VIRTUAL FESTIVAL CONCERT #8 - Released July 29, 2020 Claude Debussy Sonata for Violin and Piano in G minor Allegro vivo Intermède: Fantasque et leger Finale: Très animé Benjamin Beilman violin / Orion Weiss piano

Aaron Jay Kernis “Un Bacio” - A Kiss (Romance and Transfiguration) - on Themes by John Corigliano and Mark Adamo World Premiere Joyce Yang piano

Aaron Jay Kernis Elegy (for those we lost) World Premiere Alessio Bax piano

Aaron Jay Kernis Feng Shui For Your New Home Nicholas Phan tenor / Aaron Jay Kernis piano

Aaron Jay Kernis Siren for Solo Flute, 7 Flutes, and Piccolo World Premiere, Commissioned by SCMS Commissioning Club Maria Piccinini flute

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Divertimento for String Trio in E-flat Major, K. 563 Allegro Adagio Menuetto: Allegretto Andante Menuetto: Allegretto Allegro Tessa Lark violin / Cynthia Phelps viola / Ani Aznavoorian cello

Concert was originally scheduled for July 22, 2020 Claude Debussy The ensuing Intermède: Fantasque et leger opens (1862–1918) with a leaping violin figure that launches effervescent and virtuosic phrases from the violin, galvanized Sonata for Violin and Piano in by a series of repeated notes that run through G minor (1916-17) the movement. Debussy’s unrivalled ear for color Most recent SCMS performance: Summer 2018 is apparent in the weird and wonderful sounds emanating from the stringed instrument. Pizzicatos Though Debussy wrote in all genres, his chamber dance above spiky asides from the piano. Unlike canon consists of his stunningly original string the first movement, these are capricious, perhaps quartet of 1893, a staple since its premiere, followed recalling or wishing for a happier state than the by nearly a quarter-century of silence until shortly reality of his terminal illness. before his painful death from colon cancer in 1918. The outbreak of World War I had greatly disturbed Material from the opening movement kicks off the him, adding fire to his already fierce anti-German Finale: Très animé before a new motive pushes the views on music (long after a youthful embrace of music forward. The rapidly fluttering violin line has ardent Wagnerism). Too ill from cancer to participate been likened to the purposeful flutter of the butterfly. as a combatant, life seemed especially bleak to Though cast in three separate movements, the Debussy. Yet following surgery in 1915, he felt constant shifting of textures and moods imparts a physically and spiritually rejuvenated—eager to meet dreamy ambience to the whole work, as if it were in the challenge of renewed composition. reality one seamless tripartite work—a characteristic of much 20th-century music. Like the mysterious With more optimism than realism, he set out to man who wrote it, the sonata abounds in light and produce six varied chamber works. Sadly, lasting shadow, and draws its unity from the unfailing sense health failed to materialize. Through sheer of decorative beauty that never failed the composer. determination he was able to complete two superb chamber works in 1915—a sonata for cello and piano and another for flute, viola, and harp. Weakened by the effort, he needed a year to Aaron Jay Kernis recover his failing strength. In October, 1916, he felt (b. 1960) sound enough to resume composition and began Aaron Jay Kernis’ career embraces composition, working on a Sonata in G minor for Violin and Piano. for which endeavor he has garnered many awards By February, 1917 he had completed the first two including the Pulitzer Prize for his String Quartet movements but had difficulty pinning down the finale, No. 2, and as a faculty member of the Yale School which he completed just in time for the première— of Music. His musical education centered on study the very day, actually. with several major American composers, such as John Adams, Morton Subotnick, Charles Wuorinen, A palpable sense of melancholy infuses the first and Jacob Druckman. The essential characteristic movement, Allegro vivo, beginning with the very of Kernis’ wide-ranging music is assured technical opening bars. Classic French understatement proficiency wedded to expressive warmth and blends with Eastern harmony. The kaleidoscopic imaginative scoring. By the time of his Pulitzer Prize sounds evoke still-fresh memories of hearing he had already established a strong reputation as Javanese gamelan at the 1889 Paris Exhibition composer-in-residence of the St. Paul Chamber while incorporating a new world of sounds ushered Orchestra, for which ensemble he wrote Symphony in in by 20th-century technology. Eerie arabesques Waves in 1989. Aaron Jay Kernis has been described for the violin soar above shifting sonorities from by Benjamin Ivry, writing in The Christian Science the keyboard. At times, sustained violin tones are Monitor, as “America’s most honored younger punctuated by a continuo-like line in the piano’s composer,” a reference to Kernis having just been middle registers. awarded the prestigious and munificent University of

summer festival // Louisville Grawemeyer Award in November 2001 and share this time as brothers and sisters together. the composer being one of the youngest recipients of Aaron Jay Kernis the Pulitzer Prize in 1998. Among many subsequent Feng Shui For Your New Home (2012) awards bestowed upon Kernis is the 2012 Nemmers SCMS Premiere Prize in Music Composition, which included a residency at Northwestern University (2013–15) and In 2012 I was asked to contribute to a book of songs the position of composer in residence at Mannes written to honor the opening of Opera America’s College (2014–2015). Though best known for his new facility in New York City, and to send auspicious orchestral canvasses he is no stranger to chamber sentiments in its direction. Today I remotely honor music in which genre he has produced more than 30 the Seattle Chamber Music Society’s new home with works. this song, in hope that it will bring good energy to it! Feng Shui is an ancient art and science developed The composer has kindly provided the following over 3,000 years ago in China. It is a complex body notes for the works we hear in this concert: of knowledge that reveals how to balance the energies of any given space to assure the health Aaron Jay Kernis and good fortune for people inhabiting it. I chose to “Un Bacio” - A Kiss (Romance and research it for this song and found a very impressive Transfiguration) - on Themes by John introduction to its practice written by Vancouver Corigliano practitioner Rodika Tchi which became the text for and Mark Adamo (2020) this piece. [Song text is located at the end of these World Premiere program notes.]

After attending John Corigliano and Mark Adamo’s 25th anniversary party I decided to fashion a work Aaron Jay Kernis in their honor, presenting and intertwining their Siren for Solo Flute, 7 Flutes, and Piccolo melodies and melodic fragments in the manner of (2020) Lisztian fantasies on other composers’ music in the World Premiere 19th century. I did so to honor them as composers, friends, and as colleagues I respect immeasurably. The original plan for this work was to write a solo This work includes excerpts, quotes from, and flute work especially for Marina Piccinini and the transformations of John Corigliano - The Red Violin: SCMS. But as plans and technology changed in light Chaconne, Circus Maximus, and Mr. Tamborine Man of travel restrictions and social distancing, I decided (Postlude: Forever Young) and two of Mark Adamo’s this premiere could be a special opportunity to operas. Little Women, and Lysistrata. feature Ms. Piccinini in a challenging and potentially visually interesting way as well, using multiple flute parts recorded and presented together. Though Aaron Jay Kernis Siren does feature a solo part prominently, there is Elegy (for those we lost) (2020) increased use of many parts as the work progresses. World Premiere The background inspiration for this work begins “I wrote Elegy (for those we lost), during the with the Sirens of Greek mythology, most notably in pandemic month of May 2020, when it became Homer’s The Odyssey. Sirens were creatures of half clear that the toll of COVID-19 on human lives was woman, half bird who sang beautifully, luring sailors truly devastating. I hope through this short work who passed by them to their deaths by enticing them that listeners can find a space of solace to reflect, to jump overboard to them after hearing their song. remember, and mourn those we have lost - known or unknown to us, and allow us to find compassion to Perhaps the most famous story about the Sirens is

july 29, 2020 // program notes told in Homer’s The Odyssey, as Odysseus and his the multiple-movement format of a Baroque men sailed by them. Circe had warned Odysseus prior suite while incorporating the sonata-allegro to the encounter about the dangers of the Sirens, and form one associates with symphonies and string he prepared his men by having them put beeswax quartets, especially in first movements. The inner in their ears to block out the song. They then tied movements typically were based on dance à la the Odysseus to the mast of the boat, as he wanted to aforementioned Baroque suite. The confluence of hear what the Sirens sang about. The beautiful song these elements often resulted in works balancing caused Odysseus to order that his men untie him, but serious intellectual/emotional features with the instead they tightened the ropes and waited until unbuttoned mood of country and courtly dances. they were clear of the Sirens to release him. There are many other stories about the Sirens. One of the Such is the case with the K. 563 Divertimento, one of most unique aspects of them, particularly in The Mozart’s finest chamber works. The opening Allegro Odyssey, is how it’s not their appearances that tempt promises good cheer readily apparent in the singing sailors, but their voices. Their song is said to occur in main theme enhanced by optimistic rising and falling the middle of the day when it’s calm and quiet. The scales. A second lyrical theme announced by the Sirens are said to know both the past and the future, violin and cello reinforces the impression. Yet the but they make false promises to lure sailors to come development section introduces a palpable mood to them. shift from unforced joy to anxiety, leaving the listener with a sense of ambivalence—perhaps Mozart’s An additional reference to sirens is of their constant intention. Naturally the recapitulation restores the sounding in New York City (and around the world) light mood of the exposition. during the COVID-19 pandemic. The following Adagio is the longest of the six movements. The opening rising arpeggios in the Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart major mode promise restorative optimism. Yet as the (1756–1791) music progresses one cannot help but sense a wistful Divertimento for String Trio in E-flat Major, and, at times, a sad mindset. As if to reinforce the K. 563 (1788) movement’s dual nature the rising theme sinks into the minor to darken the mood beyond mere sadness. In the Classical Era the term divertimento suggested Dramatic octave jumps in the violin part over chords light music designed for background ambience at from the viola and cello seem to illustrate the implicit social gatherings. Mozart wrote many such works— uncertainty of mood as do the occasional deceptive often with alternative titles such as the cassation cadences where the music seems ready to end and the serenade. Yet he lavished great skill on these definitively but hovers on a chord lacking resolution. works, often including movements of both complexity and emotional depth that transcend their immediate The first Menuetto: Allegretto brings cloudless skies function as “diversions.” Such is the case with his and a rustic dance led by an energetic tune from the Divertimento for String Trio, K. 563, which Mozart violin punctuated by chordal thrusts from the viola composed as a gift of gratitude for fellow Freemason and cello. Johann Michael Puchberg (1741–1822). Puchberg, who ironically died in poverty after being well Another rustic tune initiates the Andante, gently situated financially during Mozart’s years in Vienna, prodded by a low register Baroque-like walking had been generous in lending the composer money bass from the cello. What follows is a set of four on several occasions to help pay off the composer’s distinctive and highly individualized variations. The gambling and other debts. theme’s inherent simplicity and innocence undergoes dramatic transformation and deepening of emotion. The divertimento was a hybrid creature that adopted The last variation posits a slow-paced elaboration of the countrified tune played by the viola against a

summer festival // flurry of contrapuntal activity from the other The concluding Allegro is a Rondo-Sonata construction instruments. A short coda returns to the easygoing in which the rondo aspect (repeated “A” main theme mood of the opening of the movement. interspersed with contrasting episodes) incorporates a highly contrapuntal development section typical The second Menuetto: Allegretto reflects nothing of a sonata-allegro movement. The music opens less than a fresh rustic dance, an effect enhanced with an irresistibly sweet theme rendered with artful by recreating a musical figure long used to suggest rusticity. As the theme unfolds Mozart introduces an hunting horns. The viola leads the first Trio in a oft-repeated drum-like figure that animates the music. stomping country-dance tune; it is followed by a During the coda this figure brings the piece to a rousing second Trio wherein the violin hogs the melody for energetic close. itself. After repeating the “A” section, the movement ends with a brief coda.

Program Notes by Steven Lowe

Song Text for Feng Shui for Your New Home

Good feng shui energy starts with simple, basic things - Nurture yourself- and your loved ones - very well. fresh air, natural light, and warm, honest human energy. Nurture them well.

In a place with good feng shui energy you genuinely By applying basic feng shui tips and guidelines you will feel good. Your whole body is opening up and breathing strengthen the flow of creative energy and create a deeper… home to support and manifest brilliant creativity!

The first and most important thing is to attract good chi, The ultimate feng shui test of a home, no matter new or (or energy), to your new home. old, big or small, outrageously expensive or not, will be the following: Feng shui teaches us that everything is energy, and we are in a constant energy exchange with everything At the end of the day, when you come home, do you feel around us. Feng shui for home is one of the most like it puts its arms around you? efficient therapies ever - you work on the house, but I hope your home does. what you are actually doing is healing your own life - your past hurt, pain, sorrow, blockages, whatever it is - Rodika Tchi that you’ve accumulated over the years; and now are creating a fresh new feng shui space to happily manifest your dreams.

Color is one of the easiest ways to shift the energy in your space with feng shui. Color is like music, nourishing and uplifting, and the more colors you harmoniously absorb throughout the day, the higher your sense of well-being is. Don’t be afraid to bring vibrant colors into your space, as color is light and light is our number one nutrient.

july 29, 2020 // program notes