Learn more about the past Next Up seasons and watch the full performances below.
The chromatophore is the specialized cell that allows a chameleon to change its color, and Ryan Davis’ seeks to explore that malleability as a composer and violist. This program underlines today’s plurality of taste and access, juxtaposing Ryan’s original compositions with electronics, unaccompanied solo Bach, and even a cover of Daft Punk.
Program Information RYAN DAVIS Dreaming, After All (2021) RYAN DAVIS Blood Orange (2019) BACH Cello Suite No. 4 in E-flat Major, BWV 1010 II. Allemande VIEUXTEMPS Capriccio, Op. posth. “Hommage à Paganini” RYAN DAVIS Tokyostep (2019) BACH Cello Suite No. 4 in E-flat Major, BWV 1010 III. Courante V. Bourrée I VI. Bourrée II DAFT PUNK arr. RYAN DAVIS Get Lucky (2013) RYAN DAVIS Set A Fire In My Snow (2021) RYAN DAVIS Colour You Like (2020)
Ryan Davis (Conservatory ’19), Viola
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“To Be Bach or Not to Be Bach” is a program of three works for violin and harpsichord that have been attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach. Their BWV catalog numbers suggest that they are original compositions by Bach—but are they? Performed on period instruments, this program paints a picture of the musical world in which Bach lived.
Program Information BACH Suite for Violin and Harpsichord in A Major, BWV 1025 I. Fantasia II. Courante III. Entrée IV. Rondeau V. Sarabande VI. Menuett VII. Allegro BACH Sonata for Violin and Continuo in C Minor, BWV 1024 I. Adagio II. Presto III. Aetuoso IV. Vivace BACH Sonata for Violin and Obbligato Harpsichord in E Major, BWV 1016 I. Adagio II. Allegro III. Adagio ma non tanto IV. Allegro
Kako Miura (Conservatory ’19), Violin Ian Pritchard, Harpsichord
When the pandemic hit, musicians all around the world were challenged to explore and create in new ways, and many turned back to neglected solo repertoire. Evin Blomberg, a violinist for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, presents the culmination of her artistic journey in a virtual program for solo violin.
Program Information KREISLER Recitativo und Scherzo-Caprice, Op.6 YSAŸE Violin Sonata in D Minor, Op. 27, No. 3, “Ballade” WYNTON MARSALIS Fiddle Dance Suite for Solo Violin II. As the Wind Goes BACH Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004 V. Chaconne
Evin Blomberg (Conservatory ’15), Violin
“Celestial Suite” explores the work of five astronomers: Nicholas Copernicus, Galileo Galilee, Isaac Newton, Edwin Hubble, and Stephen Hawking. Each movement is set against visuals draw from real astronomical images with narrator Kyle Kremer drawing connections between music and science. Following the performance, the audience is invited to join Kyle for an informal Q&A and telescope viewing of the night sky.
Program Information JAMES STEPHENSON Celestial Suite for Brass Quintet I. Copernicus II. Galileo III. Newton IV. Hubble V. Hawking
Kyle Kremer (Conservatory ’15), Narration Brass Quintet
Ernst Toch’s life and work are explored in historical context as Hirata performs pieces in chronological order with the narration from Toch’s grandson, author Lawrence Weschler. Beginning with the Brahms and Mozart of Toch’s early days in Europe through Toch’s very last piano pieces written in Southern California in 1962.
Program Information BRAHMS Six Pieces for Piano, Op. 118, No. 1 Intermezzo in A Minor MOZART Minuet in D Major, K. 355/576b TOCH Burlesken, Op. 31 Gemächlich Lebhaft Der Jongleur. Sehr lebhaft TOCH Profiles, Op. 68 1. Calm 2. Moderato 3. Calm, fluent, tender 4. Merry 5. Slow, pensive, very tender 6. Vigorous, hammered
Makiko Hirata (Conservatory ’10), Piano Lawrence Weschler, Author
Dmitry Sitkovetsky’s fascinating arrangement reimagines Bach’s epic keyboard masterpiece, the Goldberg Variations, for string trio. Though it’s not often performed due to its daunting length and technical performance challenges, this bold trio of musicians resolved to use the space left by the concert cancellations as an opportunity to rehearse it in earnest.
Program Information BACH Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 arr. DMITRY SITKOVETSKY for String Trio
Ben Ullery (Conservatory ’11), Viola Grace Park, Violin Robert DeMaine, Cello (Principal Cello, Los Angeles Philharmonic)
To help break the mold of what is commonly seen as the stereotypical “classical music” audience, brass chamber duo The Two Gabagools present original arrangements and compositions, covering a wide range of musical styles with the help of Colburn alumni.
Program Information HAYATO TANAKA Gabagool Fanfare (World Premiere) RAMEAU arr. T2GBs Deux rigaudons from Pièces de clavecin MOONDOG Instrumental Rounds in Snaketime I and II PIAZZOLLA arr. T2GBs/HAYATO TANAKA Libertango CAROLINE SHAW Dolce Cantavi DEBUSSY arr. T2GBs La fille aux cheveux de lin DAVE DOUGLAS Twisted MORRICONE arr. T2GBs Love Theme from Cinema Paradiso CLARKE Cousins BACH arr. T2GBs Selected Variations from Aria variata in A Minor, BWV 989 PAUL SIMON arr. T2GBs Bridge Over Troubled Water MOZART Suite from Marriage of Figaro SHERMAN/WEISS arr. COLE/T2GBs That Sunday, That Summer
The Two Gabagools: Conrad Jones (Conservatory ’13), Trumpet Riley Giampaolo, Bass Trombone
Kevin Lin (Conservatory ’15), Violin Austin Huntington (Conservatory ’16), Cello Hayato Tanaka (Conservatory ’17), Trumpet Anthony Taddeo, Drums
On the heels of recording their album this past fall, alumnus Eric Byers and Kevin Kwan Loucks will perform selections from the forthcoming release as well as a selection from Arvo Pärt.
Program Information MONSIEUR DE SAINTE-COLOMBE Le Retrouve ROBERT SCHUMANN Fantasiestücke, Op. 73 STRAVINSKY Suite Italienne ARVO PÄRT Fratres MARIN MARAIS Voix Humaines
Eric Byers (Conservatory ’05), Cello Kevin Kwan Loucks, Piano
This solo program showcases a variety of styles and textures for both the soprano and bass clarinets with Monolog by the Korean composer, Isang Yun, as its dramatic center.
Program Information SHULAMIT RAN For An Actor: Monologue for Clarinet UNSUK CHIN Advice from a Caterpillar ISANG YUN Monolog for Bass Clarinet KINAN AZMEH The Fence, the Rooftop, and the Distant Sea STRAVINSKY Three Pieces for Solo Clarinet
Alicia Lee (Conservatory ’08), Clarinet Kristoffer Saebo, Double Bass
This exciting collection features original works and arrangements by alumnus and multi-instrumentalist Maya Paredes and collaborators. Songs will range from solo works to multi-media ensemble remote recordings from several genres and styles including singer-songwriter, Latin American music, Black American music, popular, indie, and electronic music.
Program Information MAYA PAREDES Blue Joey Archie, Trumpet Levi Gillis, Saxophone Edwin Livingston, Bass Andrew Bedows, Piano Greg Lewis, Drums
MAYA PAREDES Pero Yo Emilia Moscoso Borja, Percussion Cole Castorina, Percussion
MAYA PAREDES The Fog as We Know It Maya Paredes, Multi-Instrumental Looping
MAYA PAREDES/SARA SITHI-AMNUAI My Letter to You Sara Sithi-Amnuai, Trumpet/Electronics
MAYA PAREDES/ANNA ABONDOLO/KRISTEN GLEESON-PRATA Burning Up Anna Abondolo, Bass/Voice/Production Kristen Gleeson-Prata, Percussion/Keys/Production
BADEN POWELL Canto de Xango arr. MAYA PAREDES/MIROSLAV TADIC/RANDY GLOSS Miroslav Tadic, Guitar Randy Gloss, Percussion Isaiah Ferguson, Experimental Animation/Rotoscoping Risa Padilla, Dance