Great arts organizations are borne of an uncomfortable truth --- that the subtlest and noblest aspects of our humanity, unnourished, will wane against the leveling winds of time.

Music of the great masters, brought to full bloom by today's most imaginative artists, offers a remedy, and we at the Civic Music Association are dedicated to bringing the finest music and artists to Oklahoma.

Whether you are an adventurous newcomer or a seasoned veteran of the Association, we invite you to experience the richness, depth, intimacy, and majesty of music that transcends the blunt intrusions of daily life.

Come. Enjoy an uplifting season of concerts, lectures, masterclasses, and celebrations. A warm welcome awaits you.

 

The State Symphony Capella of Russia was founded in 1991 by merging of the USSR State Chamber Choir under Valeri Polyansky and the State Symphony Orchestra of the USSR Ministry of Culture headed by Gennady Rozhdestvensky. 

The choir is renowned for its flexibility of phrasing, rich and warm tone, nobility of expression, and skillfully balanced sound. Its repertoire includes works by Mozart, Shubert, Bruckner, Liszt, Verdi, Cherubini, Brahms, Britten, Dvořák, and Schnittke, as well as traditional Russian folk songs. Rachmaninov's The Bells and Stavinsky's Wedding  figure prominently in its repertoire.  

In addition to extensive tours through Russia, the Capella has performed in Spain, Hungary, France, Holland, Germany, Sweden, Canada, England, and Italy. Over the years, it has received critical acclaim for its flawless technique, beautiful tone, clear and precise intonation, and poetic expression.

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Gary Graffman, Piano

 

Sunday, October 28, 2007 at 3:00 PM

Kirkpatrick Auditorium, Oklahoma City University

 

 

Legendary pianist Gary Graffman was born in New York City to Russian-Jewish parents in 1928. He began studying piano at age 3 and entered the Curtis Institute of Music at age 7. Upon graduation, he made his professional orchestral debut with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra. By age 20, he was internationally renowned for his exquisite artistry. His teachers included Rudolph Serkin and Vladimir Horowitz.

He won the prestigious Leventritt Award, and over the next three decades, he toured and recorded extensively, both as a soloist and with major orchestras throughout the world. He remains the only pianist to have recorded with America's top six orchestras: New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Cleveland, Chicago, and San Francisco. His most famous recording was for the soundtrack of the Woody Allen movie, Manhattan, in which he played Rhapsody in Blue with the New York Philharmonic. 

In 1979, an injury deprived him of the use of his right hand. Since then, seven left-hand works have been commissioned for him. He joined the faculty of the Curtis Institute and served as its president from 1995 to 2006. He published a memoir, I Really Should Be Practicing, which is one of the best-written books about a musical life. 

Through his longstanding service and devotion to music, Mr. Graffman received honorary doctoral degrees, was honored by the cities of Philadelphia and New York, and received the Governor's Arts Award by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He remains an active concert pianist and teacher. His notable students include Lang Lang and Yuja Wang.

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Alisa Weilerstein, Cello

 

Sunday, March 2, 2008 at 3:00 PM

Herrick Auditorium, Southern Nazarene University

 

 

A natural virtuoso hailed for her impassioned musicianship and expressive range, cellist Alisa Weilerstein is internationally renowned as one of the premiere soloists and chamber musicians of her generation. 

While her technical brilliance and “meltingly beautiful” sound are universally acknowledged, it is her distinctive musical presence and rare charisma that set her apart. Says the New York Times, “[Ms. Weilerstein] lets you know exactly who she is, and it’s hard to imagine not wanting to develop the acquaintance in the years ahead.” The Cleveland Plain Dealer writes, “Cellists twice or thrice Weilerstein’s age would be hard-pressed to match the concentrated beauty and power of this young dynamo’s playing.” 

A recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant, she has appeared with many prestigious ensembles, among them the orchestras of Baltimore, Cleveland, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco, as well as the New York Philharmonic and National Symphony Orchestra. An ECHO “Rising Star” and alumna of Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society II, she has performed as a recitalist and chamber musician in many of the world’s top concert halls and festivals. 

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Joseph Kaiser, Tenor

 

Sunday, April 6, 2008 at 3:00 PM

Herrick Auditorium, Southern Nazarene University

 

Starring as Tamino in the Kenneth Branagh film adaptation of the Magic Flute, conducted by James Conlon, Joseph Kaiser is widely recognized for his tonal beauty, intelligent programming, and innate sense of style and elegance. He has developed rapidly into one of the most gifted artists of his generation, enjoying success in opera, oratorio, and concert throughout North America and Europe.

Recent engagements include Die Fledermaus, Salome, and Dialogues of the Carmelites at the Lyric Opera of Chicago; Die Zauberflote and Salome at the Metropolitan Opera; Beatrice and Benedict at Chicago Opera Theatre; Eugene Onegin, conducted by Daniel Barenboim at the Salzburg Festival; the North American premiere of Kaija Saariaho's Adriana Mater at the Santa Fe Opera; a Covent Garden debut in Salome; and Jenufa and Die Zauberflote at the Los Angeles Opera. He is appearing in concert with Sir Simon Rattle and the Philadelphia Orchestra for his Carnegie Hall concert debut.

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Philippe Bianconi, Piano

 

Sunday, May 4, 2008 at 3:00 PM

Kirkpatrick Auditorium, Oklahoma City University

 

 

French pianist Philippe Bianconi has enthralled audiences and critics with his brilliant performances in recital and with orchestra. He has been described as a pianist whose playing is "always close to the soul of the music, filling the space with poetry and life" (Washington Post), and whose "extraordinary exhibition of musicianship and technical control lends the music a freshness, immediacy, and conviction one all too seldom encounters" (Times of London).  

He attended the Conservatory in Nice and studied extensively in Paris with Gaby Casadesus. He was the first prize winner of the Casadesus International Competition in Cleveland, first prize winner of the "Jeunesses Musicales" International Competition in Belgrade, and silver medal winner of the Seventh Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. 

Mr. Bianconi made an acclaimed recital debut at Carnegie Hall in 1987 and has since appeared in major cities across North America. In Europe, he has given recitals in Amsterdam, Berlin, London, Milan, Madrid, Salzburg, and Vienna. His performances in Paris are frequently broadcast on Radio France. He has many recordings, including one of Schumann’s Symphonic Etudes, which won the prestigious "Choc de la Musique" award.

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