When the 1,000-plus students and artists of the Aspen Music Festival and School settle into Aspen and Snowmass for the summer, a multicultural world moves in with them, bringing not only divergent and unique artistic sensibilities, but also cultural sensibilities from many countries and peoples throughout the world.
No other Main Street in the world can boast such an eclectic, polyglot population for three months. Instantly we become hosts to a united world — united in music, united in culture and yet still individuals — very akin to the ideals that made this country what it is.
The eclectic ideal transfers into the programming for this weekend, with an Americana July 4 program on Friday at 4 p.m. in the Benedict Music Tent.
Saturday’s program boasts one of the most sought-after composers, Osvaldo Golijov and his creation for cello and orchestra, titled ‘Azul.’ Osvaldo’s musical world reflects his own personal conscience and his colorful background as a Boston-based composer from Argentina with Russian Jewish roots. There is a wonderful amalgam of cultures and a combined musical consciousness in his music, which bows to the traditions of musical forms, and yet flirts with Latino musical vernacular.
AMFS alumna Alisa Weilerstein rocked New York City last summer with this work and we are delighted to invite her back and feature her in a work she has made her own.
The gifted conductor David Robertson, who is a champion of works of our time as well as the standard repertory, will lead the Aspen Chamber Symphony on Saturday at 6 p.m. in the Golijov cello concerto, Azul, and Schubert’s valedictory work, Symphony No. 9.
Sunday’s Aspen Festival Orchestra program features music from Sweden, the Czech Republic and France conducted by an American — a wonderful rainbow of orchestral sounds. The preeminent violinist and Aspen darling Julia Fischer will perform the Dvorak Violin Concerto. The program includes composer Anders Hillborg’s Eleven Gates, an amalgam of unique and fresh orchestral sounds. Closing the program, guest conductor Alan Gilbert will present two brilliant flashes of orchestral writing by Maurice Ravel — one with a Spanish tinge and the other an orchestral depiction of the mythical Daphnis and Chloe.
Summer never sounded as good. Enjoy.
Asadour Santourian is artistic advisor and administrator for the Aspen Music Festival and School.
