting thematic and compositional elements of the piece, as well as connections shared between each work on the program.

The West Shore Trio’s commitment to education further extends to include masterclasses, question-and-answer sessions, and collaborative projects. They maintain an active relationship with the Duke Ellington School for the Arts, and additionally, the trio has established a connection with Goucher College, where they have given multiple concerts and also a lecture/performance on the political and personal elements of Shostakovich’s piano trio.

Based in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, the members of the trio were educated at the Eastman School of Music, New England Conservatory, San Francisco Conservatory, Rice University Shepherd School of Music, the University of Illinois, and the University of Maryland. They have studied with or been coached by such esteemed musicians as violinists Lynn Blakeslee, Isaac Stern, Kathleen Winkler, Roland and Almita Vamos, and Zvi Zeitlin, pianists Larissa Dedova and Brian Ganz, cellists Bonnie Hampton and Brandon Vamos, and members of the Aborada, Alexander, American, Cleveland, Concord, Juilliard, Kocian, Kronos, Left Bank, Miami, Miró, Pacifica, Penderecki, St. Lawrence, Tákacs, Tokyo, and Ying Quartets.