The 56th annual Sewanee Summer Music Festival (SSMF) finished its first week on Sunday, with quartet of concerts presented by the Sewanee Symphony, Cumberland Orchestra, Faculty Artist Series, and Student Chamber ensembles. Maestros Kiesler and Holbrook took the stage to lead the two orchestras in an aggressive program including La Forza del Destino, Feste Romane, Slavonic Dance No. 8, Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony, and Marquez’ Danzon No. 2. Preceding that concert was a Faculty Artist Series concert titled, “It’s a Classic.” Faculty Artists performed classical and romantic era pieces including the famed Ghost Piano Trio No. 5 by Beethoven as featured in Bernard Rose’s “Immortal Beloved.” Student Chamber ensembles also graced the stage of Guerry Hall with extraordinary feats of virtuosity despite record temperatures. The Sewanee Summer Music Festival is underway and is shaping up to be its most innovative yet.
Beginning Saturday, the SSMF will present three concerts. First will be the student chamber music concert in Guerry Garth at 4 p.m. Directly following will be the Faculty Artist Series performance at 7:30 p.m. titled, “Modern Influences”, featuring composers Manly Romero, SSMF Librarian, Sidney King, SSMF Faculty bass teacher, Claude Bolling, and Maurice Ravel. On Sunday, the Cumberland Orchestra will be led by conductor Jason Seber in J.S. Bach’s Toccata in D “Dorian”, Corigliano’s Elegy, and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8. The Sewanee Symphony will follow led by Yaniv Dinur performing Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story and Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloe Suite No. 2.
So Percussion, the SSMF 2012 Guest Artists in Residence, will begin their stay on The Mountain beginning July 10. They will conduct master classes, work with chamber ensembles, and share their wealth of knowledge and experiences with our students to show them what it really takes to be a professional musician in the 21rst century. Finally, they will perform a concert July 11, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. The performance will be one of the highlights of the season and their innovative style and musical flair will truly entertain and captivate the Sewanee audience.
Tickets are on sale now on the SSMF website and at the door prior to performance. Ticket prices are $10 online and $12 at the door for general admission, and $18 online and $20 at the door for So Percussion tickets.
For more information or to view the concert live, online go to the SSMF website at www.sewaneemusicfestival.org.