Carnegie Hall Premiers: Ensemble ACJW returns to campus
Skidmore's Music Department, in collaboration with the College's Office of the Dean of Special Programs, will present Carnegie Hall Premieres: A Concert by Ensemble ACJW at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, in the Arthur Zankel Music Center. A pre-performance discussion will begin at 7 p.m.
Ensemble ACJW, a collection of young music professionals, will highlight its 10th Skidmore residency with a concert featuring the world premiere of Twenty-four Strings by composer Samuel Carl Adams, along with Mozart's Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in A Major, K. 581, and Tchaikovsky's Souvenir de Florence for String Sextet, Op. 70.
Twenty-four Strings is written for two violins, two violas, and two cellos. Brooklyn-based composer Adams, who will collaborate with Ensemble ACJW, creates acoustic and electro-acoustic music and has received a number of prestigious commissions across the United States, including from ACJW.
Following the premiere, Ensemble ACJW will perform Mozart's Quintet for Clarinet and Strings, which was Mozart's only finished clarinet quintet and one of the first and most famous works written for the clarinet. Its lyrical melodies, particularly in the second movement, make this piece an audience favorite. The Tchaikovsky composition, Souvenir de Florence, is scored for two violins, two violas, and two cellos and is in the traditional four-movement form. The last two movements are noticeably Russian and feature folklike melodies and rhythms.
The fellows participating in this residency include Liam Burke on clarinet, Clara Lyon on violin, Grace Park on violin, Megan Griffin on viola, John Stulz on viola, Hannah Collins on cello, and Alice Yoo on cello. Guest artist is Meena Bhasin, an Academy alumna.
Musicians of Ensemble ACJW are fellows of The Academy—a two-year program of Carnegie Hall, The Julliard School, and the Weill Music Institute in partnership with the New York City Department of Education. The program supports young music professionals in developing their careers as top-quality performers and innovative programmers through advanced musical training, intensive teaching instruction, and the skills necessary for careers combining musical excellence with education, community engagement, advocacy, and leadership.
Academy fellows work in partnership with New York City public-school music teachers in areas such as interactive performance, instrumental teaching, creative learning, and general music knowledge, depending on the specific needs of each school.
The partnership with Skidmore began in 2007 to bring performances and educational events twice each year to the college and Saratoga Springs. This fall's residency includes "informances" in the library and residence halls, as well as small impromptu performances around campus; side-by-side interaction with the Skidmore Orchestra; and class visits, including to neuroscience and music courses. In the community, interactive performances with the Caroline Street and Lake Avenue elementary schools and Saratoga Bridges are planned. The fall residency is made possible through the generous support of Beverly Sanders Payne '59 and David B. Payne.
Admission for the Oct. 19, 8 p.m. Ensemble ACJW performance is $8 general public, $5 seniors, $5 for Skidmore faculty/staff/retirees/alumni; and free to students. For advance reservations visit www.skidmore.edu/zankel or call the Zankel box office at 518-580-5321. The Zankel Music Center is wheelchair-accessible and offers listening devices for the hearing-impaired. For more information, please visit www.skidmore.edu/zankel.
