My, How the Five Weeks Flew By!

EMF Week 5 (July 27 – July 31, 2021)

Eastern Music Festival’s fifth and final week (July 27-31, 2021) features must-see performances as we conclude the season of acclaimed music study and exhilarating live classical music celebrating our 60th season! This week’s lineup features the Eastern Chamber Players and a dynamic Signature Performance by the Mile-End Trio. Our Young Artists come together later in the week to celebrate a season of hard work and unforgettable performances. Our concert series finale will be led by the Eastern Festival Orchestra with show stopping performances led by music direct Gerard Schwarz.

The final week of Young Artist Chamber Recitals concludes with four (count ‘em, four!) more vibrant, delightful chamber music performances featuring the music stars of tomorrow. Free but seating is limited to 100 in the Carnegie Room at Hege Library, Guilford College. Tue., July 27, 6:30 p.m.; Wed., July 28, 4:00 p.m.; Thu., July 29, 6:30 p.m.; and Sat., July 31, 2:00 p.m. 

The Eastern Chamber Players are back on Tuesday, July 27, at 8 p.m. to display their musical prowess in a varied collection of musical works. The night begins with Beethoven’s Serenade in D major for Flute, Violin and Viola, op.25, followed by Jennifer Hidgon’s breezy Pale Yellow from Piano Trio No. 1. Following an intermission, Schumann’s Piano Quintet in E-flat major, op.44 closes out the show in energetic and brillant fashion. 

The Mile-End Trio will be at EMF on Wednesday, July 28, at 8 p.m. to give a stunning Signature Performance not to be missed. Hailed as “richly satisfying” by Classical Voice of North Carolina, The Mile-End Trio made their EMF debut in July 2017 with EMF Faculty Artists Jeff Multer, violin; Julian Schwarz, cello; and Marika Bournaki, piano. The concert opens in grand fashion performing Beethoven’s Piano Trio in B-flat major, op.97, “Archduke.” Following a brief intermission, The Mile-End Trio closes out the night with Smetana’s powerful Piano Trio in G minor, op.15.

EMF’s Young Artists 2021 Concert Competition Winners take the stage on July 29, at 8 p.m. for an unforgettable night of music in celebration of the hard work of EMF’s Young Artists. Over 60 students competed in the Festival’s annual competition. Adrian Wittmer, 19 (Buffalo, NY), will be performing Vivaldi’s Bassoon Concerto in C major, RV 477. Cameron Jeppson, 21 (Salt Lake City, UT), will be performing Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor, op.63 (mvt. 1). Anthony Wu, 17, will be performing Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, op.25 (mvt. 1). Bonhwi Kim, 19 (Seoul, South Korea), will be performing Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, op.16 (mvt. 1). Anastasia Samsel, 19 (Guilford, CT), performed Chaminade’s Concertino for Flute in D major, op.107. (Samsel performed her winning concerto on Saturday, July 24th, with the Eastern Festival Orchestra.)

EMF's Young Artists Orchestra takes the stage for the final time this season on Friday, July 30, at 8 p.m. showcasing artistic excellence and adventurous repertoire. Resident conductor Grant Cooper leads Tchaikovsky’s somber masterpiece Symphony No. 6 in B minor, op.74, TH 30 “Pathétique.” Debussy’s poetic La Mer is then led by conductor José-Luis Novo to close out the night’s fantastic, celebratory concert.

The Eastern Festival Orchestra finale on Saturday, July 31 at 8 p.m., concludes the 2021 season by celebrating the brilliant achievements and musical excellence of the whole EMF community. Stravinsky’s elegant Suite from Pulcinella and Shostakovich’s masterful Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, op.107 featuring Julian Schwarz, cello, opens the evening’s concert. Bernard Rands’ Adieu for Brass Quintet and Orchestra featuring five stellar brass faculty artists, brings gusto and rhythm to the show, followed by Mendelsohn’s musical postcard, the Symphony No. 4 in A major, op.90 “Italian,” to close out the evening and EMF’s 2021 season.

Concerts and recitals will be performed in compliance with current local, state, and federal health guidelines, including fewer performers on the stage, social distancing, and unvaccinated patrons required to wear masks in campus buildings. Most performances will be at 8:00 p.m. in Dana Auditorium on the Guilford College campus and limited to 500 socially distanced seats per show, in accordance with current venue capacity restrictions. To note: programs and available seating may change in response to any updated guidelines from the State of North Carolina.

As varied as these season highlights appear, the EMF Experience each summer is so much more than the performance. EMF is an unforgettable learning experience for dedicated young artists from across the nation, an enriching and entertaining social encounter for our patrons, and a celebration of incredible artistry.

Individual tickets available online at easternmusicfestival.org/tickets. All tickets will be reserved-in-advance touchless/paperless to ensure the safety of patrons and staff. EMF Box Office hours are Wed. – Fri., Noon - 4:00 p.m. (336-333-7450 x222). For additional program details, featured soloists and more information, visit easternmusicfestival.org/calendar.
 

---