You’ve met the artists in pianist, Thomas Rosenkranz, and The Westerlies. You’ve explored the music in Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 49, and original compositions by the Westerlies. Now it’s time to bring it all together with a collaboration that ties all the seemingly disparate sources into one original piece of music.

With the Gloria of Stravinsky’s Mass as inspiration, Andy Clausen of The Westerlies has arranged a new piece to be premiered by the combined forces of all of the Winter Festival Artists. The new work is a fitting way to welcome Stravinsky to this season’s poster. Also featured on the performance is the Mendelssohn D minor Piano Trio, and selections by The Westerlies.

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

PIANO TRIO IN D MINOR, OP. 49

I. Molto allegro ed agitato
II. Andante con moto tranquillo
III. Scherzo: Leggiero e vivace
IV. Finale: Allegro assai appassionato

— INTERMISSION —

Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971), arr. Andy Clausen

MASS (1948)

II. Gloria

ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS BY THE WESTERLIES

Selections will be announced from the stage.

WWCMF acknowledges the generous support of the Walla Walla Piano Group in providing the Steinway Model B piano for this performance. Bravo, and thank you!

Artists: Timothy Christie, Viola; Andy Clausen, trombone; Zubin Hensler, trumpet; Willem de Koch, trombone; Riley Mulherkar, trumpet; Thomas Rosenkranz, piano; Maria Sampen, violin; and Sally Singer Tuttle, cello.

Mendelssohn composed the first of his two piano trios in 1839 at the age of 20. In our first season, WWCMF presented the second piano trio in C minor, Op.66. Now that we are celebrating our tenth season, it’s high time we played the first piano trio in D minor, Op. 49.

At risk of getting lost in all these numbers is the simple truth that young Mendelssohn conceived music of astonishing originality and beauty. Possessed of sharp wit and by contrast, ardent tenderness, Mendelssohn’s Op. 49 has been a staple of the chamber music repertoire since its initial performance. The work showcases both a virtuoso’s command of the piano and the kind of spacious lyricism that would ultimately manifest itself in Mendelssohn’s Songs Without Words.

Founder and Artistic Director, Timothy Christie, will lead a detailed exploration and performance with three world-class festival artists: Maria Sampen, violin; Sally Singer, cello; and Thomas Rosenkranz, piano.

Please note that this performance is at the production facility of A. Morell Wines at 1489 West Rose Street. 

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

PIANO TRIO IN D MINOR, OP. 49

I. Molto allegro ed agitato
II. Andante con moto tranquillo
III. Scherzo: Leggiero e vivace
IV. Finale: Allegro assai appassionato

WWCMF acknowledges the generous support of the Walla Walla Piano Group in providing the Steinway Model B piano for this performance. Bravo, and thank you!

Artists: Thomas Rosenkranz, piano; Maria Sampen, violin; and Sally Singer Tuttle, cello.

What do you do when you want to make music with great friends, but the music you want to play doesn’t exist? You compose your own, of course. Tonight, four great friends and brass players share music from their self-titled second album, The Westerlies. Their friendship began in Seattle as high school students, but hit full stride several years later in New York City after stints at Juilliard and the Manhattan School of Music.

With one foot squarely in the world of classical chamber music, The Westerlies are also at home in the arenas of jazz, folk, roots and dance music. Remember, as a quartet, they possess a total of eight feet. While the precise genre may be hard to pin down, their exquisite musicianship speaks for itself.

All selections will be announced from the stage.

Artists: Andy Clausen, trombone; Zubin Hensler, trumpet; Willem de Koch, trombone; and Riley Mulherkar, trumpet.

The Winter Festival Portrait of an Artist recital features internationally acclaimed pianist, Thomas Rosenkranz. Although Tom has traveled the globe from Lebanon and Tunisia as musical ambassador of the U.S. State Department and has traveled to the major cities of Asia, he has never been to Walla Walla.

There is a first time for everything, and what better way to introduce him to Walla Walla than with a Portrait of an Artist recital moderated by WWCMF Founder and Artistic Director, Timothy Christie. The Tenth Anniversary season rolls on!

WWCMF acknowledges the generous support of the Walla Walla Piano Group in providing the Steinway Model B piano for this performance. Bravo, and thank you!

All selections will be announced from the stage.

Doors open at 5:00pm

Artist: Thomas Rosenkranz, piano.