Perspectives | Memorable Programs
Sometimes the stars just seem to align... What makes certain performances and certain concert programs more meaningful than others? In these Perspectives, several SMF artists recollect their impressions of specific performances from recent Festival seasons.
What Happens in Vegas ...
SPONSORED BY TOM ARBAUGH & LARRY HARRELL
In this Perspective, Gwen Grastorf (actor) and Erik Higgins (contrabass) talk about their 2017 performance of The Last Contrabass in Las Vegas, an intriguing mix of theater and musical bravura, by Eugene Kurtz. Kurtz structures a dialogue between an experienced bassist and an ultra-reserved narrator, who gradually feels herself overcome by the sheer passion and variety of this all-too-overlooked musical instrument.
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A Few of My Favorite Fugues
SPONSORED BY ANNE SILLS
Staunton Music Festival artistic director Carsten Schmidt provides background insights into how he selected a diverse collection of fugues to create the Serenades & Fugues concert, presented at the festival in August 2019. From Josquin to Piazzolla and beyond, this exploration shows the great richness of the fugue genre.
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Inside Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm" Variations
SPONSORED BY LIZA DELZELL
Conductor James Wilson and piano soloist Lori Piitz reflect back on their collaborative performance of George Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm" Variations, recorded at Staunton Music Festival in August 2018. The variations became a successful concert showpiece and helped popularize Gershwin's song.
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Percussion Life at Staunton Music Festival
SPONSORED BY PATRICIA ANN ABRAHAM
During the 2020 pandemic shutdown, four festival percussionists link up via video to recollect moments from recent seasons of performance. They discuss favorite moments and works, as well as the ways in which percussion music has become a vital factor in SMF's distinctive programming. Brian Smith hosts the session, speaking with I-Jen Fang, Eric Guinivan, and Casey Cangelosi.
Related SMF performances on YouTube
