Innovative collaboration between the Lincoln Center and Colorado State University continues
This fall, the Colorado State University School of Music, Theatre and Dance and the Fort Collins Lincoln Center will launch the second season of the Classical Convergence Concert Series, an innovative partnership between the two organizations to present a fresh concert series that features traditional classical solo artists and chamber ensembles, while further exploring new trends in classical music.
Building on the classical concert programs of both organizations, the first Classical Convergence season was received with great enthusiasm, and featured world-class performances from Grammy award-winning violinist Joshua Bell, as well as pianist Jeremy Denk, Mother Falcon, Borromeo String Quartet, Orchid Ensemble, Classical Jam, and the Mendelssohn Trio.
“Over the past year the partnership between the Lincoln Center and CSU allowed us to bring more artists, bigger names, and a wider palette of musical styles to the community,” said Jack Rogers, general manager of the Fort Collins Lincoln Center.
The mission of this collaborative series is dual-purposed, allowing both organizations to thoroughly examine the intersection of world-class performers and the community. In addition to performances, the series fosters artist-student interaction and community engagement opportunities.
Artists on the series partner with the School of Music, Theatre and Dance, as well as schools in Poudre School District, to present lectures and master classes, providing dynamic, hands-on instruction in an informal setting; the sessions are free and open for public observation.
“An equally important aspect has been providing students of all ages the opportunity to learn from these artists up close, and in some cases even get the opportunity to perform alongside them,” said Rogers.
For CSU, a perfect example was April’s concert featuring Classical Jam.
“Everyone at the concert could feel the energy and enthusiasm when students from an improvisation workshop, held earlier in the day, came out on stage to ‘jam’ at the end,” said Jennifer Clary, marketing director for the University Center for the Arts. “What a truly special moment for the ensemble, the students, and the audience!”
Season subscriptions are on sale now at www.lctix.com, and individual tickets go on sale in August.
2015-2016 Classical Convergence Season
September 18: Break of Reality
The quartet’s boundary breaking music blends classical technique and rock’n’roll into something that brings together the best of both genres.
October 2: Turtle Island Quartet
Winner of the 2006 and 2008 Grammy Award for Best Classical Crossover Album, Turtle Island fuses the classical quartet aesthetic with contemporary American musical styles that has redefined the art form.
October 28: Lysander Piano Trio with Mischa Bouvier, Baritone
Winner of the 2012 Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition, the Lysander Piano Tri has been praised as a standout for their “passionate playing and articulate and imaginative ideas.”
January 28: The Minguet Quartet with Andreas Klein, Piano
The quartet focuses on the Classical and Romantic repertoires as well as contemporary music, and promotes the latter by premiering numerous compositions of our own times.
February 25: Igudesman & Joo
Aleksey Igudesman and Hyung-ki Joo are two classical musicians who have taken the world by storm with their unique and hilarious theatrical shows, which combine comedy with classical music and popular culture.
March 23: Paul Huang, Violin
Hailed by the Washington Post as “an artist with the goods for a significant career,” Taiwanese-American violinist Paul Huang is quickly gaining reputation for his eloquent music making, distinctive sound, and effortless virtuosity.
April 15: Borromeo String Quartet
Audiences and critics alike champion the Borromeo’s ability to bring back the contemporary fire to often-heard repertoire, while making even the most challenging new music approachable.