Tulle Festival de la Vézère Reviews

 

20130621 La Montagne Article 01 Montagne B Heading 600

20130621 La Montagne Article

 

Friday, June 21, 2013

TULLE: The Festival de la Vézère
has debuted with its inaugural concert

After the Torrential Downpour, the sun!

Camerata Chicago, under the direction of Drostan Hall and with cellist Wendy Warner, offered the festival audience on Wednesday a very high caliber evening.

By Dragan Pérovic

20130621 Montagne Article DAH 1168055

Generosity: During the second part of the evening, Camerata Chicago performed the composition Chamber Symphony (Pilatus) by Mischa Zupko, which was specifically composed for this European tour, before concluding the evening masterfully with Beethoven’s 7th Symphony. Photo by Agnès Gaudin

Outstanding. The inaugural concert of the 2013 edition of the Festival de la Vézère took place Wednesday night at the Salle de l’Auzelou in Tulle, amidst terrible weather conditions. Under a torrential downpour, a group of concert-goers arrived at the concert drenched from head to toe. As such, they were not exactly in the best position to enjoy an evening of great music. But after the first few notes, everything was forgotten.

An Out-Of-This-World Experience

Formidable. Just like Camerata Chicago’s performance under the baton of an exuberant magician, Drostan Hall. This internationally-known ensemble has a powerful aesthetic that is supported by exemplary cohesion. The musicians go straight to what is essential; they have a touch that flies…Camerata Chicago, the first American orchestra to perform at the Festival de la Vézère, offered a taste of the evening’s festivities with their opening of the Marriage of Figaro by Mozart. The joy of this opera buffa was almost palpable, interpreted with precision and sensitivity.

Another ray of sunshine on Wednesday night was Dvorak’s Czech Suite in D Major. Then, the public was treated to a performance that was even more than extraordinary. Camerata Chicago accompanied a young instrumentalist who was disarming with her charm and simplicity, Wendy Warner. The cellist, who won the 4th Rostropovich Cello Competition in 1990, offered the audience the Haydn Cello Concerto in D Major. From the very first notes, the audience was completely spellbound. Wendy Warner’s sound is breathtaking. Playing from memory, she was one with her instrument. She IS the music! Her technique and her virtuosity border on perfection. But Wendy Warner has something more, that little hint of eternity that leaves you speechless because words cannot express it. A moment of greatness!

Translation by Camerata Chicago

 

Litomyšl Festival Reviews

Camerata Chicago has received some wonderful comments following its concert at the Litomyšl Smetanova Festival in the Czech Republic on June 15, 2013.

The concert “can be described as one of the artistic highlights of this year’s Smetana Litomyšle Festival.” – Miroslav Zikmund

Camerata Chicago was “an extraordinary success – listeners applauded … with a standing ovation” – Jan Pikna, director of the Litomysl Smetanova.

The review entitled “Four programs and four standing ovations” written by Jan Pikna, director of the Litomysl Smetanova, reads: “The first four festival concerts were an extraordinary success – listeners applauded standing, rewarding the performers with a standing ovation for interesting encores. … Huge applause was heaped upon the American musicians of Camerata Chicago, who with rustic gusto paid tribute to our music by playing the Furianta from Antonin Dvorak’s Czech Suite.”

The review written by Miroslav Zikmund, entitled “America is the competition“, reads: “I could not wait to get the signature of the conductor,” says Miroslav Zikmund, a famous traveler who is more accustomed to giving out his autograph. “I loved everything about Camerata Chicago. America represents huge competition with the deployment of such an ensemble. I was intrigued by the orchestra long before the concert, as it rehearsed. The orchestra left nothing to chance, performing in front of an audience at Litomyšl as if it was performing in Carnegie Hall. The audience gave a long standing ovation and required an encore – Furianta from the Czech Suite by Antonín Dvorák. Although the concert was in the smaller auditorium Smetana, it can be described as one of the artistic highlights of this year’s Smetana Litomyšle Festival.”

The four concerts mentioned by Jan Pikna, director, Litomyšl Smetanova, with which Mr Zigmund compares Camerata Chicago: “America represents huge competition with the deployment of such an ensemble,” are:

June 13, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra Gala Opening Concert conducted by Jiri Belohlavek

Bedrich Smetana: My Country, a cycle of symphonic poems
Vltava Vysehrad: From Czech Sarka’s Woods and Fields

June 14, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra (Concert as on June 13)

June 15, Prague Brass Ensemble Temple Matinee, with Ales Barta, organ.

June 15, Camerata Chicago conducted by Drostan Hall, with Wendy Warner, cello.

Richard Wagner: Siegfried Idyll
Joseph Haydn: Concerto for Cello and Orchestra No. 2 in D major, op. 101
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92
Antonin Dvorak: Czech Suite Movement “Furianta”

See the full Litomyšl Smetanova Festival 2013 Season.

litomysl-drostan-154156-800x200-pageheader

litomysl-frantisekrensa-4504s

The conductor and musical director of Camerata Chicago receiving considerable applause after the Litomyšl concert. Photo courtesy of František Renza, Smetanova Litomyšl, o.p.s. ©2013

 

litomysl-frantisekrensa-4520s

Photo courtesy of František Renza, Smetanova Litomyšl, o.p.s. ©2013

 

litomysl-frantisekrensa-4510s

Photo courtesy of František Renza, Smetanova Litomyšl, o.p.s. ©2013

litomysl-frantisekrensa-4513s

Photo courtesy of František Renza, Smetanova Litomyšl, o.p.s. ©2013

litomysl-frantisekrensa-4530s

Photo courtesy of František Renza, Smetanova Litomyšl, o.p.s. ©2013

litomysl-frantisekrensa-4538s

Photo courtesy of František Renza, Smetanova Litomyšl, o.p.s. ©2013

litomysl-frantisekrensa-4543s

Photo courtesy of František Renza, Smetanova Litomyšl, o.p.s. ©2013

litomysl-frantisekrensa-4544s

Photo courtesy of František Renza, Smetanova Litomyšl, o.p.s. ©2013

The photos above are courtesy of František Renza Smetanova Litomyšl, o.p.s. ©2013.

Milan Photo Blog

 

Poster for Festival Ultrapadum Camerata Chicago concert at Abbazia di Morimondo, Milan, Italy on June 23. By Laura Smith

Poster for Festival Ultrapadum Camerata Chicago concert at Abbazia di Morimondo, Milan, Italy on June 23. By Laura Smith

Concert for the Festival Ultrapadum at Abbazia di Morimondo, Milan, Italy on June 23. By Laura Smith

Concert for the Festival Ultrapadum at Abbazia di Morimondo, Milan, Italy on June 23. By Laura Smith

Concert for the Festival Ultrapadum at Abbazia di Morimondo, Milan, Italy on June 23. By Maurizio F.

Concert for the Festival Ultrapadum at Abbazia di Morimondo, Milan, Italy on June 23. By Maurizio F.

 

Some food with friends before our last concert. Songhea Sackrider, Alin Cernaianu, Chris Ferrer, Danielle Giulini, Ellen McSweeney and Susan Stokdyk. By Chris Ferrer.

Some food with friends before our last concert, June 23 near Milan. Song Hea Sackrider, Alin Cernaianu, Chris Ferrer, Danielle Giulini, Ellen McSweeney and Susan Stokdyk. By Chris Ferrer.

Monaco! By Aurelien Petillot

Monaco! By Aurelien Petillot

Monaco! By Aurelien Petillot

Monaco! By Aurelien Petillot

Bandol Photo Blog

The orchestra by the bandstand about to set up  in Bandol, France, June 21. By Aurelien Petillot.

The orchestra by the bandstand about to set up in Bandol, France, June 21. By Aurelien Petillot.

The orchestra playing at  Fête de la Musique, Bandol, France. By Laura Smith.

The orchestra playing at Fête de la Musique, Bandol, France. By Laura Smith.

The orchestra playing in the twilight at  Fête de la Musique, Bandol, France. By Laura Smith.

The orchestra playing in the twilight at Fête de la Musique, Bandol, France. By Laura Smith.

Camerata Chicago Cellos and Basses with Eve. Jake Muzzy, Mark Lekas, Christian Dillingham, Rebecca Zimmerman, Chris Ferrer and Jeremy Attenaseo with Eve. Taken by Mischa Zupko

Camerata Chicago Cellos and Basses with Eve. Jake Muzzy, Mark Lekas, Christian Dillingham, Rebecca Zimmerman, Chris Ferrer and Jeremy Attenaseo with Eve. Taken by Mischa Zupko

Rebecca Zimmerman was approached by this angelic little girl, Eve, who told her how delighted she was with the concert.  She melted everyone's heart. By Aurelien Petillot.

Rebecca Zimmerman was approached by this angelic little girl, Eve, who told her how delighted she was with the concert. She melted everyone’s heart. By Aurelien Petillot.

Concert master Mathias Tacke and Rika Seko preparing to play in Bandol, France on June 21. By Aurelien Petillot.

Concert master Mathias Tacke and Rika Seko preparing to play in Bandol, France on June 21. By Aurelien Petillot.

In Bandol, France with Jonathan Saylor, Susan Saylor, Deborah Stevenson, Joel Benway, Travis Heath, Kaethe Durham and George Blanchet. By Aurelien Petillot.

In Bandol, France with Jonathan Saylor, Susan Saylor, Deborah Stevenson, Joel Benway, Travis Heath, Kaethe Durham and George Blanchet. By Aurelien Petillot.

Jake Muzzy and Chris Ferrer by the sea front in Bandol, France. By Aurelien Petillot.

Jake Muzzy and Chris Ferrer by the sea front in Bandol, France. By Aurelien Petillot.

Conductor Drostan Hall with cellist Wendy Warner in Bandol. By Aurelien Petillot.

Conductor Drostan Hall with cellist Wendy Warner in Bandol. By Aurelien Petillot.

Aurelien Petillot, Ariane Hall and Susan Saylor under the palm trees in Bandol, France. By Aurelien Petillot.

Aurelien Petillot, Ariane Hall and Susan Saylor under the palm trees in Bandol, France. By Aurelien Petillot.

La Garde Photo Blog

Camerata Chicago poster for concert at Église Notre Dame de La Nativité, La Garde, near Marseille, France on June 20. By Aurelien Petillot.

Camerata Chicago poster for concert at Église Notre Dame de La Nativité, La Garde, near Marseille, France on June 20. By Aurelien Petillot.

Beer after Beethoven! Some celebration after a great performance with Camerata Chicago! Little did we know how hot the bus ride was going to be... with Bridget Callahan, Alin Cernaianu, Songhea Sackrider, Dmitriy Melkumov, Danielle Giulini, Ellen McSweeney and Aurelien Petillot at Notre-Dame de la Garde, Marseille. By Chris Ferrer.

Beer after Beethoven! Some celebration after a great performance with Camerata Chicago! Little did we know how hot the bus ride was going to be… with Bridget Callahan, Alin Cernaianu, Songhea Sackrider, Dmitriy Melkumov, Danielle Giulini, Ellen McSweeney and Aurelien Petillot at Notre-Dame de la Garde, Marseille. By Chris Ferrer.

The concert at Église Notre Dame de La Nativité on June 20. By Laura Smith.

The concert at Église Notre Dame de La Nativité on June 20. By Laura Smith.