During the Eastern Music Festival’s second week, CVNC’s critics heard works by Mozart, David Maslanka and Ravel performed by the Eastern Chamber Players. José-Luis Novo led the Festival Orchestra (#1) in orchestral excerpts from operas and Stravinsky’s celebrated Rite of Spring, which generated fervent applause. Scott Sandmeier did the podium honors as faculty artists Jeff Multer and Roberto Díaz joined the Festival Orchestra (#2) for Mozart’s Sinfonia concertante and French works. These student orchestras often astound listeners, as the players are among the next generation’s best. André Watts performed Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto with wondrous skill as Andreas Delfs, visiting from Milwaukee, led the Eastern Philharmonic. Brahms’ Third Symphony opened this exceptional program. For reviews of these and other concerts in North Carolina, visit cvnc.org.


Coming up for EMF’s fourth week is a free student chamber music program on July 19, followed by two more on July 25. Hear tomorrow’s stars today. The Orion String Quartet, which headlines many regular-season series, performs on July 19, and the Eastern Philharmonic Orchestra hosts Frederica von Stade for Mahler’s Rückert songs on July 22, as Gerard Schwarz officiates. The Eastern Chamber Players tackle an all-20th-century program, highlighted by Shostakovich’s Piano Quintet on the July 24. Maude Maggart sings Irving Berlin on July 25. Student symphonic ensembles perform on July 20 and 21 under the batons of Scott Sandmeier and José-Luis Novo, respectively; both concerts feature music by living composers, and pianist Gideon Rubin is the soloist in Saint-Saëns’ Concerto No. 2 on July 20. Finally, there’s a free open rehearsal at 9 a.m. on July 25, providing a chance to hear one of the following week’s Festival Orchestra events as it comes together. Enjoy.


For full listings of EMF events, including the outstanding Fringe concerts, see the Independent‘s music calendar or visit easternmusicfestival.org.

Recommended Reviews

Bell Wows Dana Auditorium Crowd with Fire and Ice for EMF, by William Thomas Walker
cvnc.org/reviews/2006/072006/EMF2.html

Deft Romantic Performances by Delfs and Watts at the EMF, by William Thomas Walker
cvnc.org/reviews/2006/072006/EMF5.html