IN CONCERT WITH PHILIPPE QUINT: THE MUSE
The Cabrillo Festival presents Grammy Award-nominated violinist Philippe Quint’s The Muse, a chamber recital. The Muse leads the audience through masterpieces by glass-ceiling-shattering composers such as Ethel Smyth and Nadia Boulanger. These women transformed classical music in their time, while also acting as mentors and educators–well beyond the usual definition of “muse.” A deeply personal journey, The Muse culminates in contemporary work by Quint’s mother, the celebrated composer Lora Kvint, and also presents works from today’s preeminent female composers, including Lera Auerbach, Vivian Fung, and Errollyn Wallen, with poetry by Anne Finch.
Featured Artists
Philippe Quint, Violin
Hailed by the UK’s Daily Telegraph for his “searingly poetic lyricism”, Philippe Quint has established himself as one of America’s preeminent violinists, enchanting audiences through his performances that seamlessly blend consummate musicianship with “breadth of tone and passion” (The New York Times).
With multiple Grammy Award nominations to his name, Quint is celebrated for his distinctive approach to classical core repertoire, advocacy for contemporary music, rekindling of neglected repertoire, and pioneering of an original ‘music in context’ multimedia format.
Quint has soloed with some of the world’s finest orchestras across the globe including the London Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Royal Scottish National Orchestras under the batons of such renowned conductors as the late Kurt Masur, Marin Alsop, Edo De Waart, Andrew Litton, Tugan Sokhiev, Ludovic Morlot, James Gaffigan, Carl St. Clair, Michael Stern, Vladimir Spivakov, Cristian Macelaru, Kristian Jarvi, JoAnn Falletta, Krzysztof Urbanski, Jorge Mester, Jahja Ling, Carlos Miguel Prieto, Steven Sloane and Bramwell Tovey.
Quint’s unwavering dedication to contemporary music has resulted in numerous premieres of works by some of the most exceptional composers of today including Lera Auerbach, James Lee III, Alyssa Weinberg and Jakub Ciupinsky while continuing to highlight eminent American composers William Bolcom, Lukas Foss, John Corigliano, Leonard Bernstein, Henry Cowell and Ned Rorem.
The co-commissioned premiere of Errollyn Wallen’s Violin Concerto, will include Quint’s returns to the Calgary Philharmonic with Rune Bergmann, the Kansas City Symphony with Matthias Pintscher, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra with Juana Carneiro, the North Carolina Symphony with Carlos Miguel Prieto, the Magdeburg Philharmonic with Anna Skryleva, at the Brevard Festival and a West Coast premiere at the Cabrillo Festival with Cristian Macelaru.
He earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Juilliard School. His distinguished pedagogues and mentors included Dorothy DeLay, Cho-Liang Lin, Masao Kawasaki, Isaac Stern, Itzhak Perlman, Arnold Steinhardt and Felix Galimir. Philippe Quint plays the magnificent 1708 “Ruby” Antonio Stradivari violin on loan to him through the generous efforts of the The Stradivari Society.
Jun Cho, Piano
Pianist Jun Cho is a multifaceted artist known for his versatility as a soloist, chamber musician, and educator. His performances have captivated audiences in major venues across the United States, South Korea, and Europe.
A passionate collaborator, Jun frequently shares the stage with esteemed musicians such as Itzhak Perlman, Philippe Quint, Stefan Jackiw, Ray Chen, Clive Greensmith, and Randall Goosby, among others. As a featured pianist with the Pedro Giraudo Tango Quartet, a winner of the Latin GRAMMY Award, Jun brings the rich tradition of tango to life in renowned New York City venues such as The Iridium, Joe’s Pub, and Barbès.
In the past, he served as a faculty member at the Heifetz Institute and taught at the Michael P. Hammond Preparatory Division at Rice University. Currently, he is an artist-faculty member at the Perlman Music Program and serves as the studio pianist for violinist Itzhak Perlman at the Juilliard School. Additionally, Jun assists Juilliard piano faculty member Julian Martin, demonstrating his commitment to fostering the next generation of musicians. His students and mentees have achieved notable success, from winning regional competitions to securing places in prestigious music programs and embarking on international careers.
In addition to his teaching roles, Jun has recently been appointed as an Assistant Professor of Piano at Syracuse University. In this new capacity, he will continue to inspire and mentor emerging pianists, contributing to the university’s vibrant musical community.
As a founding member of New York in Chuncheon, a music festival based in Chuncheon, South Korea, Jun has played a pivotal role in creating a vibrant cultural exchange between New York City and Chuncheon. Since 2012, the festival has featured performances by prominent NYC musicians, including members of Brooklyn Rider, Attaca Quartet, and Sybarite 5. Through its outreach programs, including masterclasses and mentorship activities, the festival has nurtured the talents of aspiring musicians in Chuncheon, fostering a thriving musical community.
Jun holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in piano performance from the Juilliard School and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. His teachers include Julian Martin and Jon Kimura Parker.
Julie James, Actor/Narrator
Julie James is the founder and Artistic Director of Jewel Theatre Company in Santa Cruz where she has directed and performed several roles including Eleanor of Acquitaine in The Lion in Winter, Patsy Cline in Always…Patsy Cline, Sylvia the dog in Sylvia, Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire, and Adelaide in Guys and Dolls among many others. She has also performed with numerous theatres in the Bay Area and beyond, including Shakespeare Santa Cruz & Santa Cruz Shakespeare, Marin Theatre Company, Sierra Repertory Theatre, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and Center Repertory Theatre. Julie holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Santa Clara University and graduated from the Drama Studio of London in Berkeley.
Miriam Khalil, Soprano
A two-time Juno nominated artist, Miriam Khalil has established herself as one of Canada’s most versatile and expressive performers. Sought after for her interpretation of the works of Golijov, this season saw her return to Pacific Opera Victoria for the opera Ainadamar and Edmonton Opera for his song cycle Ayre. Other engagements this season included the world premiere of Kouyoumdjian’s Adoration with Beth Morrison Project’s Prototype Festival and with Symphony Nova Scotia for Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
Thew 2022/23 season saw Miriam debut with Vancouver Opera, Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, Edmonton Symphony, Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, and Vancouver’s Music in the Morning, for repertoire including Leila in Bizet’s Pearl Fishers, Handel’s Messiah, Gorecki’s Symphony of Sorrowful Songs, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Ravel’s Shéhérazade, and more. Miriam also appeared in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, singing Donna Elvira with the National Arts Centre Orchestra under the baton of Alexander Shelley.
She has sung on numerous opera stages across North American and the U.K., including a stint at the renowned Glyndebourne Festival Opera (GFO) in the United Kingdom. Notable roles include Mimì in La Bohème (Canadian Opera Company, Minnesota Opera, Opera Hamilton, Calgary Opera, Edmonton Opera, and Against the Grain Theatre (AtG)); Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni (Opera Tampa and AtG/The Banff Centre/Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival); Mélisande in Pelléas et Mélisande (AtG); the Governess in The Turn of the Screw (AtG); Cleopatra in Giulio Cesare (GFO); Almirena in Rinaldo (GFO); Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro (Pacific Opera Victoria, Opera Lyra Ottawa, and AtG), Alcina (Fargo Moorhead Opera), Marzelline in Fidelio (Pacific Opera Victoria) and Mamah Cheney in Hagen’s Shining Brow (Urban Arias) among others.
Program Notes
The Muse
Program annotations by Philippe Quint
The multimedia recital, The Muse, not only celebrates the groundbreaking contributions of women composers and poets but also brings their legacies into contemporary resonance, offering a rich tapestry of music, poetry, and personal narratives.
Poem: “The Bird and the Arras”
Anne Finch (1661 – 1720)
Countess of Winchilsea
Anne Finch, Countess of Winchilsea, was a pioneering poet whose work was deeply influential, particularly among women writers who followed her. Finch’s poetry often challenged the constraints placed on women and celebrated the natural world, themes that resonated with later generations of female poets and writers.
Anne Finch’s legacy lies in her ability to capture the complexities of female experience in a male-dominated society, making her a fitting inclusion in “The Muse” program. Her poem ‘The Bird and the Arras’ is emblematic of her work, using the metaphor of a bird trapped in a tapestry to explore themes of captivity and freedom. Finch’s poetry was a source of inspiration for many women writers who followed her, encouraging them to find their own voices in literature.
Birdsong (2012)
Vivian Fung (b.1975)
Canadian composer Vivian Fung’s music embodies the innovative and transformative spirit of the women celebrated in this program. Fung’s work often draws from diverse cultural influences and explores complex themes, making her an inspirational figure for modern audiences and emerging composers alike.
Fung’s “Birdsong” is an evocative piece that captures the essence of avian calls and the natural world. The work is noted for its intricate interplay between the violin and piano, mimicking the vibrant and dynamic sounds of birds in their natural habitat.
Correspondence with Johannes Brahms.
Clara Schumann (1819-1896)
Clara Schumann Romance from Drei Romanzen, Op. 22
Clara Schumann’s letters to Johannes Brahms reveal a relationship marked by deep mutual respect and artistic synergy. Far from being just a muse, Clara was Brahms’ mentor, confidant, and external motivator. Her approval and support sustained him in ways that were incalculable. When publishers rejected his work, contemporaries scorned him, and audiences hissed him off the stage, Clara was there, encouraging him and recognizing his genius.
Clara was the standard against which Brahms measured his work. She was his teacher, advisor, musical partner, and intimate friend—the one person with enough genius to understand and appreciate his music when no one else did. Brahms turned to Clara for guidance and answers, relying on her insight and wisdom. Their relationship transcended normal descriptors, embodying a depth, intimacy, and closeness that melded the hearts and minds of two of the most brilliant artists in Romantic history.
Her ‘Romance’ from “Drei Romanzen” showcases her lyrical and expressive style, blending tenderness with virtuosic brilliance.
Poem: “Fugue”
Lera Auerbach (b.1973)
Sonata No.1 for Violin and Piano
[U.S. Premiere]
Lera Auerbach’s poetry often mirrors the complexity and depth of her musical compositions. “Fugue” intertwines themes of memory, identity, and the passage of time, offering a reflective prelude to her musical work.
Auerbach’s Sonata No. 1, written for and dedicated to Philippe Quint, is a substantial and challenging work that pushes the boundaries of violin and piano interplay. Symphonic in its structure, the Sonata was later orchestrated and premiered as Lera’s Violin Concerto No. 1 by the American Youth Symphony at the Disney hall and was recently recorded by Quint for the Pentatone label. The original Sonata version, characterized by its emotional intensity and technical demands, marks its U.S. premiere for tonight’s program.
Sonata in A minor, Op.7 (1887) for Violin and Piano
Ethel Smyth (1858 -1944)
Dame Ethel Smyth was an English trailblazing composer and ardent suffragette known for her tireless fight for women’s voting rights. She was actively involved in the women’s suffrage movement, even being imprisoned for her activism, where she famously conducted fellow suffragettes in singing her “March of the Women” from her cell window.
Her only Violin and Piano Sonata reflects her bold and innovative spirit, combining romantic lyricism with structural rigor, mirroring her dedication to her art and activism.
Errollyn Wallen (b.1958)
Three Songs with Miriam Khalil, soprano
[U.S. Premieres}
- White Christine (1994)
- About Here (1999)
- My Feet May Take a Little While (2001)
Errollyn Wallen is a versatile and innovative composer who blends contemporary classical music with elements of jazz and folk, pushing the boundaries of traditional genres. As a black female composer, she serves as a powerful inspiration, promoting diversity and inclusion in the arts. Wallen’s emotionally expressive compositions resonate deeply with audiences, conveying complex emotions and compelling stories. She is also a passionate educator and writer, recently publishing her new book, “Becoming a Composer,” to guide and inspire future generations. Her success, coupled with her collaborative spirit and dedication to nurturing fellow artists, makes her a beacon of inspiration in the musical world.
Correspondence with Igor Stravinsky
Nadia Boulanger (1887-1979)
Trois Pièces for Cello and Piano Piece No. 3 (1914)
arr. for Violin and Piano
Nadia Boulanger’s correspondence reveals her as a pivotal figure in 20th-century music. Her letters often provide a glimpse into her thoughts on music, life, and her relationships with prominent artists such as Igor Stravinsky. Renowned as a teacher and conductor, Boulanger was instrumental in shaping the careers of many celebrated musicians, including Aaron Copland, Astor Piazzolla, Leonard Bernstein, Philip Glass, and Quincy Jones, to name only a few. While her compositions are less known, they are equally significant, showcasing her elegant and refined musical language. The “Trois Pièces” originally for cello and piano, demonstrate this sophistication, beautifully arranged here for violin and piano. Boulanger’s influence extends beyond her own works, reflecting her enduring legacy as a mentor and visionary in the classical music world.
Poem: “The Muses”
Sappho (c. 630-c. 570 BC)
Sappho, one of the earliest and most influential female poets, was a major figure of her time, renowned for her lyrical poetry that celebrated love, passion, and the arts. Living on the island of Lesbos in the 6th century BCE, Sappho’s work was highly esteemed in ancient Greece, and she was often referred to as the “Tenth Muse” due to her profound impact on the literary world. Her poems, known for their emotional depth and personal expression, explore themes of desire, beauty, and the human experience, making her a central figure in the canon of Western literature. “The Muses,” in paying homage to the inspirational goddesses of literature, science, and the arts, reflects the enduring legacy of Sappho’s contributions to these fields, highlighting her role as a source of inspiration and a pioneer in the celebration of artistic and intellectual pursuits.
‘Odyssey’ Rhapsody for violin and piano (2023)
Lora Kvint (b. 1952)
[World Premiere]
Lora Kvint is one of the most celebrated Soviet-born composers, known for her significant contributions to symphonic repertoire, musical theater, opera, film, and T.V. Her works, such as the polystylist opera “Giordano”, musical “The Count of Monte Cristo” and the musical drama “Pomegranate Bracelet,” have received critical acclaim for their innovative approaches and emotional depth. One of her most notable recent compositions is the oratorio “La Corrida” (Bullfight Passions), inspired by the poetry of Yevgeny Yevtushenko, a celebrated Russian poet and dissident who resided in Tulsa, Oklahoma up until his death in 2017.
Tonight’s performance marks the World Premiere of Kvint’s latest work for violin and piano, ‘Odyssey’ Rhapsody, a piece especially composed for her son, violinist Philippe Quint.
When Lora turned six, her parents took her to the Hermitage Museum for the first time, where she immediately fell in love with the many halls filled with ancient sculptures. She even dreamt of becoming an archaeologist. Her favorite book was “Myths of Ancient Greece,” which captivated Lora’s attention. The music is so vivid that it effortlessly conjures images of the proud King Odysseus deciding to go to war with the Trojans. His devoted wife, Penelope, begs him to stay. The sea, the storm that led the Greeks to accidentally land on the island of the sweet-voiced but treacherous sirens, and how they managed to escape and celebrate their salvation––all this, thanks to the cunning and proud King Odysseus.