We are looking forward to making our return concert at Merkin Hall after last year’s successful debut! Three Great Romantics is taking place on Thursday, November 30th at 6:30 pm and will feature 2 iconic masterpieces –Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture and Brahms Symphony No. 1 – as well as the rarely performed Coleridge-Taylor Violin Concerto in g minor. I am very proud that MOO is presenting this long-neglected masterpiece in New York City after its debut over a century ago. As well, this will be its first performance at Merkin Hall. I am thrilled to be working with MSM Faculty Chloe Kiffer in her MOO debut as the violin soloist in the Coleridge-Taylor. Chloe is an exceptional artist and colleague who will bring her insight and passion to this lyrical and poetic work.
MOO has always proudly had MSM alums in our ranks including our current concertmaster Eiko Kano. Eiko has a thriving international career as a soloist as well as a chamber musician She is a top prizewinner in multiple international competitions such as the 4th International Competition of Tokyo among others. Eiko received her BMus and MMus degrees from MSM as a protege of Glen Dicterow. I am a triple alum of our world-class institution and serve as the Chair of the Alumni Council. I am a proud MSMer!
This concert is a rare opportunity to experience 2 staples of the orchestral repertoire while at the same time rejoicing in the work of Coleridge-Taylor. We look forward to seeing you on the 30th!
Chloe Kiffer, violin
The performance will be on Thursday, November 30th, at 6:30 pm, at Merkin Hall. It is truly exceptional to perform the rarely played Samuel Taylor-Coleridge Violin concerto, which was commissioned at the time by female American violinist Maud Powell. I discovered this piece through my mentor, Patinka Kopec, a few years ago. I love this concerto and I genuinely consider it a hidden treasure. This is one of the last compositions the composer wrote, full of folk-inspired but original melodies put into a canvas of a rich late-romantic harmonic language evocative of American jazz and French impressionism. I am thrilled that my friend Justin Bischof, Conductor and Artistic Director of MOO Modus Operandi Orchestra (and MSM Alumni Council Chair) asked me to join MOO as soloist. I am excited to share the stage with him and many more musicians associated with our school.
As an alumna and current faculty member at MSM, in both Pre-college and College divisions, I believe in the institution with all my heart. We create a supportive and creative environment for each student to grow as our next generation of performers and educators.
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