Past Seasons
Learn more about the past Next Up seasons and watch the full performances below.
2021–22 Series
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
“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
2020–21 Series
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