ARIZONA MUSICFEST 2014

Transcription

1 Media contact: Vickilyn Hussey / trendlab@cox.net / / Allan Naplan, Executive Director Robert Moody, Artistic Director ARIZONA MUSICFEST 2014 January 30 February 3 February 7 February 9 February 11 February 13 February 15 February 16 February 18 February 20 February 21 February 23 February 27 March 1 ABBA, The Concert Judy Collins The Legend LIVE! A Celebration of Dave Brubeck with the Brubeck Brothers Quartet Bryant Park Quartet: Beethoven, Ravel & Pärt Pianist Jonathan Biss in concert: Beethoven, Chopin & Brahms The Jeff Hamilton Trio: Paragon of Groove Bob Moody & Friends Organ Virtuosi Perform Masterworks A British Orchestral Odyssey featuring Holst s The Planets Symphonic Russian Sketches featuring Mussorgsky s Pictures at an Exhibition Ukulele Phenom Jake Shimabukuro with the Arizona Musicfest Orchestra A German Requiem: Brahms Monumental Choral Masterpiece The Very Best of John Denver starring Mike Eldred 50s Dance Party: A Tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper Arizona Musicfest 2014, (January 30 March 1), presents top artists of Classical, Chamber, Jazz, Rock n Roll and Pop in fourteen extraordinary concerts at venues in Scottsdale, Carefree and Phoenix. Opening night is The Festival Fanfare with ABBA, The Concert, rocking the house with original members of the ABBA rhythm section keeping the sound authentic. This is the best ABBA since ABBA! An exciting Festival lineup of artists follows, beginning with legendary Judy Collins performing live. Jazz aficionados will be in heaven when The Jeff Hamilton Trio grooves and the Brubeck Brothers Quartet shares the love of the great Dave Brubeck. Highlighting the Brubeck Brothers performance will be stories, archival videos and musical remembrances in a celebration of their father s life and legacy. Chamber music is well represented by the vibrant young Bryant Park Quartet, piano virtuoso Jonathan Biss, and an organ concert by Spoleto Festival favorite James Jones and 2012 National Competition for Organ Improvisation Audience Favorite Patrick Scott. 1

2 A combination of chamber and popular music, Bob Moody & Friends, is a cabaret-style showcase of the many musical talents of Artistic Director Robert Moody, his musician friends and guest artists. At the heart of the festival is the Arizona Musicfest Orchestra conducted by Robert Moody, performing in four blockbuster concerts of Festival Orchestra Week (February 18 through 23). Highlights are thrilling works of orchestral grandeur, including Sir Peter Maxwell Davies An Orkney Wedding with Sunrise, Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending, Holst s The Planets, Mussorgsky s Pictures at an Exhibition, Prokofiev s Symphony No. 1, and Rachmaninoff s Piano Concerto No. 2, with charismatic piano soloist Conrad Tao. Continuing the Orchestra s successful collaborations with renowned artists (the Brubeck Brothers Quartet at Arizona Musicfest 2012, and Keb Mo at Arizona Musicfest 2013), ukulele phenom Jake Shimabukuro joins the Arizona Musicfest Orchestra at Arizona Musicfest 2014 with an electrifying crossover concert. Festival Orchestra Week closes with Brahms German Requiem, a monumental choral masterwork featuring the Arizona Musicfest Chorus and guest soloists, the highly acclaimed Twyla Robinson (soprano) and Troy Cook (baritone). For centuries, this inspiring work has brought individuals and communities together, celebrating inner strength and courage. Wrapping up the Festival are the great pop hits! Broadway star Mike Eldred recreates the songs cherished by a nation in The Very Best of John Denver. Denver s music served as an anthem for our country and its wide-open spaces. The Festival Finale is a 50s Dance Party with the rock n roll hits of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper in an authentic recreation of their final concert tour, complete with dance floor. The show stars John Mueller as Buddy Holly, Jay P. Richardson, Jr. as his dad, The Big Bopper, and Las Vegas Legends star Ray Anthony as Ritchie Valens. Ticket prices for Arizona Musicfest 2014 concerts range from $23 to $65. Maximize the music experience with a Fanfare to Finale Festival Pass (Premium $615 or General Admission $486; a savings of $210 for Premium and $163 for General Admission). That s three free concerts if you go with the Fanfare to Finale Festival Pass! A 5-Pack offering a 20% discount (Premium $260 or General Admission $196) is a buy four, get one free deal (a savings of $65 for Premium and $49 for General Admission). The 3-Pack offers a 15% discount (Premium $165 or General Admission $124) option (a savings of $30 for Premium, and $23 for General Admission). A limited number of student tickets are available (K 12) $5 for selected guest artists and FREE for Arizona Musicfest Orchestra concerts. A ticketed adult must accompany students under the age of 16. Tickets for college students (current school ID required) are $10 for selected guest artists and Arizona Musicfest Orchestra concerts. Call , toll free or visit for tickets and detailed concert information. Next: Arizona Musicfest 2014 Concert details 2

3 ABBA, The Concert Thursday, January 30, at 7:30pm The ultimate tribute to the iconic group that set the gold standard for pop music around the world! This is the best ABBA since ABBA! Talented performers, including members of the original ABBA rhythm section, bring you the full ABBA experience. Your favorite dance tunes and ballads will rock the house! All the hits, including Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, Take a Chance on Me, Waterloo, The Winner Takes It All, S.O.S., and more. ABBA, The Concert has attracted sold-out audiences from the Hollywood Bowl to the Royal Albert Hall in London. You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life at ABBA, The Concert! Tickets: $23; $33, $49, $65; Student (K-12) $5; College with ID $10 Judy Collins The Legend LIVE! Monday, February 3 at 7:30pm From the 1960s to today, legendary artist Judy Collins has inspired and entertained audiences with sublime vocals and boldly vulnerable songwriting. Esteemed for her imaginative interpretations of traditional and contemporary folk standards, as well as her own poetically poignant original compositions, Judy Collins has garnered Top-Ten hits, Gold and Platinum recordings, and prestigious Grammy Award recognition for her versions of Stephen Sondheim s Send in the Clowns (1975 Song of the Year) and Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now (Grammy Hall of Fame). Her voice, songwriting and prose all belong to the same stream whose distinctive quality is a diamondlike clarity. (The New York Times) Don t miss this very special concert event with one of the music industry s all-time greatest artists! A Celebration of Dave Brubeck with the Brubeck Brothers Quartet Friday, February 7 at 7:30pm Legend. American icon. Jazz titan. These are just a few of the many accolades used to describe jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck. The Brubeck brothers, Chris (trombone, bass) and Dan (drums), as well as honorary brothers Mike DeMicco (guitar) and Chuck Lamb (piano), celebrate their father with musical memories, family stories, archival videos and personal insights into Dave s most famous works. The Brubeck Brothers Quartet s style is rooted in straight-ahead jazz while naturally integrating the influences of funk, blues and world music. The group s creativity, technique and improvisation can be heard in their uncompromising music, which reflects their dedication to melody, rhythm, culture and the spontaneous spirit of jazz. What better way to celebrate the life and music of the great Dave Brubeck than with his family! Bryant Park Quartet: Beethoven, Ravel & Pärt Sunday, February 9 at 3pm With their performance of Pärt s Fratres, Ravel s String Quartet, and Beethoven s String Quartet in B Major, the Bryant Park String Quartet will make you sit up and take notice. Riveting! proclaimed The New York Times. This charismatic quartet, rigorously trained at the prestigious Juilliard School and Carnegie Hall s Academy program, is clearly one of the most talented and expressive young string quartets performing today. For their Arizona Musicfest debut, the quartet has chosen a program which pairs a popular contemporary work with two exquisite historical masterpieces. The result is a chamber concert of remarkable richness and vitality. Venue: Desert Hills Presbyterian Church, N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale Tickets: $34, $50; Student (K-12) $5; College with ID $10 3

4 Pianist Jonathan Biss in Concert: Beethoven, Chopin & Brahms Tuesday, February 11 at 7:30pm Hailed as one of the most thoughtful and technically accomplished pianists of the younger generation by BBC Music Magazine, Jonathan Biss has embarked on an ambitious project to record the complete cycle of Beethoven s 32 sonatas. As The New York Times proclaimed, His journey will be well worth following! Arizona Musicfest audiences will get the chance to take the journey with Biss, live, when the intrepid pianist performs two of the sonatas from the cycle, including the heroic Waldstein. This breathtaking program - featuring the same repertoire Biss performs just one month earlier at the famed Carnegie Hall also showcases Brahms Klavierstücke, Op. 119; and Chopin s Nocturnes, Op. 62 and Polonaise-fantaisie, Op. 61. Discover why Jonathan Biss is widely praised for his artistry, musical intelligence, and deeply felt interpretations. Venue: Temple Chai, 4645 East Marilyn Road, Phoenix (south of Greenway, west of Tatum) Tickets: $20, $30, $34, $50; Student (K-12) $5 College with ID $10 The Jeff Hamilton Trio: Paragon of Groove Thursday, February 13 at 7:30pm Enjoy an intimate jazz club vibe at Arizona Musicfest 2014! The Jeff Hamilton Trio has forged a deep connection performing and recording together since 2004, yielding ensemble artistry that seems to deepen over time and age like fine wine. Jeff Hamilton on drums is a paragon of class and groove, having recorded with everyone from Diana Krall to Rosemary Clooney. When it comes to touch, taste, and a deep understanding of what makes a band swing, drummer Jeff Hamilton has no peers. (allaboutjazz.com) Grooving with Hamilton are renowned bassist Christoph Luty and Arizona Musicfest favorite, pianist Tamir Hendelman who wowed audiences at the 2012 Festival. Make no mistake; this band swings. Venue: Fairway House at Grayhawk, 8620 E. Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale Cocktails: A cash bar is available Tickets: $49; No Student tickets. Bob Moody & Friends Saturday, February 15 at 5:00pm & 8:00pm Multi-talented Robert Moody, Arizona Musicfest Artistic Director, hosts and performs in this unique cabaret-style evening featuring a variety of outstanding guest artists. This much-loved annual concert will once again offer a wide range of musical styles, showcasing the entertaining diversity, artistry and accessibility of Maestro Moody and his talented friends. Expect the unexpected at this unique evening of cocktails, celebrities and camaraderie. A Festival favorite that is sure to sell out! Venue: Pinnacle Peak Country Club, 8701 East Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale, AZ Cocktails: A cash bar is available Tickets: $49; No Student tickets Organ Virtuosi Perform Masterworks Sunday, February 16 at 3:00pm James Jones is quickly establishing a much-deserved reputation as one of America's premier young organists. Mr. Jones has appeared at the prestigious Piccolo Spoleto Festival, and with the Memphis Symphony, Arizona Musicfest Orchestra, Winston-Salem Symphony and Portland Symphony Orchestra. Awarded Audience Favorite at the 2012 National Competition in Organ Improvisation, Dr. Patrick Scott started playing the organ at age 8, and has been garnering honors and plaudits ever since. In a duo program featuring accomplished virtuosity combined with artistic spontaneity, Jones and Scott will perform great masterworks on the magnificent Richards, Fowkes, Inc. pipe organ of Pinnacle Presbyterian Church. You ll feel the power of the masters resonating in your bones! Tickets: $34; Student (K-12) $5; College with ID $10 4

5 A British Orchestral Odyssey featuring Holst s The Planets Robert Moody conducts the Arizona Musicfest Orchestra Tuesday, February 18 at 7:30pm Sir Peter Maxwell Davies An Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise takes you along as an honored guest to a Scottish island wedding ceremony, celebrated with the flavor of authentic folk music, substantial whiskey drinking and exuberant dancing until dawn. Be immediately transported to the lush meadows and rolling hills of a utopian countryside with the quintessential pastoral theme of Ralph Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending. Repeatedly voted Britain s all-time classical favorite, this beloved work is pure England with a hint of heaven! Featured violin soloist for the Vaughan Williams is Robin Mayforth, a founding member of the highly respected Lark Quartet and concertmaster of Arizona Musicfest Orchestra since Critics, such as San Francisco Classical Voice, have deemed her performances impeccably executed. English composer Gustav Holst s fascination with the astrological aspects of the planets drove him to create a monumental masterpiece, The Planets. Each of the movements provides a distinctive and breathtaking experience, from languid melodies to sinister martial rhythms, in a vivid and emotional orchestral odyssey! Tickets: $44, $49, $65; Student (K-12) FREE; College with ID $10 Symphonic Russian Sketches featuring Mussorgsky s Pictures at an Exhibition Robert Moody conducts the Arizona Musicfest Orchestra Thursday, February 20 at 7:30pm Travel to Russia with an evening of beloved symphonic sketches: Prokofiev s Symphony No. 1, the Classical; Rachmaninoff s sublime Piano Concerto No. 2; and Mussorgsky s Pictures at an Exhibition. Sergei Prokofiev s Classical Symphony is both playful and brilliant, calling for remarkable feats of agility and ensemble precision. This tribute to Haydn by Russia s 20 th Century enfant terrible is a revelation of great beauty. Conrad Tao, piano soloist for the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2, continues to impress the music world. The New York Times enthusiastically lauds his probing intellect and openhearted vision. Praised as a performer of astonishing talent, technical ability and charisma, Tao recently found himself next to Lady Gaga, Adele and Taylor Swift on the Forbes list of the 30 most influential people under 30. This is Tao s second appearance at Arizona Musicfest, following a highly acclaimed recital in The program concludes with the most famous gallery stroll of all time, Mussorgsky s Pictures at an Exhibition, achieving mystery, excitement, humor and grandeur with a glorious Kiev-worthy finale. "After the final gigantic chords of the Great Gate of Kiev, Moody and the orchestra received a long, foot-stamping standing ovation." (Portland Press Herald) Moody imbued the Rachmaninoff with energy and magnetically aligned ensemble." (The Arizona Republic) Tickets: $44, $49, $65; Student (K-12) FREE; College with ID $10 Ukulele Phenom Jake Shimabukuro with the Arizona Musicfest Orchestra Conducted by Robert Moody Friday, February 21 at 7:30pm Jake Shimabukuro, the globe touring ukulele virtuoso and subject of the recent PBS documentary Life on Four Strings, is hailed by Rolling Stone as a hero for redefining a heretofore under-the-radar instrument. Launched into international stardom after a 2006 YouTube clip of his playing While My Guitar Gently Weeps went viral, Shimabukuro now enjoys an acclaimed recording and performance career. His concert appearances take him around the globe, performing before dignitaries including the Queen of England, and on TV (The Today Show, CNN). Shimabukuro effortlessly mixes jazz, rock, classical, traditional Hawaiian music and folk, creating a sound that is technically masterful, emotionally powerful, and utterly unique in the music world. One of the highlights of this performance will be the Festival debut of the Musicfest Strummers, who will accompany Shimabukuro and the Arizona Musicfest Orchestra on a number of very special selections. An innovative youth education program developed and provided by Arizona Musicfest, the acclaimed Musicfest Strummers program uses ukuleles to teach music fundamentals to students in area elementary schools. 5

6 Ukulele Phenom Jake Shimabukuro with the Arizona Musicfest Orchestra continued: Tickets: $23, $33, $49, $65; Student (K-12) FREE; College with ID $10 A German Requiem: Brahms Monumental Choral Masterpiece Robert Moody conducts the Arizona Musicfest Orchestra, Chorus and Soloists Twyla Robinson, Soprano, and Troy Cook, Baritone Sunday, February 23 at 3pm The tremendous beauty of this orchestral and choral masterwork has immense power, lifting the human spirit and reminding us of the exquisite joy of life. A German Requiem launched Brahms into fame for brilliantly melding classical structure and romantic harmony. The libretto is unusual in that it does not use the expected liturgical text. Brahms composed a secular work to comfort and console the living, finding his words in the Lutheran Bible rather than the Latin requiem mass. Soprano Twyla Robinson regularly graces leading concert and opera stages of Europe and North America, including the London Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony and New York Philharmonic. Robinson is a major catch. Bliss. Baritone Troy Cook, who last appeared at Arizona Musicfest in 2011 for Beethoven s Ninth, recently sang Marcello in Hamburgische Staatsoper s La Boheme, Guglielmo in the Royal Opera Convent Garden s Cosi fan tutte, and numerous principal roles in major opera houses throughout the United States. His resplendent baritone is always a pleasure. (The Kansas City Star) Tickets: $44, $49, $65; Student (K-12) FREE; College with ID $10 The Very Best of John Denver featuring Mike Eldred Thursday, February 27 at 7:30pm Take Me Home Country Roads, Annie s Song, Rocky Mountain High, Sunshine on My Shoulders, Thank God I m a Country Boy, Leaving on a Jet Plane, and more of the hits you love, in a dynamic evening of music and memories! One of Broadway s favorite tenors, Mike Eldred (Jean Valjean in Les Miserables) and his band have created an evening of music that captures the timeless songs of John Denver and all the majesty of America s wide-open spaces and natural beauty. Somewhere up in heaven, John Denver is smiling every time he hears Mike Eldred sing one of his songs. (Maestro Albert-George Schram, Nashville Symphony) 50s Dance Party: A Tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper Saturday, March 1 at 7:30pm A Tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper is the classic 50s tribute to these classic rock n roll legends. All the high voltage hits of the era, including That ll Be the Day, Peggy Sue, Oh Boy, La Bamba and Chantilly Lace, will get you up on the dance floor installed just for this concert! The show stars John Mueller as Buddy Holly; Jay P. Richardson, Jr. as his dad, The Big Bopper; Las Vegas Legends star Ray Anthony as Ritchie Valens; and Grammy Award winner Mike Acosta on saxophone. This concert garners nothing but praise (San Diego Union Tribune), a flawless (Chicago Tribune) and stunning portrayal (Chicago Sun Times) that rocks with the charismatic John Mueller in the title role (L.A. Times). Come celebrate the close of the 2014 Festival with a rock n rollin good time! <end> Please note: Prices and event details are subject to change without notice. High-resolution images are available for all artists. Video and audio clips available by request. Media contact: Vickilyn Hussey / trendlab@cox.net / <081513> 6