Summer arts preview for Dallas-Fort Worth

Fort Worth Star-Telegram
May 30, 2009

Summer arts preview: Here are the season's most anticipated exhibits and performances.

Summer heat turns up the volume this month, but in true can-do Texas spirit, our community continues to offer all sorts of cultural affairs from now through August.

We asked our arts critics and writers to select the most exciting exhibitions and performances of the months ahead — and to give us a sneak peek at what to expect.

Here’s what to mark on your own calendar.

Mimir Chamber Music Festival

Mimir brings top-tier chamber music to Texas Christian University. This summer’s lineup of star performers includes string players from top American ensembles. Pianists include Cliburn gold medalist José Feghali, Grammy-nominated soloist John Novacek and D-FW favorite Alessio Bax. Ensembles assembled by violinist Curt Thompson will play chamber music’s most beloved repertoire in concerts July 9, 11, 12, 14, 16 and 17.

Information: PepsiCo Recital Hall, TCU campus. Concerts at 7:30 p.m., except July 12, at 3 p.m. General admission $25; $20 seniors and Star-Telegram Press Pass holders; $15 students. 817-257-5443; www.mimirfestival.org.

— Chris Shull Read more!

The 2009 Avery Fisher Career Grant Ceremony Tonight

Listen to Mimir pianist and 2009 Avery Fisher Career Grant winner Alessio Bax tonight at 7:00 pm CST. Click on the red "Listen Now" button located at the top of the page.



The 2009 Avery Fisher Career Grant Winners are (l-r) pianist Alessio Bax, violinists Arnaud Sussmann and Augustin Hadelich, clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein, and (not pictured) pianist Inon Barnatan. You'll hear performances by the four above in a ceremony at Lincoln Center hosted by Bob Sherman. Tonight at 7:00 CST.
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Alessio Bax is a 2009 Avery Fisher Career Grant Winner

Alessio Bax has been awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant for 2009. These grants give professional assistance and recognition to talented instrumentalists who the Recommendation Board and Executive Committee believe have great potential for solo careers. Past winners include Joshua Bell, Hilary Hahn, and Gil Shaham. The announcement was made on April 23, and was accompanied by a performance which will be broadcast on WQXR on May 4 at 8:00 PM.
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Dallas Morning News lists Mimir among Top 10 in 2008....again!

Mimir Chamber Music Festival (July 5): Texas Christian University's summer chamber music festival puts together concerts with musicians drawn from major orchestras. But these ad hoc assemblages often sound as if they've been playing together for years. Sleek, probing accounts of string quartets by Sibelius (Voces Intimae) and Shostakovich (No. 7) were highlights this year.

Year in Review 2008: Classical music

By SCOTT CANTRELL / The Dallas Morning News
scantrell@dallasnews.com

This was a year of major job-shifting on the classical music scene.

Dutch conductor Jaap van Zweden took over as music director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and overnight he had the orchestra sounding more powerful, pliant and disciplined.

Less happily, the conducting roster lost a couple of inspirational figures. Claus Peter Flor wasn't renewed as principal guest conductor, and assistant conductor Danail Rachev left for the same job with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

After five years as DSO president and CEO, Fred Bronstein left for the St. Louis Symphony. His successor is Doug Adams, formerly of the Colorado Symphony and before that general manager of the DSO.

The Dallas Opera surprised everyone by going outside the opera world for its new general director: George Steel, who came from Columbia University's Miller Theater.

TOP 10 OF 2008

Christopher Taylor, piano (Sept. 24): An hour-and-a-half program of piano pieces by Olivier Messiaen might seem a daunting prospect. But Mr. Taylor's account of the French composer's 20 Gazes on the Child Jesus had people in tears, when they weren't wide-eyed at the virtuosity and eloquence.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Jaap van Zweden (Sept. 10): The DSO's new music director set both orchestra and audiences on fire in season-opening performances of the Mahler Fifth Symphony. Other outstanding DSO concerts were led by Mr. Rachev, Arild Remmereit, Pinchas Steinberg and Günther Herbig.

The Dallas Opera: The Marriage of Figaro (Nov. 14): A young and good-looking cast that could really sing, plus John Copley's deft staging and Graeme Jenkins' alert, stylish conducting made Mozart's classic irresistibly fresh. Next, Die Fledermaus brought a dazzling main-role debut for soprano Ava Pine.

Meadows Symphony Orchestra, Nicolás Pasquet (Oct. 17): Music director Paul Phillips keeps coaxing compelling performances from Southern Methodist University's outstanding student orchestra. But the year's surprise was a program elegantly led by guest conductor Nicolás Pasquet.

Alessio Bax, piano (March 2): In the past, the Italian-born, SMU-trained pianist has tended to sound like the typical competition winner, more well-bred than distinctive. But in an amazing Caruth Auditorium recital he played to all the music's extremes; in the best sense, the music sounded made up on the spot.

Fort Worth Opera: Turandot (May 24). In its second year as a spring-into-summer festival, the Fort Worth company made a quantum leap in quality. Chinese acrobats were unwelcome distractions, but Carter Scott's ice princess and Dongwon Shin's ardent Calaf supplied chills-down-the-back vocalism. The festival's Lucia di Lammermoor had a dream couple in Elizabeth Futral and Stephen Costello.

St. Lawrence String Quartet (April 14): Presented by Dallas Chamber Music, this foursome brought finely focused brilliance to quartets by Haydn, Beethoven and the Canadian R. Murray Schafer.

Orpheus Chamber Singers (April 13): You might quibble with some of director Donald Krehbiel's tempos, but you'll not hear choral singing more fastidiously formed, balanced and buffed than what reverberated through the Cathedral Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Miguel Harth-Bedoya (Aug. 23): Within three days, the Fort Worth orchestra performed Mahler's Sixth, Seventh and Second symphonies, and on major-orchestra levels. Mr. Harth-Bedoya still displays more skill than depth, but once past a sluggish first movement his Mahler Seventh was tautly structured and finely finished.

Mimir Chamber Music Festival (July 5): Texas Christian University's summer chamber music festival puts together concerts with musicians drawn from major orchestras. But these ad hoc assemblages often sound as if they've been playing together for years. Sleek, probing accounts of string quartets by Sibelius (Voces Intimae) and Shostakovich (No. 7) were highlights this year. Read more!

Dohnányi quintet a tasty goulash at Mimir Chamber Music Festival

By SCOTT CANTRELL / The Dallas Morning News
scantrell@dallasnews.com

FORT WORTH – Whip up a sauce of rich Brahmsian harmonies, toss in a heady dash of paprika, turn up the youthful passion and what do you get? Why, the C minor Piano Quintet of Ernst von Dohnányi, which made for quite a stirring close to Tuesday evening's Mimir Chamber Music Festival concert.

Dohnányi, a Hungarian pianist and composer (and grandfather of conductor Christoph von Dohnányi), was all of 18 when he penned the Piano Quintet, in 1895. Budapest and Vienna were still part of the same crumbling empire, and Brahms was a widely revered éminence grise.

Dohnányi's melodies are shorter-breathed than Brahms', and the finale improbably drops a fugue into some, well, immature music. But never mind: The piece is a great romp, and it's hard to imagine it more lovingly – and more excitingly – played than by pianist Alessio Bax, violinists Curt Thompson and Erin Keefe, violist Che-Yen Chen and cellist Brant Taylor.

Though assembled from hither and yon, these musicians sounded as if they'd been playing together for years. They were all superb, but Mr. Bax made an especially powerful and expressive case for the big piano part.

If a single player has stood out in this year's Mimir concerts, at Texas Christian University's PepsiCo Recital Hall, it's been Mr. Taylor. While there have been alternate violinists, violists and pianists, Mr. Taylor has been the cellist. Even with all this music to play, he has been spinning out one elegantly nuanced phrase after another.

If his three colleagues in the Verdi E minor String Quartet had been as lovingly attentive to shape and direction of phrases, this piece might have seemed less deserving of its obscurity. The first movement's lyric second theme, succulently harmonized, is an oasis of quite special beauty. The rest of the piece, while pleasant enough, passes in one ear and out the other. Ms. Keefe, Mr. Thompson and Mr. Chen played capably, but without Mr. Taylor's magic.

Opening the concert, Ms. Keefe and Mr. Bax offered a group of tangy Bartók arrangements of Romanian folk dances. The final "Mãruntel" whipped up quite a stomp and swirl.

PLAN YOUR LIFE The final Mimir Chamber Music Festival concert is at 7:30 p.m. Friday at PepsiCo Recital Hall, Texas Christian University, University and Cantey, Fort Worth. $25; discounts for students, seniors. 817-257-5443, www.mimirfestival.org. Read more!

String quartets shine in Mimir festival performances

By SCOTT CANTRELL / The Dallas Morning News
scantrell@dallasnews.com

FORT WORTH – Saturday evening's Mimir Chamber Music Festival concert, at Texas Christian University's PepsiCo Recital Hall, included top-notch performances of two great 20th-century string quartets.

One of the most ingratiating of Shostakovich's 15 quartets, No. 7 moves from delicate little dance to poignant lament to a diabolical dither.

It got a riveting performance from violinists Akiko Tarumoto and Stephen Rose, violist Kirsten Docter and cellist Brant Taylor.

Apart from a slightly soggy announcement of the opening three-note motif, this was music-making of laser- chiseled precision, but with expressive "give," too.

Hearing a no less gripping account of Sibelius' Voces Intimae Quartet (in D minor, Op. 56), one could only wonder why so compelling a piece is so rarely performed. Few would immediately guess the composer, although it echoes his symphonies' motoric busyness and grand rhetorical gestures.

The players here were Mr. Rose, Nathan Cole, Ms. Docter and Mr. Taylor. Unisons, octaves and surprising chords were tuned with startling precision. Virtuoso writing was coordinated with virtuoso assurance. Contrasts of tension and (relative) repose registered with visceral impact.

Mozart's own piano-quintet arrangement of his C major Piano Concerto, K. 415, had the thoroughly professional services of pianist John Novacek, Curt Thompson, Ms. Tarumoto, Ms. Docter and Mr. Taylor.

Mr. Novacek's expressive face recorded the music's every harmonic surprise, and when unaccompanied he daringly – and deliciously – stretched and contracted rhythms.

The music's wit, even mischief, was nicely highlighted. But there were also patches where the performers settled for "mere" professionalism.

PLAN YOUR LIFE The Mimir Chamber Music Festival continues with concerts at 3 p.m. today and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Friday at PepsiCo Recital Hall, Texas Christian University, University and Cantey. $25; discounts for students, seniors. 817-257-5443, www.mimirfestival.org. Read more!

Mimir Festival Opens Season with Beethoven

By CHRIS SHULL
Fort Worth Star-Telegram

FORT WORTH — The Mimir Chamber Music Festival opened its 11th summer season Thursday with an all-Beethoven recital at PepsiCo Recital Hall at Texas Christian University. The program was pointed in its focus on Beethoven’s unsurpassed genius. Three Beethoven pieces were performed: the String Quartet in E-flat, Op. 127; variations on the song "Ich bin der Schneider Kakadu" for ... Read more!

Mimir, Fine Arts chamber music festivals favor Beethoven

By SCOTT CANTRELL / The Dallas Morning News
scantrell@dallasnews.com

July is chamber music month around here.

The Mimir Chamber Music Festival begins its annual concert series tonight at Texas Christian University's PepsiCo Recital Hall. The all-Beethoven program includes the String Quartet in E-flat major, Op. 133, and the Grosse Fuge, plus the piano trio variations on "Ich bin der Schneider Kakadu."

Sunday afternoon, Dallas' Fine Arts Chamber Players moves its annual Basically Beethoven Festival to a new venue: Rosine Hall at the Dallas Arboretum. After a 2:30 p.m. prelude performance by young artists Jimmye Ahn (clarinet) and Rira Lin (piano), the 3 p.m. concert will feature violinist Ivo Ivanov, violist Cornelia Demian and cellist Gayane Manasjan in string trios by Beethoven (in E-flat major, Op. 3) and Ernst von Dohnányi.

Here's a look at both festivals – how they came about and what happens onstage and behind the scenes.

Mimir Chamber Music Festival

The Mimir festival is both a concentrated summer-study program for outstanding young musicians and a concert series. Named for the Norse god of wisdom, it was begun in 1997 by violinist Curt Thompson, who was newly appointed to the TCU faculty, and pianist Johan Fröst.

"We were classmates at Rice University," says Dr. Thompson, who holds a doctorate from Rice. "Initially, we wanted to start it in Sweden, where he was from. But when I got the job at TCU, we decided to start it here."

Although other summer programs for young musicians offer concentrations in chamber music, Mimir's exclusive focus was inspired by similar festivals at Marlboro, Vt., and Taos, N.M.

In addition to Dr. Thompson, director of the festival, faculty and performers include members of the Chicago Symphony and Cleveland Orchestra and the Cavani Quartet. Pianists include Alessio Bax, John Novacek and TCU's José Feghali.

Although assembled only for the 12-day festival, Mimir's faculty regularly blends into some of the best chamber music performances to be heard around here. And they venture beyond well-worn hits of the repertory: This year's concerts include lesser-known string quartets by Verdi, Grieg and Janácek, plus a piano quintet by Dohnányi and a piano duo by the late Witold Lutoslawski.

"Programming is something we spend a lot of time on," Dr. Thompson says. "I'm excited about this season because it has so many composers that are well-known, but probably not for these particular pieces."

This summer's Mimir festival has 18 "young artists," as the students are called.

"We typically have high-school kids as well," Dr. Thompson says, "but they're all college students this year. The oldest is about 28, in a doctoral program."

TCU, Southern Methodist University and Rice are leading sources for this summer's students, but six have come from the Cleveland Institute of Music, two from the University of Southern California and one from the Manhattan School of Music. All are given free tuition.

"Most festivals can't do that," Dr. Thompson says. "It is something we're proud to be able to do for them at no cost other than their transportation here and their housing." Read more!

Mimir Chamber Music Festival performances begin on July 3 at TCU

The 2008 Mimir Chamber Music Festival begins its 11th season of performances on Tues., July 3, with an all-Beethoven evening featuring works from the maestro's late career.

Texas Christian University once again plays host to the two-week festival, during which 18 young artist-musicians will participate in daily coaching sessions and Master Classes taught by professional guest artists and TCU faculty.

Celebrity guest artists include members of the Chicago Symphony, the San Diego Symphony and the Cleveland Orchestra, along with talented TCU School of Music faculty members. José Feghali, Van Cliburn Gold Medalist, and Alessio Bax, Leeds Piano Competition winner, are headliners. (Well, obviously.)

The Beethoven performance, along with others geared toward the general public, will be held in the PepsiCo Recital Hall. The July 3, 5, 8 and 11 performances take place at 7:30 p.m.; there's a July 6 Sunday performance scheduled for 3 p.m. Tickets for each are $25 ($20 for seniors, students, faculty/staff and - what the? - Star-Telegram PressPass holders).

To purchase tickets, call 817-257-5443, or visit the Mimir Fest website and click on "TICKETS." Read more!

Star-Telegram - Go! - June 27, 2008

Mimir Chamber Music Festival

The 11th season of this acclaimed chamber-music series at Texas Christian University features performances by an impressive roster of musicians from the Chicago, San Diego and Cleveland orchestras, plus members of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the Cavani String Quartet, as well as some familiar local names (Curt Thompson, Jose Feghali). The first concert, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, is an all-Beethoven program (works from his late career). The remaining concerts (July 5, 6, 8 and 11) include music by Mozart, Bartok, Shostakovich, Grieg and Schubert. On July 10 is the free student concert, with some of the finest young talent from around the country.

Thursday through July 11 at Texas Christian University, PepsiCo Recital Hall, Fort Worth. $15-$25. 817-257-5443; www.mimirfestival.org.

http://www.star-telegram.com/performing_arts/story/723669.html Read more!

Star-Telegram - Go! - June 20, 2008

Mimir Chamber Music Festival

Texas Christian University’s acclaimed summer chamber music series returns for the 11th year, with five professional artist concerts and one young artists performance.

The festival runs July 3-11 in TCU’s PepsiCo Recital Hall. $25 for each of the pro concerts. If you order online and get a ticket for all five concerts, you get $25 off; or you can get a three-concert package with a $10 discount. 817-257-5443; http://www.mimirfestival.org/

http://www.star-telegram.com/147/story/707924.html Read more!

Mimir Chamber Music Festival 11th Season Opens July 3

2008 Festival Features Top Performing Artists from Across the USA

FORT WORTH, Texas – The Mimir Chamber Music Festival, recognized as one of the premiere classical music events in the Southwest region opens its 2008 season Thursday, July 3 at the PepsiCo Recital Hall on the campus of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.

Drawing top performing artists and young musicians from across the country, the two-week festival (July 3-11) will offer five distinctly different and exceptional chamber music performances for the public – and a rare opportunity for talented aspiring musicians to learn from prominent guest artists. The annual Festival is hosted by the TCU School of Music.

The impressive line-up of artists for 2008 includes members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, TCU School of Music faculty and internationally acclaimed concert artists including Van Cliburn International Competition Gold Medalist José Feghali and Leeds Piano Competition winner Alessio Bax.

Mimir Festival public performances are July 3, 5, 6, 8 and 11 at the PepsiCo Recital Hall on the TCU campus. All concerts are at 7:30 p.m. except Sunday, July 6 at 3:00 p.m. The concert series kicks off with all-Beethoven evening on July 3 featuring works from the composer’s later career. Other performances will feature works by a variety of composers from Bartok and Grieg to Shostokovich and Schubert and will include a performance of the original version of Mozart’s piano concerto for string quartet plus piano.

The Mimir Festival also provides a training ground for artists of tomorrow, and a unique glimpse at the behind-the-scenes work that goes into producing world-class chamber music. This year, 18 Young Artists have been accepted to participate in the 2008 Mimir Festival, selected through live auditions held through the United States.

The 2008 Mimir Young Artists come from some of the finest music programs in the country, including the Cleveland Institute of Music, Manhattan School of Music, University of Southern California, University of North Texas, DePaul University, Rice University, SMU Meadows School of Music and TCU School of Music. Nearly half of the 2008 Mimir Young Artists are international, originating from Bulgaria, China, Japan, Korea, Poland and Peru.

During the two-week festival, the young artist-musicians will participate in daily coaching sessions and Master Classes with professional guest artists and faculty members. The public is invited to attend the Master Classes, as well as a special concert on Thursday, July 10 when Young Artists will perform. Admission is free to both.

The annual Mimir Festival, attracting growing audiences each year, is considered a highlight of the Texas summer music scene and has received impressive recognition in the regional and national press. Concert performances from the 2007 Mimir Festival season were named to the “Top 10” lists of classical music events of the year by both the Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The Mimir Festival is also included in the New York Times’ prestigious 2008 “Summer Stage” listing of important classical music venues around the country.

The Mimir Chamber Music Festival was founded in 1997 by executive director Curt Thompson, Associate Professor of Violin at TCU and is supported by a committee of local volunteers, arts patrons and classical music fans, along with the TCU School of Music.

Tickets for Mimir Festival concerts are $25 for general admission and $20 for seniors, students, TCU faculty/staff and Star-Telegram PressPass holders. Tickets are available by calling (817) 257-5443 or through the festival web site at www.MimirFestival.org.

Read more!

New York Times - Arts - Summer Stages

MIMIR CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL Fort Worth, June 30-July 11.Members of the Chicago Symphony and Cleveland orchestras are among the faculty at this teaching festival, named for the Norse god of wisdom. (817) 257-5443, mimirfestival.org.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE0DB1630F932A25756C0A96E9C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=6 Read more!

Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Matthew Erikson 12/16/07

BEST OF 2007: CLASSICAL MUSIC AND DANCE Many established chamber music groups couldn’t compete with the top level of performance we hear each summer at this festival at Texas Christian University. It celebrated its 10th anniversary with sparkling playing in Mendelssohn’s Octet and in an all-Beethoven program. Read more!

Dallas Morning News--Top-notch Beethoven

Mimir fest at TCU offers some of the finest chamber music around. Some of the best chamber music you'll ever hear around here happens during two weeks in July. The occasion is the Mimir Chamber Music Festival, at Texas Christian Universiy, combining a concert series and a summer course for young pianists and string players. Read more!

Mimir Chamber Music Festival Celebrates 10th Anniversary

FORT WORTH, Texas – The Mimir Chamber Music Festival, recognized as one of the top classical music events in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and celebrating its 10th anniversary, opens its 2007 concert series Thursday, July 5 at the PepsiCo Recital Hall on the campus of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.

Drawing top performing artists and young musicians from around the world, the two-week festival (July 2-13) will offer five distinctly different and exceptional chamber music performances for the public – and a rare opportunity for talented aspiring musicians to learn from prominent guest artists. The annual Mimir Festival is hosted by the TCU School of Music.

The stellar line-up of artists for the 2007 season includes members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, TCU School of Music faculty and internationally acclaimed concert artists including Van Cliburn International Competition Gold Medalist José Feghali and Leeds Piano Competition winner Alessio Bax.

Mimir Festival public performances are July 5, 7, 8, 10 and 13 at the PepsiCo Recital Hall on the TCU campus. All concerts are at 7:30 p.m. except Sunday, July 10, at 3:00 p.m. Performances will include works by Beethoven, Schubert, Stravinsky, Prokofiev, Brahms, Bartok and Barber, to name a few.


ADD ONE – MIMIR CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL

The July 10 concert will include a rarely-heard piece by composer Felix Mendelssohn, Octet in E-flat Major, featuring violinists Stephen Rose and Isabel Trautwein (Cleveland Orchestra), Akiko Tarumoto (Chicago Symphony), Curt Thompson (TCU); violists Che-Yen Chen (San Diego Symphony) and Kirsten Docter (member of the Cavani String Quartet); and cellists Brant Taylor (Chicago Symphony) and Jesús Castro-Balbi (TCU).
The Mimir Festival also provides a training ground for artists of tomorrow, and a unique glimpse at the behind-the-scenes work that goes into producing world-class chamber music. This year, 20 Young Artists have been accepted to participate in the 2007 Mimir Festival, selected through live auditions held through the United States and in Israel.

During the two-week festival, the young artist-musicians will participate in daily coaching sessions and master classes with professional guest artists and faculty members. The public is invited to attend the Master Classes, as well as a special concert on Thursday, July 12 when Young Artists will perform. Admission is free to both.
The annual Mimir Festival, charming audiences year after year, is considered a highlight of the Texas summer music scene and has received impressive recognition in the regional and national press. Scott Cantrell, classical music critic for the Dallas Morning News, named the Mimir Chamber Music Festival as “one of the top-10 classical performances of 2006.” The Mimir Festival was also included in the New York Times’ prestigious 2007 “Summer Stage” listing of important classical music venues around the country.
The Mimir Chamber Music Festival was founded in 1997 by executive director Curt Thompson, Associate Professor of Violin at TCU. Festival associate director is José Feghali, artist in residence at TCU and winner of the 7th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.
Tickets for Mimir Festival concerts are $20 for general admission and $15 for seniors, students, TCU faculty/staff and Star-Telegram PressPass holders. Tickets are available by calling (817) 257-5443 or through the festival web site at www.MimirFestival.org .
Read more!

Travel + Leisure, April 2007

Low-Key Classical

At pianist Angela Hewitt’s Trasimeno festival in Umbria, Michael Z. Wise discovers the pleasures—and burgeoning global popularity—of the small, artist-run chamber music event.

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/low-key-classical
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