2004 NY/LA Bi-Coastal Festival
Musica Bella and SMCO
Present Artist in Triple Role

In the fall of 2004, the talents of master musician David Avshalomov were showcased in a three-concert Festival in Manhattan built around his original classical compositions, followed by a final concert in Los Angeles. Avshalomov appeared in the rare triple role of composer, vocalist, and conductor, and gave an informal talk before each concert.

The New York portion of the Festival was presented under the general sponsorship of the city’s extraordinary Musica Bella Orchestra with additional support from the Meet the Composer Fund Program and the Composer Assistance Program of the American Music Center. The Los Angeles concert was co-sponsored by the Santa Monica Chamber Orchestra.

Mr. Avshalomov is originally from New York City but has lived in California for many years. (See his biography.) This Bi-Coastal Festival represented a double musical “homecoming” for him.

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The Festival began with a concert of a cappella choral music by the Davidson Singers under Virginia Davidson, on October 19 in the acoustically exquisite Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Manhattan. On the program were Avshalomov’s recently commissioned work, Where You Go, I Will Go «, a touching setting of the story of Ruth and Naomi for women’s chorus; Go Ahead and Rejoice, on a villanelle by his mother, poet Doris Avshalomov; and a group of selections from his grandest choral vision to date, the luscious Songs of Innocence and of Experience «, setting the cycle by William Blake, for mixed chorus a cappella. Several performances were local or world premieres. The concert was rounded out with anthems by William Billings and British chanties for men's voices.

Next, on October 22 in the same venue, came a varied concert of Avshalomov’s sophisticated neo-romantic chamber music and songs. This program featured the composer’s brother, violist Daniel Avshalomov of the world-renowned American String Quartet. Accompanied by Juilliard-trained pianist Pamela Pyle, Daniel performed David’s composition Torn Curtain « , a brilliant, emotional suite which the composer wrote especially for him. Musica Bella chamber musicians performed his intense, early String Quartet « , the four charming seasonal miniatures of Around the Year « for wind quintet, and the sunny, soulful Sonata Breve « for oboe and piano. Accompanied by Ms. Pyle, the composer also sang his Two Apocalyptic Songs (Ozymandias; The Ceremony of Innocence). Again, the concert presented several local and world premieres.

The grand finale of the Manhattan portion of this Avshalomov Bi-Coastal Festival was a full symphonic concert by the Musica Bella Orchestra under Founding Music Director Phillip Gaskill, on October 24 at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Manhattan. The program presented the world premiere of David Avshalomov’s colorful new orchestration, commissioned by Musica Bella, of his evocative Songs of Life « - Songs of Death, a cycle setting poems of Emily Dickinson, with bass-baritone Avshalomov as vocal soloist (earning an encore), and the East Coast premiere of his lyrical, poignant Elegy for Strings «. Maestro Avshalomov concluded the concert by guest-conducting Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique Symphony (No. 6). His performances and compositions were warmly received by the orchestra and an enthusiastic audience.

On his return to California, Mr. Avshalomov presented the final festival concert, combining his chamber works and vocal music, on Nov. 6 at the First Presbyterian Church in Santa Monica. The program, co-sponsored by the Santa Monica Chamber Orchestra and the church, featured distinguished L.A.-area artists. Oboist Amelia Russo Neustadt and pianist Wiliam Schmidt reunited to give the first public performance in LA of the Sonata Breve «, which Amelia commissioned. The Plein Air woodwind quintet took a turn with Around the Year «. World-renowned solo harpist Maria Casale performed two movements of the serious dynamic Sonata « which Avshalomov wrote for her, and the composer again sang the Songs of Life - Songs of Death « , this time in the original version with piano. The second half of the concert was sparked by the first public appearance of the superb Ocean Park Chamber Singers* under Dr. G. Edward Bruner, performing more selections from the Songs of Innocence and of Experience « , also with several local and world premieres. The appreciative audience included a number of distinguished local conductors and composers.

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For more information, email the artist at davshalomov@earthlink.net
*Lauri Goldenhersh, producer, Santa Monica - lauri@goldenhands.com

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