Wallach's "Runes and Rituals" to be performed by James Piano Quartet on Feb 4 at Sweet Briar College

“Runes and Ritual,” a brand-new quartet for piano, violin, viola and cello by Joelle Wallach, celebrating the magical and mystical elements of the Blue Ridge region of Virginia, commissioned by the James Piano Quartet will be premiered by the James Piano Quartet February 4, 2010 at Sweet Briar College.

When VCCA composer Joelle Wallach was invited to speak to an interdisciplinary arts class at Sweet Briar College taught by Sweet Briar Professor Nick Ross, Ross was struck by her music. He commissioned Wallach to write a quartet especially for the James Piano Quartet in which Ross was the pianist and which was then Ensemble-in-Residence at Sweet Briar College.


Under the auspices of SBC-VCCA fellowships, and with the enthusiastic support of Dean and VCCA composer Dr. Jonathan Green, Ross and Wallach collaborated through a remarkable series of three VCCA residencies in April 2008, September 2008 and January 2010. Wallach gave three talks to Sweet Briar students on each of her visits which were timed to coincide with the James Piano Quartet’s Sweet Briar rehearsal schedule. Observing the Quartet’s musical and collaborative styles,Wallach has composed “Runes and Ritual,” a quartet for piano, violin, viola and cello, celebrating the magical and mystical elements of the Blue Ridge region of Virginia, and specifically tailored to the group and its individual players.


By April 2008, “Runes and Ritual,” was ready for the James Piano Quartet; and at the end of this month, Wallach will return to the VCCA to work with the James Piano Quartet on the finished score, preparing it for its premiere at Sweet Briar College’s Memorial Chapel on February 4, 2010 at 7:30 PM. There will be a reception immediately following.

The program of the concert will also include two song cycles "A Dream of Now", and "Daughters of Silence", as well as the songs "Alleycat Love Song" and "A Firefighter's prayer", The performers are: Sinan Vural, baritone, Melisa Barrick, soprano, Anna Billias, piano, Ed Mikenas, double bass, and the James Piano Quartet: Jana Ross, violin, Joe Nigro, viola, Wesley Baldwin, cello, Nick Ross, piano. The program will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Chapel at Sweet Briar College.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Guest Blogger: C.M. Mayo

Image
From Fellow C.M. Mayo : In the years of writing, researching, and revising my novel, T he Last Prince of the Mexican Empire (Unbridled Books, May 5, 2009), I enjoyed several  intensely productive stays at VCCA. A few sparkles:   In the corn crib studio: Drafting General Achille Bazaine's flashback scenes of 1850s Algeria, Arab music on the CD player, snow falling on the skylight. At dinner: Chatting with novelist Josephine Humphreys about archives and the influence of the dead. By the fireplace in the living room : Reading these same pages with Peter Behrens ,  reading from his novel then in-progress, The Law of Dream s. Eating potato chips with poets Sandra Beasley and Alfred Corn . Trying not to be embarrassed when Alfred (bless him) corrected my French pronunciation.   In Sweet Briar's Library : After checking e-mail, reading Virgil. Rectangles of autumn light falling on the old tables.   One sunny afternoon outside my studio by the barn:  Finding Peter Behrens, ...
Read more

VCCA and Sweet Briar College Enter Long-Range Planning Process

Image
After decades of informal discussions, VCCA and Sweet Briar College have decided to study the various possibilities of a permanent home for VCCA. VCCA has been leasing Mt. San Angelo from Sweet Briar since 1977. Both institutions have agreed to actively pursue a long-term solution to the current annual lease renewals. The timing is mutually beneficial in that VCCA is embarking on a new Strategic Plan, while Sweet Briar is implementing its Plan for Sustainable Excellence. The opportunities to explore include, but are not limited to, the following options: VCCA purchases the Mt. San Angelo property and remains there VCCA and SBC enter into a lease-to-purchase agreement for the Mt. San Angelo property and VCCA remains there VCCA moves to the Sweet Briar College campus VCCA moves to another non-SBC location This is a long-range planning process, one that will take place over the course of several years. VCCA Fellows, friends and supporters will be invited to share ...
Read more

The Auvillar Community Connection

Image
VCCA’s programming in Auvillar is greatly enriched by the Auvillar community and it's surrounding areas. This has become clear during the Etchings Festival when a number of community members welcomed guest composers, performers, and participants into their homes. Jacques and Annick Sarraut hosted a beautiful dinner for the entire Etchings Festival as well as others from the community. After a successful first concert, Joelle Cywie welcomed the Etchings guest composers, performers, and staff into her home for celebratory champagne and dessert. VCCA-France has members in the United States, Auvillar, and the surrounding communities. Many of these members support the programming by welcoming VCCA Fellows in residence or program participants into their homes for cooking demonstrations and meals, and by taking them to visit local sites during their time in Auvillar as well as attending events hosted by VCCA. The VCCA-France is currently helping to raise funds to purchase a keyboard...
Read more