Young Musicians Shine!
by
Lyn Bronson
Each year, David Gordon, Education Director of the Carmel
Bach Festival, arranges for us to hear a program at the Festival featuring young
musicians from the Monterey Bay area, many of whom are future professional
musicians. Through an audition in the spring of 2007, thirteen young musicians
were selected to perform in a Family Concert, open to the public without charge,
in Sunset Center Theater on Saturday, July 28.
Acting as host, Gordon explained in introductory remarks
the origin of the program and its goals. In this program we would be hearing
five pianists, five violinists, one soprano, one guitarist and one flutist
ranging in age from 10 to 18.
The young violinists we heard were
Kenneth Cho in two movements of
Vivaldi’s “Autumn” Concerto in F Major (accompanied by pianist Lalla Lowe),
Joyce Yoon in a Largo from Geminiani’s Sonata in C Major (accompanied by
pianist Lucy Faradany),
Joy Yamaguchi in the fourth movement
of Bach’s Sonata for Solo Violin No. 2, and concluding with the first movement
of Bach’s Concerto for two Violins performed by
Minju and
Johnny Lim (accompanied by pianist
Gabrielle Micheletti).
We also heard five young pianists:
Tyler Hanford playing the theme and
first variation from Bach’s Goldberg Variations,
Patrick Murphy performing C.P.E.
Bach’s Solfegietto and the little
Prelude in C Minor, Li Schmidt in
two sonatas by Antonio Soler, Sara Chang
in the first movement of Bach’s “Italian” Concerto and
Jonathan Wang playing the Adagio and
Fugue from Bach’s Toccata in E Minor.
Rounding out the program, soprano
Stephanie Johnson sang the aria
Ich will dir mein Herze schenken from
Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, flutist Sang
Eun Sim played the Fantasy No. 1 in A Major for Flute Solo by Telemann and
guitarist Dhruva Noel performed a
two guitar pieces by Adam Falckenhagen.
Several times Gordon came out on stage after a performance
and conducted a brief interview with the young performer, giving us an
opportunity to hear them speak briefly about things important in their lives. We
heard some fascinating and sometimes amusing accounts of how busy and productive
these young artists are.
There was a reception outside in the upper courtyard
following the performance where family and friends congratulated the young
performers.
