Arts in Focus: 'the extraordinary violist Nokuthula Ngwenyama' replaces Cincinnati S. O. violist April 21 due to volcanic ash

[Rubinstein Sonatas; Nokuthula Ngwenyama, viola; Jennifer Lim, piano; EDI Records (2008)]

Cincinnati.com

Arts in Focus

With Janelle Gelfand

More volcanic ash fallout

Posted by jgelfand April 19th, 2010, 6:30 pm

“Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra music director Paavo Jarvi is unable to get out of Germany in time for the orchestra’s annual season preview luncheon on Wednesday in Music Hall’s Ballroom, and plans to greet symphony fans via Skype.” “Meanwhile, his soloist, violist Isabelle van Keulen of The Netherlands, canceled her appearance here due to the disruptions in air travel caused by volcanic ash. The orchestra announced late Monday that the extraordinary violist Nokuthula Ngwenyama will step in to make her CSO debut in Berlioz’ 'Harold in Italy.'”

AfriClassical recently posted this comment on Nokuthula Ngwenyama's first appearance with the Kansas City String Quartet, March 14, 2010:

“Nokuthula Ngwenyama made her Kansas City debut with 'It's a String Thing' benefit concert for the Kansas City String Quartet Program (KCSQP). Her stunning performance with iconic cellist Matt Haimovitz, prolific chamber musician Andy Simionescu, and KCSQP Artistic Director and Faculty member Elizabeth Suh Lane, received shouts of, 'Bravo' and a full house standing ovation. Kansas City was graced with a electrifying moment in Classical Music. Many thanks!!

Sincerely,

Roxanne Wu-Rebein

Executive Director

Kansas City String Quartet Program”

http://www.kcstringquartet.org

kcstringquartet@gmail.com

[Nokuthula Ngwenyama (b. 1976) is profiled at AfriClassical.com and her concert dates are found at: http://www.myspace.com/ngwenyama]

CincinnatiSymphony.org: 'Celebrating the CSO’s world premiere by...Jeffrey Mumford'

[Jeffrey Mumford; Photo: Al Fuchs, courtesy Oberlin Conservatory of Music]

Friday, March 27, 2009

CincinnatiSymphony.org

“Jeffrey Mumford Composer Residency

Celebrating the CSO’s world premiere by award-winning composer Jeffrey Mumford

Born in Washington, D.C., composer Jeffrey Mumford has received numerous awards, grants and commissions. He was also the winner of the inaugural National Black Arts Festival and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Composition Competition. Mumford’s works have been performed extensively in the United States and abroad including Vienna, Paris, London, Helsinki, Mexico, as well as at the Library of Congress, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the National, Chicago, Detroit and Atlanta Symphony Orchestras. '…this music…has a deeply thoughtful, even soulful integrity…Mumford is a composer to watch.' —Robert Carl, Fanfare

“Fri March 27 at 8 PM, Sat March 28 at 8 PM Music Hall

James Gaffigan conductor 

Colin Currie percussion

J. Mumford …and symphonies of deepening light…expanding …ever cavernous 

(World premiere commissioned for the CSO by Ann and Harry Santen in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary)

J. Higdon Percussion Concerto

Beethoven Symphony No. 5

Jeffrey Mumford creates a rich orchestration and a sophisticated rhythmic interplay in this new work commissioned for the CSO. Jennifer Higdon wrote her Percussion Concerto in 2005 as a thrilling showcase for Scottish percussionist Colin Currie. The concert is capped off with perhaps the most famous symphony of all time. Join us in Corbett Tower after the Saturday performance for a free post-concert reception with the composer.”