The Aspen Music Festival and School continues its brio experimentation with new technologies and programs that allow us to expand outside the United States into Europe, Asia and elsewhere, primarily by streaming many of our concerts. And we are not neglecting the good old technology: radio. Last Friday’s concert was broadcast live throughout the country courtesy of American Pubic Media.
Our international reach includes not only mass audiences, but individuals important in the global world of music. This week sees the first visit to the Aspen Music Festival of director John Gilhooly, of Wigmore Hall in London, described in the Times of London as “the best place for classical music in the world.” (Of course, the Times critic hasn’t yet listened to a concert in our own Harris Hall.) It is as important for us to get distinguished musical visitors to our “sacred place” as it is for our students and faculty to travel the world telling others about the magic of Aspen Music Festival. We are inviting music critics from around the world and have had the senior opera critic, Hugh Canning, of the Sunday Times of London as our guest. And last week the Financial Times reviewed AMFS performances of “La Cenerentola” and maestro Zinman’s brilliant conducting of the Aspen Chamber Orchestra.
Why is it important to expand our reputation beyond our own borders? Now that the AMFS is becoming known as the premiere summer festival and school in the United States, we are expanding the pool from which we attract talented students, faculty and audiences. And we are participating fully in a world in which music has no borders. Last week’s concerts included premieres of works by Chinese, Argentine and Swedish composers. We are truly one musical world now, and the AMFS is an integral part of that world.
Cita Stelzer is a member of the Aspen Music Festival and School National Council.
