OPENING MASTERWORKS: DON JUAN & CONCERTO FOR ORCHESTRA Friday, October 19 & Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 7pm UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, Jemison Concert Hall Carlos Izcaray, Conductor Stephen Buck, Piano Vanessa Perez, Piano

JOHN STAFFORD SMITH The Star-Spangled Banner (1750-1836)

RICHARD STRAUSS Don Juan, TrV 156, Op. 20 (1864-1949)

FRANCIS POULENC Concerto in D minor for 2 Pianos & Orchestra (1899-1963) (Stephen Buck and Vanessa Perez) I. Allegro ma non troppo

II. Larghetto

III. Finale: Allegro molto

INTERMISSION

BÉLA BARTÓK Concerto for Orchestra (1881-1945) I. Introduzione: Andante non troppo - Allegro vivace

II. Giuocco delle coppie: Allegretto scherzando

III. Elegia: Andante non troppo

IV. Intermezzo interrotto: Allegretto

V. Finale: Pesante - Presto 2018-2019 SEASON

This weekend's performances generously supported by Medical Properties Trust and media partner WBHM. OPUS I Out of courtesy to the performers and those around you, please silence or turn off all electronic devices. Concert title, conductor, artists, and repertoire subject to change. 19 20 OPUS I 2018-2019 SEASON PROGRAM NOTES on September 5, 1932, and Poulenc also recognized its International SocietyforContemporary Music in Venice was immediately popular upon its premiere at the concerto skillfully blends these tendencies. The work machine heiress Princess dePolignac, ‘Winnie’ the Commissioned bysocialiteand American Singer sewing the Concerto inDMinorfor Two Pianos illustrates well. his musictendstobedirect andtuneful—something well. principles Often merging sentimentality withwitty irony, aesthetic these fit compositions Poulenc’s impressionism, formalism, and intellectualism in music. French of composers(includingErikSatie)opposed to Les Six, theleading members of was oneof thegroup PIANOS IN D MINOR 2 FOR CONCERTO POULENC'S music. interpreted byLenau andStrauss—shines through inthe trumpet notesounds, Don Juan’s essential character—as Don Giovanni), astheorchestra fadesandadissonant theCommendatore (asinMozart’s end atthehandof underlying nobility. Even after heabruptlymeetshis played byfourFrench horns, thatconveystheDon’s opening melody. Also noteworthyistheslowmelody, Strauss depictstherakish Don Juan inthetonepoem’s As Lenau self-hatred. writes, loathingisthedevilthatfetcheshim.” “This with filled eventually is heart conquest proves emptytotheDon, however, whose cannot possess themasindividuals.” Eachindividual woman, “toenjoyinonewomanallwomen, sincehe more thanawomanizer;heissearching fortheperfect Don Juan.version of InLenau’s rewriting, Don Juan is musical dramatizationAustrian NicolausLenau’s of Strauss wasonlytwenty-fourwhenhecomposedhis ideas withpreexisting musicalstructures. hiscompositions,brilliant inmanyof merging unique new forms,” Strauss managestodosomethingequally attractive.” Despitehisallegianceto“correspondingly more the reason very that for but task, difficult very a is for everysubject, toshapewhichneatly andperfectly, and to his mentor Hans von Bülow after writing musical formsseemednatural toStrauss. As hewrote works basedonastory oridea. Abandoning traditional tone poems, single-movementsymphonic hisseriesof Perhaps thisallegianceare his thebestillustrations of Strauss becameincreasingly associated withthelatter. theformer,Brahms isoften heldupasasymbolof Richard or musicbasedonnon-musicalideas. While Johannes with noextra-music connections, andprogram music, nineteenth century:between“absolute” music, ormusic the themajordebatesof music highlightsoneof JUAN DON STRAUSS' Macbeth, “To create acorrespondingly newform A largely self-taughtcomposer, Francis Poulenc Inspired by Richard Wagner’s Although Richard Strauss liveduntil1949, his Tristan und Isolde, Don Juan

and almosthumorous end. which possesses ajazzyenergy thatcomestoanabrupt theopeningreturns intheconcludingmovement,feel of and Iprefer Mozarttoallothermusicians.” The frenetic Mozart, becauseIhaveafondness forthemelodicline to theme, return first to said,myself,permittedthe “I for gamelan ensemble. thesecondmovement, Of Poulenc percussion a noises and an orchestral imitation of on aseriousnote, butsooninterminglesirreverent really entering my great period.” The concerto opens step forward itisfrom myprevious workandthatIam Collar, “You whatanenormous willseeforyourself success. As hewrote totheBelgianmusicologistPaul ORCHESTRA FOR CONCERTO BARTÓK'S to the life assertion of thelastone.”to thelifeassertion of first the of sternness thethird,movement andthelugubriousdeath-song of the from transition gradual a “represents, apartfrom thejestingsecondmovement, premiere, hesaidthatthe“general thework mood”of 25 years.” noteBartókwrote fortheConcerto’s Inabrief the last declared the work “the best orchestral piece of 1, 1944. Bartókproudly reported thattheconductor and theBostonSymphony Orchestra onDecember by Koussevitzky was given which of performance first 1943, hebeganworkontheConcerto forOrchestra, the by latesummerhewasabletogohome. On August 15, orchestral composition. Bartoksuddenlyimproved, and went toBartók’s hospitalroom andcommissioned an conductor Fritz Reiner, conductorSerge Koussevitzky violinist Joseph Szigetiand Acting atthesuggestionof plummeted, andthere wasnoconclusivediagnosis. life. In1943, Bartók’s health had declined; his weight the piecemayhaveevengivenhimanewlease on just twoyears before hisdeath, anditisoften saidthat Concerto hismostpopularworks— forOrchestra—one of

© Program Notesby Jennifer More 2018 Hungarian composer Béla Bartók wrote the Hungarian composerBélaBartókwrote the For Carlos Izcaray's Bio Izcaray's Carlos For please see page 6 page see please THE ARTISTS For Carlos Izcaray's Bio please see page 6

STEPHEN BUCK As an arranger and program designer, Stephen Buck has played an important role in some of the most innovative, entertaining, and stimulating concert experiences today. He has worked with actor Bill Murray, cellist Jan Vogler, violinist Mira Wang and pianist Vanessa Perez in New Worlds; baritone Thomas Hampson and pianist Lara Downes in the Beyond Liberty project; pianist Hélène Grimaud; and violinist Daniel Röhn in the musical exploration Roaring 20’s. His arrangements have been performed on the most important stages in the United States, and through 2018-19 will be brought to audiences in Iceland, Scotland, Germany, Greece, New Zealand and Australia. His work also appeared on CBS Sunday Morning and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The common thread in Stephen’s work is the desire to expand the traditional classical concert experience in every way. For New Worlds, this means bringing jazz, in southern Italy. In 2006 he co-founded the rock, theater and folk music to a traditional piano trio. AlpenKammerMusik Festival in Austria, an intensive In Beyond Liberty, the focus on American music from 11-day course for musicians of all ages. His interest in all peoples, regions and times is enhanced through new music led him to perform with F.I.RE, a New-York electronics that thoughtfully expand the sonic palette of based contemporary music ensemble, while his work the listener. Roaring 20’s explores jazz, classical, and film with the Polaris Trio explores 19th and 20th century music with a large chamber ensemble, and includes the repertoire. Stephen moved back to New York City after added challenge of accompanying live film projections teaching piano and music history at the South Carolina with chamber versions of original soundtracks. Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities. Prior Stephen draws on his ongoing experience as a to moving to South Carolina, he completed a Teaching pianist, chamber musician, and pedagogue in finding Fellowship at Yale University, where he earned his Doctor ways to help other musicians create and refine concert of Musical Arts in 2007 studying with Peter Frankl. While experiences. He is a tremendous supporter of new at Yale, he won the Woolsey Hall Concerto Competition, music, and is currently working on a solo program performing Ravel’s Concerto for the Left Hand. featuring the complete piano works of composer Huang Dr. Buck received a Master of Music degree Ruo, highlighted with pieces by Schubert, Liszt, and from the University of Michigan, studying with Anton Bach. Nel, and won Second Prize at the 1998 Isabel Scionti Stephen made his Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall Competition, the university’s Concerto Competition with debut through Artists International in New York, and the Barber Piano Concerto, and received the Stockwell serves on the academic faculty of the SUNY Purchase Memorial Scholarship. Mr. Buck graduated Phi Beta Conservatory of Music. Recent performance highlights Kappa from Johns Hopkins University in 1995, where he have included a wide range of repertoire and venues, studied with Ann Schein at Peabody Conservatory. including three concertos in one evening with the Orquesta Juveníl de Caracas and pianist Vanessa Perez in Venezuela; a chamber opera by Huang Ruo at the VANESSA PEREZ Guggenheim Museum in New York; Beethoven’s Choral About Venezuelan-American pianist, The Fantasy, Stravinsky’s Concerto for Piano and Winds and Washington Post called it right, saying, “Vanessa Perez Laura Kaminsky’s Piano Concerto at Purchase College; an is not to be taken lightly.” The newspaper’s critic added: appearance on Vanessa Perez’ release for the Steinway 2018-2019 SEASON “her fiery impetuosity proving her technical prowess in label of works by Debussy and de Falla; and recordings works by Villa-Lobos, Albéniz, Ravel and Rachmaninoff… for the Innova and Naxos labels of works by Huang Ruo. Even Mozart's Sonata in F, K. 332, had muscular energy An avid chamber musician and collaborative as she raced through the Allegros. The Adagio was pure OPUS I pianist, Stephen taught and performed for several grace.” She is praised for a bold, passionate performing summers at the Adriatic Chamber Music Festival style allied to musicianship of keen sensitivity. Perez 21 22 OPUS I 2018-2019 SEASON THE ARTISTS of theBlue Note,of where Latin jazzstar Arturo Sandoval classical concerthall –itwasatthedowntown jazzshrine uptown an in wasn’t New York in performance first her the album as“strong… exciting.” view, hailing that seconded Guide Music flamenco.” All Andalusian strum andbodieswhirl inthetruespiritof Spain: castanetsclick,more vivaciousviewof guitars pianist Vanessa Perez couldhardly havegivenusa review inInternationalPiano declaring:“The Venezuelan (his firstpieceinaSpanishstyle). hisPréludes)(from thesecondbookof and“Lindaraja” Estampes),second movementof “LaPuerto del Vino” Debussy works include“Lasoirée deGrenade” (the Bética, commissioned by Arthur Rubinstein. The album’s are Homenaje, anhomagetoDebussy, andtheFantasía including the famous “Ritual Fire Dance.” Also by Falla de Tres Picos, andEl Amor Brujo, which withthelatter of three stage works byFalla: La Vida Breve, ElSombrero for Spain. Perez playsevocativepianosuites taken from affinity an with Frenchman a Debussy, Claude mentor an attraction to French culture, and by his friend and music byManueldeFalla, aSpanishcomposerwith 2016. Onthisatmosphericalbum, thepianistperforms titled “Spain”released bytheSteinway &Sonslabelin Philharmonie, and Athen’s OdeonHerodes. Europe, includingLondon’s Royal Festival Hall, Berlin’s Hall inNew York. This past June 2018, theytoured Francisco, Baltimore, Pittsburg, Boston, and Carnegie Philadelphia’s Music, Academy of Los Angeles, San Kennedy Center, Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, Seattle, New Worlds” included performances at Washington’s on July 20th, 2017. Recent toursin2017-2018with“ the Dresden MusicFestival, anditsUSpremiere inNapa Europe. The project haditspremiere in June 2017at well as the inspirations bridging the New World and Whitman, George GershwinandLeonard Bernstein), as music (asrepresented Mark bythelikesTwain, of Walt exploring core American valuesin literature and the star German cellist, this group presents a program Mira Wang. Led bythebeloved American comedianand with actorBillMurray, cellist Jan Vogler, andviolinist projects will find the pianist in the “New Worlds” project, Bryant Park and Joyce Theatre. Perez’s Oneof latest Limon DanceCompany forperformancesinManhattan’s broad audiencesplayingChopin’sof mazurkas withthe York’s Rikers Island prison. Shewasalsoseeninfront Messiaen’s Turangalîla Symphony forinmatesatNew of concert a during piano the at filmed was she Farrin, Alongside star Gael García Bernal, and ondist Suzanne Amazon’s hit TV seriesMozartinthe Jungle in2016. Vàsàry. from thegreat Claudio Arrau toLazarBermanand Tamàs has beenchampionedbyiconickeyboard performers,

She made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2004, but Critics were suitablybeguiledbySpain, withthe As asoloist, Perez’s mostrecent recording is Perez wasseenperformingduringanepisodeof the United States andEurope. with pianist Stephen BuckintheUSA, andassoloist in New Zealand, and Australia, pianoduo performances Murray, Jan Vogler andMira Wang, intheUnitedStates, Washington, New Worlds” withtheproject“ along Bill collaborations withDanielHopeinSanFrancisco, and Falla piecesare alsofeatured on her“Spain”recording. their children. Debussy and Their duoperformances of Stephen Buckwithwhomshegivesduoconcerts, and resides inManhattan, withherhusband, pianist-arranger theU.S.dual citizenof and Venezuela, Perez currently Paul Moravec, Lowell LiebermannandPaul Desenne. A with SuzanneFarrin butalsowithsuchcomposersas contemporary music, Perez hascollaborated not only and Texas Public Radio. Actively involvedinperforming Media’s “Performance Today,” MinnesotaPublic Radio, Public Radio’s “All Things Considered,” American Public Sirius XM, and WGBH Boston, aswellonNational popular radio stationsas WQXR New York, WFMT Chicago, London, amongothers. Beethoven-Haus inGermany, andthe Wigmore Hallin in Barcelona, theMontpellierFestival inFrance, the soloist, Perez hasperformedatthePalau delaMúsica from Manhattan toMiamiSanDiego. InEurope, as Miami toMinnesota Vermont andinsolorecitals has played with symphony orchestras in the U.S. from US andCanada, andalsowiththeDaliquartet. She duo performanceswithviolinistDanielHope, inthe chamber collaborations, highlightsfrom 2017include Carlos Miguel Prieto and Jean Philippe Tremblay. In America with the Youth the OrchestraAmericas under of Majorca,the ChopinFestival of Spain, andtoured Central Matheuz in Puerto Rico’s Casals Festival. She played at Dudamel inCaracas andwith the Orquesta underDiego Orquesta dela Juventud SimónBolívar underGustavo under John Axelrod inGermanytoconcertswiththe collaboration withtheLucerne Symphony Orchestra Keyboard Institute&Festival inNew York anda have ranged from anappearance intheInternational including atthefamed Teatro Colón inBuenos Aires. Mexico,of Brazil, Colombia, Uruguayand Argentina, Perez hasperformedassoloist, inthecultural capitals Venezuelan folkmelodies. had herperformhis“Sureña,” apiecelacedwith Vanessa Perez is a Steinway Artist. Future upcomingperformances, include Perez has been featured performing on such In recent years, Perez’s performancehighlights A frequent performerthroughout the Americas,