BARRY SHIFFMAN, artistic director

CONTACT: Karen Herlitz, Director of Marketing [email protected] Phone: 978-546-7391, Ext. 110 DATE: June 3, 2019

The Rockport Chamber Music Festival brings the Aizuri Quartet, JCT Trio and much more

Threading throughout the 38th Annual Rockport Chamber Music Festival this year will be the theme of “Source and Inspiration.” With the Festival opening on June 14, the third week (June 27-30) continues the theme with the 2019 Grammy-nominated Aizuri Quartet, the JCT Trio, violist Gilad Karni with an ensemble of musicians, as well as Toronto’s Art of Time Ensemble which will present a program following how the “waltz” has inspired music over 150 years.

On Thursday, June 27 at 8 pm, the Aizuri Quartet brings a mixed program of Haydn and Beethoven as well as new works by Gabriella Smith and Caroline Shaw. The Aizuri Quartet, nominated for a 2019 Grammy for its debut album Blueprinting which features new works written for the Aizuri by five American composers, performs two of these works on the program. The Quartet has quickly risen to the top echelon of chamber ensembles, after receiving the 2018 M-Prize Chamber Arts Competition. They recently served as the MetLiveArts String Quartet-in-Residence at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Through its engaging and thought-provoking programs, branded by The New York Times as “genuinely exciting” and “imaginative,” the Quartet has garnered critical acclaim for bringing “a technical bravado and emotional power” to bold new commissions, and for its “flawless” (San Diego Union-Tribune) performances of the great masterpieces of the past. Based in , the Aizuri Quartet has also served as the 2015-2016 Ernst Stiefel String Quartet-in-Residence at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts; resident ensemble of the 2014 Ravinia Festival’s Steans Music Institute; and, from 2014-2016, the String Quartet-in-Residence at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Formed in 2012 and combining four distinctive musical personalities into a unique collective, the Aizuri Quartet draws its name from “aizuri-e,” a style of predominantly blue Japanese woodblock printing that is noted for its vibrancy and incredible detail. Tickets are $29-$39. Earlier the same day (June 27) at 2 pm, the Aizuri will hold a free Open Rehearsal.

PROGRAM GABRIELLA SMITH: Carrot Revolution (2015, written for Aizuri Quartet) HAYDN: String Quartet in B minor, Op. 64, No. 2 BEETHOVEN: String Quartet No. 6, Op 18, No. 6 CAROLINE SHAW: “Blueprint” (2016, written for Aizuri Quartet)

On Friday, June 28 at 8 pm, the Art of Time Ensemble (and guests) will present an exciting program “Take this Waltz.” Led by Artistic Director Andrew Burashko, Art of Time Ensemble transforms the way people experience music. Fusing high art and popular culture in concerts that juxtapose the best of each genre. Art of Time entertains as it enlightens, revealing the universal qualities that lie at the heart of all great music. This program explores the waltz throughout the last 150 years. The musicians include Andrew Burashko, piano; Andy Milne, piano; Kevin Ahfat, piano; Danny Koo, violin; Allison Eldredge, cello; Aizuri Quartet; Sarah Slean, vocal; Bianca Garcia, flute; Alexis Lanz, clarinet; Rob Piltch, guitar; Rob Carli, saxophone; Joseph Phillips, bass and Rachel Cheung, piano. Tickets are $45-$59.

PROGRAM STRAUSS (SCHOENBERG, arr): “Emperor” Waltz, Op. 437 SCHNITTKE: In Tempo di Walse from Piano Quintet KORNGOLD: Waltz from the Suite for two violins, cello and piano, Op. 23 SHOSTAKOVICH: Waltz from Suite, No. 1 for Jazz Orchestra TOM WAITZ: You’re Innocent when you Dream JACQUES BREL: Ne me quitte pas LISZT: Mephisto Waltz, No. 1, S. 514 PEDRO SAENZ: Vals Criollo from Aquel Buenos Aires CHOPIN: Waltz in C-sharp minor, Op. 64, No. 2 BRAHMS: Waltzes 2 & 3, Op. 39 BILL EVANS: Waltz for Debby LEONARD COHEN: Take this Waltz RAVEL: La Valse: Poeme Choregraphique (2 piano)

On Saturday, June 29 at 10 am, violinist Danny Koo and pianist Kevin Ahfat host a kid-friendly program that will be fun for the whole family. Violinist Danny Koo has carved out a distinctive professional profile as a chamber musician, soloist, and recitalist in appearances throughout the world. Danny has shared his artistry and commentary at two TEDxBeaconStreet conferences, taught at New England Conservatory’s Preparatory School, and currently leads Toronto’s Academy Chamber Orchestra alongside Barry Shiffman at the Royal Conservatory of Music. In Korea, he has partnered with ‘Pinkfong’ (creators of Baby Shark) to educate and excite the youngest generation of our world about classical music. Danny is currently a Rebanks Fellow at the Royal Conservatory of Music. He holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the New England Conservatory, where he studied with Donald Weilerstein, Soovin Kim, and Malcolm Lowe. In 2018, Kevin Ahfat was named one of CBC’s 30 hot Canadian classical musicians under 30, subsequently releasing a live-recording of Brahms from CBC’s Studio 211. Ahfat completed his principal studies at the Juilliard School under the tutelage of Joseph Kalichstein and Stephen Hough and recently finished his time in-residence as a Rebanks Fellow at the Royal Conservatory in Toronto. Free, no tickets required.

On Saturday, June 29 at 7:30 pm, violist Gilad Karni performs with pianist Kevin Ahfat, the Aizuri Quartet and violinists Barry Shiffman and Danny Koo to present a program of Mozart, Dvorák and Brahms. Violist Gilad Karni has been praised throughout the world for his tone and interpretation. His technique and musicality have earned him countless honors, from first prizes at competitions to leadership roles in some of the world's finest orchestras. Equally at home in orchestral and solo or chamber music settings, Karni can be heard on concert stages around the globe in a range of repertoire, as well as on recordings. He was a founding member of the Huberman quartet (1996-2001) and performed as a guest with the Jerusalem Quartet on tour with pianist Menahem Pressler at the Concertgebouw and Paul Meyer clarinet, in Paris. He is currently Principal Violist of the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, a post he was appointed to in 2004, and prior to that, he was Principal Viola at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. Tickets are $29-$39.

PROGRAM MOZART: Duo in B-flat major for violin and viola, K.424 DVORAK: Drobnosti, Op. 75a PROKOFIEV: Four movements from Romeo and Juliet BRAHMS: String Quintet, No. 1, in F major, Op. 88

On Saturday, June 29 at 10 pm, the late-night Cabaret: Musicals held upstairs at the Shalin Liu Performance Center will feature Stefan Jackiw, violin; Danny Koo, violin; Gilad Karni, viola; Allison Eldredge, cello; Andy Milne, piano; and Kevin Ahfat, piano. The program features dramatic works of Bruch and Shostakovich as well as arrangements of musicals for cello and piano and jazz selections. Tickets: $25 seated and $10 standing.

PROGRAM BRUCH: Romanze SHOSTAKOVICH: Five Pieces for 2 violins and piano S. PRUTSMAN (arr): Broadway Songs for cello “I Could Have Danced All Night” from My Fair Lady “On My Own” from Les Miserable “Shall We Dance” from The King and I “Where Is It Written” from Yentl Classic and Original Jazz Selections

On Sunday, June 30 at 5 pm, the JCT Trio performs in the Rockport Chamber Music Festival. Three renowned artists of the next generation combining talents in this piano trio, JCT (pronounced “junction”) which is hailed for their “bracing technique and jaw-dropping precision… A sense of unity, especially in dynamics and rhythmic thrust…” (Aspen Times). Violinist Stefan Jackiw, with a tremendous solo career, returns to Rockport with (composer/pianist who curated and produced the critically acclaimed UNPLAY Festival in Brooklyn) and cellist Jay Campbell (member of JACK quartet), who has also performed in the Festival previously. Tao, who appears worldwide as a pianist and composer, has been dubbed a musician of “probing intellect and open-hearted vision” by the New York Times. Approaching both old and new works with the same curiosity and emotional commitment, Campbell has been called “electrifying” by the New York Times. Recent concerts of the trio have included performances at Washington Performing Arts, Portland Ovations and the Koerner Hall in Toronto. Tickets are $35-$49.

PROGRAM IVES: Trio for violin, cello and piano, Op. 86 CHRISTOPHER TRAPANI: Passing Through, Staying Put DVORAK: Piano Trio in F minor, No. 3, Op. 65

On Wednesday, July 3 at 2 pm, pianist Sae Yoon Chon performs in a Young Artist Spotlight. First prize winner at the 2018 Dublin International Piano Competition, Sae-Yoon Chon has won numerous awards including Second Prize at the 2017 Jose Itrubi International Piano Competition, First Prize at the 2012 Hanoi International Piano Competition, among many others. He began playing piano at the age of six and started studying at the Yewon Art School in Korea when he was ten. He made his debut with the at the age of 18. He is currently studying with John O’Conor and James Anagnoson at The Glenn Gould School of The Royal Conservatory in Toronto, where he is the recipient of the Liliane Szenteleky-de Kresz Scholarship. The concert is free, no tickets required.

PROGRAM DEBUSSY: Selected works from Prelude Book. 1 BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No.6, Op.10, No.2 SCHUBERT/LISZT: Selections from Müllerlieder, S. 565 and Schwanengesang, D. 957 RACHMANINOFF: Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 36 (selection)

TICKETING DETAILS Tickets are on sale now. Subscriptions are available and subscribers receive a 10% discount with purchase of 5-9 concerts and 15% with purchase of 10 or more concerts. All subscribers are eligible for exchange privileges and purchasing additional concerts without additional handling fees. Please visit our website rockportmusic.org for more details on upcoming concerts.

Website: rockportmusic.org Box Office: 978.546.7391

Rockport Music is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is supported in part by the Cultural Council.

ABOUT ROCKPORT MUSIC Founded in 1981 as the Rockport Chamber Music Festival, Rockport Music presents exceptional concerts and cultural events in the “stunning acoustics and dramatic setting” ( Globe) of the Shalin Liu Performance Center. Best known for its summer chamber music festival featuring some of the world’s finest ensembles and soloists, Rockport Music has expanded its offerings to include year-round presentations of jazz, folk, pop, and world music, high-definition broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera and National Theatre (London), and special film presentations. Education and community outreach activities serve nearly 10,000 students and adults throughout Cape Ann and the North Shore annually.