The 2015 Spoleto Festival USA in gorgeous Charleston, South Carolina, what with its brilliant slate of orchestral, opera, chamber music, jazz, theater and dance performances, is just about here. Details concerning repertoire, performers, venues, tickets, etc. have been revealed (keep reading), and Classicalite--always a champion for new and emerging chamber music--is most looking forward to the world premiere of Mark Applebaum's Control Freak.
Similar to its Gian Carlo Menotti-approved counterpart in Italy, Spoleto USA is a three week-long gorging of the arts proper. Indeed, there is something for every patron--not just ardent contemporary classical fans. Yes, Spoleto (and its baby cousin, Piccolo Spoleto) offer the best and brightest from both the United States and around the globe.
Even better, Spoleto uses some of Charleston's most scenic and historic venues to exhibit this talent. One of the most underrated venues, in fact, is the Dock Street Theater, which inspires a Bourbon Street vibe but with the Holy City's own unique spin, of course.
And since chamber music is one of the best ways to hear what's so great about Charleston and new music, in general, Shuman Associates has clued us all in on this May and June's Bank of America-sponsored programs.
Performed twice daily at Dock Street throughout the festival (May 22-June 7), the run comprises 33 concerts of 11 programs -- including that world premiere of Mark Applebaum's Control Freak for improvising singer and instrumental septet on May 25 and 26.
According to violinist Geoff Nuttall, the Charles E. and Andrea L. Volpe director for chamber music with the BoA series, "it's going to be a varied and eclectic musical musical ride" with Mark Applebaum. Nuttall, who is Applebaum's colleague at Stanford University, refers to him as "mad scientist of music" because of his inventive compositional style and innovation with traditional instruments.
Other program highlights include: Schumann's Dichterliebe performed by returning baritone Tyler Duncan and pianist Pedja Muzijevic; J. S. Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F Major; a chamber arrangement of Haydn's Symphony No. 104, "London"; the always inventive Osvaldo Golijov and his Omaramor for cello, performed by the always lovely Alisa Weilerstein; Shostakovich's Two Pieces for string octet, Op. 11; and Light Screens from the darling of WQXR-Q2's recent "Symphomania," Andrew Norman.
The series begins on Friday, May 22 at 1:00 p.m. with Vivaldi's Double Concerto for violin and oboe in B-flat Major, featuring violinist Livia Sohn and oboist James Austin Smith; another Mark Applebaum treat, Aphasia; and Dvořák's Piano Quartet in E-flat Major.
For a full list of Spoleto Festival USA events (subscriptions, program descriptions and, of course, ticket prices), just click here.
You'll be glad you did.
