Perspectives | A Touch of Modern
It's not always clear where the idea and inspiration comes for the creation of new music. This collection of video Perspectives touches on the creative process with Zachary Wadsworth, imitation and adaptation, developing an interpretation, and how a particular instrument fuels the inner spark.
Inside the Composer's Studio with Zachary Wadsworth
SPONSORED BY RICK CHITTUM
Zachary Wadsworth first appeared at Staunton Music Festival as an "Emerging Composer" in 2011. Since then he has written over a dozen commissioned works for the festival and has appeared as pianist and tenor each season. Wadsworth brings originality and true poetry to all that he creates--even when it's a devilishly-sardonic song set titled "The Bad Child's Book of Beasts," written in 2014 for contralto Sara Couden.
Related SMF performances on YouTube
Performing Heucke's Oboe Sonata
Stefan Heucke, composer-in-residence during the 2018 Festival, and oboist Roger Roe talk about the structure and emotional meaning in Heucke's powerful Oboe Sonata, written in memory of homosexual victims during National Socialism in Germany.
Related SMF performances on YouTube
Seeing City Lights Anew
SPONSORED BY HARRIET HANGER
In 2017 Staunton Music Festival staged a famous scene from Charlie Chaplin's City Lights, with music arranged by Zachary Wadsworth and mime by Happenstance Theater. In this Perspective, choreographer (and Chaplin double) Mark Jaster discusses how the project took shape, and video magic presents a split screen juxtaposition of the original silent film and the 2017 concert performance.
Related SMF performances on YouTube
An Orchestra at Your Fingertips
SPONSORED BY TERRY E. GRANT
The bandoneon originated in Germany but has since become synonymous with the world of Argentinian tango, largely through the genius of the great Astor Piazzolla. Acclaimed performer and composer J. P. Jofre, who appeared at the 2019 Staunton Music Festival, talks about what makes this instrument so unique and rewarding.
Related SMF performances on YouTube
