NEW PALTZ, NY — “During the summer, America is enveloped in music festivals, but few of them are devoted to the piano. It is PianoSummer at New Paltz, SUNY, where one can hear recitals, master classes and a cross-section of young American and international piano talents, shepherded by the Russian-American pianist and teacher Vladimir Feltsman, and the team of his demanding colleagues brought in for the occasion, The students play before a very discriminating and appreciative audience. They go through a learning and performing experience which, quite literally, can change their musical philosophy, and even their lives.” – Harold C. Schonberg Musicologist and former music critic for The New York Times
(New Paltz, NY)-PianoSummer at New Paltz International Institute and Festival offers a unique combination of intensive piano studies, public performances of the piano repertoire by distinguished artists, and opportunities for the discovery of emerging young talent. Held July 10 – August 4 at SUNY New Paltz, located in New Paltz, New York, the four-week program brings together advanced students from around the world and an outstanding international artist faculty in an intensive and intimate atmosphere. The Institute and Festival were founded by Artistic Director Vladimir Feltsman, the renowned pianist who has been an ardent advocate of early musical training in this country, and who holds a Distinguished Chair at the State University of New York.
The PianoSummer at New Paltz Festival engenders a special atmosphere of creativity and discovery. Wonderful concerts performed by musicians at the top of their form, a close proximity between audience and artist, and the youthful vitality of students in the PianoSummer Institute, allow music lovers the opportunity to revel in creative programming constructed around a favorite instrument.
At these concerts you will hear pianists with widely differing approaches to the same instrument: musicians trained in Russia, Korea and America whose dedication to artistry is matched by their dedication to teaching. During its four-week season, PianoSummer at New Paltz is intensely busy with concerts, recitals, master classes, and an international piano competition. You may attend any or all of these events. Whether it is a free recital by one of the Institute’s gifted piano students, or an orchestral concert conducted by Maestro Feltsman, we invite you to join us on the campus of SUNY New Paltz for this unparalleled music experience.
For a complete festival brochure please call the Box Office at 845-257-3904 or visit us on the web at www.newpaltz.edu/piano. PianoSummer at New Paltz Calendar of Festival Events
Saturday, July 15 One-on-One with Strings Attached: Music for Duo Piano and Piano Trio McKenna Theatre, 8pm Tickets: $15/12
Eteri Andjaparidze, piano Vladimir Feltsman, piano Yosif Feigelson – ‘cello Vladimir Landsman – violin
Sonata in D, for two pianos Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Trio Viktor Kissine Trio Op. 121a; Variations on “Ich bin der Schneider Kakadu” Ludwig van Beethoven Symphonic Dances for two pianos, Op. 45 Sergei Rachmaninoff
Fans of Mr. Feltsman and Ms. Andjaparidze will rejoice as these fiery pianists work opposite each other on two pianos. These particular piano duos would be invitation enough but there is additional contrast. Each pianist will perform a trio with strings. Mr. Feltsman has selected a work by a contemporary Russian composer and Ms. Anjaparidze will perform the beloved Beethoven “Kakadu” Variations.
We are happy to congratulate Eteri Andjaparidze, who received a 1999 Grammy Award nomination for her recording of piano rags by Zez Confrey.
Sunday, July 16 PianoSummer Discovery: Daria Rabotkina in an all-Chopin Recital McKenna Theatre, 2pm Tickets: $10
Daria Rabotkina, piano
Barcarolle, Op.60 (1846) Sonata in B minor, Op.58 (1845)
Audiences from previous summers at PianoSummer may remember the young pianist who won the Jacob Flier competition in 1998. Daria Rabotkina returns for a solo program devoted to works by perennial favorite Frederic Chopin (1810-1849). Ms. Rabotkina was born in 1981 in Kazan, Russia and started to play piano at age five. In addition to the Flier Competition, she is a laureate of the Young Virtuoso Competition in Czech Republic (Grand Prize, 1992) and the Tbilisi International Competition (Fourth Prize, 1997).
Saturday, July 22 Kim plus Kim: Three Brahms Sonatas for Piano and Violin McKenna Theatre, 8pm Tickets: $15/12
Yuri Kim, piano Chin Kim, violin
Sonata in G, Op. (1880) Sonata in A, Op. 100 (1887) Sonata in D minor, Op. 108 (1889)
Great ensemble playing often profits from a marriage of souls, particularly with these exceptional artists whose musical relationship continues in their personal lives. Unfolding like the themes of a novel, Brahms has created massive, beautiful chamber music that is the epitome of the Romantic period. This music invites you to listen differently than you would to orchestra or solo performance. Each player has a voice and a role, and through this dialogue they negotiate a harmonious interaction.
Yuri Kim has been critically acclaimed for the power and poetry of her playing. Her recording “Beethoven Works for Piano” received uniformly rave reviews from the music press, with Allegro Quarterly calling it “a recording of enduring significance.” Chin Kim won the Nan Pa Prize as musician of the year, the highest honor given to a Korean musician by the government. He captivates listeners with his natural joie de vivre that enters right into the heart of his playing.
Sunday, July 23 Beethoven Favorites: Beethoven Sonatas McKenna Theatre, 2pm Tickets: $10
Nak Ho Paik, piano
Sonata No. 8 in C minor “Pathétique” Op. 13 (1799) Sonata No. 14 in C# minor “Moonlight” Op. 27 no.2 (1802) Sonata No. 23 in F minor “Appassionata” Op. 57 (1807)
Esteemed Korean pianist and teacher Nak Ho Paik returns to New Paltz for his sixth summer as an Institute faculty member. Professor Emeritus of Seoul National Univeristy, he has played and taught widely in Korea and throughout the world.
Saturday, July 29 Edward Aldwell Piano Recital McKenna Theatre, 8pm Tickets: $15/12
French Suite No. 6 in E major, BWV 817 Johann Sebastian Bach Sonata in A minor, K. 310 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart English Suite in A minor, BWV 807 Johann Sebastian Bach Barcarolle No. 5 in F# minor, Op.66 Gabriel Fauré Nocturne No. 5 in Bb major, Op.37 Gabriel Fauré Valse-Caprice No. 3 in Gb major, Op.59 Gabriel Fauré
Edward Aldwell is known for his insightful and probing interpretations, particularly of Bach and Fauré. His gift for conveying the dramatic expression of Bach’s writing has excited audiences and critics alike. The quintessentially French Romantic music of Fauré is a favorite of the pianist and a marvelous compliment to the structure of standard repertoire. Aldwell is a returning faculty member of the PianoSummer Institute.
Friday, August 4 Symphony Gala Vladimir Feltsman, conductor Festival Orchestra McKenna Theatre, 8pm Tickets: $25/22
Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana Pietro Mascagni Symphony No. 5 Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Jacob Flier Piano Competition Winner
This concert of musical masterpieces is spiced with uncertainty until the outcome of the Jacob Flier International Piano Competition. Vladimir Feltsman established this competition in 1998 to honor the distinguished pianist who was his teacher at the Moscow Conservatory. Proceeds from this Gala will benefit the PianoSummer Institute.
The Jacob Flier International Piano Competition will be held on Monday, July 24 in the Shepard Recital Hall, located in College Hall on the SUNY campus. Entrants are required to perform a Bach prelude and fugue, a large-scale solo work, and a concerto from a repertoire ranging from Mozart to Prokofiev. It is free and open to the public. Please call the Department of Music 914-257-2700 for exact time.
Ticket Ordering Information Box Office: 914-257-3904 phone, 257-3859 fax Website: www.newpaltz.edu/piano For lodging and travel: www.newpaltzchamber.org or call 914-255-0243
Evening Concert: $15 single tickets, $12 seniors/students (with valid I.D.)/groups of 10 or more Sunday Afternoon Concert: All seats $10 Symphony Gala: $25 single tickets, $22 seniors/students (with valid I.D.)/groups of 10 or more
The SUNY New Paltz Summer Box Office is located in the lobby of Parker Theatre. Box Office hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 12pm – 6pm. We are closed on Monday. On the day of a performance, the Box Office opens one hour prior to curtain in McKenna Theatre.
PianoSummer at New Paltz Institute
Founded in 1995 by artistic director Vladimir Feltsman, the four-week institute attracts gifted piano students from around the world. While in residence at the College, these extremely dedicated students work with internationally acclaimed artist/teachers who represent a variety of teaching styles and diverse musical ideologies. As global interest in the Institute continues to grow, so does its reputation and presence on the national music scene.
Free Institute Recitals
The following recitals are free and open to the public. They are presented in the Nadia and Max Shepard Recital Hall, located in College Hall, SUNY New Paltz. Please Note: All performances are subject to change. No tickets are needed, but you may wish to call the box office at 914-257-3904 for confirmation of concert date and time.
Thursday July 13 8pm French music for two and four hands Tuesday July 18 noon Harold C. Schonberg Lecture Thursday July 20 8pm Robert Hamilton Recital Friday July 21 7:30pm Student Recital Monday July 24 tbd Jacob Flier International Piano Competition Thursday July 27 8pm Lieder Recital featuring Maria Bertilsson and Niels Bo Emgren Monday July 31 8pm Jacob Flier Competition 2nd and 3rd place winners Wednesday Aug. 2 7:30pm Student Recital
Master Classes
In addition to the free recitals listed above, master classes, which are offered each day of the Institute, are open to the public for a one-time audit fee of $50. For schedule and registration, contact the Department of Music, (845) 257-2700.
