July 6, 2022

Last night opened the season for the Chautauqua Institution’s Music School Festival Orchestra. It was a high-energy program and the orchestra delivered in a big way.
 
Things kicked off with rock-star composer Zhou Tian’s celebration in music called “Gift.” Among Zhou’s many gifts as a composer is his ability to grab the audience from “hello” and then deliver a high-impact, breath-taking experience. He also just knows how to make an orchestra sound amazing, so take an amazing orchestra and music of Zhou, and you have quite a curtain raiser.  This was a total thrill ride.
 
Pianist Chengcheng Yao, winner of CHQ’s 2019 SAI Concerto Competition, joined the orchestra in Bartok’s Second Piano Concerto. This work is unlike any other concerto in the repertoire, and the demands on all involved are huge, expressively and technically. Chengcheng has a great feel for this work and total command of the part. She took us on a exciting and moving journey. Especially powerful was the second movement, a classic example of Bartok’s “night music” style…full of atmosphere, striking effects and mystery.
 
Chautauqua’s relatively new Director of Sacred Music and virtuoso organist, Joshua Stafford joined the MSFO for Saint-Saen’s Symphony No. 3 to close the program. The Massey Organ is a perfect fit for this work with its broad range of color and depth, and Joshua is fully at home with the instrument and this music. It was a powerful finish to the program.  
 
The players of the MSFO outdid themselves last night. This was an especially demanding program and they rose to the occasion in an impressive fashion.  It was a thrill to be a part of it.

The concert was dedicated to the memory of Joshua’s predecessor, and my good friend and colleague Jarod Jacobsen. Jared was loved by the CHQ community. We lost him in 2019 and he is deeply missed. We felt you there with us last night my friend.
 
 NEXT UP:
 
Chautauqua Institution Music School Festival Orchestra
Chautauqua Amphitheater
Chautauqua, New York
8:15 p.m.
 
Aldo-Lopez Gavilan, piano, Ilmar Gavilan, violin
 
MONCAYO  Huapango
GINASTERA Dances from the ballet “Estancia”
GUIDO LOPEZ GAVILAN     Guanguanco´
ALDO LOPEZ GAVILAN       Viernes de Ciudad
ALDO LOPEZ GAVILAN        Emporium
 
#chautauquainstitution #chengchengyao #zhoutian #aldolopezgavilan #ilmargavilan