Final Concerts of Curtis Summerfest Faculty Recitals Feature Distinguished Chamber Musicians

PHILADELPHIA—July 17, 2019—The 2019 Curtis Summerfest Faculty Recitals conclude with three programs in Field Concert Hall on July 19, July 26, and August 1, which feature esteemed faculty performers from the Young Artist Summer Program, including popular touring artists Ray Chen and Imani Winds.

Faculty performers on Friday, July 19 at 8 p.m. include Garrett Arney, Steven Copes (Violin ’94), Rebecca Harris, Patrick Kreeger (Organ ’13), Priscilla Lee (Cello ’03), Nokuthula Ngwenyama (Viola ’96), Sonora Slocum (Flute ’11), Amy J. Yang (Piano ’06), Mari Yoshinaga (Timpani and Percussion ’12), and Natalie Zhu (Piano ’97). The program combines chamber works by living composers—including Curtis alumni Nick DiBerardino (Composition ’18), Jonathan Bailey Holland (Composition ’96), and Nokuthula Ngwenyama—with selections from Mendelssohn and Ravel.

Veteran faculty and local favorites join forces with performers giving their Summerfest debut on Friday, July 26 at 8 p.m. Rieko Aizawa (Piano ’04), Soo Bae (Cello ’01), Ray Chen (Violin ’10), Dennis Kim (Violin ’96), Gabriel Kovach (Horn ’99), Elizabeth Steiner, Mimi Stillman (Flute ’99), and Sharon Wei (Viola ’04) offer repertoire by Beethoven, Handel, Hindemith, and Summerfest faculty David Serkin Ludwig (Composition ’01) and Dmitri Tymoczko.

The final recital takes place on Thursday, August 1 at 8 p.m. with Charles Abramovic (Piano ’76), Toby Appel (Viola ’70), Rebecca Harris, Patrick Kreeger (Organ ’13), Heather Miller Lardin (Double Bass ’96), Peter Miyamoto (Piano ’92), Katherine Needleman (Oboe ’99), Desirée Ruhstrat (Violin ’91), and Imani Winds, which is in its first year on the Summerfest faculty roster. The eclectic program includes works by Carl Maria von Weber, Giovanni Battista Vitali, Charles Martin Loeffler, Paquito D’Rivera, and Moritz Moszkowski.

These performances are the last of the 2019 Curtis Summerfest Faculty Recitals series. “A wonderful jolt of established Curtis insiders with outside talent” (Philadelphia Inquirer), these popular summer concerts, now in their fifth season, feature distinguished chamber musicians from the Curtis Summerfest faculty. These remarkable artists, many of them Curtis alumni, perform a variety of repertoire—from beloved classics to the music of today—in the timeless setting of Field Concert Hall.

All recitals take place in Field Concert Hall at the Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust Street, Philadelphia. Single tickets for $20 or a three-concert subscription for $48 are available from the Curtis Patron Services Office at (215) 893-7902 or Curtis.edu/SummerRecitals.

The Curtis Institute of Music educates and trains exceptionally gifted young musicians to engage a local and global community through the highest level of artistry. One of the most selective schools in the United States, Curtis accepts four percent of applicants each year on average. A tuition-free policy ensures that talent and artistic promise are the only considerations for admission. With a small student body of about 175, Curtis provides each young musician with an education of unparalleled quality, distinguished by personalized attention from a celebrated faculty and a “learn by doing” philosophy. Curtis students hone their craft through than 200 orchestra, opera, and solo and chamber music offerings each year in Philadelphia and around the world.

The Young Artist Summer Program (June 13–August 3) is one of Curtis Summerfest’s flagship programs, designed for musicians aged 14 to 22 who have studied privately at the advanced level. The three-week course combines conservatory-style living, a rigorous musical schedule, and opportunities to perform in an intimate, challenging, and supportive environment. Each participant receives personalized attention from celebrated faculty, many of whom are Curtis alumni with thriving pedagogical or performance careers.

CURTIS SUMMERFEST FACULTY RECITALS

Friday, July 19 at 8 p.m.

Field Concert Hall at the Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust Street, Philadelphia

Friday, July 26 at 8 p.m.

Field Concert Hall at the Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust Street, Philadelphia

Thursday, August 1 at 8 p.m.

Field Concert Hall at the Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust Street, Philadelphia

Single tickets for $20 or three-concert subscriptions for $48 are available from the Curtis Patron Services Office at (215) 893-7902 or Curtis.edu/SummerRecitals.

Support for the Young Artist Summer Program is provided in part by the Council for Canadian American Relations and the Ritz Chamber Players.

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