New York Festival Orchestra
Presents
A HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
～2015-2016 Season Inaugural Concert～
Friday, December 18, 2015 at 7:00 PM
St. Peter's Episcopal Church (Chelsea) 346 West 20th St., New York, NY 10011
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FEATURED ARTIST
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BV Artists International is pleased to introduce a new artist on our roster, the exceptionally talented conductor, Diane Wittry.
Diane Wittry is one of the foremost woman conductors in the United States today. Frequently engaged as a guest conductor, she has led symphonic performances in more than 10 countries and throughout the U.S. She has worked with conductors Michael Tilson Thomas, Pierre Boulez, and Daniel Lewis, among others, and has been profiled in the New York Times.
The Allentown Symphony Association appointed Diane Wittry as its third Music Director and Conductor in 1995. Under her artistic leadership in the last 20 years, the Orchestra has risen to increasing standards of excellence, performing exciting music with passion and dedication, and winning the prestigious national "American Prize" for artistic quality in 2014.
In addition to her work with the ASO, Diane Wittry has served as the Associate Conductor of the renowned Ojai Music Festival (CA); the Artistic Director of the International Music Program with the Sarajevo Philharmonic, Bosnia; and Music Director and Conductor of the Symphony of Southeast Texas, the Norwalk Symphony (CT), and the Ridgewood Symphony (NJ).
Wittry is an award winning author, composer, and teacher. Her two books, Beyond the Baton, and Baton Basics-Communicating Music through Gestures, have become standards in the field. Hundreds of conductors from all over the world have studied conducting with her, and she regularly gives presentations at the Juilliard School of Music, the Curtis Institute, the Manhattan School of Music, and for the League of American Orchestras and the Conductors Guild National Conferences. Next January, Wittry will be the featured conducting teacher for the CODA National Conference (College Orchestra Director's Association).
As a composer, Diane Wittry's compositions are published by Theodore Presser Company. Her pieces have been performed and recorded by orchestras in the United States and Europe.
Awards Diane Wittry has received include the national Helen M. Thompson Award from the League of American Orchestras, the USC Thornton School of Music Outstanding Alumnus Award, the Gold Crown Award (Pasadena, CA), the Women of Excellence Award (Beaumont, TX), and the Arts Ovation Award and the Woman of Distinction Award (Allentown, PA). More at: www.DianeWittry.com
Sept 2015 Opening concert of Allentown Symphony with internationally renowned pianist, Emanuel Ax:
Diane Wittry and Emanuel Ax
Conducted a concert with the Pizazz Symphony in Shenzhen China for over 10,000 people.
April, 2015 premiere of her composition "Ode to Joy Fanfare." Also performance of Beethoven Symphony No. 9 by the ASO with the new Allentown Symphony chorus.
The Allentown Symphony Orchestra won 1st prize for the "American Prize" in the professional orchestra category for their recordings of Ravel's Daphnis and Chloe, Holst's The Planets, and John Corigliano's Mannheim Rocket.
Judged the Nissim Composers Competition sponsored by ASCAP in New York. (with George Manahan and Ryan McAdams)
Received a national achievement award from the BHAAAS (Bosnia-Herzegovinian American Academy of Arts and Sciences) for her work as Artistic Director of the International Cultural Exchange Program for Classical Musicians with the Sarajevo Philharmonic in Bosnia.
Jan 2015 Publication of her new book "Baton Basics" - Communicating Music Through Gestures (Oxford University Press) Endorsement: Alan Gilbert, Music Director, New York Philharmonic
"After her singularly successful exploration of what a modern conductor needs to know about all aspects of professional life in Beyond the Baton, Diane Wittry has written another essential book. In this lucid, comprehensive study of conducting gesture and technique, Wittry has managed to distill and clarify the essence of the conductor's craft."
Music Director & Conductor,
The New York Philharmonic
Director of Conducting and Orchestral Studies,
The Juilliard School
Moderated a panel and was a guest speaker for the League of American Orchestras national conference in Cleveland, OH.
Oct 2015, New York premiere of her composition "Mist" with the B.B.E. Orchestra.
Conducting Faculty at the International "Bulgaria Conducting Workshop" with the Pleven Philharmonic, Bulgaria.
For more information visit:
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Anna Veleva, Soprano
Hailed as "The New Opera Hope", Soprano
Anna Veleva has received international acclaim as one of todays most gifted and versatile opera stars.
Highlights include the leading roles in Lucia di Lammermoor, La Traviata, Rigoletto, La Bohème, Carmen, The Magic Flute and The Barber of Seville. A graduate of the Mannes College of Music, Mrs. Veleva has performed at major venues such as Carnegie Hall - Stern Auditorium, J.F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, Sofia National Opera House and Plovdiv Opera in Bulgaria. She is a winner of the "G. Zl. Cherkin" and the "Monjushko" Opera competitions.
On July 5th at Carnegie Hall, Ananya Gurumurthy, an aspiring soprano who is passionate about music, earned second place in the American Protégé International Vocal Competition where she sang "Alleluia" from Exsultate Jubilate by Mozart. Ananya, a high school freshman, studies voice with Anna Veleva. More about the event at:
Scarsdale10583 Community News
For more information visit:
www.annaveleva.com
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Ivan Donchev - Piano Recital, Tropea, Italy
Highlights of Ivan Donchev's recent activities include two solo recitals at the prestigious FESTIVAL DI SPOLETO 58 - EDIZIONE 2015 in the Italian city of Spoleto on July 3 and 5, 2015. The program, titled "Beethoven e dintorni" featured the monumental Piano Sonata op. 106 ("Hammerklavier") and Beethoven's last and most complex work for solo piano, Variations op. 120 on a Diabelli's theme. A week later, Ivan held five days of masterclass at the 5th "Academy Festival" - Accademia Musicale Romana near Rome. Mr. Donchev played three Beethoven sonatas with his friend and BV Artist violinist Ivo Stankov and gave a lecture and performance of Beethoven's op. 106.
Other recent performances:
September 17th - piano recital in Tropea, Italy.
December 11th - piano recital for Liszt and friends Piano Festival in Rome.
December 29th - piano recital at Yamaha Center in Moscow.
Next Ivan's future engagements will take place in Italy, Bulgaria, Russia, and US.
For more information visit:
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Dear Friends and Colleagues:
As the weather turns a bit chilly and the leaves begin to change colors, our roster of outstanding artists have been busy performing throughout the United Sates and the world. Please take a few minutes to read about their impressive accomplishments as well as their future endeavors.
We wish you a happy holiday season!
Yours,
Kalin Ivanov, Artistic Director
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Please, join our mailing list or become our fan on Facebook and LinkedIn!
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Hideaki Hirai, Conductor
Highlights of the productive summer for Maestro
HIDEAKI HIRAI, Music Director of the
New York Festival Orchestra, include the highly successful U. S. premiere performance
of his own opera, "KAGUYA-HIME" (Princess from the Moon) at the Aratani Theatre in Los Angeles as a main event of the 75th NISEI WEEK Festival on August 22, 2015.
Rave reviews have been posted by "CULTURAL NEWS"
(Sep., 2015 Issue) saying "This correspondence between language and music is one
of the greatest achievements of this piece." and "RAFU SHIMPO" (Sep. 1, 2015) as "...rounds of enthusiastic applause from the audience."
On July 23, Hideaki conducted in the Diamond Jubilee Special Concert at Kioi Hall (Tokyo, Japan) to commemorate 60 year-long career of his father, Takeichiro Hirai, a noted cellist whom Pablo Casals designated him as his successor, since his debut as cellist. Hideaki's brother, Motoki Hirai also joined as pianist.
On August 8, Hideaki Hirai's own Opera, "True Love of Komachi" had a critically acclaimed revival performance in Tsuchiura City, Japan. On November 29, his own Opera, "The White Fox", original libretto by a legendary art master, Tenshin (Kakuzo) Okakura known for his "Book of Tea", had a movingly memorable revival performance in Myoko City, Japan.
His upcoming performances include the 2015-2016 Season Opening Concert, "A Holiday Celebration" of the New York Festival Orchestra on December 18 in New York City.
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Tamara Poddubnaya, Pianist
Tamara Poddubnaya
attended several important Festivals during the last few months. For four weeks in July she was adjudicator, and also gave master classes and recitals in Bethel Maine, at "Music without Borders" Festival in front of full house, and amazingly supportive audience! Four to five recitals were presented each week June 28 - July 24, 2015. Participants were coming from Netherlands, Turkey, Russia, Mexico, Bulgaria, Cyprus, and the U.S.
From July 27-August 10, Ms. Poddubnaya, was an adjudicator and presented master classes and a recital at Summit Music Festival, Purchase, New York (on August 1). In September, at Heirs of Orpheus international competition, Albena, Bulgaria Tamara was an adjudicator in addition to giving master classes and a recital.
She was a judge and the chairperson in Tenerife at "
Stars at Tenerife" International Competition
in San Miguel De Abona, Spain during October 27 - November 2. Ms. Poddubnaya gave masterclasses and performed a recital as well.
On November 14th, Tamara performed at the Beethoven Pianos Concert Space in New York City.
To round out the year, Ms. Poddubnaya will perform on December 20th at the Beethoven Pianos Concert Space, NY in a program of Haydn, Mozart and Schumann.
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Stankov Ensemble
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Ivo and Lachezar Stankov performed with the
Southern Arizona Symphony
Stankov Ensemble is looking forward to a busy season. Ivo and Lachezar Stankov and guest conductor Nick Armstrong performed Mendelssohn's violin and piano concerto with the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra in November. Ivo Stankov is also performing alongside cellist Kalin Ivanov in the Brahms Double concerto with the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra in February 2016 with guest conductor Linus Lerner. The members of the Stankov Ensemble have also been involved with the International Music Scholars at the Whitgift School in an advanced program in which they coach some of the most talented European students all of whom have won full scholarships to further their studies in London.
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Cristian Sandu,
Conductor
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Maestro Sandu's professional activities include an August performance with the
Bucharest National Opera as well as in September, with the Opera Group Project.
Performances with the Iasi Philharmonic Orchestra and two with the Bucharest National Opera, including a performance of Puccini's-La Boheme
Maestro Sandu conducts the Bucharest National Opera in Enescu's-Oedipe (Premiere) and the Galati Musical Theater of Rossini's-Il Barbiere di Siviglia in November
For more information visit:
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FEATURED VIDEO
DIANE WITTRY, Conductor
Mahler's Symphony No. 4
Slovak State Philharmonic, Kosice
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Newsletter Editor: Barry Kolman
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