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10th Annual Valley of the Moon Music Festival

Arts and Entertainment

July 8, 2024

From: Valley of the Moon Music Festival

Schedule:

July 11, 2024

5:30 p.m - 7:30 p.m: Benefit Concert at Bartholomew Park.
Show your unwavering support for Valley of the Moon Music Festival while indulging in delicious hors d’oeuvres, exquisite wines, and the artistry of extraordinary Cuban pianist, Adonis Gonzalez, at our exclusive Benefit Concert at Bartholomew Park. Join us for a spectacular kick-off celebration marking the beginning of our 10th Season. Seating at this venue is very limited, so be sure to get your tickets right away. We look forward to sharing this experience with you.

Non-refundable ticket: $150
Tax deductible gift: $50

July 13, 2024

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Blattner Lecture Series at Hanna Boys Center
Yavet Boyadjiev Virtual Lecture hosted by Kate van Orden
In this pre-concert lecture, noted White scholar Dr. Yavet Boyadjiev will explore José White’s connections with some of the most interesting musicians of his time, all from diverse backgrounds. We will hear about White’s friendship with his fellow Paris Conservatory students and his pioneering support for female students and colleagues. We will also learn about White’s collaboration with other Cuban musicians who were taking part in the movement for independence from Spain.  In all, the lecture will widen our understanding of José White, his music, and his circle.
All Blattner Series Lectures are free with purchase of concert ticket.

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Jose White’s Circle at Hanna Boys Center
José Silvestre de los Dolores White (1835-1918), also known as José White and Joseph White, was born in Matanzas, Cuba, during colonial times. He began playing the violin and composing at a young age. His professional debut occurred in 1854 alongside the American pianist Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829-1869), who inspired him to study at the Paris Conservatoire. There, he won the Premier Prix after less than one year of study. White gained global recognition as a soloist, composer, and pedagogue and, in the United States, he notably became the first soloist of African descent to perform with the New York Philharmonic Society, during his 1875-1876 tour. Through musical works by White and his contemporaries in Europe and the Americas, including Gottschalk, Camille Saint-Saëns, Cécile Chaminade, Nicolás Espadero, Ignacio Cervantes, and others, this program will examine the rich - and underexplored - cultural milieu in which White lived and worked. The Festival welcomes Latin Grammy-nominated pianist Adonis Gonzalez in his Valley of the Moon Music Festival debut.

Program:
José Silvestre de los Dolores White Lafitta - Zamacueca, Danse Chilienne Op.30 for Violin and Piano (1897)
Ignacio Cervantes  - 6 Cuban Dances (1899)
Camille Saint-Saëns  - Piano Quartet in B? major, Op. 41 (1875)
Cécile Louise Stéphanie Chaminade - Piano Trio No.1, Op.11 (1881) | III. Presto
White - Potpourri Cubano
Louis Moreau Gottschalk  - Souvenir de la Havane, Op.39 (1859)
Pablo de Sarasate - Zigeunerweisen, Op.20 (1878)
White  - La Bella Cubana for 2 Violins and Piano (ca. 1910)

July 14, 2024

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Pianist, Singer, Composer: Teresa Carreño at Hanna Boys Center
Known to her adoring fans as the "Valkyrie of the piano," Venezuelan pianist, composer, and opera star Teresa Carreño (1853-1917) stunned audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. Like Cuban violinist-composer José White, Carreño received support from American composer Louis Gottschalk in New York City, and concertized widely in Europe, before returning to America, and then to Venezuela, where she attempted to found a conservatory and opera company. This program weaves together the rich tapestry of Carreño’s life and influence, featuring her works alongside those of her teachers, friends, and students, and even a husband.

Program
Teresa Carreño - Kleiner Walzer (1896)
Eugène Francis Charles d’Albert - Albumblatt in D-flat major (1908
Carreño - Un bal en rêve / Un Baile en Sueños Op. 26 (1869)
Edvard Grieg - Violin Sonata No.3, Op.45
Carreño - String Quartet in B minor (1896) | SelectionsCarreño - Le Printemps, Op.25 (1868)
Johannes Brahms - Selections from 16 Waltzes, Op. 39 (1865) and Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op.65 (1869–74)
Frédéric Chopin - Ballade No.2, Op.38 in F major (1836-39)
Carreño - Barcarola
Gioacchino Rossini - Selections from Les soirées musicales (1835) and Péchés de Vieillesse (1857-68)

July 16, 2024

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Alfresco 1 at Bartholomew Park
Schubert’s magnum opus, the magical Cello Quintet, suspends both time and space. Hear this astounding piece of chamber music performed on the grounds of the Bartholomew Park. Music and setting join forces for the first concert of our popular Alfresco series. The program will begin with 19th-century Peruvian composer Ximenez’ Vals en Estilo Americano.

Program:
Pedro Ximénez Abril Tirado - Vals No. 23, en estilo Americano (arr. for string quartet).
Franz Schubert - Quintet in C major for Two Violins, Viola, and Two Cellos, D. 956, Op. 163  (ca. 1828)

July 18, 2024

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Alfresco 2 at La Luz Center
After a successful first collaboration last season, VMMF returns to the gorgeous patio of the La Luz Center in Sonoma for another Alfresco evening. Get acquainted with two striking string quartets by early 20th Century Mexican composers Silvestre Revueltas and Miguel Bernal Jiménez.  To close this concert,  the vibrant and colorful sounds of local favorite and sibling trio Raiz del Real will bring the essence of Son Huasteco to life.

Después de una exitosa primera colaboración la temporada pasada, VMMF regresa al precioso patio del Centro La Luz en Sonoma para una noche de música al Al-fresco. Conoce dos impresionantes cuartetos de cuerda de los compositores mexicanos de principios del siglo XX, Silvestre Revueltas y Miguel Bernal Jiménez. Para cerrar la tarde con broche de oro, disfrute de los sonidos coloridos y vibrantes del trío de hermanos Raíz del Real, favoritos locales, quienes nos deleitaran con música de Son Huasteco.

Program:
Silvestre Revueltas, Música de Feria, R.28 (1932)
Miguel Bernal Jiménez, Cuarteto Virreinal, (1937)
Beneath a Tree, Songs announced from the stage | Annunciarán temas desde el escenario

July 19, 2024

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Artist Spotlight: Rachell Ellen Wong at Hanna Boys Center
Immerse yourself in an hour-long program curated by violinist Rachell Ellen Wong, a trailblazer in historical performance and recipient of the coveted Avery Fisher Career Grant. Experience her magic as she artfully weaves together musical selections with engaging discussions and conversations. Wine and hors d’oeuvres, as well as cabaret-style seating, compliment the proceedings. Don’t miss out on this up-close encounter, it’s a festival highlight you won’t want to pass up!

Performance Length:
Approximately 1 hour without intermission | Programs and artists subject to change

July 20, 2024

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm: La Musica Clasica at Hanna Boys Center
The centerpiece of this program is the Quartetto Concertante, op 55, by Pedro Ximenez Abrill Tirado (1784-1856), the most prolific South American composer of the first half of the 19th century. Ximenez, born in Peru during the independence movement that led to the country’s founding, hosted a famous salon at his home that was celebrated by artists and revolutionaries alike. At the invitation of the Bolivian president in 1833, Ximenez became Maestro de Capilla in Sucre, the Bolivian capital, a post he held until his death. The first half of the program includes favorites from Ximenez’s European contemporaries, Boccherini, Haydn, and Mozart.

Program:
Luigi Boccherini - Quintet No.60 in C major, G.324 Op. 30 "La Musica Notturna delle strade di Madrid" (ca. 1780)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Rondo in A minor, K.511 (1787)
Franz Joseph Haydn - Piano Trio in G major Hob.XV:25 ; Op.82 No.2 (1795)
Pedro Ximenez Abrill Tirado - Quartetto Concertante no.1 Op. 55  (Early 19th century)

July 21, 2024

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Blattner Lecture Series: Conversations With Kate Van Orden at Hanna Boys Center
Harvard musicologist and Festival favorite Kate van Orden returns to discuss one of contemporary music’s most dynamic musicians, world renowned guitarist and composer Sergio Assad. Assad’s inspirations range widely, from European composers like Chopin and Ravel to the rich and varied musical traditions of his native Brazil. All Blattner Series Lectures are free with purchase of concert ticket.

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Sergio Assad And His World at Hanna Boys Center
Immerse yourself in the vibrant sounds of Brazil as we bring to life the musical genius of GRAMMY-award winning Brazilian guitarist, composer, and arranger Sergio Assad (b. 1953). Renowned for his captivating duo performances with his brother Odair Assad and frequent collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma and other luminaries, Assad stands as one of today’s most prolific composers for the guitar. The program presents Assad’s music alongside that of his Brazilian forebears, Antonio Carlos Gomes and Heitor Villa-Lobos, as well as his European influences, Chopin and Maurice Ravel. Bay Area guitarist - and friend of Assad’s - Marc Teicholz makes his Festival debut for this Brazilian panorama.

Program
Sérgio Assad - Suite Brasileira No. 4 | I. Cateretê
Maurice Ravel - Gaspard de la nuit, M.55 | I. Ondine. Lent
Heitor Villa-Lobos - Selections from Canções típicas brasileiras, W158 (1919-35); Epigramas ironicos e sentimentais, W183 (1921-23)
Modinhas e canções, W441, 563  (1943)
Antônio Carlos Gomes - Sonata for Strings in D Major (1894) | IV. Vivace, "O Burrico de Pau" (The Wooden Donkey)
Assad/Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin - Chopin Preludes Op. 28 and Assad Preludios Chopinianos | selections
Assad - 4 Capriccios for Guitar and String Quartet | selections
Ravel - Trio in A minor for Piano, Violin, and Cello, M.67 (1914)

July 23, 2024

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Alfresco 3 at Buena Vista Winery
Discover a harmonious fusion of serenity and exuberance come together at Buena Vista Winery. Our stage will be the enchanting Fountain Courtyard, framed by the historic backdrop of the 1864 Champagne Cellar. Savor the exquisite selection of Buena Vista’s wines as they complement the sultry notes of Villa-Lobos’ ‘Bachianas Brasileiras No.5’ and the fiery passion of Pablo de Sarasate’s ‘Carmen Fantasy’. Immerse yourself in the grand finale of our Alfresco series, where the blend of music, high-quality wines, and the breathtaking sunset creates an unforgettable evening.

Program:
Heitor Villa-Lobos, Bachianas Brasileiras No.5, W389-391 (arr. for 8 cellos and voice)
Alberto Williams, Primera Suite Argentina IAW 8 (1923) (arr. for string ensemble)
Pablo de Sarasate, Carmen Fantasy (arr. for string ensemble)

July 26, 2024

6:00 pm - 7:30 pm: Apprentice Concert at Hanna Boys Center
Five exceptionally talented young musicians, each chosen for a coveted spot in the 2024 Apprenticeship Program, take the stage for a showcase concert. During the Festival, Apprentices work with VMMF Faculty Artists, immersing themselves in the theory and practice of historical performance. Repertoire includes favorites of the 18th and 19th Century chamber music repertoire.

Program:
Works by Beethoven and Mozart

July 27, 2024

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Blattner Lecture Series Lecture With Carol Hess: Classical Music Of The Americas at Hanna Boys Center
In late September 2023, the U.S. State Department launched the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative, a bipartisan project that aims to establish an international music mentorship program and other activities. Days later, the war in the Middle East broke out, leaving many to wonder what, if anything, music can do to promote world peace.

The State Department is no stranger to these questions. During World War II and the Cold War, the government sponsored a healthy number of musical exchanges between composers and performers from throughout the Americas. The idea was to learn about one another’s music but also to encourage amity, initially against Nazism and then communism. Nearly all the composers on this evening’s program were in some way touched by these programs. Carol A. Hess, a musicologist, is an expert on the highs and lows of U.S.-Latin American musical exchange. She will not only illuminate these fascinating scores, but explain their little-known role in cultural diplomacy. All Blattner Series Lectures are free with purchase of concert ticket.

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm: The Americas at Hanna Boys Center
Aaron Copland made four highly publicized government-sponsored trips to Latin America between 1941 and 1963. During these visits, he shared contemporary American concert music with Latin American audiences, including his own violin sonata, heard on tonight’s program. Back home, he drew US attention to the composers and musicians he met in Latin America, such as Heitor Villa-Lobos of Brazil and Silvestre Revueltas and Manuel Ponce of Mexico, all whom Copland knew personally and whose works are also featured. Another contemporary of Copland was the Black American composer William Grant Still, whose Panamanian Dances were inspired by a collection of Latin American folk songs. The history of Pan-American musical exchange predates Copland. This program also includes music by pianist-composer Edward MacDowell, an American student of the Venezuelan pianist and composer Teresa Carreño, and composer-pianist Louis Moreau Gottschalk, who traveled extensively throughout Latin America. UC Davis musicology professor Carol Hess will speak before the concert about musical diplomacy and cultural exchange in the Americas.

Program:
Aaron Copland - Sonata for Violin and Piano (1942–43)
Heitor Villa-Lobos - Saudades das Selvas Brasileiras (1927) | . No.1
Manuel M. Ponce Cuellar - Cuatro Danzas Mexicanas (1941) | No. 1 and No. 2
Silvestre Revueltas - "Canto a una muchacha negra" (words: Langston Hughes), voice and piano (1938)
Copland - Twelve Poems of Emily Dickinson (1950)
Teresa Carreño - Deux esquisses italiennes | I.  Venise. Rêverie-barcarolle
Edward MacDowell - Selections from Woodland Sketches, Op.51;  Sea Pieces, Op.55; From an Old Garden, Op.26
Rebecca Helferich Clarke - Viola Sonata (1919)
Louis Moreau Gottschalk - Le banjo, Op.15 (1854)
William Grant Still - Danzas de Panama for String Quartet (1948) | II and IV

July 28, 2024

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Kids and Family Concert Free at Sebastiani Theatre
Step into the whimsical world of Wolfgang Amadeus Schmutzinberry, as our beloved composer friend returns to Sonoma! Through engaging storytelling and interactive fun, children and families will enjoy the rich musical traditions of different Mexican regions and be amazed as Schmutzinberry draws parallels to the enchanting world of European chamber music. It’s a magical experience that blends laughter, learning, and the universal language of music. This event is free and open to all but you must RSVP.

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm: México and Argentina at Hanna Boys Center
From pleasing to provocative, intellectual to insouciant, this program sheds light on the many facets of 20th-century Mexican and Argentinian classical compositions. Feel the passion and intensity of the tango in Piazzola’s renowned "Seasons", juxtaposed with the exhilarating and profound string quartet "Música de Feria" by Revueltas. The program also features the graceful compositions of Manuel Ponce, offering a glimpse into the elegant charm of his musical creations. Works by 20th-century composers Alberto Ginastera (Argentina) and Mario Lavista (Mexico) top off an exciting and varied program. All are invited to join the musicians for a closing celebration after the concert.

Program:
Miguel Bernal Jiménez - Carteles (1957)
Manuel M. Ponce  - Sonata a Duo for Violin and Viola (1938)
Ponce - Suite bitonal  | I. Preludio scherzoso
Alberto Ginastera - Danzas Argentinas op. 2 (1937)
Astor Piazzolla - Otoño Porteño (1969) (arr. For piano Trio)
Mario Lavista - Tres Danzas Seculares for Cello and Piano | II. Allegro giocoso e leggiero
Silvestre Revueltas - Música de Feria (1932)
Piazzolla - Primavera Porteña (1969)
Cuellar  - Estrellita (arr. for violin and piano by Jascha Heifetz)

Date: July 13 - 28, 2024

Location: Varius Venues in Sonoma, CA 95476

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