Archives: Performances

Yekwon Sunwoo, piano

“…sometimes boldly projected, sometimes intimately hushed, but always with a strongly personal stamp.” — Dallas Morning News

“His playing was crisp and effervescent, with crystalline trills.” — The New York Times

On June 10, 2017, 28-year-old Yekwon Sunwoo of South Korea was named gold medalist of the Fifteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. An alumnus of three major American conservatories (Curtis, Juilliard, and Mannes), he has been hailed for “his total command over the instrument and its expressiveness” (San Francisco Examiner). Come warmly welcome this champion back to the Bass Hall stage as he begins his first Cliburn concert tour, which takes him around the world in recital and with orchestra this season, including to Chicago, Los Angeles, Brussels, and Seoul.

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Program

MOZART       Romance in A-flat Major, K. AnH 205
MOZART       Rondo in A Minor, K. 511
MOZART       Sonata No. 10 in C Major, K. 330

– intermission –

SCHUBERT   Moments musicaux, D. 780

RAVEL             La Valse

 

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Conversation with the NEA

FESTIVAL EVENT: Join us for a conversation with Ann Meier Baker, director of music and opera at the National Endowment for the Arts, on the importance of the arts in building vibrant communities, and creating social and civic dialogue.

Host:
Shields-Collins Bray, principal keyboardist of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and Cliburn artistic consultant

WQXR presents 2017 Cliburn Winners in New York

The winners of the 2017 Cliburn Competition will be chosen on June 10, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. Less than a week later, the gold, silver, and bronze medalists will come to The Greene Space at WQXR in New York City for their first public appearance as winners. WQXR’s Elliott Forrest hosts this special evening of music and conversation.

Photo: Matthew Septimus

Cliburn Competition LIVE in cinemas

Coming to a theater near you! See the stunning conclusion of the 2017 Cliburn, as the six finalists perform with Leonard Slatkin and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra live in 300 movie theaters across the United States.

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For the first time ever, the Final Round concerto performances of the Cliburn Competition will be broadcast on more than 300 cinema screens around the United States on Saturday, June 10, 2017.

The one-day event will highlight the final six competitors in concert with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and Maestro Leonard Slatkin. The program will begin with a delayed broadcast of Friday evening’s performances, leading into a live presentation of Saturday’s performances. The broadcast begins at 1 p.m. ET /noon CT /11 a.m. MT / 10 a.m. PT on Saturday, June 10, and will run five and a half hours. It will include a live interview with Mr. Slatkin by Elliott Forrest of WQXR-FM, New York City’s classical station.

The Cliburn Competition’s national cinema debut is made possible through a partnership with Fathom Events. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or in person at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in more than 300 select movie theaters through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network (DBN). For theater locations, visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

About Fathom Events
Fathom Events is recognized as the leading domestic distributor of event cinema with participating affiliate theaters in all 100 of the top Designated Market Areas®, and ranks as one of the largest overall distributors of content to movie theaters. Owned by AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark Holdings, Inc., and Regal Entertainment Group, Fathom Events offers a variety of one-of-a-kind entertainment events such as live, high-definition performances of the Metropolitan Opera; dance and theater productions like the Bolshoi Ballet and National Theatre Live; sporting events like Copa America Centenario; concerts with artists like Michael Bublé, Rush, and Mötley Crüe; the yearlong TCM Big Screen Classics film series; and inspirational events such as To Joey With Love and Kirk Cameron’s Revive US. Fathom Events takes audiences behind the scenes and offers unique extras including audience Q&As, backstage footage and interviews with cast and crew, creating the ultimate VIP experience. Fathom Events’ live digital broadcast network is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live and pre-recorded events to 896 locations and 1,383 screens in 181 DMAs. For more information, visit www.fathomevents.com.

Closing Party

FESTIVAL EVENT: The Cliburn invites the general public to celebrate the winners of the 2017 Competition at its FREE Closing Party in Sundance Square Plaza, featuring the Fort Worth Jazz Orchestra. Cash bar.

Final Round & Awards Ceremony Public Simulcast

FESTIVAL EVENT: Live FREE broadcast on a large LED screen of three finalists performing with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and Leonard Slatkin, plus interviews and highlights from webcast hosts Anderson & Roe, and the Awards Ceremony.

Final Round Public Simulcast

FESTIVAL EVENT: Live FREE broadcast on a large LED screen of three finalists performing with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and Leonard Slatkin. Cash bar.

 

Carnival of the Animals

FESTIVAL EVENT: The Cliburn presents “Carnival of the Animals,” a show from its signature music education program, Cliburn in the Classroom. Host Corrie Donovan will lead the whole family through a series of fun, interactive activities to discover various elements of music as pianist Jonathan Tsay performs the famous work by Saint-Saëns.

Program writer and Cliburn Artistic Consultant Shields-Collins “Buddy” Bray and Director of Education Susan Robertson will discuss briefly how the Cliburn in the Classroom programs are crafted and coordinated, and take questions.

Cliburn in the Classroom is presented annually to approximately 50,000 second-, third-, and fourth-grade public school students across North Texas at no cost to participating schools.

Lunch is available for purchase (no outside food or drinks).

Piano Lunch

FESTIVAL EVENT: Enjoy a free recital by some of the 2017 Cliburn Competition non-finalist competitors. Lunch is available for purchase (no outside food or drinks).

Piano Lunch

FESTIVAL EVENT: Enjoy a free recital by some of the 2017 Cliburn Competition non-finalist competitors. Lunch is available for purchase (no outside food or drinks).

Competitions Symposium

 

FESTIVAL EVENT: A panel discussion about the role competitions play in the classical music industry today—what are the goals of major competitions, how can they best be achieved, and why should we pay attention?

Moderator:
Fred Child, host of American Public Media’s Performance Today

Participants:
Benjamin Woodroffe, secretary general, World Federation of International Music Competitions
Jacques Marquis, president and CEO, the Cliburn
Graham Parker, president, Universal Music Classics USA

 

Jury Symposium

FESTIVAL EVENT: Members of the 2017 Cliburn Jury will examine how training, technique, and artistic sensibilities have changed, and discuss their own approach to and experiences in their careers in music. They will also look at repertoire, programming, and what it takes to build a career today—and how those considerations play into their decisions.

Moderator:
Elliott Forrest, WQXR host

Jury Members:
Arnaldo Cohen (Brazil), Christopher Elton (United Kingdom), Marc-André Hamelin (Canada), Joseph Kalichstein (Israel / United States), Mari Kodama (Japan), Anne-Marie McDermott (United States), Erik T. Tawaststjerna (Finland), Alexander Toradze (Georgia/United States)

Cultural Diplomacy Symposium

FESTIVAL EVENT: Award-winning writer Stuart Isacoff leads a panel discussion about the role the arts can play in international relations. Panelists will draw on their experiences leading and observing artistic exchanges around the world to consider how arts can transcend national borders and cultural differences to foster meaningful connections.

Moderator:
Stuart Isacoff

Participants:
Patrick Castillo, composer, performer, writer, educator
Maya Pritsker, journalist, music critic, lecturer, and cultural commentator
Sarah Tanguy, curator, U.S. Department of State, Office of Art in Embassies
Marc Thayer, executive director, Symphony New Hampshire & former deputy director, American Voices

Arts Education Symposium

FESTIVAL EVENT: Leaders in arts education discuss the importance and impact of arts education, how schools and arts organizations/educators can work together to deliver effective programs, and the state of arts education today.

Moderator:
Shields-Collins Bray, Cliburn Artistic Consultant

Participants:
John Feierabend, specialist, music and movement development in childhood
Blasko Smilevski, executive director, Jeunesses Musicales International
Christina Walk, executive director, Visual and Performing Arts–Fort Worth ISD

Awards Ceremony

Be in the room for the high-spirited finale of it all, the presentation of the Van Cliburn Winner’s Cup, the three medals, and the Competition’s other prizes and awards totaling more than $200,000.

Semifinal Round Concert 8 – Recital

Two of the 12 semifinalists of the 2017 Cliburn Competition perform 60-minute recitals of their choosing.

2:30–3:30 p.m. LEONARDO PIERDOMENICO, Italy
3:50–4:50 p.m. KENNETH BROBERG, United States

Semifinal Round Concert 6 – Recital

Two of the 12 semifinalists of the 2017 Cliburn Competition perform 60-minute recitals of their choosing.

2:30–3:30 p.m. HAN CHEN, Taiwan
3:50–4:50 p.m. RACHEL CHEUNG, Hong Kong

 

Semifinal Round Concert 4 – Recital

Two of the 12 semifinalists of the 2017 Cliburn Competition perform 60-minute recitals of their choosing.

2:30–3:30 p.m. TONY YIKE YANG, Canada
3:50–4:50 p.m. YEKWON SUNWOO, South Korea

 

Semifinal Round Concert 3 – Recital

Two of the 12 semifinalists of the 2017 Cliburn Competition perform 60-minute recitals of their choosing.

7:30–8:30 p.m. YURY FAVORIN, Russia
8:50–9:50 p.m. GEORGY TCHAIDZE, Russia

 

Semifinal Round Concert 2 – Recital

Two of the 12 semifinalists of the 2017 Cliburn Competition perform 60-minute recitals of their choosing.

2:30–3:30 p.m. YUTONG SUN, China
3:50–4:50 p.m. HONGGI KIM, South Korea

 

Semifinal Round Concert 1 – Recital

Two of the 12 semifinalists of the 2017 Cliburn Competition perform 60-minute recitals of their choosing.

7:30–8:30 p.m. DANIEL HSU, United States
8:50–9:50 p.m. DASOL KIM, South Korea

 

Quarterfinal Round Concert 6 – Recital

Three of the 20 quarterfinalists of the 2017 Cliburn Competition perform 45-minute recitals of their choosing.

7:30–8:15 p.m. Honggi Kim, South Korea
8:20–9:05 p.m. Rachel Kudo, United States
9:25–10:10 p.m. Alyosha Jurinic, Croatia

 

Quarterfinal Round Concert 5 – Recital

Four of the 20 quarterfinalists of the 2017 Cliburn Competition perform 45-minute recitals of their choosing.

2:30–3:15 p.m. Sergey Belyavskiy, Russia
3:20–4:05 p.m. Tony Yike Yang, Canada
4:25–5:10 p.m. Yekwon Sunwoo, South Korea
5:15–6:00 p.m. Han Chen, Taiwan

 

Quarterfinal Round Concert 4 – Recital

Three of the 20 quarterfinalists of the 2017 Cliburn Competition perform 45-minute recitals of their choosing.

10:00–10:45 a.m. Georgy Tchaidze, Russia
10:50–11:35 a.m. Kenneth Broberg, United States
11:55 a.m.–12:40 p.m. Rachel Cheung, Hong Kong

 

Quarterfinal Round Concert 3 – Recital

Three of the 20 quarterfinalists of the 2017 Cliburn Competition perform 45-minute recitals of their choosing.

7:30–8:15 p.m. Yury Favorin, Russia
8:20–9:05 p.m. Yutong Sun, China
9:25–10:10 p.m. Luigi Carroccia, Italy

 

Quarterfinal Round Concert 2 – Recital

Four of the 20 quarterfinalists of the 2017 Cliburn Competition perform 45-minute recitals of their choosing.

2:30–3:15 p.m. Dasol Kim, South Korea
3:20–4:05 p.m. Tristan Teo, Canada
4:25–5:10 p.m. Martin James Bartlett, United Kingdom
5:15–6:00 p.m. Daniel Hsu, United States

 

Quarterfinal Round Concert 1 – Recital

Three of the 20 quarterfinalists of the 2017 Cliburn Competition perform 45-minute recitals of their choosing.

10:00–10:45 a.m. Su Yeon Kim, South Korea
10:50–11:35 a.m. Leonardo Pierdomenico, Italy
11:55 a.m.–12:40 p.m. Ilya Shmukler, Russia

Preliminary Round Concert 10 – Recital

Three of the 30 competitors of the 2017 Cliburn Competition perform 45-minute recitals of their choosing, to include the commissioned work by Marc-André Hamelin.

2:30–3:15 p.m.   Honggi Kim
3:20–4:05 p.m.   Rachel Kudo
4:25–5:10 p.m.   Alyosha Jurinic

Announcement of Quarterfinalists directly following jury voting.

Preliminary Round Concert 9 – Recital

Three of the 30 competitors of the 2017 Cliburn Competition perform 45-minute recitals of their choosing, to include the commissioned work by Marc-André Hamelin.

10:00–10:45 a.m.   Tony Yike Yang
10:50–11:35 a.m.   Yekwon Sunwoo
11:55 a.m.–12:40 p.m.   Han Chen

Preliminary Round Concert 8 – Recital

Three of the 30 competitors of the 2017 Cliburn Competition perform 45-minute recitals of their choosing, to include the commissioned work by Marc-André Hamelin.

7:30–8:15 p.m.   Rachel Cheung
8:20–9:05 p.m.   EunAe Lee
9:25–10:10 p.m.   Sergey Belyavskiy

Preliminary Round Concert 7 – Recital

Three of the 30 competitors of the 2017 Cliburn Competition perform 45-minute recitals of their choosing, to include the commissioned work by Marc-André Hamelin.

2:30–3:15 p.m.   Georgy Tchaidze
3:20–4:05 p.m.   Kenneth Broberg
4:25–5:10 p.m.   Sun-A Park

Preliminary Round Concert 6 – Recital

Three of the 30 competitors of the 2017 Cliburn Competition perform 45-minute recitals of their choosing, to include the commissioned work by Marc-André Hamelin.

10:00–10:45 a.m.   Luigi Carroccia
10:50–11:35 a.m.   Nikolay Khozyainov
11:55 a.m.–12:40 p.m.   Nikita Abrosimov

Preliminary Round Concert 5 – Recital

Three of the 30 competitors of the 2017 Cliburn Competition perform 45-minute recitals of their choosing, to include the commissioned work by Marc-André Hamelin.

7:30–8:15 p.m.   Daniel Hsu
8:20–9:05 p.m.   Yury Favorin
9:25–10:10 p.m.   Yutong Sun

Preliminary Round Concert 4 – Recital

Three of the 30 competitors of the 2017 Cliburn Competition perform 45-minute recitals of their choosing, to include the commissioned work by Marc-André Hamelin.

2:30–3:15 p.m.   Philipp Scheucher
3:20–4:05 p.m.   Martin James Bartlett
4:25–5:10 p.m.   Ilya Maximov

Van Cliburn & The Cold War

FESTIVAL EVENT: Award-winning author Stuart Isacoff discusses the scene and some of the hidden aspects of the dramatic moment in history when American pianist Van Cliburn won the first Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow at the height of the Cold War.

Van Cliburn: An American Hero

FESTIVAL EVENT: Using actors, a concert pianist, and video projections, this one-of-a-kind musical production teaches children about the life, music, and significance of Van Cliburn. Created in 2014 by the Cliburn and Performing Arts Fort Worth’s Children’s Education Program, the production uses actors, a concert pianist, and video projections to bring his heroic story to life.

Van Cliburn: An American Hero is performed at Bass Hall for 12,000 Fort Worth ISD fourth-graders each year.

Written by Joel Ferrell. Starring Robert Reed, Shannon McGrann, and Nathanael Clark, and featuring pianist Adam Golka.

Van Cliburn: An American Hero

FESTIVAL EVENT: Using actors, a concert pianist, and video projections, this FREE one-of-a-kind production teaches children about the life, music, and significance of Van Cliburn. Created in 2014 by the Cliburn and Performing Arts Fort Worth’s Children’s Education Program, the production uses actors, a concert pianist, and video projections to bring his heroic story to life.

Van Cliburn: An American Hero is performed at Bass Hall for 12,000 Fort Worth ISD fourth-graders each year.

Written by Joel Ferrell. Starring Robert Reed, Shannon McGrann, and Nathanael Clark, and featuring pianist Adam Golka.

 

 

Preliminary Round Concert 3 – Recital

Three of the 30 competitors of the 2017 Cliburn Competition perform 45-minute recitals of their choosing, to include the commissioned work by Marc-André Hamelin.

10:00–10:45 a.m.   Dasol Kim
10:50–11:35 a.m.   Tristan Teo
11:55 a.m.–12:40 p.m.   Caterina Grew

Preliminary Round Concert 2 – Recital

Three of the 30 competitors of the 2017 Cliburn Competition perform 45-minute recitals of their choosing, to include the commissioned work by Marc-André Hamelin.

7:30–8:15 p.m.   Leonardo Pierdomenico
8:20–9:05 p.m.   Alina Bercu
9:25–10:10 p.m.   Ilya Shmukler

Preliminary Round Concert 1 – Recital

Three of the 30 competitors of the 2017 Cliburn Competition perform 45-minute recitals of their choosing, to include the commissioned work by Marc-André Hamelin.

2:30–3:15 p.m.   Julia Kociuban
3:20–4:05 p.m.   Madoka Fukami
4:25–5:10 p.m.   Su Yeon Kim

J. Todd Spangler – Preliminary Round

J. Todd Spangler, 54
Administrative law judge
Knoxville, Tennessee
United States

This year marks Todd Spangler’s fourth entry into the Cliburn Amateur Competition, having participated in 2002, 2004, and 2007. In his last appearance here, he was a semifinalist. Mr. Spangler received a bachelor’s degree in piano performance and a master’s degree in music education from Morehead State University (Morehead, Kentucky), before embarking on a career in law. He is a graduate of the Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University and, for most of his professional life, has worked in all facets of litigation. Currently an administrative law judge working with the Social Security Administration in Knoxville, Mr. Spangler enjoys outdoor summer activities such as cycling, devotes time to his church choir, and likes to read.

COMPETITION REPERTOIRE

Preliminary Round
CHOPIN   Ballade No. 4 in F Minor, op. 52

Quarterfinal Round
BACH   Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 903
KREISLER-RACHMANINOV   Liebesfreud

Semifinal Round
SCARLATTI   Sonata in G Major, K. 427
BEETHOVEN   32 Variations in C Minor, WoO 80
LISZT   Hungarian Rhapsody No. 15 in A Minor

Final Round
BEETHOVEN   Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, op. 15: I. Allegro con brio