Albert Einstein often rested from his deep thoughts by playing his well-worn violin that he had named Lina. When he did so, his favorite composer was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Einstein greatly appreciated the mathematical precision and ethereal beauty of Mozart’s music, saying: “Mozart’s music is so pure and beautiful that I see it as a reflection of the inner beauty of the universe itself.” Come to the first concert of this year’s USCB Festival Series on Sunday, Nov. 2 at 5 p.m. at USCB Center for the Arts to experience what Einstein was talking about. Mozart’s vibrant Trio in B-flat Major, K. 502 begins the program with a blend of sophisticated conversation, caressing song, and witty repartee.
Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodàly, a man of indefatigable energy, vision, and honor, whose musical contributions cut across disciplines and generations will lead up to intermission. His music-education system — teaching children to sing and play through the use of traditional song — is still in use today. His compositions also reflect his attraction to the folk music of his native land. Duo for Violin and Cello, Op. 7, written during the final run up to WWI in the spring of 1914, combines the feverish energy of the era with passionate, idiosyncratic folk-like melodies. This three-movement work demands blistering technique and pedal-to-the metal commitment from the performers which in turn rewards listeners with an intense experience.
The concert concludes with Robert Schumann’s Piano Trio in d minor, Op. 63, a work both robust and intimate which runs the gamut from whispered conversation to symphonic extravagance. Schumann began his concert career as a pianist and never lost his innate feel for the instrument. His greatest works feature the piano, and this piece can be considered one of the definitive romantic-era trios. It is personal, thumping, overwrought, and elegiac, filled with the kind of highs and lows which defined Schumann’s personality and to which, more than 165 years after its composition, we can still relate.
Returning to play this interesting and compelling mix of music will be three Festival Series veterans. Artistic Director, host, and cellist Edward Arron; brilliant pianist Jeewon Park, and Lowcountry sensation, violinist Tessa Lark.
Complete information about the artists and the programs are available at www.uscb.edu/festivalseries. Call 843-208-8246 or email sjbreton@uscb.edu Staci Breton for tickets.
Come discover the inner beauty of the universe. Einstein was rarely wrong.
ABOUT THE MUSICIANS:
• Edward Arron: Cellist Edward Arron has garnered recognition worldwide for his elegant musicianship, impassioned performances, and creative programming. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Mr. Arron made his New York recital debut in 2000 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Since that time, he has appeared in recital, as a soloist with major orchestras, and as a chamber musician throughout North America, Europe and Asia. In 2013, Mr. Arron completed a ten-year residency as the artistic director of the critically acclaimed Metropolitan Museum Artists in Concert, a chamber music series created in 2003 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the museum’s prestigious Concerts and Lectures series. Currently, he is the artistic director, host, and resident performer of the Musical Masterworks concert series in Old Lyme, Connecticut, as well as the Festival Series in Beaufort, SC, and Chamber Music on Main at the Columbia Museum in Columbia, SC. Additionally, Mr. Arron curates a series, “Edward Arron and Friends,” at the Caramoor International Music Festival, and is the co-artistic director along with his wife, pianist Jeewon Park, of the new Performing Artists in Residence series at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Mr. Arron has served on the faculty of New York University since 2009.
• Jeewon Park: Praised for her “deeply reflective playing” (Indianapolis Star) and “infectious exuberance” (New York Times), pianist Jeewon Park is rapidly garnering the attention of audiences for her dazzling technique and poetic lyricism. After making her debut at the age of 12 with the Korean Symphony Orchestra, Ms. Park arrived in the U.S. in 2002 having won all Korea’s major competitions. Since her arrival, she has performed in such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Merkin Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Seoul Arts Center. Most recently Ms. Park has performed
as soloist with the Hwa Eum Chamber Orchestra in the Inaugural Festival of the IBK Chamber Hall at the Seoul Arts Center, the
Metropolitan Museum, the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, the Vilar Performing Arts Center, and Kumho Art Hall. An avid chamber musician, Jeewon Park has performed at many prominent festivals throughout the world.
• Tessa Lark: Winner of the 2012 Naumburg International Violin Competition, Kentucky native Tessa Lark has begun a promising career on concert stages in North America, Europe and Asia. At age 16, she performed Mozart’s Violin
Concerto in G major with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and then with the New England Conservatory’s Symphony Orchestra as a result of winning the school’s Violin Concerto Competition in 2010 with the Walton Violin Concerto. Last November she gave her debut recital in Weill Hall and other concerts include the radio broadcasted Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert series, Ravinia $10 Classics series, Chamber Music Tulsa series, and the Caramoor Wednesday Morning Concert series. As part of the Starling Chamber Orchestra until 2006, Miss Lark performed as soloist at the Kennedy Center and toured with the orchestra as both concertmaster and soloist in England, Europe, China, and Russia. An avid chamber musician, she received the Silver Medal at the 2012 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition as part of her piano trio, Modêtre.
