PRIZING THE PULITZER WITH MUSIC FROM THE COPLAND HOUSE
Katonah, NY ~ June 24, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CARAMOOR INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL PRESENTS
PRIZING THE PULITZER WITH MUSIC FROM COPLAND HOUSE
JULY 22 AT 8:00 PM IN THE SPANISH COURTYARD
JULY 31 AT 4:30 PM IN THE VENETIAN THEATER
KATONAH, NY – On July 22 and 31, Caramoor International Music Festival presents Prizing the Pulitzer, a two-concert celebration of the music geniuses nominated for the prestigious Pulitzer Prize. An impressive compilation of American masterworks – including music by Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, Charles Ives, Samuel Barber, Paul Moravec and John Cage – will be performed by the Music from Copland House ensemble. In addition, this cultural touchstone of a series provides concertgoers an opportunity to attend pre- and post-concert discussions about the brilliant composers honored – and in some cases, controversially overlooked – by the prize.
On Friday, July 22 at 8:00pm, the first of two wonderfully crafted programs will take place in the intimate setting of the Spanish Courtyard. This concert features works by Leonard Bernstein, David del Tredici, Paul Moravec, John Cage, John Musto, William Bolcom, Jennifer Higdon and Bright Sheng, performed by the Music from Copland House ensemble. There will be a post-concert discussion about the prize-winning composers, as well as other nominated composers, who were featured in the program.
On Sunday, July 31 at 4:30pm, Music from Copland House will continue the musical exploration in the Venetian Theater with Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring, as well as the works of Lukas Foss, Samuel Barber, Charles Ives, Gian Carlo Menotti, Ernst Toch and Walter Piston. There will be a pre-concert discussion beginning at3:30pm.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Music from Copland House is the resident ensemble at Aaron Copland’s landmark New York home, which has been restored as a unique creative center for American music. The ensemble is led by pianist and Copland House Artistic and Executive Director Michael Boriskin. Music from Copland House has performed at many of America’s foremost concert venues, including Carnegie Hall, the Library of Congress, Columbia University’s Miller Theatre, Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study, and the Bard Music Festival.
Michael Boriskin is the Artistic and Executive Director of the Copland House. A versatile pianist and noted recording artist, Boriskin has been called “a pianist with the Midas touch” by the New York Times. He has appeared around the world at many prestigious venues, including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Theatre des Champs-Elysées, BBC in London, and the Arnold Schoenberg Center.
Michael Barrett is the Chief Executive and General Director of Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts. A protégé of Leonard Bernstein, Barrett is both a pianist and a conductor, and has guest conducted the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, New York Philharmonic, London Symphony, Israel Philharmonic and the Orchestre National de France among others.
ABOUT CARAMOOR
Caramoor is the legacy of Walter and Lucie Rosen, who built their summer home – now known as the historic Rosen House at Caramoor – and filled it with their treasures. Walter Rosen was the master planner for the Caramoor estate, bringing to reality his dream of creating a place to entertain friends from around the world. Their musical evenings were the seeds of today’s Caramoor International Music Festival. Realizing the pleasure their friends took in the beauty of Caramoor – the house with its art collection, the gardens, and the musical programs on summer evenings – in 1946 the Rosens established a public charity to open Caramoor to the community. Lucie Rosen survived her husband by seventeen years. During those years, she expanded the Music Festival: the Spanish Courtyard was used as a setting for musical events, as it is today, and, under her direction, the great stage of the Venetian Theater was built.
Caramoor is a performing arts center, located on a unique 90-acre setting of Italianate architecture and gardens in Westchester County, NY. It enriches the lives of its audiences through innovative and diverse musical performances of the highest quality. Its mission also includes mentoring young professional musicians and providing educational programs for young children centered around music. It is often described as “a Garden of Great Music,” where audiences are invited to come early, explore the beautiful grounds, enjoy a pre-concert picnic, and discover beautiful music in the relaxed settings of the Venetian Theater, Spanish Courtyard, Music Room of the Rosen House, and the magnificent gardens. With its unique heritage, Caramoor remains a place where magical summer days and nights are shared and enjoyed by thousands. “Caramoor is the loveliest Festival of them all.” – The New York Times
Concert Venues and Gardens
Most Summer Festival concerts take place in two outdoor theaters: the 1714-seat, acoustically superb Venetian Theater and the more intimate, romantic Spanish Courtyard. Caramoor’s gardens are also well worth the visit and include nine unique perennial gardens. Among them are a Sense Circle for the visually handicapped, a Butterfly Garden, Tapestry Hedge, and Iris and Peony Garden, which may be enjoyed on one’s own or seen on a guided tour.
GETTING TO CARAMOOR
By car from the West Side of Manhattan and New Jersey, take the Saw Mill River Parkway north to Katonah. Exit at Route 35/Cross River. Turn right, and, at the first traffic light, make a right turn onto Route 22 south. Travel 1.9 miles to the junction of Girdle Ridge Road. Follow the signs to Caramoor. (For detailed directions call 914.232.5035 and press 2, or online at www.caramoor.org). Parking at Caramoor is free on-site on a first-come, first-served basis. Once on-site parking is full, alternate parking will be available with free shuttle bus service.
By train, take the Harlem Division of the Metro-North Railroad to Katonah, New York. Taxi service from the station to Caramoor (5 minutes away) is available.
TICKETS
Prizing the Pulitzer I (Friday, July 22 in the Spanish Courtyard at 8:00PM): $30.00, $40.00
Prizing the Pulitzer II (Sunday, July 31 in the Venetian Theater at 4:30PM): $16.00, $21.00, $31.00, $46.00 (Al Fresco tickets to this concert, which allow audiences to enjoy the sounds of the concert from the Picnic Lawns, are $10.00 each)
To order tickets, call the Box Office at 914.232.1252 or visit www.caramoor.org. Groups of 16 or more may purchase discounted tickets by contacting Matthew Scarella at 914.232.5035 ext. 252 or matthew@caramoor.org.
PICNICKING AT CARAMOOR
Extend the Caramoor experience by arriving early and enjoying a picnic amidst the beautiful gardens. Concertgoers can bring their own picnic, or order one for pick-up at Caramoor by calling Great Performances® at 212-337-6055 or online at www.greatperformances.com/caramoorpicnics.
PRESS CONTACT
For press tickets, images, artist information or interviews, contact Whitney Holden at 917.339.7188 / wholden@cohndutcher.com or Brittnee Walker at 917.339.7183 / bwalker@cohndutcher.com
PROGRAMS
Friday, July 22, 8:00pm in the Spanish Courtyard
Prizing the Pulitzer I
Music from Copland House: Derek Bermel, clarinet; Nicholas Kitchen, violin; Michael Boriskin, piano
Guest Artists: Lauren Worsham, soprano; Joshua Roman, cello; Michael Barrett, piano
Leonard Bernstein Songs
John Cage Living Room Music (1940)
Paul Moravec ‘Ariel’ from Tempest Fantasy (2002-2003)
David Del Tredici ‘Acrostic Song’ from Final Alice (1982)
John Musto selections from Dove Sta Amore (1996)
William Bolcom selections from 12 New Etudes (1977-1986)
Jennifer Higdon Dash for Clarinet, Violin, and Piano (2001)
Bright Sheng Four Movements for Piano Trio (1990)
Sunday, July 31, 4:30pm in the Venetian Theater
Prizing the Pulitzer II
Music from Copland House: Paul Lustig Dunkel, flute; Derek Bermel, clarinet; Wilhelmina Smith, cello; Michael Boriskin, piano.
Guest Artists: Peter Kolkay, bassoon; Harumi Rhodes, violin; Tim Fain, violin; Susie Park, violin; Ayano Ninomiya,violin; Leslie Tomkins, viola; Kathryn Lockwood, viola; Joshua Roman, cello; Robert Black, double bass; Michael Barrett, conductor
Aaron Copland Appalachian Spring (1944)
Samuel Barber String Quartet, Op. 11 (1936)
(2nd mvt.; source of Adagio for Strings)
Charles Ives Tone Roads No. 1 (1911)
Lukas Foss Tashi for Clarinet, Piano, and String Quartet (1986) (excerpt)
Gian Carlo Menotti Suite for Two Cellos and Piano (1973) (excerpt)
Ernst Toch Geographical Fugue for Speaking Chorus (1930)
Walter Piston Quintet for Flute and String Quartet (1942) (excerpt)
Performances are made possible, in part, by
ArtsWestchester with funds from Westchester County Government.
Performances are made possible with public funds from
the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.
The 2011 International Music Festival is supported in part by
an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
ALL PROGRAMS AND ARTISTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
CARAMOOR CENTER FOR MUSIC AND THE ARTS IS LOCATED AT
149 GIRDLE RIDGE ROAD, KATONAH, NEW YORK.