William Wolfram. Photo courtesy of Manhattan School of Music
GREENSBORO, N.C. (July 9, 2024) – Eastern Music Festival is excited to announce, “Romance and Revolution,” featuring renowned pianist William Wolfram and the Eastern Festival Orchestra, conducted by Gerard Schwarz. This concert will be held in Guilford College’s Dana Auditorium on Saturday, July 13 at 8 PM, as part of the Joseph M. Bryan Jr. Festival Orchestra Series.
William Wolfram, a distinguished pianist, is celebrated for his exceptional artistry and versatility. A silver medalist at both the William Kapell and Naumburg International Piano Competitions, and a bronze medalist at the Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow, Wolfram has performed with many of the world’s leading orchestras. He is highly sought after as a concerto soloist, recitalist, accompanist, and chamber musician, with a special focus on the music of Franz Liszt and Beethoven, as well as modernist 20th-century American composers.
Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, written in 1901, is one of his most beloved works. Known for its sweeping romanticism and technical brilliance, the concerto was composed after a period of intense personal struggle. The opening movement features dramatic chords and lush melodies, while the second movement showcases Rachmaninoff’s lyrical gift through a beautiful clarinet solo. The finale is a virtuosic tour de force, culminating in a triumphant conclusion.
Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, premiered in 1913, is a revolutionary work that changed the course of music history. Its premiere famously incited a riot due to its avant-garde nature. The ballet tells the story of pagan rituals celebrating the arrival of spring, and Stravinsky’s score is known for its complex rhythms and dissonant harmonies. The piece begins with an iconic bassoon solo and progresses through a series of dances depicting the raw power of nature.
This concert promises an evening of exceptional music, featuring two masterpieces that are both profound and revolutionary.
For more information about the Eastern Music Festival and its 2024 season lineup, please visit easternmusicfestival.org.
