Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents
Les Amies
With Carol Wincenc, Cynthia Phelps, and Nancy Allen
January 23 and 24, 2016 • Historic Asolo Theater
Two principal players with the New York Philharmonic, harpist Nancy Allen and violist Cynthia Phelps, join forces with renowned flutist Carol Wincenc to form a dynamic trio.
“Virtuosity on this order of magnitude is remarkable.” – Newark Star Ledger
“The Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach concert opened with Ibert’s Three Interludes. The first piece floated on air, it was so delicate.” ? The Palm Beach Daily News
(Sarasota, Florida) Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota’s 20th anniversary Recital Series continues with “Les Amies,” an all-star trio of esteemed musicians, each at the top of her respective field. Nancy Allen, harp; Cynthia Phelps, viola; and Carol Wincenc, flute, join forces in an inspired program that includes Ravel’s “Sonatine en Trio,” Debussy’s “Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp,” Ibert’s “Deux Interludes,” and more, January 23, 7:30 p.m., and January 24, 7:30 p.m., at the Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Ticket prices range from $25 to $45 and are available at 941-360-7399 or www.artistseriesconcerts.org. Student tickets available at the door.
One of the most exciting new ensembles in today’s classical music scene, Les Amies is the collaboration of three highly esteemed artists. As their name suggests, the three are long-time friends and colleagues. Performing together as Les Amies, they delve into critically acclaimed programs showcasing the color and beauty of the unusual combination of flute, viola and harp.
Carol Wincenc is undoubtedly one of the busiest flutists performing today. A frequent soloist with major orchestras and chamber ensembles, the Grammy nominee also performs with the New York Woodwind Quintet and recently celebrated her 25th anniversary as a faculty member at the Juilliard School. A muse of many of today’s most prominent composers, Wincenc has premiered concertos written for her by Christopher Rouse, Lukas Foss, Henryk Górecki, Joan Tower, Paul Schoenfield and others.
A principal violist with the New York Philharmonic since 1992, Cynthia Phelps also performs with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Boston Chamber Music Society, and Bargemusic. She has toured internationally with the Zukerman and Friends ensemble and has appeared with the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio as well as the Guarneri, American, Brentano, and Prague string quartets.
Hailed by The New York Times as “a major artist” following her recital debut in 1975, Nancy Allen has enjoyed a career spanning four decades, recording and performing recitals and chamber music while maintaining her positions as the New York Philharmonic’s principal harpist and head of the harp department at the Juilliard School. A frequent guest of international summer music festivals, Allen has been an artist/faculty member of the Aspen Music a festival for over 40 years.
Since 1996, Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota has presented an ever-expanding annual season of concerts by globally renowned and celebrated emerging artists. The 20th-anniversary season includes six concerts in its “Classical Recital Series,” five concerts in its “Pop Series,” four concerts in its “Special Performances” series, three “Soiree Series” concerts, three “Lunch, Look and Listen” concerts and three concerts in its North Port Performing Arts series. Many of the concerts are presented in multiple performances.
For more information about the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota’s 2015-2016 season, visit www.artistseriesconcerts.org or call 941-306-1202.
The 2015-2016 Season at a Glance
Classical Recital Series
Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Asolo Theater; 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Tickets at 941-360-7399 or www.artistseriesconcerts.org.
- Akropolis Reed Quintet: Described by Fanfare Magazine as playing with “imagination, infallible musicality, and huge vitality,” the Akropolis Reed Quintet, (oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon and bass clarinet), is a cutting-edge ensemble that performs an innovative, living repertoire with acclaimed precision. February 20, 7:30 p.m., and February 21, 7:30 p.m.
- Trio Celeste: Violinist Iryna Krechkovsky, cellist Ross Gasworth, and pianist Kevin Kwan Loucks combine to form an exciting, dynamic and intelligent ensemble. They are each strong instrumentalists in their own right and have what only the best groups have; an understanding of each other’s emotions, the ability to play with both power and subtlety, and what can best be described as a spark. March 5, 7:30 p.m., and March 6, 7:30 p.m.
- Amit Peled is an Israeli-American cellist and virtuoso called a “larger than life presence on stage” (The Washington Post). Peled, a musician of profound artistry and charismatic stage presence, is known as one of the most exciting instrumentalists on the concert stage today. At 6’5″ tall (he was once a basketball player), Peled often surprises audiences with the ways he breaks down barriers between performers and the public, making classical music more accessible to wider audiences. April 9, 7:30 p.m., and April 10, 7:30 p.m.
- 20th Year Retrospective Celebration: As a close to the 20th anniversary season, Artist Series Concerts is bringing back favorites from past years. The performers that Sarasota audiences have loved before will be here again to entertain, celebrate and inspire. May 28 and 29, 7:30 p.m.
Pop Series
At the Historic Asolo Theater; 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Tickets at 941-360-7399 or www.artistseriesconcerts.org.
- QuinTango, a touring quintet of two violins, cello, bass and piano, brings a century’s worth of tango repertoire to the concert stage with sizzling musicality and captivating narrative style. Winner of two consecutive WAMMIES, QuinTango is the only tango music group to have given a command performance at The White House. QuinTango has been heard on NPR’s “Morning Edition,” CNN, and network television in both the United States and Costa Rica. When QuinTango made its debut at Charleston’s Piccolo Festival, critic Robert Jones wrote exuberantly that “their concerts packed the place and sent the customers home tango crazy.” April 30, 7:30 p.m., and May 1, 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.
- “My Favorite Things,” Music of Rodgers & Hammerstein, featuring acclaimed soloists Mara Bonde, soprano, Katherine Pracht, mezzo soprano, Aaron Blake, tenor, Marcus DeLoach, baritone, and the Gloria Musicae Singers: May 7:30 p.m., and May 8, 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.
Lunch, Look and Listen
One-hour concerts at 11 a.m. followed by lunch at 12:15 p.m. At Michael’s On East Ballroom, 1212 East Avenue South, Sarasota. Tickets at 941-306-1202.
- Ann Alton, cello; Joyce Valentine, piano: January 21.
- Miami Guitar Trio: February 18.
- Gulfshore Trio: Reiko Niiya, violin; Susannah Kelly, cello; William Dawson, piano: March 17.
Soiree Series
Sunday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. and Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m. At the Weisenborne/Fischer residence. Call for address. Tickets at 941-306-1202.
- Bob McDonald singing songs made famous by Broadway leading man John Raitt: March 27 & 28.
North Port Performing Arts Center Series
Sunday afternoons at 3:00 p.m. At the North Port Performing Arts Center, 6400 W. Price Blvd., North Port. Tickets at 941-306-1202.
- Miami Saxophone Quartet in “Four of a Kind.” Infectiously joyful arrangements, soulful improvisations, fine musical prowess and four of the finest saxophone players in the business in an afternoon of lively jazz, featuring “Sophisticated Lady,” “It’s a Raggy Waltz, “Lost and Found,” and much more: January 24.
- Dick Hyman in Concert. A solo performance by the legendary Emmy Award-winning pianist and composer, renowned for his 50-year career as one of America’s most prolific and versatile jazz musicians: February 21.
- “My Favorite Things: The Music of Rogers and Hammerstein.” Featuring the Qol Quartet, (Johanna Fincher, Robyn Rocklein, Adam Bielamowicz, and Christopher Holloway), and the Gloria Musicae Singers, directed by Joseph Holt: March 6.
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota was formed in 1996 as the Artist Series of Sarasota. The group is a non-profit corporation based in Sarasota, FL, that prides itself on presenting several major national and international varieties of concert, opera, orchestral, Broadway and film performances throughout their season. The majority of the performances are staged at the restored Historic Asolo Theater at The Ringling.
