The Klein Competition 2014 June 7 & 8
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SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY · COLLEGE OF LIBERAL & CREATIVE ARTS THE KLEIN COMPETITION 2014 JUNE 7 & 8 The 29th Annual Irving M. Klein International String Competition WELCOME FROM THE DEAN California Music Center Welcome to the 29th annual Irving M. Klein International I am delighted that once again, for a remarkable 29th Table of Contents Board of Directors String Competition, presented by California Music time, San Francisco State University hosts the annual 2 Tom Driscoll, President Center (CMC) and San Francisco State University. Irving M. Klein International String Competition. Over The Visionary Ruth Short, Vice-President We have been thrilled to hear hundreds of extraordinary the years, this collaboration between the California Dexter Lowry, Secretary 3 artists blossom before our eyes at these June events, Music Center and the University has been a sumptuous The Prizes Rebecca McCray, Treasurer and we have kept close, collaborative connections with sensory and intellectual feast for thousands of people, Fred Spitz, Exec. Director many of them over the decades, as they found their whether members of our campus community or the 4 The Judges Judith Preves Anderson places among the most prominent string players in the larger communities that SF State serves. Michael Gelfand world. We’ll look back over all of this in June 2015 as we celebrate 30 years of “The Klein” affords our students models they can strive to emulate, 5 Peter Gelfand the Klein Competition. inspiring them to hone their craft, expand their range and outdo themselves Judging/Pianists Amnon Goldworth As the 2014 competition unfolds, we will get to know eight remarkable in manifold other ways. The contestants demonstrate that pursuing artistic 6 Heidi Kim young musicians. Each piece that they perform will reveal new facets of their excellence matters, for both themselves and their auditors. Listening to the often Commissioned Works Mitchell Sardou Klein personalities and provide a sense of their approach to the inner life of the music breathtakingly brilliant performances of these young musicians uplifts the 7 and the insights that they bring to the great masterpieces. We are proud and spirit and attests to the grandeur of the human spirit. Past Winners To learn more about excited to support the careers of young string players at such a formative time Not merely a contest, the Klein String Competition entails far more than CMC, please visit in their lives. adjudging the best player in this or that category. Each year, the contestants, 8 Competition Format californiamusiccenter.org, The Klein Competition has distinguished itself for its nurturing environment the accomplished panel of judges, the California Music Center, our faculty and email us at info@ and ongoing involvement in its community of past prizewinners, and CMC students and community members come together to experience something 9 californiamusiccenter.org continues to expand its year-round programming. In just the last three years, very special. Each performance is an opportunity for the musician to shine, Artists’ Programs or call us at 415/252-1122. 26 Klein laureates (from as far back as the first Competition in 1986!) have to exceed in skill and élan any prior performance. Each year, many contestants 17 appeared in 43 concerts and recitals and 32 educational events, produced by do rise to this challenge of achieving a personal best, encouraging one another Artists’ Biographies CMC directly or by its partner orchestras and presenters. to do the same. 22 In addition, we are pleased to feature Klein Competition laureates on our And, at Sunday’s dramatic conclusion, when the winners are announced, Donor Appreciation jury. This year, Cathy Basrak (First Prize, 1995), Robert deMaine (First Prize, we can revel in the belief—having been transported beyond our everyday 1990) and Jennifer Frautschi (First Prize, 1991) will join veteran members in existence by these prodigies, all of them winners—that the exuberance and Inside Back Cover Upcoming Performances the difficult task of adjudication. seemingly limitless potential of youth belong to us all. We thank you for being here and invite you to learn more about our upcoming events, and, of course, we invite your involvement and support. Enjoy! Enjoy discovering the eight remarkable young artists in this year’s Klein Competition! Paul Sherwin Dean Sincerely, College of Liberal & Creative Arts Mitchell Sardou Klein On the cover: Violinist Artistic Director Wyatt Underhill performs California Music Center at the 2013 competition, on his way to Second Prize. Photo by Scott Chernis. THE VISIONARY THE PRIZES Irving M. Klein (1917–1984) First prize ($13,000, including performances with the Peninsula and Santa Cruz Symphonies, Gualala Arts Chamber Music Series, Music in the Vineyards, Noontime Concerts and other Virtuoso chamber musician, master cello teacher and compassionate performances) is given in memory of Marvin T. Tepperman (1925–1989), who discovered his passion friend, Irving M. Klein served as the primary exemplar of his own for classical music as a young man in the U.S. Navy while stationed in Colorado during World War II. His roommate had an impressive collection of concertos, operas and symphonies on old 78s, and convictions about musical education. He spent a lifetime in pursuit it was from this experience that he became a lifelong music lover and supporter of young musical of excellence in musical performance, and he possessed a rare gift talent. Katherine (his daughter) and Roy Bukstein and Katherine’s mother, Jane Schueler, are for discerning and supporting the highest motivations in others, so honored to support this prize in his memory. that wherever he lived he was continually at the growing center of Second prize ($5,000, including a performance with the San José Chamber Orchestra) is given by Ruth Short in honor of Elaine H. Klein, wife of Irving M. Klein, and for the past 28 years, an active a flourishing musical community. board member and supporter of the Klein Competition and California Music Center. Third prize ($2,500) is given in memory of Alice Anne Roberts, who was a dedicated patron of the For 18 years he performed in this country and abroad with the Claremont arts. She was a cello student of Irving Klein, with whom she particularly enjoyed playing cello quartets. String Quartet, a group he co-founded. Acclaimed as one of the finest Among her many musical activities, she was a major supporter of the Ives Quartet, founder of the ensembles of that era, the Claremont represented the U.S. Department of Friends of the Stanford String Quartet, president of the Stanford Music Guild, president of the Council State in cultural exchange programs in Europe, Africa and South America. for the Arts for the city of Palo Alto and president and co-founder of the California Music Center. Klein was chairman of the String Department of the North Carolina Two Fourth prizes ($1,250) are awarded. This year, one prize is given by Loretta O’Connell in honor School of the Arts and taught at Pennsylvania State University, Peabody and memory of Harry Adams, co-founder of the Music in the Vineyards festival and a passionate, Conservatory, University of Delaware, Goucher College and College of life-long supporter of music and musicians; the other is given in memory of Lavilla Barry, by her Notre Dame. He performed with the CBS Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Leopold Stokowski’s husband Thomas, both of whom served as leading members of the California Music Center board for much of its history. All American Youth Orchestra and the Musica Aeterna Orchestra. He founded the California Music Center in 1971 and was its director for 13 years. The prize for the Best Performance of the Commissioned Work ($200) is named in memory Irving Klein dedicated his life to music and to humanity. It was his talent to create that very of Allen R. Weiss and Susan E. Weiss, who were often seen ushering together at the competition, special atmosphere of inquiry, respect and love that served to activate the creative efforts of his typically wearing a dress and bowtie made from the same fabric. They were tireless volunteers for musical and theatrical organizations, and they spent their lives encouraging children (especially musical colleagues, students and friends. He touched many lives gently and yet so profoundly that their own) to express themselves through the arts. his spirit and example will shine on through them for generations to come. —ANNE HERSHEY The Pablo Casals Prize ($500) is for the best performance of the solo Bach work, in honor of the musical tradition of the great master. It is given by Alan and Flora Grishman to celebrate the memory of his father, Irving M. Grishman, who bestowed the gifts of love and music. Semifinalist Prizes: Each semifinalist not awarded a named prize will receive $750. 2 THE 29TH ANNUAL IRVING M. KLEIN INTERNATIONAL STRING COMPETITION SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY · COLLEGE OF LIBERAL & CREATIVE ARTS · JUNE 7 & 8, 2014 3 THE JUDGES JUDGING/PIANISTS Cathy Basrak, violist, is Assistant Principal Viola of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Principal Klein Competition Judging Procedures Viola of the Boston Pops Orchestra. She was the First Prize winner of the 1995 Klein Competition. Judges are asked to refrain from discussion until the first secret ballot in each round is tallied, after which there may be discussion and re-votes only in the event of ties. In the semifinal round, the judges Robert deMaine, cellist, is Principal Cello of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In 1990 he became vote in no particular order for the three semifinalists who will typically be advanced to the final round. the first cellist to win First Prize at the Klein Competition. In the final round the judges vote for first place, which is determined, then proceed to vote for each remaining award, one at a time, starting with second up to the number of prizes being awarded.