Each year, at the height of Aspen’s ski season, the Aspen Music Festival and School presents a stellar line-up of classical music’s top artists as part of its winter Artist Recital Series in Harris Concert Hall, giving this tiny mountain town a unique opportunity to see, and hear, the very same artists that appear at the world’s most prestigious venues.
The Series opens February 12 with Aspen favorites cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han, presenting a rich program of works by Schubert, Webern, Beethoven and Brahms. Finckel, also a member of the acclaimed Emerson String Quartet, and Wu Han rank among the most esteemed and influential classical musicians in the world today. Their duo performances have garnered superlatives from the press, public and presenters alike.
“Aspen is a very special place for music in the summer, but winter also provides extraordinary concert opportunities, and this year we open with a perennial favorite,” says AMFS President and CEO Alan Fletcher of the Finckel and Wu Han recital. “And we are honored to be a favorite venue for major stars that consistently pack concert halls around the world.”
Praised for his personal charisma and boundless imagination, pianist Piotr Anderszewski performs an evening of music by Bach, Schumann and Szymanowski on February 20. Recognized for the intensity and originality of his interpretations, Anderszewski has been singled out for several high-profile awards, including the prized Gilmore award.
The series continues February 26 with one of today’s best-known and most highly regarded musicians, pianist Emanuel Ax, performing works by Schumann and Beethoven. Ax is renowned not only for his poetic temperament and unsurpassed virtuosity, but also for the exceptional breadth of his performing activity. His distinguished career includes appearances with major symphony orchestras worldwide, recitals in the most celebrated concert halls, a variety of chamber music collaborations, the commissioning and performance of new music, and notable recordings with such artists as Yo-Yo Ma, Yefim Bronfman and Isaac Stern. He last appeared in Aspen in 2001.
March 6 features pianist Stephen Hough in a special evening of Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Weber, Saint-Säens, Chabrier, Debussy and Liszt. Hough is widely regarded as one of the most important and distinctive pianists of his generation. He was awarded the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship in 2001 in recognition of his achievements, joining prominent scientists, writers and others who have made unique contributions to contemporary life.
Closing the season on March 10 is Leila Josefowicz, a violinist who has won the hearts of audiences around the world with her honest, fresh approach to the repertoire and her dynamic virtuosity. A regular, close collaborator with leading composers of the day such as John Adams and Oliver Knussen, she is a strong advocate of new music ― a characteristic which is reflected in her diverse programs and her enthusiasm for premiering new works. Josefowicz and pianist John Novacek will present works by Brahms, Prokofiev, Stravinsky, Erkki-Sven Tüür and Schubert.
The AMFS’s winter season keeps world-class music coming in Aspen until summer rolls round again. All Artist Recital concerts begin at 7:30 pm in the 500-seat Harris Concert Hall (960 N. Third Street, Aspen, CO). Single tickets are available at the AMFS Harris Concert Hall Box Office, by calling 970-925-9042, or online at www.aspenmusicfestival.com. Special subscription, sponsor, and patron winter packages are also available with benefits including discounted pricing and keeping your same seats in the Hall throughout the winter.
The Aspen Music Festival and School is America’s premier music festival, presenting more than 350 musical events during its nine-week summer season in Aspen. The institution draws top classical musicians from around the world to this Colorado mountain retreat for an unparalleled combination of performances and music education.