Author: Sunny Johnson

We are so thrilled to have Jonathan Vinocour as our 2024 Guest Artist! Here is a little more about him, as well as some videos of his incredible playing and teaching!

Violist Jonathan Vinocour enjoys a varied career as an orchestral player, chamber musician, and soloist.  He was appointed Principal Viola of the San Francisco Symphony in 2009 having previously served as Principal Viola of the Saint Louis Symphony and Guest Principal of the Gewandhaus Orchestra of Leipzig and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.  Since that time, he has appeared frequently as a soloist with the San Francisco Symphony.  Concerto performances have also brought him to the Saint Louis Symphony, La Jolla Music Society, Mainly Mozart Festival Orchestra and the New World Symphony where he was a featured artist of their Viola Visions Festival alongside Tabea Zimmerman, Kim Kashkashian, Roberto Diaz, and Cynthia Phelps.  

A sought-after chamber musician, he is a regular guest of festivals such as the Seattle Chamber Music Society, La Jolla SummerFest, Marlboro, Bridgehampton, Salt Bay Festivals and Chamberfest Cleveland.  Chamber music partners have included Yefim Bronfman, Yo-Yo Ma, Augustin Hadelich, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Igor Levit and James Ehnes among others.  He also performs frequently on the chamber music series of the San Francisco Symphony and as a recitalist and chamber musician on concert series around the country.  

Vinocour graduated from Princeton University with a degree in chemistry and from the New England Conservatory where he studied with Kim Kashkashian.  An active and dedicated teacher, he serves on the faculty of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music as well as the Aspen Music Festival and School and is a frequent coach at the New World Symphony.  Vinocour plays on a 1784 Lorenzo Storioni viola on loan from the San Francisco Symphony.

Listen to his gorgeous rendition of Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet arranged by Borisovsky.

Then don’t miss this fantastic “Viola Visions” orchestral masterclass with the New World Symphony, featuring Jonathan Vinocour, Cynthia Phelps, and Roberto Díaz.
 

Stay tuned for more info on Viola Day, and remember to mark your calendars for October 12!

8:45-9:30: Check in (Front entrance, Thompson Hall)
9:30-11:30: Guest Artist Masterclass with Toby Appel
11:30-12:15 Pizza Party and Alto Clef Cookies!
12:15: Instrument Showcase with Utah Symphony Principal Violist Brant Bayless
1:00: Meet Your Maker – play all the violas!
2:00: Guest Artist Recital – Toby Appel, viola, with pianist Rieko Tsuchida and the Fry Street Quartet
3:00-3:30: Guest Artist Conversation, “My Friend, Rebecca”

PROGRAM
Johannes Brahms – Viola Quintet in F Major, Op. 88
Joaquin Turina – Scene Andalouse
Rebecca Clarke – Sonata for Viola and Piano

4:00: Bonus Event! Violist Alicia Valoti in Recital, Presented by the University of Utah*

*We have previously announced this event at 4:30. The correct time is 4:00.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The elevator in the Gardner Building is out of service. Dumke Hall (venue for masterclass, guest artist conversation, and recitals) will only be accessible by stairs.

Attention alto clef enthusiasts!! We are pleased to announce our focus for this Viola Day: the viola champion Rebecca Clarke! Our guest artist Toby Appel has a wonderful presentation to share on Viola Day about his relationship with Rebecca Clarke and her music, entitled “My Friend, Rebecca.”

Check out this superb recording of Toby Appel and Emmanuel Ax from 1976, playing the Rebecca Clarke Viola Sonata, which was relatively unknown at the time – what a gem!! Below is the link and some time stamps for your convenience:

https://www.wnyc.org/story/rebecca-clarke-90th-birthday/

8:00 Rebecca Clarke talks about composing the sonata for the Coolidge Competition.
12:00 Toby Appel and Emmanuel Ax perform the sonata, which they learned specifically for this broadcast celebrating Rebecca Clarke’s 90th birthday!
41:00 Toby and Emmanuel’s thoughts on the piece follow the performance.

And remember to mark your calendar for Viola Day on November 18! Schedule details coming next week!