Aspen Music Festival and School and Aspen Santa Fe Ballet are collaborating again this year

July 28th, 2008 at 11:56am Aspen Music Festival 355

The Aspen Music Festival and School and Aspen Santa Fe Ballet are collaborating again this year, presenting another very special night of dance and music, Wednesday, August 6 in the Benedict Music Tent, this time accompanied by a full, live orchestra. The program will feature 1st Flash, choreographed by Finland’s Jorma Elo and danced to Finnish composer Jean Sibelius’ achingly beautiful Violin Concerto in D Minor, and Wolfgang by noted choreographer David Parsons, a witty and exuberant dance that highlights the playful music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

“After last year’s spectacular collaboration, we all immediately knew we had to do this again,” says AMFS President and CEO Alan Fletcher. “This year we bring a full orchestra onstage with the troupe, complete with conductor and soloists. The evening promises to be even more grand, even more artistically rich, than last year.”

“It is such a luxury for us to perform to live music. Our dancers are looking forward to working with Aspen Music Festival musicians. This collaboration will definitely bring a high artistic caliber to our Aspen audience,” says ASFB Executive Director Jean-Philippe Malaty.

Wolfgang, commissioned by ASFB in 2005, is a piece choreographed by the famed David Parsons. Parsons, (founder of Parsons Dance), has received commissions over the years from The American Ballet Theatre, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, New York City Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the American Dance Festival, Jacob’s Pillow, the Spoleto Festival and Het Muziektheater in Amsterdam, among others. His work has been performed by companies including Paris Opera Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Nederlands Danse Theatre, National Ballet of Canada, Hubbard Street Dance and BatSheva Dance Company of Israel.

1st Flash, a piece by an ASFB favorite, Finnish choreographer Jorma Elo, is one of several Elo pieces performed over the years by Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. Elo has created new work for many companies around the world. Notably, Boston Ballet commissioned two world premieres by Elo, including Sharp Side of Dark in 2002 and Plan to B in 2004. Elo’s most recent work includes pieces for New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Norwegian National Ballet, Finnish National Ballet, and Netherlands Dans Theatre. Elo is also a skilled designer of costumes, lighting and video effects for his ballets.

The Aspen Concert Orchestra will be led by AMFS alumnus Ryan McAdams, who recently completed a Fulbright Fellowship year as conducting apprentice of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic with that orchestra's music director (and newly-appointed New York Philharmonic music director), Alan Gilbert. Movements from Mozart’s piano concertos nos. 21 and 22 will be performed by longtime Aspen Music Festival and School artist-faculty member Antoinette Perry, who teaches at the USC Thornton School of Music and has performed in collaboration with many of the world’s top artists. The Sibelius concerto will be performed by violinist Andrew Wan, the first-prize winner at the Canadian Music Competitions, and a top laureate at the Michael Hill International Violin Competition in New Zealand.

The performance is on Wednesday, August 6 at 8 pm in the Benedict Music Tent. Tickets are $65 and are available at the AMFS box offices at Harris Concert Hall or the Wheeler Opera House, or by calling 970-925-9042 or visiting www.aspenmusicfestival.com.

The Aspen Music Festival and School is the United States’ premier classical music festival, led by music director David Zinman and presenting more than 350 musical events during its nine-week summer season in Aspen, including orchestra concerts, opera, chamber music, lectures, and children’s events. The institution draws top classical musicians from around the world to this charming Colorado mountain retreat for an unparalleled combination of performances and music education. More than 25 percent of events are free and seating on the David Karetsky Music Lawn and in the Music Garden is always free. Next summer the Festival will celebrate its 60th anniversary.

Heading into a second decade of activity, the success of the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet is cause for celebration. ASFB is a uniquely structured and multi-faceted organization, founded in 1990 by longtime Aspenite Bebe Schweppe. It not only is a nationally recognized dance company, a leader in the dance world in terms of repertoire, acquiring and commissioning work from top choreographers; but it is also one of the largest dance presenters in the country, welcoming the best in dance in both Aspen and Santa Fe. Education is a priority for the organization with schools in each of the cities. Cultural community activity is also included under the ASFB umbrella, with the popular award-winning Mexican folklore youth program, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Folklórico, offered in both locations.

Entry Filed under: Classical Music, Dance, Aspen Music Festival