An exploration of some of the fresh breezes blowing across the classical music landscape from the multi-talented, multi-national students of the Heifetz Institute, featuring Scandinavian fiddling, Far Asian folklore, and even compositions by our Heifetz students and distinguished alums.
This Episode’s Playlist
Bright Sheng: Seven Tunes heard in China – VII. Tibetan Dance (1995)
Ezra Escobar, cello
Francis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.02.2017
Christopher Theofanidis: Discipline & Transcendence (2019)
Zachary Brandon, violin
Francis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.19.2022
Arr. Danish Quartet: Traditional: The Peat Dance
Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen: Shine You No More (2014)
Theo Bockhorst, violin
Masato Chang, violin
John Harry Clark, viola
Benjamin Doane, cello
Great Hall, Blackburn Inn & Conference Center; Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.19.2021
Jessie Montgomery: Strum [excerpt] (2015)
Borromeo Quartet
Nicholas Kitchen, violin
Kristopher Tong, violin
Mai Motobuchi, viola
Yeesun Kim, cello
First Presbyterian Church, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.24.2021
Cheng Gang: Sunshine over Tashkurgan (1976)
Strauss Shi, violin
Allison Freeman, piano
South Market Stage, Grace Christian School, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 03.11.2022
Juan-Salvador Carrasco: Away from Here (2022)
Nigel Armstrong, violin
Steven Baloue, viola
Juan-Salvador Carrasco, cello
Lynn Mackey, piano / percussion
South Market Stage, Grace Christian School, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 03.11.2022
Trad. Turkish, arr. Julide San: Miras (“Heritage”) (2018)
Julide San, double bass
Heifetz Tent, Page Terrace, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.30.2022
Philip Glass: Metamorphosis Two [excerpt] (1989)
Clayton Hancock, violin
Peter Blanchette, archguitar
South Market Stage, Grace Christian School, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.09.2022
Andrea Cassarubios: SEVEN (2020)
Thomas Mesa, cello
Firs Presbyterian Church, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 08.01.2021
Astor Piazzolla: Oblivion [excerpt] (1982)
Bela Horvath, violin
Matt Cohen, viola
Zhenni Li-Cohen, piano
Francis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Virtual Recording | 08.03.2018
Go Deeper
“Chinese traditional melodies are beautiful, yet limited in resonating with audiences internationally,” says Chen Gang, composer of the uber-populr Butterfly Lovers concerto and Sunshine Over Tashkurgan, the latter featured in this episode. “I have always been exploring ways to use the Western-style symphony to tell our stories and emotions.” Check out this piece on the ageless Chinese composer.
To commemorate the 85th birthday of composer Philip Glass in 2022, the licensing agency PRS for Music decided to investigate the prolific composer’s Top 10 most popular works. A portion of No. 1 is heard on this episode!
Heifetz alum Andrea Cassarubios, (pictured above on the right), whose pandemic-era composition SEVEN is featured on this episode, is enjoying a burgeoning career both as a cellist and composer. Read this review of her February 2023 concert presented by the Chicago Symphony Orchestras Music Now! series.