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By Cassaundra Brooks
Arizona Music Fest
Arizona’s winter music festival is back for its twentieth year, with top artists from around the world. It’s a casual affair that brings together an elegant mix of music that includes Broadway, classical, and jazz. Robert M\
oody conducts the audience favorite Festival Orchestra with the world premiere of “Desert Transport,” an acoustic piece composed by Mason Bates and inspired by a helicopter ride over Arizona.
Also expect to see mandolinist Chris Thile from the bluegrass combo Punch Brothers. He will join the orchestra to perform “Mandolin Concerto.” You might have seen Thile on Saturday Night Live or The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Another special performance takes place Feb. 8, when the Miami String Quartet performs Haydn’s “String Quartet in D Major,” Vask’s “String Quartet #3,” and Schumann’s “String Quartet in A Major.”
On Feb. 13, 17-year-old prodigy Conrad Tao performs a program of classical hits and, perhaps, one of his own dazzling compositions.
The grand finale brings several soloists and the Festival Orchestra to the stage for Beethoven’s Symphony #9, which includes the immortal “Ode to Joy.”
Arizona MusicFest runs through Feb. 27.
For a complete schedule that includes times, names, songs, and ticket prices, call (480) 488-0806 or visit azmusicfest.org.
ProMusica Arizona Chorale and Orchestra
The nonprofit ProMusica Arizona Chorale and Orchestra (PMAZ) began in 2003 with just seventeen singers. Today, the chorale has expanded to more than fifty-five members, with an orchestra of over forty-five musicians. Thanks to generous patron support and a number of fund-raising events, PMAZ has been able to perform over fifty concerts to purchase needed equipment and to continue to expand in the North Valley.
ProMusica, under the leadership of founding artistic director Kevin Kozacek, has several groups—an orchestra, a chorale, a string ensemble, a youth ensemble, and several adult small-group ensembles. The groups cover multiple generations and performance styles, offering something for every lover of music.
Visit their Web site for a complete and detailed list of events and performances for 2011. Please note the official release for the following March event:
‘Beethoven’s Fantasy’
Fri., March 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Sat., March 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center, 33606 N. 60th St., Scottsdale
March’s concert provides a great opportunity to enjoy Beethoven, Mozart, and Schubert in musical works that celebrate life. Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy is a tremendous piece that showcases not only the chorale but also local pianist Karen Taylor in a concertolike opening that bursts open with song and lyrics of springtime’s optimism. Mozart’s Haffner Symphony was written to celebrate the ennoblement of a longtime family friend and patron. Schubert’s “Mirjam’s Siegesgesang” is the uplifting Old Testament song of victory that Miriam sang in celebration of the Hebrews’ successful freedom from Egyptian rule. Guest lyric soprano soloist Megan Weston from Manhattan graces our stage for this beautiful choral and orchestral piece.
promusicaaz.org
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