The January Festival Series explores movement and color through sound with the electronic instrument, the theremin. Invented in 1920 in Russia and patented in the United States in 1928 by the Soviet inventor, Léon Theremin, the instrument that bears his name captures the imagination of all who hear it. Unlike any other musician, the thereminist does not physically touch the instrument to produce sound but rather moves in relation to the instrument creating a seemingly infinite range of pitches and colors. Thus, the act of producing sound becomes visually expressive.

To introduce the world of theremin music, WWCMF is honored to welcome one of the world’s foremost theremin virtuosi, Carolina Eyck. A gifted composer, Carolina is also a synesthete  — someone who feels a strong link between sound and color. In her compositions, as in her visual art, Carolina engages in a conversation between sight and sound. Her Fantasias provide the perfect entrée to a futuristic soundscape.

Concluding the program is the great Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 15 by Gabriel Fauré. Fauré’s music and even French music, in general, is often described in terms of color and movement. Why is that? The four movements of this great work show how light can suffuse sound and how the chamber ensemble can exhibit a sonic range from pointillism to romantic grandeur. What better to brighten a cold January evening!

Carolina Eyck (b. 1987)

FANTASIAS FOR THEREMIN AND STRING QUARTET (2016)

I. Oakunar Lynntuja (Strange Birds)

II. Layohmi (Luminescence)

III. Mukkuva Luohla (Sleepy Dragon)

IV. Metsa Happa (Jumping River)

V. Dappa Solarjos (Dappled Sunlight)

VI. Nousta-Needad (Ascent-Descent)

INTERMISSION

Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)

PIANO QUARTET IN C MINOR, OP. 15

I. Allegro molto moderato

II. Scherzo: Allegro vivo

III. Adagio

IV. Allegro molto

Artists: Brittany Boulding Breeden, violin; Timothy Christie, viola; Carolina Eyck, theremin; Henry Kramer, piano; Maria Sampen, violin; and Sally Singer Tuttle, cello.

January’s Tasting Music event features one of the great works in the chamber music canon, the Fauré Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 15. Gabriel Fauré would eventually become the grand old man of French music, director of the Paris Conservatory and teacher to such luminaries as Maurice Ravel and Nadia Boulanger. But in 1876, he was part of the new wave of French composers looking to make his mark. By his own admission, progress was slow. After a gestation period of about four years, he revealed his C minor Piano Quartet in 1880. Following a successful premiere, Fauré took to heart criticisms of his colleagues further revising the work. The quartet in its final form emerged in 1883, a full seven years after Fauré began composing it.

From the noble opening unison string melody to the gently prickly scherzo to the romantic grandeur of the Adagio and the heaven-storming Finale, we discover that Fauré’s was a septenniad well spent!

Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)

PIANO QUARTET IN C MINOR, OP. 15

I. Allegro molto moderato

II. Scherzo: Allegro vivo

III. Adagio

IV. Allegro molto

Artists: Timothy Christie, viola; Henry Kramer, piano; Maria Sampen, violin; and Sally Singer Tuttle, cello.

First things first… what is a theremin?

THER·E·MIN

/ˈTHerəmən/

noun: theremin; plural noun: theremins

An electronic musical instrument in which the tone is generated by two high-frequency oscillators and the pitch controlled by the movement of the performer's hand toward and away from the circuit.

Now that we’ve cleared that up... what is a theremin? Do you know that cool sound in the Beach Boys’ hit, Good Vibrations? Do you know the sound on The Simpsons every time the space aliens Kodos and Kang make a cameo? Not to mention the rest of Sci-Fi? Yes, the theremin plays a role in all of these situations, but it is so much more…

What do you say to Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumblebee? Or what about Rachmaninov’s iconic Vocalise? Come experience this wild and wonderful instrument in the hands of the world’s foremost virtuoso, Carolina Eyck. In addition to the works above, Carolina will share some of her own compositions, showcasing the realm of possibility at the intersection of science and art.

Artists: Carolina Eyck, theremin; and Henry Kramer, piano.

The Eleventh Season of the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival (WWCMF) kicks off with a recital by guest artist Brittany Boulding Breeden, violin. Brittany’s third time at the Festival is the charm as she is joined by pianist Henry Kramer, and WWCMF Founder and Artistic Director Timothy Christie for an evening of passionate violin music and lighthearted banter.

One of the busiest musicians in the Pacific Northwest, at one point Brittany held concurrent positions as Concertmaster of the Northwest Sinfonietta, Concertmaster of the Auburn Symphony, Associate Concertmaster of the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, and member of the Seattle Symphony and Seattle Opera Orchestras. She is a frequent concerto soloist around the United States and in such far-flung locales as Cienfuegos, Cuba.

How does she do it? As you know, there’s only one way to find out…

Artists: Brittany Boulding Breeden, violin; and Henry Kramer, piano. Moderator: Timothy Christie, Founder and Artistic Director.