Interview with Internationally celebrated concert pianist and recording artist Klara Min and the inaugural Classical Bridge, an international music festival, academy and conference

June 18, 2018

Question: Studying and performing abroad can be full of greats, challenges and rewards. What are some of those that you have found through your mentoring and performance travels?

Klara Min: One of the biggest adventure studying abroad is to learn about different cultures and adopt them in my system. That takes time and deeper understanding of the history, traditions and conventions. Performing in many different countries one after another involves so many other things not only the performance itself but also such as adopting yourself to a different acoustics, different pianos, audience, food, climate and jetlag, and one needs to be also very flexible with schedule, arrangements, etc, so performers always have to learn to play well when they are not under their best condition. That would probably the most challenge every performers have to face.

Question: Some of your affinity for contemporary western composition seems to have roots in common with the modern Korean piano music of your first album, “Pa-Mun, Ripples on Water”. What would you say are the most notable similarities and differences?

Klara Min: Well, strictly speaking, there is no “modern Korean piano music” as piano is a western instrument, and there was never been a piano in old days in Korea, but there were traditional Korean instruments. A lot of living Korean composers have studied in Germany just as many Korean pianists such as myself studied abroad. What’s interesting about the album is that some of the Korean composers tried to bring the Korean “tune and flair” into the compositional technique and structure.

Question: As a resident of both New York and Berlin, what are the features of each that you love the most, and how do they compare or contrast with your beautiful native Korea?

Klara Min: I have spent more than 24 years in New York, and I feel much more home in New York than anywhere else. But New York being such a busy city, it is not easy to make a true connection with another individual more than being just a give-and- take relationship. I think it is the city that creates such atmosphere. In Europe, people seem to value traditions much more, and care about manners and border lines much more in the relationship with another human being. Every country is different, so it is hard to summarize it but that is the general feelings I get.  Seoul is probably the busiest city in the world. It is the brightest city at night from the settle light. People are passionate, hot-blooded and extremely competitive. In Europe, Italy might be the most similar country to Korea.

Question: Having performed in such a varied list of notable cities and venues around the world, which are you most drawn to and which additional places would you like to add to that list?

Klara Min: It is really not the physical venue itself. The best concert venue is always defined when I have the best connection with the audience.

Question: What tips might you share with an aspiring artist about pre-performance routines that help to avoid the “jitters” and allow you to focus on bringing your best to an audience?

Klara Min: Best prevention is the preparation. When you are prepared well, your focus level arises. When you are extremely focused, nothing bothers you. My pre-concert ritual is to clean my apartment in the morning of performance. In my case, it helps my focus 🙂

Question: Your Scriabin II album is anxiously anticipated for release this July. What would you say are some of the most important technical and interpretive differences between this and the Scriabin I album?

Klara Min: Scriabin album I included 24 preludes and other short pieces. They are rather his earlier works. Album II represents his later works, which is much more mystic, descriptive, and harmonically complicated. It demands a lot of spiritual energy. Album II represents the co-existence of light and darkness. I have chosen pieces that reflect both elements.

Question: This album is described by Gramophone as your finest work. What has inspired its creation, and what has been your favorite part in the design and realization of this one?

Klara Min: I was just drawn to Scriabin, and his world of mysticism, the subconscious. It has been an interesting spiritual journey learning about him and his compositions.

Question: As Founder and Artistic Director of the New York Concert Artists & Associates, you must be very proud and excited about the upcoming collaborative project of the Classical Bridge International Music Festival, Academy and Conference this year. In what ways do you hope to begin new conversations centered around unity in the world through the modalities of music?

Klara Min: Music is a universal language. We are inviting musicians from all around the world, and I would like us to share and empathize our mutual love for music. Music is a powerful tool in connecting human relations.

Question: How does it feel to be at the helm of this dynamic and creative organization? What are some of your plans for its continuing success and evolution?

Klara Min: It is a big responsibility, and tons and tons of works to do. Sometimes I feel that my personal life evaporates buried under the pile of works. But I feel rewarded when young musicians we promote blossom, when people are so happy about the concerts we present and when I sense the true appreciations from listeners and musicians.
My plan is to not forget the most important things: genuine connections, integrity and consistency. Success is not something I can control.

Question: Your cultural connections are wide and varied; what inspired you to choose New York City as the place to establish this organization?

Klara Min: How could I not? I have lived in Seoul, Tokyo, Berlin, and been to many cities in the world, but New York is still the best place for me. I feel that New York is still the most global and diverse city where you can find everything you need in the nearest locations.

Question: You have been featured in a variety of notable publications for your artistry and musical intuition, among which, The Piano magazine of your native Seoul remarked that you bring “…what this generation demands”. What would you like this generation to know and understand about musicianship and its role in our evolving society?

Klara Min: I believe they were referring to my multi-facade roles, not only being a concert pianist, but also being the artistic director of NYCA. We are living in the most rapidly changing IT generations. We can basically be an expert in every aspect of life with such tools given. There is no clear distinction in professions. For example, every one of us is a promoter and representative of oneself in the FB, Instagram, Youtube channels. Musicians though need solitude, quiet time alone, apart from the rest of the world to be able to create. I believe that the ideal musicians would be those who can combine these wisely, and balance them well in their lives, so they do not become autistic who cannot communicate with other people, but still to be able to bring their best in their quality time alone.

Question: Your educational outreach video clips featured on the internet, “Klaravier”, are both original, and insightful. What inspired these, and will there be more to come?

Klara Min: These are some of my thoughts and insights I realized in my own studying. I am very happy to share these with audience. And yes, there will be more.  I will be making Season II starting the Fall 2018. 🙂

Question: The dynamic and communicative nature of your performance style seems to bring out a composer’s inner vibe, message, or other-worldly voice. In your experience, how and in what ways might this be connected to your ideas regarding the physics of string theory and multidimensional listening?

Klara Min: String theory fascinated me when I was learning Scriabin’s music. Scriabin’s music demands multidimensional listenings. His music has many horizontal layers, and the note groups are not defined by the vertical progression of the harmonies, but they are placed in carefully in the horizontal layers, and these horizontal layers freely interact with the timely progression of the music, like the flames of the candle lights. It is sensual, and ironically religious.

Question: In what ways does this phenomenon emerge through the compositional structure of your favorite composers?

Klara Min: Leaning about Scriabin completely changed my perspectives of understanding music. It made me become freer, lighter, and effortless. Starting this winter, I will be recording a lot of Schumann, and I am curious how I would play differently my post-Scriabin Schumann.

Question: Who has been your most influential mentor, and what tips or techniques helped to form the artistry and progressive mindset that you project today?

Klara Min: First my parents and my grandmother. They were so different but each of them gave me what formed who I am now. They were and are the foundation of my life. Then in my grown up life, I have been lucky enough to meet interesting and intriguing people who truly influenced my life greatly. Some of them were my teachers, but not limited to. The true inspiration always derived from who they were, the way they were. And one and only God. My progressive mindset comes from a trust of some kind. If I didn’t have faith in God, I don’t think I could’ve remained positive in my life.

Question: For the emerging and dedicated pianists out there, what does it take to “cross the bridge” into a successful niche of their own?

Klara Min: Believing in themselves, and openness to learn. And often young people feel they don’t have time, and they tend to be in haste. But the “right time” comes in everyone’s life in his own timing. So enjoy and do your best in everyday life, then the journey will bring you where you are meant to be.

Question: Tell us about Coco Pro. How does this delightful little mascot fit in with your active lifestyle and mission?

Klara Min: Coco is my family. I am really attached to her, and can’t imagine my life without her now. She seems to be enjoying traveling with me, adjusting to my life style. When I pack my luggage, she goes into her own travel bag, and stares me with big eyes “take me with you”!

Question: In what ways do you see effective networking a vital and much needed activity for achieving personal success specific to the music industry, and how has it helped you to achieve your mission and vision?

Klara Min: Social media, Facebook, Instagram, youtube are a must, and sometimes these tools are much more powerful than promoting a concert. But one must use them wisely as they can really eat up your time. What was most helpful for me was that when I was playing for the first time in a new city, online promotion on Facebook and Instagram drew many fans and audience. I was quite surprised by the power of those channels.

Question: As a public figure, leader, and innovator, what ideas would you like to share with aspiring musicians, women, and our society in general?

Klara Min: This is a really big question. My philosophy and perceptions evolve in accordance with different stages of my life, in learning, in adopting, in transforming. But what i value the most is probably genuine connection with another human being, embracing of unbearable human nature, and not giving up the hope in my attitude. And courage to bring your ideas to action. Courage is not an absence of fear but it is the existence of faith.

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Internationally celebrated concert pianist and recording artist Klara Min, returns to New York’s Symphony Space for a special one-night-only concert event on Tuesday, June 26 at 7:30PM at New York’s Symphony Space (2537 Broadway at 95th Street, NYC 10025) in the Thalia Theater. Tickets, priced at $30 ($20 for students & seniors), are available at the Symphony Space box office, by calling (212) 864-5400, or online at www.SymphonySpace.org.

Presented by New York Concert Artists and Associates, the evening celebrates Min’s latest album. Featuring works by Scriabin, Mozart and Messiaen, the new album will be released on the Steinway & Sons label in August 2018. In addition to Min’s performances of selections from the new CD, she will be joined on stage by pianist, author and WWFM Radio host David Dubal to discuss her latest release.

“I could not be more thrilled to celebrate the launch of my new CD this summer,” says Min. “The selections on the new recording – and to be performed in concert – are particularly special to me. I’ve always found Scriabin’s music to be complex and multi-dimensional in its expression. Mozart’s ‘Fantasy’ and Messiaen’s ‘Oiseaux Exotiques (The Bird Songs)’ contains the element of musical ying and yang, light and shadow, which compliments Scriabin’s music beautifully. This is a program that stirs my soul. I am very grateful to Steinway & Sons’ for their support, and to David Dubal for giving me the opportunity to discuss this deeply personal music on stage at Symphony Space.”

World-renowned concert pianist Klara Min is a Steinway Artist who makes her home in Berlin and New York. Respected also as a thought-leader in music industry, Ms. Min is the founder and artistic director of New York Concert Artists and Associates (NYCA). NYCA serves as a networking organization for musicians to collaborate and create dynamic partnerships with managers, presenters, and other artists. A native of South Korea, Ms. Min has performed extensively throughout North America and Europe as well as in her home country of South Korea, in some of the world’s most important concert venues including Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Munich’s Gasteig, the Berlin Philharmonie, Berlin’s Konzerthhaus, Laeiszhalle, Wigmore Hall, Vienna’s Konzerthaus, and South Korea’s KBS Broadcast Hall. She has performed with prestigious orchestras such as Hamburger Kammerphilharmonie, Munich Kammerphilharmonie, Seoul Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonie Orchester Berlin, Manhattan Chamber Orchestra, Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra, American Chamber Orchestra, St. Petersburg State Symphony, and Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra among others. Gramophone magazine describes Ms. Min’s recent recording of Scriabin work on the Steinway & Sons record label as, “In short, Min’s finest performances on this gorgeously engineered release will make Scriabin fans sit up and take notice.” Klara Min’s first album Ripples on Water features modern Korean piano music; it was released on Naxos and complimented for “mak(ing) every note count” (All Music). Her second release of a selection of Chopin’s Mazurkas was released on Delos. American Record Guide selected the album as one of six critics’ choices in 2013 raving, “her dynamic control is out of this world”. In the 2017-2018 season, Ms. Min will have her debut recital in Paris at Salle Cortot and in Seoul at Lotte Concert Hall as well as her second Scriabin record release with Steinway & Sons label. Klara Min was the recipient of a Samsung scholarship.

KlaraMin.com

@KlaraMinPiano

@KlaraMin

@KlaraMinPianist

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ClassicalBridge.org

@nycaartists

@nycaartists

@newyorkconcertartists

 

This August, New York City will host the first ever Classical Bridge, an international music festival, academy and conference designed to build bridges through the music. Presented by New York Concert Artists & Associates (NYCA), the inaugural event runs August 4 – 11 at Merkin Concert Hall atKaufman Music Center (129 West 67th Street, between Broadway & Amsterdam Ave), Symphony Space (2537 Broadway, at 96th Street), and Steinway Hall (1133 Avenue of the Americas at 44th Street). For tickets. reservations and more information visit www.ClassicalBridge.org.

 

The festival offers three components:

• FESTIVAL CONCERTS featuring the festival orchestra and internationally renowned soloists ranging from 11 – 95 years old.

• ACADEMY of celebrated artists offering master classes for aspiring musicians.

• CONFERENCES. In an unique element that is unique to this particular music festival, Classical Bridge offers full schedule of panel discussions at which classical music industry leaders engage with musicians, addressing practical topics and mentoring emerging careers.

“With Classical Bridge, we aspire to create an event for the classical music community – musicians, aspiring artists, music industry professionals and music lovers – with the goal of building new audiences and providing helpful resources and innovative ideas to musical presentation,” says Classical Bridge founder, producer and performing artist Klara Min. “Classical Bridge believes that we contribute to an ever-evolving music industry and society-at-large in the hopes of a more fully imagined musical life.  We live in a time when division is rampant in daily conversation and headlines. But through music, we can find unity and build bridges across, nations, cultures, generations, and aspirational goals. We can inspire young artists through master classes, introduce great artists to new generations of audiences, and provide each with platform learn and collaborate. Through mentorship and a shared passion for music, we can bring together a community that puts music before any boarder, boundary or barrier.”

The schedule for the inaugural Classical Bridge Festival conferences and concerts is as follows:

 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4                                                                                                              

 

CONFERENCE: Orientation

2PM at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway

 

CONFERENCE: Pre-Concert Discussion – Jed Distler in conversation with legendary violinist Ivry Gitlis

6PMat Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway

 

OPENING CONCERT: Chamber music with Ivry GItlis, violin

with Colin Brookes, viola; Alexander Buzlov, cello; Alexander Fiterstein, clarinet; Andrew Gonzalez, viola; Sirena Huang, violin; Alissa Margulis, violin; Klara Min, piano; Spencer Myer, piano; Eric Silberger, violin; Borislav Strulev, cello

7:30PM at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway

Program: L’isle joyeuse (Debussy); Overture on Hebrew Themes (Prokofiev); Liebeslied/Paradise (Kreisler); Navarra “Spanish Dance” (de Sarasate); Octet for Strings in E-flat major, Op. 20 (Mendelssohn)

 

 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 5                                                                                                                 

 

ACADEMY: Studio lessons with Alexander Buzlov, cello; Alexander Fiterstein, clarinet; Alissa Margulis, violin; Yong Hi Moon, piano; Eduard Zilberkant, piano

9AM – 3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

 

ACADEMY: Master Class with Ivry Gitlis, violin

12PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

CONFERENCE: One-on-One Career Advice Sessions with Bettina Mehne (by appointment)

12PM – 3PMatKaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

CONFERENCE: Panel Discussion – New media and musician entrepreneurship

3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

Sean Hickey, award-winning composer and Vice-President, Sales and Business Development of Naxos of America Inc., discusses the blend of art and administration. With a focus on musician entrepreneurship, new media, artist citizenry and navigating the current music and tech landscapes, Hickey’s lectures at colleges, universities and conservatories throughout the world aim to engage and inspire, and to demystify marketing and social media strategies. He here speaks with select leaders in the field. Panelists: Sean Hickey, Collin Rae, Christopher O’Riley, Ariel Horowitz

 

CONFERENCE: Pre-Concert Panel Discussion: Living music …how performing artists can develop new traditions

6PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

A special discussion of why new performing traditions – outside the traditional recital or concert – should be of interest to all, and led by a stellar group of visionary artists who are constantly redefining the presentation of new music. Panelists: Amanda Cook, Taka Kigawa, Kathleen Supove, Robert Patterson

CONCERT: 2018 NYCA Worldwide Debut Audition Winner: Milan Al-Ashhab, Violin; Adam Skoumal, piano

7:30PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

Program: Paganiniana (Milstein); Poeme (Chausson); Sonata for violin and piano No. 2 (Ravel); Sonata for violin and piano (Janáček); Sonata No 3 for solo violin, “Ballade” (Ysaye);Nigun from Baal Shem (Bloch); Carmen Fantasy (Waxman)

 

 

MONDAY, AUGUST 6                                                                                                                 

 

ACADEMY: Studio lessons with Alexander Buzlov, cello; Alexander Fiterstein, clarinet; Alissa Margulis, violin; Yong Hi Moon, piano; Eduard Zilberkant, piano

9AM – 3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

 

ACADEMY: Master Class with Gábor Takács-Nagy, ensemble 

12PM atMerkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

 

CONFERENCE: One-on-One Career Advice Sessions with Bettina Mehne, Christina Baker (by appointment)

12PM – 3PM atKaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

 

CONFERENCE: Panel Discussion – Diversity in performance and presentation

3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

Legendary philanthropist, performing artist, professor and founder of ArtsForce and Sphinx, Jacqueline Jove, discusses the role of diversity in classical music with a group of distinguished guests, how diversity and inclusion is essential for the growth and dissemination of the artform and which is currently under threat. Panelists: Jacqueline Jove, Alexander Fiterstein, Emil Kang, Jeremy Ganter

CONFERENCE: Pre-Concert Panel Discussion: New approaches to recording, production and distribution

6PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

The DIY ethos permeates all areas of music, and perhaps none more so now than in the world of classical music presentation and recording. Sean Hickey leads a discussion with some of the most successful individual entrepreneurs in the space. Panelists: Collin Rae, Bob Lord, Judd Greenstein

CONCERT: Chamber Music – Stravinsky/Shostakovich/Tchaikovsky

Sirena Huang, Eric Silberger – violin; Colin Brookes, Andrew Gonzalez – viola; Alexander Buzlov, Borislav Strulev – cello; Vyacheslav Gryaznov, – piano; Alexander Fiterstein – clarinet

7:30PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

Program: L’Histoire du soldat Suite (Stravinsky); Piano Trio No.2 in E minor, Op. 67 (Shostakovich); Sextet “Souvenir de Florence”, Op. 70 (Tchaikovsky)

 

 

TUESDAY, AUGUST 7                                                                                                                

 

ACADEMY: Studio lessons with Alexander Buzlov, cello; Alexander Fiterstein, clarinet; Alissa Margulis, violin; Gábor Takács-Nagy, ensemble; Eduard Zilberkant, piano

9AM – 3PMat Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

 

ACADEMY: Master Class with David Kim, violin

12PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

 

CONFERENCE: One-on-One Career Advice Sessions with Bettina Mehne (by appointment)

12PM – 3PM at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

 

CONFERENCE: Panel Discussion – Rethinking and retooling concert presentation, programming and performance

3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

From large hall to intimate cabaret, there are a plethora of choices in engaging with classical music that didn’t all exist a decade ago. What are the approaches some of these leading music directors and leaders take, and what might programming look like a decade from now? Panelists: Glenn Cornett, Judd Greenstein, Justin Kantor

CONFERENCE: Pre-Concert Discussion – Finding an original voice as soloist

6PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

There is most certainly no shortage of tremendously talented instrumentalists and singers, hailing from all corners of the globe, many with big ambitions. What sets you apart and why should others care? A critical discussion of finding an original artistic voice. Panelists: Carsten Durer, Klara Min, Gábor Takács-Nagy, Sean Hickey

CONCERT: Chamber Music – Brahms/Schumann/Schubert

David Kim, Alissa Margulis, Eric Silberger – violin; Andrew Gonzalez – viola; Alexander Buzlov – cello; Juan Carlos Fernandez-Nieto, Zhenni Li, Klara Min, Eduard Zilberkant – piano

7:30PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

Program: Fantasy in F minor for four-hands, D. 940 (Schubert); Violin Sonata No. 5 (Beethoven); Sonatensatz (Brahms); Quintet, Op. 44 (Schumann)

 

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8                                                                                                           

 

ACADEMY: Studio lessons with Alexander Buzlov, cello; Alexander Fiterstein, clarinet; Phillip Kawin, piano; Alissa Margulis, violin; Yong Hi Moon, piano; Eduard Zilberkant, piano

9AM – 3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

 

ACADEMY: Master Class with Yong Hi Moon, piano

12PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

 

CONFERENCE: One-on-One Career Advice Sessions with Bettina Mehne (by appointment)

12PM – 3PM atKaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

 

ACADEMY: Masterclass with Alexander Fiterstein, clarinet

3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

 

CONFERENCE: Group Discussion – New media and entrepreneurship opportunities for young artists

3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

Sean Hickey, award-winning composer and Vice-President, Sales and Business Development of Naxos of America Inc., discuss the blending of art and commerce. With a focus on musician entrepreneurship, new media, artist citizenry, and navigating the current music and tech landscapes, Hickey’s lectures at colleges, universities and conservatories throughout the world aim to engage and inspire, and to demystify marketing and social media strategies.

CONFERENCE: Group Discussion – Promotional opportunities for artists in the streaming space

3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

In many ways, the ubiquity of streaming means that the world’s music is at our fingertips, and at low to no cost for all. Mark Forlow leads a discussion on how best to capitalize on opportunities within the services (Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon, etc), and what Big Tech and the services ask of artists.

CONFERENCE: Pre-Concert Discussion – Featured composer Jean-Frederic Neuberger in discussion with Amanda Cook

6PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

 

CONCERT: New Music Evening featuring French composer Jean-Frédéric Neuburger

Alissa Margulis, Eric Silberger – violin; Andrew Gonzalez – viola; Alexander Buzlov, Borislav Strulev – cello; Klara Min, Jean-Frédéric Neuburger – piano; Alex Lipowski, Bill Solomon – percussion

7:30PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

Program: Sinfonia for two pianos + drums (Neuburger); String Quartet (Neuburger); Cello Suite No.1 in G major [Choreographed with a dancer] (Bach); World-Premiere of a commissioned Electronic Music piece (Neuburger)

 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9                                                                                                              

 

ACADEMY: Studio lessons with Alexander Buzlov, cello; Phillip Kawin, piano; Alissa Margulis, violin; Yong Hi Moon, piano; Gábor Takács-Nagy, ensemble; Eduard Zilberkant, piano

9AM – 3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

 

ACADEMY: Master Class with Phillip Kawin, piano

12PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

 

CONFERENCE: One-on-One Career Advice Sessions with Bettina Mehne (by appointment)

12PM – 3PM at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

 

CONFERENCE: Group Discussion – Networking/connection building

3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

David Homan and Bettina Mehne lead a roundtable discussion on the subject of perhaps the most important aspect of any artist’s career, beyond the craft.

 

CONFERENCE: Pre-Concert Interview – Best of All Possible Worlds: Celebrating Bernstein at 100

6PM Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

Some of the world’s leading experts on one of America’s most original voices and what Bernstein’s legacy means 100 years on, and all of the celebratory projects of the Bernstein year. Panelists: Eliott Forrest, Lara Downes, Daniel Felsenfeld, John Mauceri

FINAL CONCERT: Celebrating Bernstein at 100

NYCA Symphony Orchestra

Gábor Takács-Nagy, conductor

7:30PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

Program: Selections from Pulcinella Suite (Stravinsky); Rhapsody in Blue (Gershwin); On the Town – Three Dance Episode (Bernstein), Appalachian Spring (Copland)

POST-CONCERT VIP COCKTAIL RECEPTION

Private event for participating artists, VIP ticket holders, NYCA and festival sponsors

 

 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 10                                                                                                                 

 

ACADEMY: Studio lessons with Alexander Buzlov, cello; Alexander Fiterstein, clarinet; Phillip Kawin, piano; Alissa Margulis, violin; Yong Hi Moon, piano; Gábor Takács-Nagy, ensemble

9AM – 3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

ACADEMY: Master Class with Gábor Takács-Nagy, ensemble

12PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

CONFERENCE: One-on-One Career Advice Sessions with Bettina Mehne (by appointment)

12PM – 3PM atKaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

 

CONFERENCE: Group Discussion – Public relations for classical artists

3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

A lively discussion with the leaders in classical music PR and promotion on how best to define your brand, to reach the widest possible audience using all of the available tools. Public relations strategies – How do you wish to define your brand? How do you wish to be perceived? And how can your message and artistry meaningfully translate into media attention? Panelists: Keith Sherman, Christina Jensen, Bettina Mehne

CONCERT: Steinway Hall Concerts By Young Musicians

Program TBA on August 8

4PM at Steinway Hall,1133 Avenue of the Americas

Tickets are free. Reservations are encouraged.

CONCERT: Steinway Hall Concerts By Young Musicians

Program TBA on August 8

7PM at Steinway Hall,1133 Avenue of the Americas

Tickets are free. Reservations are encouraged.

 

TICKET INFORMATION: Visit ClassicalBridge.org  for tickets and information. Individual tickets for all concerts at Symphony Space and Merkin Hall are $30 – $50. Students and Seniors: $20. The following Festival Passes are available to those who wish to attend multiple events: Festival All-In-One Pass $500 pass includes all Concerts, Panel Discussions, Pre-Concert Talks and Academy Master Classes Festival Concert Pass – VIP  $250 pass for VIP seating for all six evening concerts Festival Concert Pass – Regular $150 pass offers a discount for all six evening concerts Bridge & Master Class Pass $300 pass includes access to all Panel Discussions, Pre-Concert Talks, and Academy Master Classes VIP Party Pass $250 VIP Party Pass for Classical Bridge VIP Reception, August 9 at 10PM

ACADEMY REGISTRATION & TUITION INFORMATION:    To apply for enrollment in the Classical Bridge Academy, visit [email protected]. The deadline for enrollment is May 30, 2018. Applicants must provide a biography; works for lessons and master classes; and performance links. The application fee is $130 for individual artists, $250 for ensembles. Tuition, $1100 for individual artists and $1500 for ensembles, includes: Three studio session with desired instructors Access to all Master Classes Introduction to participating panelists Performance at Steinway Hall Access to all concerts and festival events Access to one-on-one career advice from participating artists and panelists Free access to Museum of Modern Art Partial or full scholarships may be available to applicants based on submitted materials.

 

 

ABOUT THE PARTICIPANTS

 

ALEXANDER BUZLOV (Cello) won many top prizes at the world’s most important cello competitions such as at the Feuermann Competition (Grand Prix, Audience Prize), ARD Competition Munich (second prize), Concours de Genève (second prize), Belgrade (first prize), Monte Carlo (first prize) and the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow (Silver Medal, Rostropovich Prize). Today Alexander Buzlov performs throughout Russia’s most prestigious halls as well as at venues abroad such as the Berlin Philharmony, Carnegie Hall, Herkulessaal Munich, Lincoln Center, Santa Cecilia, La Scala, Théatre des Champs Élysées. He has appeared with many renowned ensembles, among them the Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra, Orchester des Bayrischen Rundfunks, Orchestra of St. Lukes, Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbrücken, The Svetlanov State Academic Symphony Orchestra, the Moscow Soloists chamber ensemble, Munich Chamber Ensemble, “New Russia” Symphony Orchestra, the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia, the Grand Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra, Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, the St Petersburg Academic Philharmonic and numerous others. He has worked with conductors including Valery Gergiev, Yuri Bashmet, Vladimir Fedoseyev, Karel Maria Chichon, Paavo Järvi, Yakov Kreizberg, Stanislav Kochanovsky, Thomas Sanderling, Daniel Boico, Leonard Slatkin, Vladimir Spivakov, Yuri Temirkanov and Christoph Poppen. As a soloist he has performed with numerous American symphony orchestras, travelling to almost each and every American state while on tour. Alexander Buzlov performs aside musicians such as Natalia Gutman, Yuri Bashmet, Vadim Repin, Leonidas Kavakos, Martha Argerich, Julian Rachlin, Dmitry Sitkovetskiy. He takes part in international festivals including Verbier Festival (Switzerland), Musical Kremlin, Moscow Autumn, December Evenings of Svyatoslav Richter (Moscow), the White Nights, Arts Square and Musical Olympus (St Petersburg), festivals in Ludwigsburg, Mecklenburg Vorpommenn, Usedom (Germany), Pietrasanta in Concerto, (Italy), and festival in Menton (France), the Oleg Kagan Memorial Festivals in Moscow and Kreuth (Germany), international chamber music festivals in Colmar, Menton and Montpellier (France), Crescendo (Israel). He has recorded for Russian TV and radio as well as for radio stations in Germany, Switzerland, France, Austria and the USA. Alexander Buzlov was born in Moscow in 1983. He studied at the Moscow Conservatoire with Natalia Gutman and at Musikhochschule Köln, Germany with Frans Helmerson. At master-classes he worked with such renowned cellists such as Mstislav Rostropovich, Daniil Shafran and Bernard Greenhouse. He teaches at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatoire.

 

ALEXANDER FITERSTEIN (Clarinet) is considered one of today’s most exceptional artists. Fiterstein has performed in recital, with distinguished orchestras, and with chamber music ensembles throughout the world. He won first prize at the Carl Nielsen International Clarinet Competition and received the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant Award. The Washington Post has described his playing as “dazzling in its spectrum of colors, agility, and range. Every sound he makes is finely measured without inhibiting expressiveness” and The New York Times described him as “a clarinetist with a warm tone and powerful technique.” As soloist he has appeared with the Czech, Israel, Vienna, and St. Paul Chamber Orchestras, Belgrade Philharmonic, Danish National Radio Symphony, Tokyo Philharmonic, China National Symphony Orchestra, KBS Orchestra of South Korea, Jerusalem Symphony, Orchestra of St. Luke’s at Lincoln Center, Kansas City Symphony, and the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela. He has performed in recital on the Music at the Supreme Court Series, the Celebrity Series in Boston, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the Kennedy Center, the Louvre in Paris, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, Tel Aviv Museum, and NYC’s 92d Street Y. A dedicated performer of chamber music, Fiterstein frequently collaborates with distinguished artists and ensembles and regularly performs with the prestigious Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Among the highly regarded artists he has performed with are Daniel Barenboim, Yefim Bronfman, Mitsuko Uchida, Richard Goode, Emanuel Ax, Marc-Andre Hamelin, Pinchas Zukerman, and Steven Isserlis. Fiterstein performed with the Dover, Pacifica, Jerusalem, and Shanghai String Quartets as well as with Ensemble Wien-Berlin. He spent five summers at the Marlboro Music Festival and appeared at the Caramoor, Moab, Music@Menlo, Montreal, Toronto, Jerusalem, and Storioni Chamber Music Festivals. He is currently co-artistic director of the Sedona Winter MusicFest in Arizona. Fiterstein is a founder of the Zimro Project, a unique ensemble dedicated to incorporating Jewish art music into chamber music programs. He performed as principal clarinet of the West-East Divan Orchestra at the invitation of Daniel Barenboim and has appeared as guest principal clarinet with the Israel Philharmonic with Zubin Mehta, KBS Orchestra with Yoel Levi, and with the St. Paul and Orpheus Chamber Orchestras. Fiterstein has a prolific recording career and has worked with composers John Corigliano and Osvaldo Golijov and had pieces written for him by Samuel Adler, Mason Bates, Paul Schoenfield, and Chris Brubeck, among others. Fiterstein was born in Belarus and immigrated to Israel at the age of 2 with his family. A Juilliard graduate, he won first prize at the Young Concert Artists International Auditions and received awards from the America-Israel Cultural Foundation.He is currently Professor of Clarinet and Chair of Winds at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. Fiterstein is a Buffet Crampon and Vandoren Performing Artist.

 

IVRY GLITIS [Hebrew: עברי גיטליס] (Violin), born in Haifa, August 22, 1922, is an Israeli violinist and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. He has performed with the world’s top orchestras (New York Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, Philadelphia Philharmonic, and Israel Philharmonic), and many of his recordings are considered classics. Born in Haifa, Mandate Palestine to Russian parents, Gitlis studied violin at an early age. When violinist Bronisław Huberman first heard him play, he sent him for study at the Conservatoire de Paris, where Gitlis won a first prize at age 13. His teachers include Carl Flesch, George Enescu, and Jacques Thibaud. In 1951, Gitlis made his debut in Paris. His first recording, “Le Concerto à La mémoire d’un ange” by Alban Berg, won the Grand Prix du Disque in France.In 1968 he participated in John Lennon’s Dirty Mac project on The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus program. In 1971 Bruno Maderna wrote Piece for Ivry for him. In 1990 Gitlis was designated UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. His stated aim is the “support of education and culture of peace and tolerance”. Ivry Gitlis is a commentator (along with Itzhak Perlman) all the way through the DVD “The Art of Violin” (2000) which showcases performances and gives biographical details of many of the great violinists of the 20th Century. Since the end of the sixties, Gitlis has resided in Paris, France At various stages in his career he played on the 1737 “Chant du Cygne” Stradivarius and the “Ysaye” Guarnerius del Gesu. Ivry currently owns the “Sancy” Stradivarius of 1713.

 

DAVID KIM (Violin) was named Concertmaster of The Philadelphia Orchestra in 1999. Born in Carbondale, Illinois in 1963, he started playing the violin at the age of three, began studies with the famed pedagogue Dorothy DeLay at the age of eight, and later received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The Juilliard School. Highlights of Mr. Kim’s 2017-18 season include appearing as soloist with The Philadelphia Orchestra under the baton of Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin; Teaching/performance residencies at Bob Jones University, Haverford College, Swarthmore College, Brevard Music Center, and the Aspen Music Festival and School; continued appearances as concertmaster of the All-Star Orchestra on PBS stations across the USA and online at the Kahn Academy; and recitals, speaking engagements, and appearances with orchestras across the United States, including a Brahms Festival (complete Sonatas and Concerto) with the Fairbanks Symphony in Alaska. In September, he appeared with famed modern hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville and will again appear with them in December on tour in Cleveland, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and Carnegie Hall. He will also be included on a soon to be released Getty Music CD. Next September, he will return to Nashville to perform at the Getty Music Worship Conference – Sing! 2018. A dedicated teacher, Mr. Kim presents masterclasses at colleges, universities, and conservatories across the country each season. He is the founder and Artistic Director of the annual David Kim Orchestral Institute of Cairn University in Philadelphia, where he is also a Professor of Violin Studies. Additionally, Mr. Kim serves as Distinguished Artist at the obert McDuffie Center for Strings t ercer University n Macon, GA. Mr. Kim appears as soloist with The Philadelphia Orchestra each season as well as with numerous orchestras around the world. He also appears internationally at festivals such as Brevard, MasterWorks (USA), and Pacific (Japan). e frequently serves as an adjudicator at international violin competitions such as the Menuhin and Sarasate. Mr. Kim has been awarded Honorary Doctorates from Eastern University in suburban Philadelphia, the University of Rhode Island, and Dickinson Colleg. His instruments are a J.B. Guadagnini from Milan, Italy ca. 1757 on loan from The Philadelphia Orchestra and a Michael Angelo Bergonzi from Cremona ca. 1754. Mr. Kim resides in a Philadelphia suburb with his wife Jane and daughters Natalie and Maggie. He is an avid runner, golfer, and outdoorsman. Mr. Kim endorses and uses Thomastik Dominant Strings as well as the AirTurn Hands Free Page Turning System.

 

ALISSA MARGULIS (Violin). The Guardian describes Alissa Margulis’ playing as “exceptional”, Ivry Gitlis praises it as “a revelation” and Martha Argerich calls her a “strong musical personality”. Appreciated for her expressive and very emotional performances, Alissa Margulis regularly plays in important concert halls such as the Berlin Philharmony, the Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Tchaikovsky Hall Moscow, Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, the Palais des Beaux Arts in Brussels, the Cologne Philharmony, the Vienna Musikverein, Sumida Triphony Hall Tokyo, the Sage Gateshead, the Tonhalle Zurich and the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Hall. Born in Germany into a family of Russian musicians, Alissa Margulis studied in Cologne with Zakhar Bron, in Brussels with Augustin Dumay and in Vienna with Pavel Vernikov. She won numerous prizes at international violin competiitons and was awarded with the “Pro Europa” prize of the European Arts Foundation which was presented to her by Daniel Barenboim in Berlin. She made her first public appearance at the age of seven with the Budapest Soloists and has performed since then with numerous orchestras such as the English Chamber Orchestra, New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre National d’Ile de France, New Russia Orchestra, Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi, Orchestra della Svizzera italiana, Bilkent Orchestra Ankara, Beethoven Orchestra Bonn, Belgian National Orchestra, the Philharmonic Orchestras of Kiev, Skopje, Ljubljana, Minsk and Novosibirsk, the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, the Royal Northern Sinfonia, the Moscow Soloists, and the Kremerata Baltica, amongst many others. Alissa Margulis worked together with famous conductors: Ivor Bolton, Jacques Mercier, Arnold Katz, Jacek Kaspszyk, Dmitry Liss, Jaap van Zweden, Enrique Mazzola, Daniel Raiskin, Fabrice Bollon, Stefan Vladar, François-Xavier Roth, Lars Vogt, Howard Griffiths, Stanislav Kochanovsky, Hubert Soudant, Yuri Bashmet, Gidon Kremer, Christian Arming, Augustin Dumay, Mikko Franck and Gerd Albrecht to name just a few of them. Besides her solo career Alissa Margulis is an enthusiastic chamber music player and collaborates with artists such as Martha Argerich, Yuri Bashmet, David Geringas, Ivry Gitlis, Gidon Kremer, Bruno Giuranna, Mischa Maisky, Gabriela Montero, Jean-Guihen Queyras, Liana Issakadze, Alexandre Tharaud, Stephen Kovacevich, Alexander Lonquich, Polina Leschenko, Paul Badura-Skoda and Lars Vogt. She further appeared at various Festivals: at the Enescu Festival Bucharest, Jerusalem Chamber Music Festival, the Menuhin Festival Gstaad, in Davos, Tours, Stravanger Festival, at the Mozartwoche Salzburg, “Spannungen”-Festival in Heimbach, “Progetto” Martha Argerich Festival in Lugano, Schleswig-Holstein Festival, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Sotshi Winter Arts Festival and Verbier Festival. Her discography includes more than than a dozen CDs at labels such as EMI Classics, Oehms, Novalis, Avanti Classic and CAvi. Notalbly two of the six EMI Classics releases of the “Martha Argerich and Friends” series received a GRAMMY nomination, several others won the Diapason d’or. She recorded repertoire by Mozart, Shostakovich, Enescu, Beethoven, Messiaen and others as well as the complete music for violin and piano by Franz Liszt. She recorded Piazzolla’s seasons and took part in an all Klezmer recording alongside musicians such as Myriam Fuks, Roby Lakatos, Evgeny Kissin, Polina Leschenko and Mischa Maisky. Alissa Margulis will be featured in another live recording of chamber music performed at the Progetto Martha Argerich, a 2016 release by Warner Classics. This season she plays concerts in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Greece, Russia Luxembourg, Lebanon, South Africa, Aruba, Malta, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the USA, Italy, France at venues such as the Philharmonie de Paris, the Tchaikovsky Hall Moscow and the Verbier Festival, among many others.

 

World-renowned concert pianist KLARA MIN (piano) is a Steinway Artist who makes her home in Berlin and New York. Respected also as a thought-leader in music industry, Ms. Min is the founder and artistic director of New York Concert Artists and Associates (NYCA). NYCA serves as a networking organization for musicians to collaborate and create dynamic partnerships with managers, presenters, and other artists. A native of South Korea, Ms. Min has performed extensively throughout North America and Europe as well as in her home country of South Korea, in some of the world’s most important concert venues including Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Munich’s Gasteig, the Berlin Philharmonie, Berlin’s Konzerthhaus, Laeiszhalle, Wigmore Hall, Vienna’s Konzerthaus, and South Korea’s KBS Broadcast Hall. She has performed with prestigious orchestras such as Hamburger Kammerphilharmonie, Munich Kammerphilharmonie, Seoul Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonie Orchester Berlin, Manhattan Chamber Orchestra, Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra, American Chamber Orchestra, St. Petersburg State Symphony, and Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra among others. Gramophone magazine describes Ms. Min’s recent recording of Scriabin work on the Steinway & Sons record label as, “In short, Min’s finest performances on this gorgeously engineered release will make Scriabin fans sit up and take notice.” Klara Min’s first album Ripples on Water features modern Korean piano music; it was released on Naxos and complimented for “mak(ing) every note count” (All Music). Her second release of a selection of Chopin’s Mazurkas was released on Delos. American Record Guide selected the album as one of six critics’ choices in 2013 raving, “her dynamic control is out of this world”. In the 2017-2018 season, Ms. Min will have her debut recital in Paris at Salle Cortot and in Seoul at Lotte Concert Hall as well as her second Scriabin record release with Steinway & Sons label. Klara Min was the recipient of a Samsung scholarship.

 

JEAN-FRÉDÉRIC NEUBURGER (2018 Featured Composer) has established himself as a gifted musician, both as a composer and a pianist, known for the extreme variety of his repertoire. He is regularly commissioned by festivals and organizations such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Evian Festival, Radio-France, Long-Thibaud International Competition, and Folle Journée de Nantes, and his works have been performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Orchestre de Paris under Christoph von Dohnányi as well as by the Chorus and Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and Pascal Rophé and by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra under Alexander Briguer. His chamber music has been played by Henri Demarquette, François Salque, Nicolas Dautricourt, Lise Berthaud, Raphaël Sévère, and Bertrand Chamayou in venues such as the Lucerne Festival, Sage Gateshead, Lincoln Center, and Musikverein Wien. He received the Lili and Nadia Boulanger prize from the Académie des Beaux Arts and the Hervé Dugardin prize from SACEM in 2015. Neuburger received an intense and varied musical education in piano, composition, and organ before entering the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris at the age of 13. After graduating from the CNSM with five Premier Prix he went on to study composition with Michael Jarrell and Pascal Dusapin in Geneva.

 

ERIC SILBERGER (Violin) is a prize winner of the XIV International Tchaikovsky Competition and the Michael Hill International Violin Competition in 2011. His performances have been described by critics as “spine-tingling…astonishing” (The Guardian), “dazzling virtuoso playing” (The Washington Post), “impeccable level of playing, a wonderful musician” (Heather Kurzbauer, The Strad), and ” ….he has got everything in his favour, technique, composure and personality. We are on the eve of a great soloist” (El Pais, Spain). Eric has performed as soloist, recitalist and chamber musician throughout the United States and around the world, including solo performances with the St. Petersburg Philharmonia, Mariinsky Orchestra, Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Chamber Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre, London Philharmonia, Danish National Symphony, Orquesta Sinfónica de México, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, among others. Conductor collaborations include Lorin Maazel, Valery Gergiev, Dimitri Kitajenko, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Donald Runnicles, Robin Ticciati, and others. He has appeared at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Louvre in Paris, the Great Hall of the St. Petersburg Philharmonia, The Moscow International House of Music in Russia, Shanghai Grand Theatre in China, Royal Festival Hall in London, Seoul Arts Center in Korea, the National Arts Centre in Canada, and more. Among numerous television and radio appearances in the United States, Asia, and Europe, he was featured on Radio France, STV in China, KBS in Korea, and WQXR, WFYI, FOX 59, WISH-TV, and NPR, among others. An avid chamber musician, Eric frequently performs chamber music internationally. He also has a special collaboration with bandoneonist and composer JP Jofre and the JP Jofre Hard Tango Chamber Band. Eric received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Columbia University and a Master of Music degree from The Juilliard School. Mentors have included Glenn Dicterow, Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman, Robert Mann, and Dorothy Delay, among others. He was also mentored by Maestro Lorin Maazel. Eric plays on a rare J.B. Guadagnini violin from 1757 on generous loan from the Sau-Wing Lam collection.

 

A native of Budapest, GÁBOR TAKÁCS-NAGY (Ensemble) began to study the violin at the age of eight. As a student of the Franz Liszt Academy, he won First Prize in 1979 in the Jeno Hubay Violin Competition .and later pursued studies with Nathan Milstein. His chamber-music teachers at that time were Ferenc Rados, András Mihaly, Zoltán Székely, Sándor Végh and György Kurtag. From 1975 to 1992, he was founding member and leader of the acclaimed Takács Quartet performing with the legendary artists, Lord Menuhin, Sir Georg Solti, Isaac Stern, Mstislav Rostropovitch, Paul Tortelier, Gidon Kremer, and Andras Schiff and was regularly invited by Sviatoslav Richter to his festivals. The Takacs Quartet made many recordings for Decca and Hungaroton. In 1996, he founded the Takács Piano Trio and made world-premier recordings of works of Hungarian composers Franz Liszt, Lászlo Lajtha and Sandor Veress. In 1998 he established the Mikrokosmos string quartet with compatriots Zoltan Tuska, Sandor Papp and Miklos Perényi, recording in 2008 the complete cycle of Bartok’s string Quartets for which they were awarded the « Excellencia »prize by Pizzicato Magazine. In 1982, he was awarded the Liszt Prize. Gábor Takács-Nagy is considered one of today’s most authentic exponents of Hungarian music, and in particular, that of Béla Bartok. In 2002, following in a long-line of Hungarian musical tradition, Gábor Takács-Nagy turned to conducting .creating in 2005 his own string ensemble, the Camerata Bellerive as orchestra-in-residence at the annual Festival de Bellerive in Geneva. In 2006 he became the Music Director of the Weinberger Kammerorchestra and in August 2007, the Music Director of the Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra. The VFCO performs every summer in the Verbier Festival and also in numerous European and Asian cities throughout the year. With the VFCO he regularly collaborates with Martha Argerich, Joshua Bell, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Vadim Repin and Emmanuel Ax as well as singers Frederica von Stade, Barbara Bonney and Angelika Kirschlager. A DVD of the performances of Beethoven’s 2nd piano concerto and Shostakovich’s concerto for piano, trumpet and strings with Martha Argerich, David Guerrier and the VFCO was released in June 2011. From 2010 until 2012 he was Music Director of the MAV Symphony Orchestra Budapest and recorded as world premier the epic “Bards of Wales” oratorio by Karl Jenkins. Since September 2011 he  is Music Director of Manchester Camerata, one of the UK’s leading chamber orchestras and since September 2012 isPrincipal Guest Conductor of the Budapest Festival Orchestra . In January 2013 he was appointed Principal Artistic Partner of the Irish Chamber Orchestra. Gábor Takács-Nagy is a dedicated and highly sought-after chamber-music teacher. He is Professor of String Quartet at the Haute Ecole de Musique in Geneva and International Chair in Chamber Music at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. In June 2012 he was awarded honorary membership of the Royal Academy of Music in London. In March 2017 he was awarded the prestigious Béla Bartók-Ditta Pásztory Prize.

 

Russian born EDUARD ZILBERKANT (Piano) is recognized as one of today’s most gifted artists and has an active career as conductor and pianist. A Yamaha performing artist, Eduard Zilberkant has been received enthusiastically by audiences and press alike throughout Europe, Canada, Asia and the United States, performing in such halls as The Academy of Music and Curtis Hall in Philadelphia; Merkin Hall in New York City; Artur Rubinstein Hall and Warsaw Philharmonic Hall in Poland; Teatro di San Carlo Opera House in Naples, Italy; Teatro Sangiorgi in Catania, Sicily; Volgograd Opera House in Russia; and Alaska Center for the Performing Arts in Anchorage. Eduard Zilberkant has been a guest artist and conductor at some of the most prestigious music festivals which include the International Keyboard Institute and Festival in New York City; the Ravello Festival in Italy; the Gumi International Music Festival in South Korea; the Corfu Festival Ionian Concert Series in Greece; the Monolis Kalomiris International Music Festival in Greece; the Assisi International Festival and Orazio Frugoni Music Institute in Italy; the Baracasa Festival of Radio France in Montpellier, France; the Alaska International Piano-e-Competition, Fairbanks, Alaska; and the Bellingham Music Festival in Washington. Some of the orchestras he has guest conducted include the Czech National Symphony Orchestra in Prague and on tour to Germany; the orchestra of Pomeriggi Musicali di Milano in Italy; the Martinu Chamber Orchestra in the Czech Republic and Germany; the Orchestra of the Teatro Massimo Bellini in Catania, Sicily; the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra in New York City; the Teatro di San Carlo Orchestra in Naples, Italy; and the Prague Philharmonic in Prague and Italy. The Badische Zeitung wrote of his performance of the Dvorak’s “New World Symphony”, “[Maestro Zilberkant] made an impression for feeling the nuances of tempo, pauses, and accents… he brought out new colors and romantic feeling with full balance of the sound from the orchestra.”  After his performance of the Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 in Anchorage, Alaska. The Anchorage Daily News wrote: “[Maestro Zilberkant] brought admirable intelligence to his reading of the piece…and sculpting the individual lines into a monumental and heroic structure; his weaving of the finale’s awesome counterpoint show him to be a musician of significance whom we hope to hear again.”  American Record Guide stated, “Zilberkant’s artistic approach emphasizes a strongly colored rhetoric, supported by passionate and sensitive temperament…Zilberkant’s pianistic and musical qualities are found not only in his speed, but also in his ability to distill the slow tempos by drawing them out to the extreme.”  Radio France, Polish Radio and Television and PBS Radio and Television in the United States have also broadcast his performances.  Music critics have asserted that he “possesses a remarkable keyboard mastery; plays in the style of the old romantic masters; he knows how to extract quite a palette of colors from the piano; his playing is subtle and passionate at the same time; he has the equipment that makes for pianist greatness.” Eduard Zilberkant has been hailed as an inspirational teacher around the world. He has given masterclasses at the International Keyboard Institute and Festival in New York City, the Rubinstein Academy in Dusseldorf, Germany; the Puccini Conservatory in Italy; the Gumi International Music Festival in South Korea, and the Ionian Conservatory in Greece. His students have won national and international piano competitions and appear as soloists worldwide. A Fulbright Scholar in Germany, Eduard Zilberkant received a Solisten Diploma from the Freiburg Musik Hochschule. He received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Temple University in Philadelphia.  His teachers have included Jerome Rose, Vitaly Margulis, Theodore Lettvin, Robert Spano and Robert Shaw. Presently, he is Artist in Residence and Professor of Piano at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. For the past fifteen years he has been Music Director and Conductor of the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra and the Arctic Chamber Orchestra.

 

CLASSICAL BRIDGE is presented by New York Concert Artists & Associates (NYCA) in a mission to create dynamic partnerships among musicians, music lovers and music professionals; and in the hope of broadening the spectrum of audiences, while providing helpful resources, innovative programming ideas and diverse approaches to musical presentation. Nurturing young musicians with lessons and master classes by great masters, providing a platform for each to learn, to collaborate and to exhibit talents through concerts and panel discussions, Classical Bridge believes that we contribute to an ever-evolving music industry and society-at-large in the hopes of a more fully imagined musical life.  In August 2018, Classical Bridge launches its inaugural season in New York City.

 

Founded in 2008, NEW YORK CONCERT ARTISTS & ASSOCIATES (NYCA) is a modern-day realization of Robert Schumann’s Alliance of David (Davidsbund), an imagined spiritual fraternity of creative minds.  NYCA is led by musicians for musicians and the musical public, in the belief that the ultimate artistic decisions in all situations must be made by the artists themselves, for the sake of the integrity – and therefore life – of classical music in the twenty-first century.  We hold regular meetings, discuss our concerts and projects together, and help one another with whatever resources available. To help musicians articulate their messages more directly to the world, we at New York Concert Artists & Associates make it a priority to create dynamic partnerships among musicians, managers, and presenters, and to promote young artists internationally through our concert series and collaborations with other organizations.  We believe that we contribute to the ever-evolving music industry and to the society-at-large by living and renewing the ideals of artists, as envisioned by artists.