Summer 2011 Festival Program | Chelsea Music Festival

The Chelsea Music Festival Opening Night will begin the journey of exploring our theme of Franz Liszt by retracing the composer’s musical life and influences with music by Bach, Beethoven, Liszt and Schubert. Champagne reception à la Liszt with Festival artists to follow.

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June 15, Wednesday, 7:30pm

Mahler & Radical Departures

Leo Baeck Institute, 15 W. 16th St. between 5th and 6th Aves.

This evening event combines the theme of Mahler with an art exhibit entitled “Radical Departures” at the Leo Baeck Institute which brings together the work of Jewish and non-Jewish German artists whose work was eventually branded as “degenerate” by the Nazis and who were forced to flee Germany. On display will be works by Georg Stahl, Arthur Segal, Julius Schülein, Samson Schames, and others. In addition, the Leo Baeck Institute houses a rich archive of manuscripts and letters of German and Austrian musicians of Jewish descent who arrived in this country and transformed the American musical landscape. Three such composers, Mahler, Korngold and Schoenberg, will be heard alongside others such as German-Jewish composer Mauricio Kagel. CMF has partnered with the Anne-Sophie Mutter Foundation and will showcase one of its rising stars, the brilliant violinist Ye-Eun Choi, tonight and throughout the Festival Week, along with theTrio Imàge piano trio and other exciting newcomers on the classical music stage. Wine reception with the Festival artists to follow.

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June 16, Thursday, 7:30pm

Liszt II: The Organist

St.Paul's Church, 315 W. 22nd St. between 8th and 9th Aves.

On St. Paul Church’s magnificent 1897 Jardine organ, international virtuoso Stephen Tharp performs organ works by Franz Liszt in dialogue with a new composition from Composer-in-Residence Brad Balliett for choir and four bassoons, featuring ensemble Cantori New York, conducted by Mark Shapiro.

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June 17, Friday, 7:30pm

Liszt III: The Melodist – Carte Blanche to Alban Gerhardt

Chelsea Art Museum, 556 W. 22nd St. at 11th Ave.

Internationally renowned star cellist and CMF 2011 Artist-in-Residence Alban Gerhardt collaborates with Festival musicians to create an evening filled with music centered around this evening’s theme, exploring the beauty and necessity of melody.

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June 17, Friday, 10:00pm

Liszt REMIX

Chelsea Art Museum, 556 W. 22nd St. at 11th Ave.

Come relax over a glass of wine and hear Composer-in-Residence Doug Balliett adeptly fuse classical songs and melodies, hip-hop beats and electronic music in a late-night event that will leave you chilling and grooving to the new sounds of a remixed Liszt.

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June 18, Saturday, 10:30am

Family Event – How to Compose in Color and Sound II

Chelsea Art Museum, 556 W. 22nd St. at 11th Ave.

Coming off the heels of last year’s successful family event, this second installment allows children and adults alike to have a hands-on opportunity to step into the shoes of a composer and learn about the process of musical creation. Participants will experience the sounds of various instruments, collaborate on a graphic score composition, and play their composition with Festival musicians. They will also create visual artwork inspired by live music and the museum’s surroundings. This event features Composers-in-Residence Doug Balliett and Brad Balliett, Chelsea Music Festival musicians and Festival Visual Artist-in-Residence Carri Jobe.

Click here for pdf of Family Event flyer

June 18, Saturday, 2-3pm

The Festival Talks –

Paths on the Upright : Improvisation and journeying the musical highway from classical to jazz

General Theological Seminary, 440 West 21st St., between 9th and 10th Aves.

Join Festival musicians John Patitucci, Artist-in-Residence Alban Gerhardt, organist Stephen Tharp and Composers-in-Residence Brad Balliett and Doug Balliett in this unique opportunity to experience a discussion about the impulse to create through improvisation, notation and communication. Hosted by CMF Artistic Director Ken-David Masur.

June 18, Saturday, 7:30pm

“Voyager” - Festival Finale with John Patitucci and Friends

Chelsea Art Museum, 556 W. 22nd St. at 11th Ave.

Grammy award-winning bassist and jazz composer John Patitucci takes us on a voyage of original compositions and Liszt-inspired arrangements. Experience up-close the creative joy of John Patitucci joined by jazz pianist Helen Sung, drummer Marcus Gilmore and Festival musicians in a unique blend of musical forces and styles. Festival Finale reception with all artists to follow.

For detailed program, click here