AZ Musicfest announces 2009 season line-up
November 5, 2008
SCOTTSDALE – Arizona Musicfest announced the guest artists and Festival Orchestra program highlights at the “Arizona Musicfest 2009” season launch event at the Country Club at DC Ranch.
Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and wine in the beautiful Tuscan courtyard while Robert Moody, Artistic Director of Arizona Musicfest and conductor of the Festival Orchestra, presented an overview of “Arizona Musicfest 2009.” The 260-plus guests enthusiastically applauded the news that Grammy Award winning cellist Lynn Harrell would appear to perform “Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in B minor” with the Festival Orchestra; and Metropolitan Opera star soprano Elizabeth Bishop would be the first Arizona Musicfest “Artist in Residence.”
In addition to the much respected Mr. Harrell and Ms. Bishop, “Arizona Musicfest 2009” guest artists include “The Three Phantoms” of Broadway, Craig Schulman, Kevin Gray and Cris Groenendaal; Banu Gibson and The New Orleans Hot Jazz; piano virtuosos Misha and Cipa Dichter; “Professor Emeritus of Jazz Piano” Dick Hyman and vibraphonist Peter Appleyard; hot cabaret couple Barbara Fasano and Eric Comstock; piano, cello and violin trio Navah Perlman, Giora Schmidt, and Zuill Bailey; organist James Jones; and Fred Forney and the Arizona Jazz Masterworks Orchestra.
For information about Arizona Musicfest or to obtain “Arizona Musicfest 2009” concert information or tickets, please call (480) 488-0806 or visit www.azmusicfest.org.
Area residents Bob Westoby and Chris Warsaw (Arizona Musicfest Managing Director) toast “Arizona Musicfest 2009: America’s Premier Winter Music Festival” at the Oct. 19 “Fall Fanfare.” (Left to right) Mary Westoby, Bob Westoby, Steve Warsaw, Chris Warsaw, Virginia Ikeda and Janet Ikeda. It should be no surprise that the Ikeda family loves music, their name is on the main stage theater at the Mesa Arts Center, and Virginia Ikeda is the President of Symphony of the Southwest (formerly the Mesa Symphony).
Arizona Musicfest presents Arizona Musicfest 2009
Arizona Musicfest 2009, America’s premier winter music festival presented by Arizona Musicfest, February 4 – March 1, 2009, features Classical, Broadway and Jazz in 13 concerts over 5 weeks in venues throughout North Scottsdale and Carefree. Artistic Director Robert Moody conducts The Festival Orchestra, with noteworthy highlights: special guest star, Grammy Award winning cellist Lynn Harrell performing “Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in B minor;” and the Arizona Musicfest Chorus performing “Dona Nobis Pacem” by Vaughan Williams, showcasing Arizona Musicfest “Artist in Residence” Elizabeth Bishop.
Arizona Musicfest 2009 guest artists include “The Three Phantoms” of Broadway, Craig Schulman, Kevin Gray and Cris Groenendaal; Banu Gibson and The New Orleans Hot Jazz; piano virtuosos Misha and Cipa Dichter; “Professor Emeritus of Jazz Piano” Dick Hyman and vibraphonist Peter Appleyard; cabaret couple Barbara Fasano and Eric Comstock; piano, cello and violin trio Navah Perlman, Giora Schmidt, Zuill Bailey; soprano Elizabeth Bishop; organist James Jones; Fred Forney and the Arizona Jazz Masterworks Orchestra; and star cellist Lynn Harrell.
For all artists and concert details, please scroll down.
Musicfest 2009
Call (480) 488-0806 or visit azmusicfest.org for tickets and information. Ticket prices range from $30 to $40, with the exception of the Valentine’s Day concert which is $85, and includes a gourmet dinner. Student tickets (K-12) are $5 each (not available for the Valentine’s Day concert). Full Series tickets are available and come in a “Festival Series” package of all 13 concerts for $425; and a “Jazz Pack” of 3 concerts for $80. Premium Seating is available for an additional cost of $10 per ticket at selected venues.
7: 30 p.m. Wednesday, February 4
Arizona Musicfest presents The Three Phantoms in Concert. A blockbuster evening of Broadway entertainment features songs from “Les Misérables,” “Man of la Mancha,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Company, “ and more of your favorites, by extraordinary performers who captured your emotions in the title role of “The Phantom of the Opera,” Craig Schulman, Kevin Gray and Cris Groenendaal.
Venue: Scottsdale First Assembly Dream Center, 28700 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale 85262
Tickets: $35
Box office & information: (480) 488-0806 or azmusicfest.org
Sponsor: Hodson Jewelry Gallery at La Mirada
3 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Friday, February 6
Arizona Musicfest presents Banu Gibson & The New Orleans Hot Jazz with special guest Dan Levinson. A sassy, full-throated vocalist with her own distinctive styling, Banu Gibson heats up the day and night with her six-piece Dixieland band. ‘Laissez les bon temps roulez ‘ as local reedman Dan Levinson sits in.
Venue: Scottsdale First Assembly Dream Center, 28700 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale 85262
Tickets: $30
Box office & information: (480) 488-0806 or azmusicfest.org
3 p.m. Sunday, February 8
Arizona Musicfest presents Misha & Cipa Dichter. Misha and Cipa Dichter have been hailed for “stylistic elegance, technical ease and interpretative unanimity” ever since they first performed together at the Hollywood Bowl. This afternoon’s performance includes Shostakovich’s “Concertino, Opus 94,” Liszt’s fiery “Concerto Pathétique” and Copland’s “El Salon Mexico,” as arranged by Leonard Bernstein. As a special treat, Misha will play Beethoven’s “Six Bagatelles (Op. 126) and Schubert’s profound and passionate “Sonata in A minor (Op. 143).
Venue: Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale 85255
Tickets: $30
Box office & information: (480) 488-0806 or azmusicfest.org
5:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 10 &
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 11
Arizona Musicfest presents Swing Is Here! Dick Hyman & Peter Appleyard. A pantheon of jazz greats would have to include “Professor Emeritus of Jazz Piano,” Dick Hyman and vibraphonist Peter Appleyard. For these pros who have worked with everyone from Benny Goodman to Woody Allen, swing is not a nostalgic souvenir from the past; it is a life force with “take-no-prisoners” energy. Toes will be tapping in this cabaret setting which includes an optional buffet following the February 10 performance.
Venue: Fairway House at Grayhawk, 8620 E. Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale 85255
Tickets: $30
Optional Buffet: following the Feb. 10th performance
Price for Buffet: $40
Box office & information: (480) 488-0806 or azmusicfest.org
5:30 p.m. Thursday, February 14
Arizona Musicfest presents Romance & Song with Barbara Fasano & Eric Comstock. It’s Valentine’s Day and you’re in the good hands of today’s hottest cabaret couple, pianist Eric Comstock accompanying and singing with top vocalist Barbara Fasano, exploring romance from lighthearted flirting to more poignant moments. A gourmet candlelit dinner sets the mood before the show.
Venue: Fairway House at Grayhawk, 8620 E. Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale 85255
Tickets: $85, includes Dinner
Box office & information: (480) 488-0806 or azmusicfest.org
3 p.m. Sunday, February 15
Arizona Musicfest presents Perlman/Schmidt/Bailey. Pianist Navah Perlman, cellist Zuill Bailey and violinist Giora Schmidt all enjoy significant solo careers; combined, they present passion, technical mastery and refined musicianship. This afternoon’s performance will include two of the most appealing works in the chamber repertoire: Beethoven’s “Trio No. 6 in E-flat Major, Op. 70, No. 2”and Mendelssohn’s “Trio No. 1 in D minor, Opus 49.”
Venue: Desert Hills Presbyterian Church, 34605 N. Scottsdale Road, Carefree 85377
Tickets: $35
Box office & information: (480) 488-0806 or azmusicfest.org
7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 19
Arizona Musicfest presents Bob & Friends featuring Robert Moody with first-ever Arizona Musicfest “Artist in Residence” Elizabeth Bishop. While Robert Moody is the artistic director and conductor of Arizona Musicfest, he’s also a multitalented performer who’s comfortable anywhere on stage. His friend since age six, Metropolitan Opera star Elizabeth Bishop has sung leading roles internationally. Hear the story of their friendship as they sing the music of their youth, joined by pianist Andrew Campbell and Steve Fitch on drums.
Venue: Fairway House at Grayhawk, 8620 E. Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale 85255
Tickets: $30
Box office & information: (480) 488-0806 or azmusicfest.org
Sponsor: Peter Slocum / Wachovia Securities
7:30 p.m. Friday, February 20
Arizona Musicfest presents A Tribute to the Big Bands: Fred Forney & Arizona Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. Trumpeter Fred Forney leads an ensemble of the finest musicians and jazz soloists in the West playing the music of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller, Les Brown, Stan Kenton and birthday boy Benny Goodman (100th in May). The Valley’s most respected jazz vocalist, Delphine Cortez, makes her third Festival appearance as these Valley all-stars make music history.
Venue: Scottsdale First Assembly Dream Center, 28700 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale 85262
Tickets: $30
Box office & information: (480) 488-0806 or azmusicfest.org
Sponsor: Scottsdale Republic / The Arizona Republic
3 p.m. Sunday, February 22
Arizona Musicfest presents James Jones & Elizabeth Bishop in Recital. Young musical phenom, organist James Jones joins Arizona Musicfest “Artist in Residence” soprano Elizabeth Bishop in a concert showcasing “the king of instruments,” the organ. Jones performs works by Bach and Guilmant, plus dazzling contemporary music by Philips and Curnow, joined by brass and percussion from The Festival Orchestra. Met Opera star Bishop sings Mozart, Copland, and the evocative “Rückert Lieder” by Gustav Mahler. With the artistry of Jones and Bishop plus the magnificent three-story organ, this is a unique concert that is not to be missed.
Venue: Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale 85255
Tickets: $30
Box office & information: (480) 488-0806 or azmusicfest.org
Sponsor: Jane Ceasor, Ceasor Insurance & Wealth Protection Consultants
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 24
Arizona Musicfest presents Opening Night with The Festival Orchestra conducted by Robert Moody. An exciting program opens with “Rainbow Body,” a work by award-winning American composer Christopher Theofanidis; then Gustav Mahler’s poignant “Songs of a Wayfarer” with guest soloist, “Artist in Residence” soprano Elizabeth Bishop; and concludes with Johannes Brahms “Symphony #1.”
Venue: Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale 85255
Tickets: $35
Opening Night Reception following the Concert at Pinnacle Peak Country Club
Box office & information: (480) 488-0806 or azmusicfest.org
7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 26
Arizona Musicfest presents Celebrating Heroes, Celebrating Peace with The Festival Orchestra conducted by Robert Moody. Beethoven’s “Symphony #3,” written to honor the spirit of liberation, opens the program; followed by the quieter side of heroism in Samuel Barber’s “Adagio; concluding with Vaughan Williams’ “Dona Nobis Pacem,” showcasing soprano Elizabeth Bishop, baritone Troy Cook, and the Arizona Musicfest Chorus, this powerful music depicts the human cost of peace. (“Dona Nobis Pacem” will be sung in English.)
Venue: Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale 85255
Tickets: $35
Box office & information: (480) 488-0806 or azmusicfest.org
7:30 p.m. Friday, February 27
Arizona Musicfest presents Harry Potter & The Magic of Musicwith Robert Moody conducting The Festival Orchestra. John Williams’ film score, “Hedwig’s Theme,” from “Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone,” begins the evening’s enchantment in a program of magical movie music, including additional pieces from “The Sorcerer’s Stone;” a selection from “Lord of the Rings; and, “Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D minor,” which summons memories of Lon Chaney as the Phantom of the Opera. Joining the Festival Orchestra on stage is Magician Matt Lemm, who will add his choreographed feats of illusion to music by Gounod and Rossini. There is no intermission, as this concert runs a little over one hour.
Venue: Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale 85255
Tickets: $35
Box office & information: (480) 488-0806 or azmusicfest.org
3 p.m. Sunday, March 1
Arizona Musicfest presents Lynn Harrell in Concert with The Festival Orchestra conducted by Robert Moody. Rossini’s instantly recognizable “Overture to William Tell” opens the program, followed by Mozart’s “Symphony #35 in D Major (‘Haffner’),” filled with melodic beauty and breathtaking energy. This very special concert features superstar cellist Lynn Harrell, a two-time Grammy Award winner commanding international respect. Harrell will perform Dvorak’s romantic “Cello Concerto in B minor,” an exhilarating work demanding virtuosity from the soloist and sensitive orchestral collaboration.
Venue: Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale 85255
Tickets: $40
Box office & information: (480) 488-0806 or azmusicfest.org
Sponsor: Lane Foundation and APS
Festival Previews – Not included in the Concert Series –
This year, two delightful and knowledgeable personalities preview Festival concerts for music lovers: Buzz Katzen covers the jazz and Broadway concerts; and Fran Rosenthal previews the classical concerts. All Festival Previews start at 5 p.m. and take place at Terravita Golf & Country Club. Tickets are $15 each. A cash bar is available.
5 p.m. Monday, January 26
Arizona Musicfest presents Jazz & Broadway with Buzz Katzen
Arizona Musicfest 2009 Broadway and jazz concerts are illuminated by ‘jazzologist’ Buzz Katzen, starting with three key songs from the “Three Phantoms” concert program; followed by Buzz’s first-hand expertise on guest artists and their music, accompanied by plenty of musical excerpts. An audience couldn’t ask for a better guide to this year’s Broadway and jazz concerts.
Venue: Terravita Golf & Country Club, 34034 N. 69th Way, Scottsdale 85262
Tickets: $15
Cash bar available.
Box office & information: (480) 488-0806 or azmusicfest.org
5 p.m. Monday, February 2
Arizona Musicfest presents Classical Concert Preview with Fran Rosenthal
Arizona Musicfest 2009 chamber concerts are the focus for this Festival Preview, with Fran Rosenthal spotlighting music for small ensembles, introducing the audience to works for piano trio, organ and brass, and duo pianos. Fran has a well-earned reputation for explaining the nuances of classical music in a relaxed, enjoyable way.
Venue: Terravita Golf & Country Club, 34034 N. 69th Way, Scottsdale 85262
Tickets: $15
Cash bar available.
Box office & information: (480) 488-0806 or azmusicfest.org
5 p.m. Monday, February 16
Arizona Musicfest presents Classical Concert Preview with Fran Rosenthal
Arizona Musicfest 2009 symphonic works take center stage for this Festival Preview as Fran Rosenthal highlights the major works on the Festival Orchestra concert programs using lively commentary and CD excerpts. Enjoy a glass of wine while being introduced to or reminded of the nuances of classical music in a relaxed, enjoyable way.
Venue: Terravita Golf & Country Club, 34034 N. 69th Way, Scottsdale 85262
Tickets: $15
Cash bar available.
Box office & information: (480) 488-0806 or azmusicfest.org
