Pianist Miki Sawada embarked on her Gather Hear Alaska tour this summer, in which she traveled for three weeks in Alaska with a piano in a van. Accompanied only by a filmmaker, she gave 25 performances in community hubs such as cafes, bars, parks, schools, mostly focusing on rural communities. The project explored the idea of the piano as a central object of a gathering place - how we as humans can't help but be drawn to a piano to sing, play, listen, and gather - and to also explore the social possibilities of classical music when taken out of a concert hall and into community gathering spaces.

On October 15 at Spectrum, Miki will share footage and stories from the tour as well as newly gained insight into what it is about classical music that moves people. Her performance will simulate a tour concert and will include solo works by Ariel Friedman, Paul Kerekes, Brendon Randall-Myers, Charlie Usher, and Conrad Winslow. In Gather Hear Alaska style, the program will also include works from the standard repertoire, but the exact selections and program order will be undecided until the concert begins. The program will be threaded together by Miki's commentary. 

*Admission $15 at the door*

About Miki:
In the 2016-17 season, Miki presented a solo recital on the Dame Myra Hess concert series in Chicago, broadcast live on WFMT radio. Other season highlights include a debut recital with cello partner Lukas Stasevskij at Helsinki Music Centre, solo recitals in Japan, Belgium, and the U.S., and contemporary music performances in New York City at venues including Spectrum, Dimenna Center, and Roulette. Miki’s performances in the past have been featured at venues and occasions such as: Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lincoln Center Stage on Holland America Line, the Oneppo Chamber Music Series at Yale, Toronto Summer Music Festival, Aurora Music Festival (Sweden), Music on Main (Vancouver), Chicago Symphony Center’s Macy’s Day of Music, the Banff Centre, and radio stations WQXR (NYC) and WFMT (Chicago). In the summers, she teaches and performs as a faculty member of Point CounterPoint Camp and Catskill High Peaks Festival. iki holds degrees from Yale School of Music, Eastman School of Music, and Northwestern University.

The Aspen Music Festival Fellowship Brass Quintet gives the world premiere performance of Coming Around, a miniature with a prominent tuba solo.

The Aspen Music Festival chose the string quartet Outline to be repeated on this chamber concert.

Jimin Lim, violin
Jecoliah Wang, violin
Seido Karasaki, viola
Leo Singer, cello

Donald Weilerstein , violin
Alisa Weilerstein , cello
Vivian Hornik Weilerstein , piano

ACE

Alex Klein , oboe
Hugo Lee , oboe
Joaquin Valdepeñas , clarinet
JJ Koh , clarinet
M. Taylor Eiffert , clarinet
Eddie Sundra , basset horn
Per Hannevold , bassoon
Sean Maree , bassoon
John Zirbel , horn
Simon Poirier , horn
Brian Mangrum , horn
Alec Michaud-Cheney , horn
Sam Loeck , bass

IVES: Trio for Violin, Cello, and Piano, op. 86
CONRAD WINSLOW: Outline

SARAH GIBSON: I prefer living in color
MOZART: Wind Serenade in B-flat major, K. 361, “Gran Partita”

AMFS artist-faculty, representing the best teachers and players from the country's top orchestras, opera companies, and conservatories, enjoy a chance to come together each summer to play chamber music. Always a joyful and creative ninety minutes of exquisite music-making.

String fellows from the Aspen Music Festival give the world premiere of Outline for string quartet.

Miki Sawada performs The Same Trail on a preview program for her Gather Hear Alaska Tour. 

Felix Mildenberger and Aspen Conducting Academy Orchestra conduct an open rehearsal of Leaving a Space.

The Minnesota Orchestra and Osmo Vänskä performs The Old Motion Parade on its Future Classics concert on Friday 3 February.

Adam Holmes performs Ellipsis Rules in a new version with electronics at the Echo Chamber winter Fundraiser/Party.

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