Episode 8: New Sounds, New Voices

An exploration of some of the fresh breezes blowing across the classical music landscape from the multi-talented, multi-national students of the Heifetz Institute, featuring Scandinavian fiddling, Far Asian folklore, and even compositions by our Heifetz students and distinguished alums.

This Episode’s Playlist

Bright Sheng: Seven Tunes heard in China – VII. Tibetan Dance (1995)
Ezra Escobar, cello
Francis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.02.2017

Christopher Theofanidis: Discipline & Transcendence (2019)
Zachary Brandon, violin
Francis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.19.2022

Arr. Danish Quartet: Traditional: The Peat Dance
Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen: Shine You No More (2014)
Theo Bockhorst, violin; Masato Chang, violin | John Harry Clark, viola | Benjamin Doane, cello
Great Hall, Blackburn Inn & Conference Center; Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.19.2021

Jessie Montgomery: Strum [excerpt] (2015)
Borromeo String Quartet: Nicholas Kitchen, violin | Kristopher Tong, violin | Mai Motobuchi, viola | Yeesun Kim, cello
First Presbyterian Church, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.24.2021

Cheng Gang: Sunshine over Tashkurgan (1976)
Strauss Shi, violin | Allison Freeman, piano
South Market Stage, Grace Christian School, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 03.11.2022

Juan-Salvador Carrasco: Away from Here (2022)
Nigel Armstrong, violin | Steven Baloue, viola | Juan-Salvador Carrasco, cello | Lynn Mackey, piano/percussion
South Market Stage, Grace Christian School, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 03.11.2022

Trad. Turkish, arr. Julide San: Miras (“Heritage”) (2018)
Julide San, double bass
Heifetz Tent, Page Terrace, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.30.2022

Philip Glass: Metamorphosis Two [excerpt] (1989)
Clayton Hancock, violin | Peter Blanchette, archguitar
South Market Stage, Grace Christian School, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.09.2022

Andrea Cassarubios: SEVEN (2020)
Thomas Mesa, cello
Firs Presbyterian Church, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 08.01.2021

Astor Piazzolla: Oblivion [excerpt] (1982)
Bela Horvath, violin | Matt Cohen, viola | Zhenni Li-Cohen, piano
Francis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Virtual Recording | 08.03.2018

Go Deeper

• “Chinese traditional melodies are beautiful, yet limited in resonating with audiences internationally,” says Chen Gang, composer of  the uber-populr Butterfly Lovers concerto and Sunshine Over Tashkurgan, the latter featured in this episode. “I have always been exploring ways to use the Western-style symphony to tell our stories and emotions.” Check out this piece on the ageless Chinese composer.
• To commemorate the 85th birthday of composer Philip Glass in 2022, the licensing agency PRS for Music decided to investigate the prolific composer’s Top 10 most popular works. A portion of No. 1 is heard on this episode!
• Heifetz alum Andrea Cassarubios, whose pandemic-era composition SEVEN is featured on this episode, is enjoying a burgeoning career both as a cellist and composer.  Read this review of her February 2023 concert presented by the Chicago Symphony Orchestras Music Now! series.