OPENING NIGHT: SWING, SWAGGER & SWAY

Wynton Marsalis’ concerto was described as “shades of Americana” and features Kentucky’s own Tessa Lark. The music dips and dives through movements titled “Rhapsody,” “Rondo,” “Blues,” and “Hootenanny” to celebrate styles from Jazz to Bluegrass.  Stravinsky’s Symphony is short but feels big. The unbridled rhythmic delirium of the symphony captures gestures from big band to chamber music (or even a synthesis of both at the same time).

We introduce the work of the new Creators Corps composers in three short works.

Violinist Tessa Lark is one of the most captivating artistic voices of our time, consistently praised by critics and audiences for her astounding range of sounds, technical agility, and musical elegance. In 2020 she was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Classical Instrumental Solo category and received one of Lincoln Center’s prestigious Emerging Artist Awards, the special Hunt Family Award. Other recent honors include a 2018 Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship and a 2016 Avery Fisher Career Grant, Silver Medalist in the 9th Quadrennial International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, and winner of the 2012 Naumburg International Violin Competition. A budding superstar in the classical realm, she is also a highly acclaimed fiddler in the tradition of her native Kentucky, delighting audiences with programming that includes Appalachian and bluegrass music and inspiring composers to write for her.

Concert Program:

Wynton MARSALIS: Violin Concerto in D
Tyler TAYLOR:  Facades
Lisa BIALAWA:  Drama/Self-Pity
TJ COLE:  Megalopolis
Igor STRAVINSKY:  Symphony in Three Movements

Teddy Abrams, conductor
Tessa Lark, violin

LINK TO PROGRAM NOTES

BROWN-FORMAN FOUNDATION CLASSICS SERIES
Concert Sponsored by Sheila G. Lynch