Founded in 1964 Volume 30, Number 2
AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN LISZT SOCIETY, INC.
An official publication of the American Liszt Society, Inc.
In Memoriam: TABLE OF CONTENTS Thomas Mastroianni, 1934 - 2014
1 In Memoriam: Thomas Mastroianni
2 President's Message
3 Letter from the Editor
4 2015 ALS Festival Preview New Book About Liszt
5 Los Angeles International Piano Competition - Again a Great Success First-Place Winners List
6 A Conversation with Nancy Roldán
9 Liszt Posters Available to Members 2015 Dues Due
10 In Memoriam An Invitation
11 Chapter News
13 Member News
14 New Liszt Statue in Toronto New Members and Updates
16 Picture Page
Perpetuating the ideas of Franz Liszt through excellence in music performance and scholarship PRESIDENT EMERITUS Fernando Laires President's Message
PRESIDENT Jay Hershberger* Concordia College Music Department Moorhead, MN 56562 [email protected]
VICE PRESIDENT Alexandre Dossin* University of Oregon School of Music and Dance Dear Fellow Lisztians, Eugene, OR 97403-1225 [email protected] Greetings to all of you from the ALS Board of Directors! I hope that you are having a EXECUTIVE SECRETARY prosperous and healthy new year. Justin Kolb* 1136 Hog Mountain Road 2014 was bittersweet for The American Liszt Society. It was a year that saw a Fleischmanns, NY 12430 wonderful and inspirational 50th anniversary ALS Festival at James Madison University [email protected] in Harrisonburg, VA. There were many new faces at the JMU Festival, and all of us were MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY encouraged by the spectacular Lisztian outreach that festival coordinator Gabriel Dobner Barbara Mellon Kolb* and his colleagues engaged in on behalf of the Society. Many thanks go to him and to all 1136 Hog Mountain Road who made the Festival a memorable time of music, ideas, food, and fellowship all in the Fleischmanns, NY 12430 [email protected] cause of Liszt. It was also a time to look back and honor a number of stalwart champions of Liszt in the history of the society: Luiz de Moura Castro, Frank Cooper, Reginald TREASURER Gerig, Maurice Hinson, David Kushner, Fernando Laires, and Alan Walker all received Cynthia Hershberger* 29282 Co. Rd. 157 honorary scrolls marking their tireless and Olympian efforts to advocate for the life and Hitterdal, MN 56552-9433 work of Franz Liszt. We are fortunate that they are still with us, and several are still active [email protected] in spreading the “good news” for and about Liszt. We stand upon their shoulders as we ALS JOURNAL attempt to do the same. Jonathan Kregor, Editor But 2014 also saw the passing of our beloved president, Tom Mastroianni, whose life Mary Emery Hall Room 4240 modeled for us what it could be like to follow Liszt’s example of artistic and pedagogical Cincinnati College-Conservatory PO Box 210003 excellence, his confraternal spirit of generous humanity, and his deeply spiritual life of Cincinnati OH 45221-0003 service to those around him. Tom’s funeral service reflected these qualities through the [email protected] presence of so many Lisztians from across the country and even the globe, through the ALS NEWSLETTER/WEBSITE encouraging words offered by his friends and colleagues, and through the legacy - so Edward Rath, Editor/Webmaster clearly presented that day - that Tom leaves to us. 2603 Copper Tree Road At the JMU Festival, just three short months before his death, Tom invited us to look Champaign, IL 61822-7518 [email protected] ahead to the next 50 years. He articulated for us a vision of a society that seeks to engage in outreach through local chapters. Just as there is a growing spirit in society of all things BOARD OF DIRECTORS local - local food, local economies, local culture, etc. - so too Tom’s vision to encourage Joseph Banowetz Paul Barnes vibrant and active local chapters of The American Liszt Society is a reflection of the need Luiz de Moura Castro for we humans to influence for the good our local artistic cultures, in order to bring the Alexander Djordjevic music and life of Liszt to a wider audience made up of those around us. This does not Gabriel Dobner Alexandre Dossin mean forsaking our yearly festivals, or any of the other fabulous nationally known events Gila Goldstein that the ALS supports, but rather, the Society seeks more of these events in different Cindy Hershberger* locales, supported by active local chapters who take this vision seriously. I invite all of Jay Hershberger* Geraldine Keeling you to join us in making Tom’s vision a noble legacy of the future for The American Liszt Jonathan Kregor Society. Barbara Mellon Kolb* Justin Kolb* Elyse J. Mach Ksenia Nosikova Jay A. Hershberger, DMA Edward Rath President Nancy Roldán Steven Spooner The American Liszt Society Helen Smith Tarchalski Alan Walker William Wellborn Richard Zimdars
*Member, Executive Committee
In memoriam: Thomas Mastroianni www.americanlisztsociety.net 2 The American Liszt Society - www.americanlisztsociety.net Letter from the Editor In Memoriam: Thomas Mastroianni
Fellow Lisztians,
By now you will have learned of the passing of Dr. Thomas Mastroianni, immediate Past President of The American Liszt Society. When I received the news of Tom's death, I was - like everyone - saddened and surprised; perhaps shocked is a better word. It seemed like only a few weeks earlier we had talked and laughed with Tom at the ALS Festival in Harrisonburg; in fact it was a just bit more than three months since we had heard his challenge to the Society concerning activities of local chapters, to which Interim President Jay Hershberger refers in his message on page two of this Newsletter. What can we say about Thomas Mastroiani? When I introduced him to the ALS Festival participants at the University of Illinois in 2004, I related how I had first met Tom when we were students at Indiana University in the mid-1960s. As we were in different piano studios, I knew him more by reputation as a fine pianist, a player with musical convictions and musical integrity, and just a nice fellow. He never changed except to develop those qualities even further. I came to appreciate this more and more once I was elected to the ALS Board of Directors, and also after Tom asked me to edit the Newsletter and maintain the website. He was so devoted to Liszt and the Society, and he touched the lives of so many through his dedication to music, and to making the world a better place in his roles as teacher, scholar, performer, husband, father, and friend. I thought you might want to read the words of some of Tom's ALS associates as they reacted to his passing. I'm including these without direct reference to the writers, as I think it is more important to grasp the breadth and depth of the respect Tom so deservedly enjoyed. "For me, Tom was not only a wonderful musical mentor and fellow Lisztian, but he was also a counselor of deep compassion and wisdom." "Generosity - Dedication - Kindness. These are just a few of the words that define his caring spirit. I already miss him." "My memory of Tom is positive, a perennial somewhat serene smile and, without a doubt, a giving heart.... This [is a time] for remembering Tom, each in his and her own way, and reflecting on his invaluable contributions to music and his warmth as a friend." "Tom was an incredible person, teacher, and musician, enormously kind and generous; a human, humble, warm, classy, and admirable spirit; a wise man whom words cannot sufficiently describe." "How wonderful is the power of music! Tom has left us, but his music will stay forever. His love for music and the absolute sincerity and honesty in his playing will always remain in my heart." "We are of course remembering Tom’s extraordinary contributions to the music world as he embraced and lived his life according to Liszt’s charge: 'Génie oblige'.” "I am simply grateful for the honor to have known Tom, be in his company, and learn The American Liszt Society from him on so many different levels." PRESIDENT "He was such a beautiful friend and inspiration to me (all of us I'm sure); how we will Jay Hershberger miss his eloquence, generosity, warmth, and kindness. What a joy it was to have had him in [email protected] our midst and how much we shall miss him!"
NEWSLETTER EDITOR "All that Tom personified is the reason why we are all so deeply saddened by his untimely Edward Rath passing. That just underlines what a beautiful life Tom had and lived and what lovely 2603 Copper Tree Road memories he has left behind with each and every one of us to treasure." Champaign, IL 61822-7518 "Words cannot begin to express what a kind and generous person Tom was. In my tel: (217) 377-3441 [email protected] estimation, he also was a wonderful model of Lisztian ethos and exhibited such wonderful human qualities that are too numerous to mention." "A poet friend of mine who lost his son wrote me the following words: 'I hope there is a Submit change of address information to: God; He owes me an apology.' In the case of Thomas Mastroianni, He definitely owes Tom MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY an apology." Barbara Mellon Kolb 1136 Hog Mountain Road Elsewhere in this issue you will find many references to Tom Mastroianni and the variety Fleischmanns, NY 12430 of ways he has been honored after his death. Donations in Tom's memory may be made [email protected] to the Mastroianni Scholarship Fund at the Phillip T. Rome School of Music, Catholic
Layout: Lawrence Keach and Edward Rath University of America, Washington, D.C. Printed by Insty-Prints of Champaign, IL Requiescat in pace! This newsletter is published twice annually, with a Edward Rath, Editor circulation of approximately 500 per issue.
An official publication of the The American Liszt Society, Inc. ©2015 ALS, all rights reserved.
Volume 30, Number 2 3 2015 ALS Festival Preview New Book About Franz Liszt The 2015 American Liszt Society annual And here’s a note of welcome from UNT "En pèlerinage avec Liszt": Virtuosos, festival will be held on September 16 - 18 College of Music Dean, Dr. James C. Repertoire and Performing Venues in 19th- at the College of Music of the University Scott: Century Europe, edited by Fulvia Morabito of North Texas, in Denton, Texas. It is "As Dean of the College of Music a great privilege and pleasure to invite at the University of North Texas, it is In 2011, the musical world celebrated the everyone to this important event. The a great joy to invite you to the 2015 200th anniversary of the birth of Franz theme of the festival will be "Liszt and American Liszt Society Festival to be held Liszt. Composer, itinerant piano virtuoso, Damnation." Because of Liszt's strong on our campus. Our highly regarded organist, and conductor, Liszt was one Catholic faith, listeners associate many and long-standing piano professor of the greatest protagonists in the vast important Liszt works with religious Joseph Banowetz is serving as Artistic and complex arena of nineteenth-century themes. But there was a very dark, often Director for the festival, and I have every European music. The 17 contributions sinister aspect to a significant body of confidence that it will hold up to the high that make up the volume, by an array his works. The American Liszt Society standards of previous festivals that I have of international scholars, pay homage 2015 Festival will explore this fascinating, read about but never had the pleasure of to the great Hungarian musician while yet not so well known, character of his attending. producing insight into the musicians, music. "Our College of Music has the largest repertoire, events, and venues that The festival will include a special music major enrollment in the country, inhabited contemporary musical life. The evening concert by the College of Music serving outstanding students from all chapters are grouped according to four Symphony Orchestra, with the program over the world. With a full-time piano principal subjects: 1. Franz Liszt's life including the complete Act I of Wagner's faculty of eight, we have many highly and work: new evidence and perspectives; Die Walküre and the Liszt Totentanz, as accomplished students who, along 2. Liszt's influence on the European constructed by Ferruccio Busoni from with residents of the entire Dallas/ musical scene; 3. The musical journey an earlier version by Liszt. An evening Ft. Worth Metroplex, will benefit from of the XIX-Century Europe; 4. The concert will also feature organ works the activities of the festival. Three of sound of XIX-Century Europe. The by Liszt. Winners of prizes in major these students, Arsentiy Kharitonov, Eva contributors to the volume are: Victoria international Liszt competitions will be Polgar, and Daniel Zelibor, have been Alemany, Nicolas Dufetel, Jean-Jacques heard in a concert. There will also be a winners of the Los Angeles International Eigeldinger, Francisco José Fernández special memorial concert given by friends Liszt Competition in recent years and Vicedo, David Gasche, Florence Gétreau, of the late Thomas Mastroianni, who will certainly be present. Our UNT David Hurwitz, Sabine Koch, Mark Kroll, for many years was President of The Symphony Orchestra will accompany Ana Maria Liberal, Sandra Myers, Anne American Liszt Society. His tragic and a performance by Joseph Banowetz of Penesco, Rui Pereira, Leon Plantinga, unexpected death this past fall deeply Liszt’s Totentanz that will be live-streamed Siegwart Reichwald, Laure Schnapper, saddened all the members of the Society. internationally, and is sure to be a Renata Suchowiejko, and Jeroen van Dr. Mastrioianni was a devout Catholic highlight. Gessel. in his faith. The concert will feature "All of us at UNT are eager to The list price of the 375-page book religious compositions by Liszt. welcome everyone to the festival and do is $138. By citing promotional code The numerous concerts and lectures everything we can to make it as fulfilling 358-15, American Liszt Society members during the festival will feature such for each attendee as possible." can purchase the book for $95 through themes as Liszt's De Profundis; the four the end of May. Members can place an Mephisto Waltzes; songs by both Liszt and order with ISD (Brepols’ North American Busoni; elements of damnation in Liszt's distributor) by phone (toll-free 888- Ballade No. 2; Vianna da Motta's Balada, 590-4722); by email (orders@isdistribution. Op. 16; Busoni's transcription of the com); or through their website (www. firstMephisto Waltz; and transcriptions of isdistribution.com, or https://www.isdistribution. Wagner by Liszt's pupil, August Stradal. com/BookDetail.aspx?aId=54473 to be These are but a few of the programs taken directly to the book’s page). If that will feature Liszt's dark and death you place the order on their website, you obsessed side, which in his later years will be prompted for the promo code to became at times especially prominent. checkout. If you phone or write in with A full and detailed listing of all the your order, you should cite the code in events in the festival will be given in the your correspondence. next issue of The American Liszt Society Newsletter, and check the ALS website for updates! The festival will be very special, and will welcome lovers of Liszt's incredible music.
Sincerely, Joseph Banowetz 2015 Festival Artistic Coordinator University of North Texas Recital Hall
4 The American Liszt Society - www.americanlisztsociety.net Los Angeles International Liszt Competition - Again a Great Success! by Edward Rath Those who were in attendance at the Winners of the 2014 Los Angeles International Liszt Competition Twelfth Biennial LAILC - as participants, adjudicators, or auditors - at both the (First-place winners only) competition itself and the final concert, could not help to have been impressed Category Participant Teacher with the level of piano and organ playing and singing. The event took place in the Division XI (Budapest Concert*) Somang Jeagal Kevin Fitz-Gerald fine facilities of Azusa Pacific University and the beautiful sanctuary of Trinity Division X (New York Concert) Zsófia Staszny Júlia Pászthy United Methodist Church in Pomona. Judges for the competition came from Division IX (Voice) Melinda Ehrlich Joann Zajac many parts of the United States and from Budapest. A photo of most of the judges Division VIII (Organ) Haesung Park Ladd Thomas identified by name is included on page 16 of this issue. Division VII (Concerto) Enhae Chung Gregory Allen This year, the principal patron for the Competition was Dr. János Áder, Division VI (Longer Works) Athena Tsianos Bernadene Blaha President of the Hungarian Republic, whose greetings were read to the audience Division V (ages 21 - 35) Jacopo Giacopuzzi Kevin Fitz-Gerald at the final concert by Dr. László Kálmán, Consul General of the Hungarian Division IV (ages 17 - 20) Jaemo Ku Norman Krieger Republic at Los Angeles. Greetings from Dr. Andrea Vigh, President of Division III (ages 15 - 16) Anna Boonyanit Hans Boepple the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest, were presented by Professor Andrea Division II (ages 13 - 14) Aldric Matthew P. Gozon Molly Nguyen Meláth, Head of the Voice Department at the Academy and herself one of the Division I (ages 12 and under) Sarah Tuan Corey McVicar adjudicators of the Competition. Also making presentations were a member *Includes all-expense paid trip to Budapest, London, and Washington D.C. for concerts. of the LA County Supervisors and a representative from Steinway and Sons. Additional Prizes An event like this doesn't just happen. It takes months of preparation, Dr. Ernó and Katinka Daniel coordination with multiple venues, Memorial Prize Somang Jeagal Kevin Fitz-Gerald sponsors, teachers and students, and behind it all complete dedication. The American Liszt Society Awards Enhae Chung Gregory Allen Certainly, as the brain child of the Jacopo Giacopuzzi Kevin Fitz-Gerald Competition's Founder, Professor Geraldine Keeling, and at the inspiration Zoltán Rozsnyai Memorial Award Enhae Chung Gregory Allen of Dr. Mária Eckhardt, one could only expect such an undertaking to blossom Margaret Corel Memorial Prize Zsófia Staszny Júlia Pászthy into an outstanding example of devotion to the music of Franz Liszt. Add to this The CA Federation of Music the outstanding co-direction of Professor Clubs for California Residents Distributed to numerous participants in almost all Judith Nesleny and the friendly categories assistance of numerous volunteers, and you have the formula for success. Thus, Best Performance Awards The American Liszt Society has every (Excluding Division XI) reason to be proud of its participation in the Los Angeles International Liszt "O lieb, so lang du lieben kannst" Nandani M. Sinha Vladamir Chernov Competition, just as it has with regard Opera Paraphrase/Transcription Anne Liu Inessa Litvin to the increasingly successful Liszt- Étude de Conzert/Konzertetüden Sakurako Eriksen Bernadene Blaha Garrison Festival and International Piano Paganini Étude Sarah Tuan Corey McVicar Competition, about which you may read Hungarian Rhapsody Jacopo Giacopuzzi Kevin Fitz-Gerald elsewhere in this issue. Années de Pèlerinage Christine Cheng Ariel Yang Congratulations to everyone who Mephisto Waltz, Legendes, or participated in the LAILC, best wishes for Harmonies poétiques at religieuses Jeamo Ku Norman Krieger continued success to all who performed, and thank you to Gerry, Judy, and all their co-workers and supporters!
Volume 30, Number 2 5 A Conversation with Nancy Roldán
Edward Rath: Could you tell us about remedial math or grammar. When I UNC School of Music, explaining what where you were born, your family, was 14, an enterprising neighbor who I needed to work on. Realizing all I was and something about your pre-college had started a “children's club” put me lacking caused my going back home and education? in charge of directing a folklore festival crying for an entire day. I thought I had for which I also danced. I completed been lied to, and had wasted all those Nancy Roldán: I was born in Mendoza, high school at 16. Regarding music, at years preceding this encounter. On the Argentina on a winter day, near the that time I had become an accomplished next day, aware that tears would not help, highest mountain in the Americas, sight-reader and completed all the I made my decision. First of all I moved the Aconcagua or “stone sentry” - my requirements to graduate from my private my piano away from the living room, own powerful guardian, at least in my music instruction. rolling it on its strong legs onto the tiled imagination. Like most Argentines, my floor that surrounded my home, finally ancestry covers many world regions: ER: When were you first aware of placing the piano in the last room at the my maternal branches are Portuguese your serious interest in music? back of the house, away from everything and French, my paternal branches are and everybody. I studied eight hours or Spanish and Native (South) American. NR: After secondary school I decided more every day, addressing every possible My family was musical but nobody was to pursue medical studies, entering the detail she had pointed out, and completed a professional musician. There was pre-med courses at the Universidad the program she had given me, just to always classical music at my home, which Nacional de Cuyo (UNC). At the same show her what I could do within a week. reached us via public radio. My father time I was preparing myself to enter At my first lesson she agreed with my plan was in the army, my mother at home. a piano competition, which had been to prepare the freshman year repertory When I was five years old several things announced on public radio. My study program. Along with the preparation of brought about meaningful changes in time was divided between medicine and my admission recital I prepared freshman my life. The huge house of many, many music. A visit to the hospital morgue courses, including music history, harmony, rooms where I had been born became a would be decisive for my career choice. It and ear training. My teachers for these haven for families arriving from the far- was not seeing dead bodies but witnessing subjects were two composers, Eduardo away horrors of the war: people from the cruelty of vivisection that caused me Grau from Spain and Elifio XIII Rosáenz, Poland, Italy, Greece, Czechoslovakia, to absolutely withdraw from pursuing from Buenos Aires. My life became and other European countries, most medical studies. At this point my music. The discipline to practice and after internment in concentration camps, concentration was 100% placed on my study took every bit of attention, and became my new everyday extended piano studies. nothing could distract me from my goal. family. I became teacher and best friend to their toddlers. Around this same ER: Was there a single event or series ER: How did music shape your time, a beautiful mahogany upright piano of events that captured your interest university educational pursuits? became a permanent resident in our in music, or someone in particular home. Regular piano lessons started that sparked that interest? NR: After entrance exams I was soon thereafter. School, ballet, flamenco, admitted as a sophomore and welcomed folklore dance classes, and English NR: My mother would listen to the in the studio of the most admired piano occupied most of my time throughout classical radio station every day, which teacher in the school of music: Juan my elementary school years. Because I allowed me to get acquainted with Florentino Salomone (later Salomón). If was sometimes bored in school I skipped great music performed by the likes of meeting Senzacqua had been amazing, a couple of grades, graduating from Rubinstein and Kreisler. Regarding my studying with Salomón became the most elementary school fairly early. own performances for friends and family, important years of my entire existence My father encouraged me to do the repertory consisted of classical, as a musician. He shaped my musical ear anything and everything I wanted, folklore, and songs my parents enjoyed. “beyond pitch,” revealing a magical world supporting independence and original Around the time I was preparing for the where sound could be bent to my will, thinking. piano competition mentioned above, without any possible verbal explanation. The last years of elementary school a member of the UNC Symphony He had been an amazing pianist with coincided with a major move to a new Orchestra visited us. After performing, a golden touch. When I met him he home in a new neighborhood. After I asked her for a referral to a university was already plagued by the beginnings admission exams I attended secondary teacher. Ada Senzacqua, who taught at of MS, but he taught and was able to school at the Thomas Godoy Cruz the UNC School of Music, became my convey ideas like nobody else I have ever Normal School for Teachers, graduating first “advanced” and true teacher. After met. Pianist and composer, he was an with a degree to teach elementary my audition she asked me to play some inspirational musician. school. The secondary school system passages in a different way. The moment Salomón constantly challenged in Argentina included several courses, was a revelation: music transformed his students with new repertory and of which I mostly loved anatomy, beyond tempo and articulation, becoming opportunities. My first orchestral mathematics, and literature. During the somehow alive. I was mesmerized and experience included performing in the summers I taught my neighbors whatever wanted more. Senzacqua then suggested complete series of Bach concertos for I knew, including piano, dance, and preparing a program for admission to the one to four pianos with the UNC (continued on next page)
6 The American Liszt Society - www.americanlisztsociety.net A Conversation with Nancy Roldán(continued from page 6)
Symphony Orchestra during my first year the man who would become my husband to, and were inspired by each other. A with him. When I was 19, I performed and father to my children. Hugo transformation occurred that changed the Khachaturian Concerto with the Cavallero was a most talented pianist my perspective on performance and UNC orchestra, a Mendoza premiere. and arranger with a dream about jazz performing for and with musicians. That Through him, and later with Francisco and the USA, a dream that eventually was the year of my 50th birthday and the Amicarelli, I joined a group of disciples brought us to this country. My childhood first time I met and heardLuiz de Moura of Vincenzo Scaramuzza. In addition to experiences and university life under the Castro and Louis Nagel. piano studies, I was lucky to be exposed influence of wise and worldly teachers to other excellent instruction. One such prepared me for the world I would get ER: Is there a favorite Liszt work in harmony and counterpoint teacher was to experience after leaving Argentina. A your repertoire? Tell us about how you pianist/composer Miguel Francese, hunger for knowledge would guide my came to put this one work at the top whose teaching of figured bass and score life’s every step. of the list! reading have no equal, in my opinion. Another important figure in my musical ER: When did Liszt enter your NR: A challenging question. I love and personal development was Rodolfo musical life? Liszt, having learned much about Kubik, choral conducting teacher and piano playing from learning his works. the most demanding conductor I’ve ever NR: Liszt entered my life early, not with Among other things, I am fascinated by met. After working with him, I have many compositions, but via the Hungarian Liszt's lyricism and his ability to create never heard choirs sounding so perfectly Rhapsody No. 2 in the four-hand piano breathtaking sonorities. This brings me to celestial anywhere. I was the accompanist version that my brother and I performed the Consolation in D-flat, a piece I perform for the large chorus (university) ensemble many, many times. The Rhapsody would often. It seems to flow on its own, as an and also his pianist for the UNC Choral usually close our family gatherings with improvisation. This one might be at the Chamber Ensemble, which toured a bang: I would play primo and my top of my list. Among my favorites are throughout Cuyo and Chile. Kubik's brother secondo. These performances also the pieces for violin and piano, most incredible ears could detect one person stopped once he began secondary school, of which I have performed with José out of tune among hundreds! He would leaving me to do solo performances for Cueto. point to the culprit until the pitch was family and friends. In those days Liszt perfectly tuned! was considered too challenging to be ER: Could you tell our readers about Kubik’s effective and powerful way performed during one’s formative years, your current professional activities. of playing the piano intrigued me: he and was usually left for College, when relied on weight to avoid the pain of people were serious about music. NR: The year started with a duo-recital his injured thumbs, probably caused by Juan Salomón was the one who with violinist José Cueto at the end of abuses from the Fascist regime in Italy, assigned me works by Liszt. The first January. It includes a March fundraiser which he opposed. Born in Pola, a city one was the Polonaise in E Major, followed at Notre Dame of Maryland University located in what is now the Czech Republic by the Transcendental Studies. (I own (NDMU) for the benefit of the Liszt- (he died in Buenos Aires in 1985), Kubik and treasure Salomón’s score of the Garrison 2015 first decade celebration, was also a super-talented musician/ Transcendental Studies, which contains his a performance with orchestra in May, composer who immigrated to Argentina notations.) Franz Liszt has been with summer chamber music performances, and was responsible for creating me all the time, first in Argentina, then and the preliminary competition auditions numerous choirs throughout the country. reappearing during my years in Puerto in June leading to the Liszt-Garrison Besides curricular activities, my passion Rico when I fell in love with the first Festival/Competition at NDMU. for music included attending rehearsals, Mephisto Waltz; later in Baltimore, where I master classes, and every possible concert first metFernando Laires and attended ER: A few years ago, we read in this happening in town. Among them, one of the ALS festivals at Peabody Newsletter about the Liszt-Garrison concerts by the New York Philharmonic in the 70s; and later in the 80s when Festival and International Piano under Leonard Bernstein, and recitals by I founded the Baltimore-Washington Competition. For our new members, Byron Janis and Abbey Simon, helped chapter with Tom Mastroianni. and to recall the event for our keep my passion alive. Those college My most extraordinary memory of members of long standing, perhaps years would prepare me for upcoming life “feeling” Lisztian occurred in Italy in you could tell us about the beginning abroad. 1989, while performing several works of the Festival/Competition and with Other formative experiences included that Tom had asked me to prepare for whom you worked to establish it. my election as president of the student that year’s festival at Vietri sul mare. My body and student liaison with the repertory included Liszt’s Liebestraum NR: After 10 years of work with this faculty. During my presidency, my in A-flat Major and his transcriptions “growing enterprise,” it is a little difficult enterprising friends and I organized a of Verdi’s “Scene in the Tower” from Il to explain its development in a few words. series of interdisciplinary lecture-recitals Trovatore and Bellini’s Norma. Performing It all began with plans for a concert to that addressed the connection between in the town of Ravello was magical assist a dear friend and piano technician, literature, architecture, history, and music. despite my misgivings, which gradually William (Bill) Garrison, to cover his Early during my university life I also met disappeared as we performed for, listened cancer treatment expenses. The benefit (continued on next page)
Volume 30, Number 2 7 A Conversation with Nancy Roldán(continued from page 7) turned into a memorial as the illness the event has been the dedication of NR: It is my dream that the event will prematurely took him away. The judges and guest artists, most of them continue, fulfilling its mission to support memorial was possible with the ALS members who have not hesitated to and encourage musicians to follow their cooperation of many of his friends and support our efforts year after year, in the passion, mentoring them in the art of many musicians from the Baltimore- true spirit of “génie oblige.” being musicians who are also caring, Washington area who participated in human individuals following in the the benefit under the ALSBWC aegis. ER: How has the event changed over footsteps of Liszt and the ideals we have The original plans to give the proceeds the years to become what it is today? shared with them. This year marks our to his wife Jenifer for their children’s tenth anniversary, and the celebration will education changed after she asked me NR: We started with a solo piano be presented under the title “Magyar,” to “do something for pianists” with the competition; now we have three honoring Franz Liszt and, specifically, funds. After much thought, I decided to categories within the competition. Béla Bartók and his contributions, in create a competition to “support pianists Important additions to the original solo honor of the 70th anniversary of his with their career goals” via prizes and piano event, Artist, are the inclusion death in New York. performance opportunities. of categories for Young Artist and I asked Ernest Ragogini to join Collaborative Artists (duos with piano) ER: What would you recommend to me in developing the plan. His support since 2006. Introducing the duo category someone in high school or college has been essential to the event’s success as a chamber ensemble happens to be in terms of how best to prepare for a throughout the years. The first Festival/ unique among competitions around the musical career? Competition took place in 2005 at Grace world. For reasons unknown, duos with United Methodist Church in Baltimore, piano (voice and piano, or any instrument NR: Open your mind by exploring other where we had held Bill’s memorial and piano) have not yet entered the mind disciplines, practice with dedication, service. In 2006 we moved to College of the music world as chamber ensembles. but don’t just play an instrument, and if of Notre Dame, now Notre Dame How can anybody consider the extensive you are a pianist, develop your ears to of Maryland University (NDMU), an repertory of major duo-sonatas, such play like an orchestra. Attend concerts institution the chapter has called home as masterworks by Debussy, Brahms, with an open mind and an open heart. ever since. The support of all NDMU Poulenc, Franck, Fauré, Strauss, and Liszt, Read, travel, interact with people in your presidents is greatly appreciated and has less than chamber ensembles? community, become a human being been a major factor in the success of Regarding the actual festival/ learning to live and to give. Learn about Liszt-Garrison. competition format: Creating a yourself. Read the biographies of great Changes have occurred throughout friendly learning experience via festival men and women who have preceded the years, including the name of the presentations, which contestants must us. Seek inspiration. Stay away from event, which was first called “William attend, has proven positive. Contestants electronic games as they take much time Garrison.” There is an entire document have the opportunity to meet other away from the reality of life! outlining the Liszt-Garrison history, participants and are encouraged to which will be uploaded in our website for attend other auditions; all are exposed ER: You regularly perform as a solo everybody’s information. It is too long to presentations by artists of renown, and a collaborative pianist; do you to include as part of this conversation. I and feel appreciated for what they are, have any upcoming plans for recitals, invite all interested to visit the website beyond the results of the competition. and does Liszt have a place in them? (lisztgarrisoncompetition.org). In addition Anonymity is maintained throughout the to the monetary awards, prize recipients final rounds. Year after year, previous NR: In December of 2014, José and obtain exposure via performance contestants and winners return to support I completed the recording of works by opportunities in the Baltimore- us via performances and to assist us in Piazzolla arranged by yours truly for Washington area, Florida, New York, in running the actual competition. For violin and piano. We hope to complete ALS Festivals around the country, and festival performances, in recent years we the CD production this year, sometime in 2010 also in Bayreuth, Germany. In have relied more on past winners of the between now and October. Performing 2013 the event was co-hosted by the competition than on guest artists. This tango has been a discovery and a Hungarian Embassy in Washington DC, decision provides past winners with more continuous learning experience thanks where we presented the last round of the exposure and performance opportunities. to many performances shared with two Artist Category competition and the Gala Mentoring talented musicians is a most great bandoneón masters: David Alsina Recital, featuring 2011 winners. rewarding experience. On a personal from Argentina, and Raúl Jaurena from I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the note, the festival/competition has allowed Uruguay. They have inspired me. Tango different presenters and organizations me the opportunity to meet many is for Argentina like jazz is for the USA, that have supported our chapter and our wonderful artists and young musicians a language I am still learning. Regarding competition representatives throughout whom I am happy to count as my friends. Liszt, the Liszt-Garrison Competition is the years. A list of presenters and Their support and enthusiasm motivate all my personal way of making Liszt's works venues who have featured Liszt-Garrison involved to move ahead. known, in particular the ensemble and art musicians in the past appears on our songs, which are inexplicably neglected by website. Essential to the continuity of ER: Any hopes and plans for the the music world at large. I include his future of the event? (continued on next page)
8 The American Liszt Society - www.americanlisztsociety.net A Conversation with Nancy Roldán (concluded) works in my programs whenever possible. stop in Argentina. Lots of performances, (Editor's Note: The Liszt-Garrison On January 23 of this year José and I meetings with and listening to great Festival and International Piano played Liszt’s Second Elegie in the first pianists, an analytical mind, and further Competition was recently cited in the part of a concert featuring European studies and encounters with great Musical America publication of "Top music. Liszt and Hungarian music will musicians have provided answers and Competitions," available at also be programmed in the March 28 solutions. Several degrees happened http://www.musicalamerica.com/specialreports/ fundraiser. In May I have been invited as the result of research and studies of COMPETITIONS_2015.pdf. to perform the Ravel Concerto in G for different subjects I considered essential piano and orchestra with Concert Artists to my development. Prizes and special of Baltimore. There will be Liszt in my honors encouraged me along the way. summer concerts, and, of course, the Competitions were fantastic learning Liszt-Garrison Festival in October will experiences that allowed me to gradually Liszt Posters have plenty of Liszt - and also of Bartók. understand my own weaknesses and strengths. After Argentina I lived in Available to ALS ER: And Liszt in the future? What do New York, the Bahamas (where my Members you hope for on the part of others? daughter Gabriella was born), Puerto Rico (where my son Alberto was born), A series of very attractive posters tracing NR: After all these years I am still and now in Maryland, touring for years the life and musical activities of Franz surprised that “rumors” and old in Europe and in the Americas. I love Liszt are available for posting in your anecdotes about Liszt interfere with to teach and have learned from teaching, university music school or department, the knowledge about the true Liszt. I creating new programs everywhere I library, or other appropriate place. The hope that musicians will take time to lived. Major appointments include the series was created by Mária Eckhardt, read and get real information about his UNC (Argentina); an unforgettable past Director of the Liszt Memorial contributions to music and humanity. experience conducting children's choirs in Museum and Research Center in The ALS festivals are most valuable to Freeport, Bahamas; teaching later at the Budapest. You may see a few of the disseminate information. Alan Walker’s University of Puerto Rico and at the PR posters as part of a display that was books are simply extraordinary and have Conservatory of Music; and finally closing mounted by the University of Illinois greatly contributed to my knowledge my association with academia in 2007 after Performing Arts Library in fall 2014 by 30 years at the Johns Hopkins University of Franz Liszt. Other authors have Peabody Conservatory. going to http://www.library.illinois.edu/mux/ contributed and continue to contribute to I continue giving master classes and about/exhibits/HappyBirthdayMrLiszt.html. the evolving scholarship on Liszt. On a lectures. Memorable musical encounters To obtain the entire set of 16 posters, positive note, compared to 20 years ago, that left lasting impressions include please contact Edward Rath, Editor of the music world is relatively more mature meeting and performing for some the ALS Newsletter, at e.rath@comcast. regarding Liszt. extraordinary human beings. The list net. There is no charge for the posters, includes Alexander Petruska, whom I however, we would ask that you or your ER: In moments of relaxation and met in New York soon after my arrival school pay for mailing the posters to the time for yourself, what other interests in the USA; Pablo Casals and Jesús Maria next interested party. do you pursue, such as pastimes or Sanromá in Puerto Rico; Berl Senofsky, hobbies? whose master classes at the Peabody Conservatory were legendary; my fellow NR: I love to be in Nature and Lisztians; composer Carlos Guastavino of 2015 Dues Due silence. I love animals and would love Argentina; and my teachers who became to communicate with them. Our most life-long friends and inspiration. I am sure Sounds like a trio from Die Fledermaus, recent companion is a beautiful cat we I have forgotten some names, for which I doesn't it? Alas, not so lovely, but a call Nagu. I am an avid reader and enjoy apologize. necessity! - and a gentle reminder. writing. I love to garden. My love for the In the course of my travels I learned By now you should have received healing arts never ended. In the late 80s, to live in different worlds and understand your annual membership notice with I decided to attend the Baltimore Holistic different traditions, appreciating honesty dues payable for 2015. Our Membership Center to study anatomy and physiology. and friendship above all. Many thoughts Secretary, Barbara Kolb, will appreciate Knowing about the wonders of the come to mind about the teaching of your prompt remittance of this year's human body and its healing abilities is music, but those would take too many fees. Dues support the publication and enlightening. I lecture on wellness and pages to share. Looking back, I realize mailing of the outstanding Journal of the the performer, something I have done in that despite ups and downs, and the American Liszt Society and two issues of the the US, Argentina, Brazil, and Italy. temptation to quit, music has been at ALS Newsletter each year, plus operating the core of my existence from the very expenses of the Society, which continue ER: Anything else in conclusion? beginning. On a more personal level, to escalate. If you have questions, please my grandchildren Sam and Ariana make contact Barbara Kolb at barbsthings@gmail. NR: The search for an ideal technique to every moment of my existence worth com. Thank you for your kind attention to allow for freedom of expression did not living. this request.
Volume 30, Number 2 9 In Memoriam An Invitation
Thomas Mastroianni, immediate Past Music, Catholic University of America, PianoTexas International Academy and President of The American Liszt Society, Washington, D.C. Festival invites you to Fort Worth in June died on Friday, September 19, 2014, at For more about Thomas Mastroianni, 2015, to celebrate the genius of Frédéric his home in Silver Spring, MD at the age please see articles on pages two and three Chopin, “The Poet of the Piano.” of 80. Tom was the beloved husband of this issue. Tom's website was still Tamás Ungár, Executive Director of of Mary Ann Mastroianni; father of active as of the publication of this issue: the event, says that the Academy/Festival Mary Lauren DeSimone (Neil), Michael http://www.thomasmastroianni.com/index.htm offers distinguished artists' recitals Mastroianni (Janet) and Beth Riley featuring works of Chopin; concerto (Shawn); grandfather of Matthew and concerts for selected participants to Christian DeSimone, Alicia and Dean "Claude Frank, a pianist of timeless perform with the Fort Worth Symphony Mastroianni; and brother of Concetta values, died December 27, 2014. He Orchestra; recitals for participants; “Chetty” Mastroianni. He is also survived turned 89 on Christmas Eve. master classes; private lessons; and by his nieces, Gretchen, Ingrid, Erica, Nuremberg born, Claude reached conversations with distinguished artists. Heidi, and Maura Ellen, and his nephews, the US in 1941. He studied there with Programs are structured for young Robert and Michael. A Mass of Christian Schnabel, his son Karl-Ulrich, and his artists, with full tuition scholarships for Burial took place at St. John the Baptist student Maria Curcio. all performing young artists; teachers/ Church in Silver Spring on Wednesday, He was a towering interpreter of the amateurs (combined), same activities as September 24 at 12 p.m. and was attended Beethoven sonatas and often appeared young artists but on a smaller scale; active by many members of The American Liszt as a piano duo with his wife, Lilian observers, who take private lessons and Society. Interment was private. Kallir, who died in 2004. Their daughter, play in recitals; and general observers Memorial contributions may be made Pamela, is a distinguished violinist and (non-active participants). For further to The Thomas Mastroianni Scholarship teacher." details, please go to www.pianotexas.org. Fund at the Benjamin T. Rome School of (©Norman Lebrecht, used by permission.)
10 The American Liszt Society - www.americanlisztsociety.net Chapter News
Baltimore/Washington Chapter. Liszt-Garrison Collaborative Artist First Prelude and Fugue in A Minor, Beethoven- Nancy Roldan, President. Prize winner; Gabriella Cavallero, actor/ Liszt An die ferne Geliebte, and Mozart- An enthusiastic audience attended the narrator and Tony Award nominee; Liszt Réminiscences de Don Juan; Hungarian November 16 fundraiser titled "Serenata Kevin McMillan, baritone, Grammy Rhapsody No. 3 in B-flat Major and Siciliana," presented in celebration and Gramophone awardee; and Gabriel Hungarian Rhapsody No. 5 in E Minor of Thomas Mastroianni's life. The Dobner, piano, Special Award winner at (“Héroide élégiaque”) followed, ending event was originally planned last June, the Hans Pfitzner Lieder Competition in with the Après une lecture du Dante: in coordination with Helen Smith Munich. The event is co-sponsored by Fantasia quasi sonata. The concert was Tarchalski and her husband Stanislaw, the Music at Notre Dame Concert Series, well attended by both university students as hosts; members of the planning team Ernest Ragogini, Director. and the general public. Ms. Hsieh was also included then-President Thomas General admission is $20.00, or three scheduled to repeat the program later in Mastroianni, Nancy Roldán, Chapter tickets for $50.00. Tickets are available the week at the Liszt Memorial Museum President, and Ernest Ragogini, BWC only by mail. Send check or money order and Research Center in Budapest. Executive Advisor. The event marked the to P. O. Box 1707, Owings Mills, MD official launching of the tenth anniversary 21117, or you may use PayPal at www. Chicago/Midwest Chapter (https:// celebration of the Liszt-Garrison lisztgarrisoncompetition.org. www.facebook.com/LisztChicago). International Competition, which will New officers and committees of the Alexander Djordjevic, President. take place October 21-25, 2015 at Notre Chapter include: On October 25, at 7:30 p.m., the Dame of Maryland University under the Chicago/Midwest Chapter presented its title, "Magyar." A moving and exciting Executive Board Fourth Annual Liszt Birthday Celebration performance by Joanna Kaczorowska Nancy Roldán, President at Nichols Hall in Evanston, hosted and Pablo Lavandera, 2009 First Prize Ernest Ragogini, Executive Advisor by the Music Institute of Chicago. Liszt-Garrison Collaborative Artists, Susana Cavallero, Treasurer ALS members, faculty from Wheaton included "Sicilienne" by Johann Sebastian Patricia Graham, Community College and MIC (two of our hosting Bach; Béla Bartók’s Six Rumanian Outreach institutions), and a 15-year-old student Dances; two numbers from the suite Megan Amoss, PR/Webmaster in the MIC Academy performed the Snapshots for an Andean Album by Gabriela Thomas Mastroianni, ad astra Hungarian Rhapsody No. 5; the "Tarantella" Lena Frank; "La notte" by Liszt, a from Venezia e Napoli; the songs "Die favorite composition of both Liszt and Festival and Competition Committee Drei Zigeuner" and "O Lieb"; Mephisto Mastroianni; and Three Polish Dances by Nancy Roldán, Chair Waltz No. 1; Transcendental Étude No. 10; Henryk Wieniawski. Patricia Graham, Coordinator "Rigoletto" Paraphrase; "Miserere" from Il The food was delicious, prepared by Laura Mathews, Competition Assistant Trovatore; "Festspiel" and "Brautmarsch" the loving hands of longtime friends Kimberley S. Deeley, Assistant from Lohengrin; and the two-piano version Leslie Hyde and Sasha Katsnelson; Coordinator* of Réminiscences de Norma. The evening Tom’s sister, Concetta Mastroianni, and H. Drew Rieger, Assistant to the was dedicated to the memory of Thomas Mary Lauren de Simone, Tom’s daughter. President* Mastroianni. You may view the concert Mary Ann Mastroianni, Tom's wife, was on You Tube at https://www.youtube.com/pl the guest of honor. The audience was *Ms. Deeley was a student of Thomas aylist?list=PLSvNuZUoh2zzlfgkXn2OubygK delighted by impromptu performances of Mastroianni; Mr. Rieger is a composer ly-LhxjQ Czardas by Joanna and José Cueto, joined residing in Baltimore, MD. President Jay Hershberger attended later by Pablo in a reading of Piazzolla’s the event and wrote, "In short, it was Oblivion for piano and two violins. Competition Repertory Committee a fabulous event! The playing was "Across the Seas: From Opera to José Cueto magnificent from all involved. Nichols Tango" is our next major event on March Gabriel Dobner Hall of the Music Institute of Chicago 28 at 7:00 p.m. at LeClerc Hall of Notre Ernest Ragogini is an elegant venue for concerts, and Dame of Maryland University. A fund Nancy Roldán audience attendance was significant - the raiser for the upcoming Liszt-Garrison Steven Spooner Chicago Tribune had designated the concert International Competition and Festival, as one of the choice music events of the the evening will feature an artist ensemble Boston Chapter. Tish Anne Kilgore, weekend. performing the music that traveled from President. "Daniel Horn and I also had the Europe to Argentina, giving birth to the Tien Hsieh was the featured pianist for a pleasure to visit Reginald Gerig, who Argentine Tango and its 20th century Boston Chapter concert on October 22 at was very appreciative of the Society's transformation in the music of Astor Boston University. The performance was honor bestowed upon him at the festival Piazzolla. The ensemble will consist of a collaboration between the ALS Boston at James Madison University this past José Cueto, violin; Laura Ruas, double Chapter and Boston University's Piano June. He sends his greetings to all!" bass; Nancy Roldán, piano, and Susan Department. A prizewinner of the Los On November 2, baritone Kevin Reynolds and Constantino Bastidas, tango Angeles International Liszt Competition, McMillan and pianist Gabriel Dobner dancers. Featured guest performers will Ms. Hsieh played a program of gave a recital of songs by Liszt, Wagner, include Laura Strickling, soprano, 2013 transcriptions, including the Bach-Liszt and Wolf at the Pianoforte Chicago (continued on next page)
Volume 30, Number 2 11 More Chapter News Studios. The artists have been heard comments at the December concert. collaborative category at the 2013 Liszt- at several ALS festivals and were co- Garrison Competition. Guest artist sponsored by Chicago Chapter host Indiana University Chapter. Karen was Liza's husband, violinist Itamar institution, Pianoforte Chicago. The Shaw, President. Zorman, who was the top-prize winner artists also gave a recital for students of The Chapter will host IU piano alumni as at the 2011 Tchaikovsky Competition. the Wheaton College Conservatory on performers in two concerts as part of a We dedicated the entire concert to the Thursday, October 30, and presented a Liszt Mini-Fest on June 20 (8:00 p.m.) and memory of our beloved late president, master class for Wheaton voice students June 21 (4:00 p.m.), 2015 in Auer Recital Thomas Mastroianni, whom Liza and on November 4. Hall on the IU campus in Bloomington. Laura had the honor to meet last year at At the January 3, 2015 meeting of the One of the recitals will be dedicated to the competition and at a dinner hosted Chapter, members present decided that the memory of Thomas Mastroianni. later by the Hungarian Embassy. David the following people would hold chapter As of this writing, the following are Witten and Gila Goldstein spoke about officer positions, effective as of that date: scheduled to perform: Caroline Hong Tom before the concert. and Daniel Horn, duo-pianists; Daniel The performances of the three Alexander Djordjevic, President Horn, piano and Denise Gamez, mezzo- artists were superb. These are high-level Daniel Paul Horn, Vice President soprano; Mark Edwards and Karin young artists who already working as Linda Bryson, Executive Secretary Redekopp Edwards, duo-pianists; Matt professionals at this stage. Laura and George Radosavljevic, Membership Gianforte and Meeyoun Park, duo- Liza performed songs by Schubert, Liszt, Secretary pianists; and piano soloists Sung Hoon Rachmaninov, and Debussy. Laura, Renata Yuill, Treasurer Mo, Eugene Alcalay, Kent Cook, Mark with her spinning and colorful voice, Linda Bryson, Publicity DeZwaan, Aaron Stampfl, and Steven delivered such an expressive, convincing Spooner. IU piano alums who have not approach to the texts and the musical We had a productive meeting and look yet responded may do so to Karen Shaw lines, with incredible accompaniment by forward to continuing to spread the good at [email protected]. Liza. Liza played three solo selections: a word about Franz Liszt. beautiful rendition of the Schubert-Liszt New York/New Jersey Chapter (http:// song transcription, "Die Junge Nonne," South Florida Chapter. José Raul gilagoldstein.com/liszt/). Gila Goldstein, Liszt's "Les Jeux d'Eau à la Villa d'Este," López, President. President. which was exquisite, and the Wagner- The South Florida Chapter of the The Fourth Taubman Piano Festival Liszt transcription of the "Overture" ALS presented its mini-Liszt Festival will take place June 26 - 28, 2015, at the to Tannhäuser. It was also impressive on October 18 - 19 at the Wertheim Cali School of Music at Montclair State to hear her alternating with such ease Concert Hall of Florida International University in Montclair, NJ. David between the roles of accompanist and University. The October 18 program Witten, Vice President of the NY/ a soloist. Itamar and Liza played two presented graduate students from FIU, NJ Chapter, serves as Festival Artistic Russian song transcriptions, one by the University of Miami Frost School of Director. The Chapter is collaborating Mischa Elman of "None but the Lonely Music, and Lynn Conservatory, as well with the Festival in presenting two recitals Heart" by Tchaikovsky, and the other by as FIU faculty members Kemal Gekić, by distinguished pianists who will include Kreisler of "Daisies" by Rachmaninov. Silvije Vidović, and José López in works works by Liszt, such as the Two Legends, Itamar's playing makes the listener think by Liszt and subsequent composers Hungarian Rhapsody No. 10, and the about the great violinists of the past: influenced by him (Ravel, Balakirev, Mephisto Waltz No. 1. incredible depth, warmth, and sweetness Horowitz transcriptions, etc.). The Eduardo Delgado, Professor at the of tone. All performances demonstrated October 19 program featured Kemal University of California-Fullerton, will clarity, flawless technique, and beautiful, Gekić in Liszt solo works and Chopin’s perform at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 26. mesmerizing sound. The artists' excellent Concerto in F Minor, accompanied by the Rudolf Golez, who is Dean, College of interpretations were communicated and FIU Symphony Orchestra under the Music at Liceo de Cagayan University in moved the audience a great deal. The direction of graduate assistant conductor Northern Mindanao in the Phillipines, will artists ended the concert with a trio, Darwin Aquino. perform at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, June followed by composer Alfred Bachelet's The Chapter received its first 27. The artists' biographies and other "Chère Nuit," which was glorious. We Community Development grant from the information about the Taubman Festival wish the artists best of success and many Miami-Dade Cultural Affairs Division may be found at https://sites.google.com/site/ more performances to come. and presented two programs, two taubmanfestival2015/services. For further master classes, and pre-concert lectures information and reservations, contact Oregon Chapter. Alexandre Dossin, at the Deering Estate and the Coral David Witten at [email protected] President. Gables Museum on October 26 and (973-652-4217). Admission is free, but The Oregon Chapter held its annual Liszt December 13. Guest pianists included donations will be accepted. Birthday celebration on October 22, Kemal Gekić and Asiya Korepanova, a On October 9th, the NY/NJ Chapter 2014, with a performance of Harmonies DMA candidate from the Frost School presented two Liszt-Garrison winners: poétiques et religieuses, dedicated to the of Music. Professor Emeritus Frank pianist Liza Stepanova and soprano memory of our dear Tom Mastroianni. Cooper provided the introductory Laura Strickling, who won the The performance was live-streamed.
12 The American Liszt Society - www.americanlisztsociety.net Member News
Sophia Agranovich announces a release performer to receive such enormous music and some of the differences of her new CD, which had already applause that made it necessary for him between folk music and gypsy musicians. received "four excellent reviews." The to give the only encore of the evening. As well, Judith discussed important recording features both books of He played three Consolations and the stylistic characteristics that distinguish Brahms's Variations on a Theme of Paganini, Variations on Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen, Liszt’s music. She played excerpts from Op. 35, Schumann's Études Symphoniques, and as encore the "Ritual Fire Dance" the Hungarian Rhapsodies - an important Op. 13, and the Schumann-Liszt Widmung by Falla. For the next two days he gave corpus of his compositional output - and ("Dedication"). The CD is available masterclasses to students of the Academy discussed particular points of interest at Amazon (http://amzn.to/1M8e42D), that were attended by many students and regarding performances of his music ITunes, ArkivMusic, Barnes & Noble, current and past faculty of the Academy. in comparison with other composers. and other sites. To read an interview Tom Mastroianni's most recent visit Judith also gave suggestions on how to published in the March-April issue of there was beautifully recollected in the introduce students to Liszt’s music. Fanfare Magazine (Classical Music Reviews opening speeches by the current head of & Magazine: "Catching Up with Sophia the piano department, Kálman Dráfi, and Edward Rath performed the first piano Agranovich"), go to http://www.fanfaremag. Tom's name was also mentioned during part of the Bartók Sonata for Two Pianos com/content/view/60489/10269, and for the classes." and Percussion with members of the reviews of Sophia's performances see University of Illinois School of Music http://www.fanfaremag.com/component/ Alexander Djordjevic has been elected faculty. He also performed the Brahms option,com_ff_toc/task,latest/ and on her to the Board of Directors of The Sonata for Cello and Piano in E Minor, website at http://www.sophiagranovich.com/ American Liszt Society and will serve as with his long-time musical friend and discography. Historian/Archivist. Alex was recently fellow Milwaukeean, John Winninger, named President of the ALS Chicago/ co-director of webcasts for the Jacobs Paul Barnes invites you to visit his Midwest Chapter. For more information School of Music at Indiana University- updated website at http://www.paulbarnes. about our newest board member, please Bloomington. More recently, Rath gave net/. He will be teaching for one month see http://www.alexanderdjordjevic.com/home. a presentation on "Ten Points on the this summer in Vienna. html. Performance of Haydn's Piano Music" with his long-time friend, associate, and Nathan Birkholz is organist at First John S. Hord presented "Musical Sounds mentor, Don V Moses, for the Phoenix English Lutheran Church in Appleton, of the 20th Century: Mahler to Adams" Piano Teachers Association. Wisconsin. In fall 2014, he started a on February 10 at the Valley Music Center recital series at the church featuring in Fresno, CA. The event was sponsored On February 19, students of Roberta soloists, small ensembles, organ, etc. by the Music Teachers’ Association Rust performed a recital of piano The first program was September of California, Fresno Branch. works by composers ranging from Bach 22 and was an American song recital to Rodgers and Hammerstein at the with baritone Nathan Krueger, a UW José Raul López has informed us that Wold Performing Arts Center at Lynn Oshkosh Assistant Professor of Music, the Arts Faculty of the University of University in Boca Raton, FL. Featured and Nathan at the piano. The program Chile has published the first Spanish pianists included Matthew Calderon, included works by Ives, Barber, Musto, translation of Lina Ramann's writings Munkhshur Enkhbold, Chance Israel, and Bolcom. on observations, alternate versions, and Vladislav Kosminov, Chen Liang, Yu Lu, cadenzas in selected works by Franz Hikari Makamura, and Aneliya Novikova. Luiz de Moura Castro returned to Liszt in accordance with his teachings Budapest in November 2014 to perform (Liszt Pädagogium). The book includes 2014 was a great year for Steven at the Liszt Academy. It was quite a gala contributions by A. Stradal, A. Göllerich, Spooner. He released a new CD, event. Bridget de Moura Castro writes, and others. The translation was Memories and Inspirations, a recording that "The hall was sold out, and we were supervised by pianist Paulina Zamora carries special significance for Steven, only able to invite our hotel manager, his (graduate of the Eastman School of as each of the selections on the CD wife, and her parents to the event with Music and Indiana University) and Carlos are connected to one of his personal difficulty. It was a wonderful concert Poblete Lagos, Graduate Coordinator of experiences. Memories and Inspirations in memory of Luiz' teacher at the Liszt the Faculty of Arts, University of Chile. also marks the genesis of a new record Academy, Mihály Bächer, who would have genre of narration recordings. The CD been 90 years old. For us it was a joy to Judith Nesleny presented a lecture has no liner notes; instead, Steven shares meet the fellow performers, colleagues recital entitled, "Franz Liszt: The his journey throughout, relating his from our time, current teachers at the Artist, His Music, His Background," on earliest memories at the piano, as a child Academy, and a couple of outstanding Sunday, October 26, at the Church of in church, his studies in France and the young pianists who were among the last Our Saviour in San Gabriel, CA. The former USSR, the influence of Horowitz to study with Bächer. A total of seven presentation put Liszt in a historical and Richter, among others, as well as pianists were invited to perform. Luiz, perspective of 19th-century Europe. It his work with the legendary pianist, Earl the only non-Hungarian, was the first on also covered the state of Hungarian Wild. the programme and also the only (continued on next page)
Volume 30, Number 2 13 More Member (continued News from previous page) New Members and Updates Steven’s travels took him to various Ophra also indicated that Gila Goldstein DONATION ABOVE AND locations around the globe earlier in 2014. showed the film to students at the Music BEYOND NORMAL DUES He was able to spend extended amounts Department of Boston University on of time in both Italy and Indonesia, as January 25. Jean-Louis Jaminet well as in Singapore. In fall, he travelled Brody D. Smith extensively as well, but was most excited In early spring 2015, Albany Records Sonya Woods about his trip to Russia, as he was invited will release Richard Zimdars' new to perform at the Richter Museum in CD titled Piano Character Pieces from Four November. "Sviatoslav Richter has been Continents. In addition to works by NEW MEMBERS my idol since my student days in the Alexander Tcherepnin, William Matthews, former Soviet Union, and you will notice Natalie Williams, and Ji-Eun Moon, the Ryan Behan that even my email address, richtermaniac@ album contains Ballade by Gilad Cohen, June E. Brewer gmail.com, reflects this devotion. To Assistant Professor of Performance R. Kent Cook perform in the master's house, and to and Music Theory at Ramapo College, Kymberley Stanton Deely touch his piano, has meant so much to who was a winner of Discover America Jun Fujimoto me!" VIII Competition in 2014. Ballade was Susan C. Ha, DMA Lastly, in early September, Steven was one of the co-first-prize-winning works Brooks Hafey featured on a broadcast of WWFM’s in the ALS Bicentennial Composition Celeste Jamerson The Piano Matters, hosted by renowned Competition. The new CD also Joohae Kim pianist, author, and scholar, David Dubal. includes Transfigured Etudes by Huck James Knight A webcast of this episode is available at Hodge, Assistant Professor of Music Brian Lee http://64.234.215.170/pm091714.mp3. at the University of Washington, who Marta Menezes received a Guggenheim Fellowship in Jorge Modolell Ophra Yerushalmi, whose film Liszt's 2012. The set of etudes was one of the Sofya Melikyan Dance with the Devil was a highlight of the six compositions selected for the finals Jonathan Moyer 2014 ALS Festival in Harrisonburg, has of the Competition, which was funded Brody Smith once again received kudos for her artistry. by Steinway & Sons and organized by Dr. Aaron Stampfl The film was shown February 1, 2015 in Zimdars. Altogether there were 31 Liza Stepanova the Maysles Cinema in Harlem. Here are composition entries from 10 countries. Laura Strickling some of the comments Ophra received Paul Barnes, Matthew Bengston, afterwards. "Such a beautiful film and and James Giles adjudicated the so pleased you finished it in the way that Competition. EXISTING MEMBERS TO made you happy. You should be very LIFE MEMBERS proud. What a wonderful and interesting audience." (Gaylen Rose, Filmmaker: Anton and Innes Kasanof Killing Kasztner.) "I hope you enjoyed New Liszt Statue Lori E. Piitz last night's event as much as your lucky audience did. The film was great ... it was in Toronto wonderful to learn about Liszt and hear NEW LIFE MEMBER all that exquisite music. Nice audience, A new life-size Liszt statue was too!" (David Margolick, Writer and unveiled on Thursday, November 27, Joel Hastings Journalist.) "It was such a memorable during a private ceremony at the Royal evening - the screening of the film was Conservatory of Music in Toronto. It exciting, and the discussion was lively and was followed by a dinner in honor of Personal information about stimulating." Elizabeth Kitzinger, Artist). Liszt and the patrons who commissioned members has been deleted to ensure "Your film should be nominated for the the statue, Thomas and Judy Fekete. members' privacy. Oscars!” (Joanna Rose, recipient of an During the dinner Dr. Alan Walker was American Academy of Arts Award.) invited to make a short speech and he Ophra herself writes, "It is really chose as his theme, “Liszt as Benefactor.” interesting, time and again, to experience The statue, by the Hungarian sculptor one's work differently with a different Géza Stremény, is cast in solid bronze Please help us keep our records up to date audience. The discussion, a true and depicts Liszt at about 35 years of age, so that you receive all mailings in a timely conversation, made me reflect further as his years of vagabondage were about fashion. Changes in mailing addresses about Liszt (questions such as 'What to end and his distant gaze is fixed on – and e-mail addresses, corrections in name is the difference between Liszt and Weimar? spellings, etc., should all be forwarded Ravel?' for example). This reaffirms the The statue may be viewed on the by e-mail to Barbara Mellon Kolb, importance of live performances, hearing second floor of the Royal Conservatory, Membership Secretary, at barbsthings@ or seeing a work on stage or screen as where it is now on permanent display. gmail.com. Thank you in advance for your part of a community ... a voice in the desert." (See page 16 for a view of the statue.) kind cooperation!!
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15 Picture Page
Somang Jeagal, winner of the Budapest Zsófia Staszny, winner of the Concert Prize of the Los Angeles Inter- New York Concert Prize of the national Liszt Competition 2014 Los Angeles International Liszt Competition 2014
Los Angeles Int’l Piano Competition Judges • Front: Nancy Roldán, Andrea Me- láth, Gila Goldstein, Zsuzsanna Bódás, Emese Tökés, Eugene Alcalay • Middle: Gabriel Dobner, Adam Wibrowski, Thomas Otten, Edward Rath, Peter Tóth • Back: Kevin McMillan, David Cannata, Alexandre Dossin, Stephan Möller
New Liszt Book from Brepols. Cover image of En pèlerinage avec Liszt: New Liszt Statue in Toronto Virtuosos, Repertoire and Perform- ing Venues in 19th-Century Europe (Brepols Publishers 2014, ISBN 9782503553245)
Nancy Roldán, President, Baltimore/Washington Chapter Franz Liszt in his later years (courtesy Joseph Banowetz)
Luiz de Moura Castro in concert at the Liszt Academy, Budapest Text in front of the new Liszt statue in Toronto
16 The American Liszt Society - www.americanlisztsociety.net