“Apollo has found fruitful territory...” -- Houston Chronicle

Ancestral Voices2014 - 2015 SEASON

On behalf of Apollo Chamber Players, I am delighted to announce our 2014/15 season of Ancestral Voices, an exploration of the cultural heritage and folkloric inspirations of classical composers. Journeying from the Czech Republic and Hungary to Mexico and Japan, folk-based classical works and original arrangements/transcriptions connect seemingly disparate composers. Research collaborations with and pre-concert lectures by University of Houston and Rice University musicologists add contextual depth to the programs.

Ancestral Voices also heralds the inauguration of Apollo’s exciting commissioning project, 20x2020. (Project details on page 7.) New works by American composers Libby Larsen and Marty Regan see premieres in season concerts, while a new work by the winning composer of an international commissioning contest is featured alongside Bartók and Beethoven in the season finale concert.

Finally, Apollo continues to expand its national presence with performances across the country: we open Chamber Music Society Little Rock’s concert season in October and look forward to concert engagements in Grand Junction, CO; Fredericksburg, TX; and Lake Charles, LA.

Join Apollo for a season of inspiration whispered by Ancestral Voices.

Warm Regards,Matthew J. Detrick,

Artistic Director

CONCERT I: Bohemian Inception, American Inspiration September 21, 2014 | 6:00pm Duncan Recital Hall | Shepherd School of Music, Rice University

Apollo’s season-opening concert combines the inspirations of Czech composer AntonínDvořák with the soundscapes of African-American spirituals. Dvořák, an avid proponent of incorporating folk idioms into compositions, was so moved by African-American folk song (shared by protégé Henry Thacker Burleigh) that he imbued many of his works written while living in the US with this rich music. Florence Price was one of the first African-American female composers to gain notoriety, and she was inspired by Dvořák to use the folkloric music of her ancestors in her works.

Featured in this program is the world premiere of a newly commissioned work by internationally acclaimed American composer Libby Larsen, based on Dvořák’s relationship to African-American spirituals. James Dunham, professor of viola at Rice University and Grammy winner with legendary Cleveland Quartet, will join Apollo as guest artist for Dvořák’s quintet.

PROGRAM• Libby Larsen: Commissioned Work, WORLD PREMIERE• Henry Thacker Burleigh: Six Plantation Melodies (Arr. Apollo)• Florence Beatrice Price: American Folksongs in Counterpoint (Unpublished manuscript) & Fantasie Negre (Arr. Apollo)• Antonin Dvořák: String Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 97, featuring guest artist James Dunham, viola

Ancestral Voices Season Concerts

“..zesty folk arrangements

for string quartet.”

-- WQXR, New York City

James Dunham

Libby Larsen

CONCERT II: East & West Transcended January 11 | 6:00pm January 13 | 7:30pm Christ the King Lutheran Church (Parish Hall)

East & West Transcended features the richness of Japanese folk music traditions and their relationship to Western musical language. Esteemed Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu maintained a complex relationship to Japanese folk music and was intrigued by the colors of French Impressionist music; Kosaku Yamada, who studied with Max Bruch in Berlin, is responsible for introducing Western music to post-

isolationist Japan. Showcasing the program is the world premiere of a new work by composer Marty Regan, a piece fusing Western compositional style with Japanese folk music aesthetics.

Pianist Viktor Valkov, first prize winner of the New Orleans International Piano Competition (2012), makes a return appearance as guest artist.

PROGRAM• Marty Regan: Commissioned Work, WORLD PREMIERE• Takemitsu: Rocking Mirror Daybreak• Max Bruch: 8 Pieces for violin, viola and piano, Op. 83• Debussy: Piano Trio in G Major• Kosaku Yamada: String Quartet No. 1 & selected Japanese folksongs (Arr. Apollo)

Marty Regan

Ancestral VoicesSeason Concerts

CONCERT III: Mexican Kaleidoscope March 22 | 6:00pm March 24 | 7:30pm Christ the King Lutheran Church (Parish Hall)

Time travel with Apollo from colonial New Spain and 18th century Italy to modern Mexico and back again. Manuel Ponce revisits the spirit of his ancestor Manuel de Zumaya in a revival of neo-Baroque styles. Nationalistic composers Carlos Chávez and Silvestre Revueltas - while reviving the folkloric music of their native Mexico - also found inspiration in the radical musical styles of Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. Explore the fascinating cross-pollination of musical murmurs and inspirations in this musical kaleidoscope. University of Houston musicologist Dr. Howard Pollack presents a pre-concert lecture.

PROGRAM• Carlos Chávez: String Quartet No. 1• Silvestre Revueltas: Quartet No. 4 Musica de Feria (Music of the Fair)• Stravinsky: Three Pieces for String Quartet• Manuel Ponce: Petite suite dans le style ancien (Little Suite in the Ancient Style) & Estrellita folksong (Arr. Apollo)• Vivaldi: Trio Sonata No. 12 in D Minor, La Folia• Manuel de Zumaya: Si ya a aquella nave

“..wonderful program..

inspired performance...”

-- Stanislav Benes, Consul General of the Czech Republic in New York

CONCERT IV: Hungarian Folk Lyricism Friday, May 1, 2015 | 8:00pm Duncan Recital Hall | Shepherd School of Music, Rice University

Apollo’s season-finale program continues the group’s Bartók string quartet cycle and showcases quartets inspired by the Gypsy (Roma) and Hungarian folk traditions. Beethoven weaves a Roma-flavored melody in the finale of his String Quartet in C minor, for him a rare excursion into this style, while American composer Dana Wilson captures the Hungarian musical mood in his contemporary work, Hungarian Folk Songs. This concert features the world premiere of a work from 20x2020’s international commissioning contest based on Hungarian and Roma idioms. University of Houston ethnomusicologist Dr. Barbara Rose Lange assists in research and presents a pre-concert lecture.

PROGRAM• 20x2020 commissioning contest winning work, WORLD PREMIERE• Dana Wilson: Hungarian Folk Songs (2008)• Beethoven: String Quartet in C Minor, Op. 18 No. 4• Bartók: String Quartet No. 3• Hungarian folk music (arr. Apollo)• Roma folk music (arr. Apollo)

Ancestral VoicesSeason Concerts

20 new folk music-inspired works by 2020. Apollo is thrilled to announce the embarkment of an ambitious, multi-year commissioning project: 20x2020. During thecourse of this six-season venture, 20 new folk-inspired works will be commissioned from a diversity of composers. Acclaimed American composer Libby Larsen launches 20x2020 with a work exploring the connections between Czech folk music and African-American spirituals, premiered at our season-opening concert; a Japanese-themed work by Marty Regan highlights our January program. During the project’s tenure additional composers of note - to be announced at the start of each season - will write Apollo new commissioned works.

An integral aspect of 20x2020 is a recurring international commissioning contest to seek out new works and emerging talent. Following a world-wide ‘call for scores’, Apollo and its 20x2020 advisors will select a winning composition and award the composer with a commissioning contract. Concurrently, student-only competitions will help foster the next generation of composers, while educational programs curated from select 20x2020 works will touch thousands of students in Houston and around the country.

Kindly consider a gift to 20x2020. Your generous contributions are essential to ensurethe project’s reach and vitality. Support this endeavor to cultivate one of the great treasures of Western culture, and experience folk music as a timeless muse!(See below for contribution levels.)

20x2020 Advisory PanelDr. Art Gottschalk, Professor of Composition and Theory, Rice UniversityDr. Karim Al-Zand, Associate Professor of Composition and Theory, Rice UniversityDr. Marcus Maroney, Assistant Professor of Composition, University of Houston

20x2020 Contribution Levels (All benefits cumulative.)• Apollo Angel ($50,000+) Leave a timeless musical legacy. Fund one commissioned work of substantial length by a composer of wide acclaim.* Collaborative possibilities on composer/theme; exclusive naming rights. Private, in-home preview.• Underwriter ($20,000-$49,999) Fund one commissioned work of moderate length by a composer of wide acclaim.* Collaborative possibilities on composer/theme; naming rights. Dinner with the artists and composer.• Benefactor ($5,000-$19,999) Fund one commissioned work.* Naming rights. • Autographed copy of manuscript.• Patron ($1,000-$5,000) Fund a portion of one commissioned work. Naming opportunity. ‘Meet & greet’ and pictures with 20x2020 composers. Exclusive invitations to post-concert receptions.• Sponsor ($500-$999) Reserved seating at all season concerts • Commissioned work CD (release date TBA). One complimentary season ticket.• Contributor ($100-$499) Named recognition in concert programs and publicity materials.

*Fees vary according to composer and length of work; please inquire for further details.

Please contact Artistic Director Matthew Detrick for 20x2020 inquiries and gift planning:832-496-9943 • mattdetrick@apollochamberplayers.org

Czech Center Museum 10th Anniversary Celebration9/5/14 • Houston, TX

St. James Episcopal Evening Concerts9/28/14 • Conroe, TX

Concert for Peace, Music at St. Philip Presbyterian Church10/4/14 • Houston, TX

Chamber Music Society Little Rock10/9/14 • Little Rock, AR

Lake Charles UMC Concert Series11/11/14 • Lake Charles, LA

Grand Junction Symphony Chamber Series2/21/15 • Grand Junction, CO

St. Paul Lenten Recital Series3/12/15 • Houston, TX

Fredericksburg Music Club3/15/15 • Fredericksburg, TX

Music Under the Stars, Classical Concert Series4/17/15 • West University, TX

Calder Baptist Chamber Music SeriesTBA • Beaumont, TX

Touring and Regional Concerts

1702 Drew Street, Houston, TX 77004

info@apollochamberplayers.org

832-496-9943

apollochamberplayers.org

“...virtuosic, genuine and passionate...its original folk arrangements tour-de-force

compositions that feature the group’s strengths.” -- CultureMap Houston

Top, L to R: Anabel Ramirez, Matthew DetrickBottom, L to R: Whitney Bullock, Matthew Dudzik

Through its mission to explore the rich intersection of classical and folk/ethnic music, Apollo Chamber Players has gained prestige through innovative, thematically programmed concerts and culturally enriching educational activities. During their 2013 East Coast Tour and Carnegie Hall debut, the group performed for over 1,000 enthusiastic concert-goers, including dignitaries from the Consulates General of Bulgaria and the Czech Republic of New York. Winner of HoustonPress’ 2014 MasterMinds award, Apollo was one of three organizations in Houston to be recognized for positively impacting the local arts community.

European Folkscapes, Apollo’s debut album, was named ‘Album of the Week’ by WQXR-FM in New York City and has been featured on radio stations across the country. It showcases traditional European folk melodies in dynamic new contexts, featuring original arrangements transcribed from field recordings and Fantasy on Bulgarian Rhythms, a newly commissioned work by Rice University composer Karim Al-Zand. European Folkscapes was sponsored in part by Houston Arts Alliance and the City of Houston.

Photography by Cris Stephens

Graphics/Teresa Southwell/tbsgraphics.com

INCLUDE A DONATION WITH YOUR SUBSCRIPTION FOR ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Support and Major Funding Provided by:

SUBSCRIBE OR RENEW BY JUNE 30 FOR: • 30% SAVINGS ON INDIVIDUAL TICKETS • Free ticket for a friend (one per subscription)EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS FOR ALL SEASON SUBSCRIBERS: • Reserved seating for you and your guests • Complimentary ticket exchanges; option to donate ticket(s) to students, low-income patrons • Exclusive invitation to post-concert receptions (select concerts) Mix and mingle with guest artists and 20X2020 composers • 20% discount on all Apollo merchandise (including CD’s)

Season Subscriber Benefits

Fandango ($2,500+) • A private, collaboratively curated concert by Apollo Chamber Players at your home or business • Access to select PRIVATE REHEARSALS during the season • Additional pair of complimentary season tickets

Mazurka (1,000-$2,499) • Exclusive invitations to post-concert receptions • ‘Meet & greet’ and pictures with guest artists and 20X2020 composers • Two complimentary season tickets

Csárdás ($500-$999) • Reserved seating at all concerts • 20% discount on all Apollo merchandise • One complimentary season ticket

Danzón ($100-$499) • Autographed European Folkscapes CD • Complimentary pair of single concert tickets

Polka ($50-$99) • Named recognition in concert programs

Contribution LevelsINDIVIDUALKindly consider a gift at one of the membership tiers below. FANDANGO membership is the most prestigious level of donor involvement with Apollo Chamber Players. Members make significant gifts at the Mazurka ($1,000 or more) and Csárdás ($500 or more) levels to ensure that Houston’s most creative and dynamic chamber music organization continues to thrive. (All benefits cumulative.)

Apollo Chamber Players is fiscally sponsored by FreshArts, a non-profit arts service organization.

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To subscribe now:• Call 832.496.9943• Order online at apollochamberplayers.org• Fill out the subscription form below and mail it to: Apollo Chamber Players • 1702 Drew St. • Houston, TX 77004

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Ancestral Voices Subscription Packages4- CONCERT SUBSCRIPTIONConcert 1 (Bohemian Inception, American Inspiration): Sep. 21Select one: Concert 2 (East & West Transcended): Jan. 11___ OR Jan. 13___ Select one: Concert 3 (Mexican Kaleidoscope): March 22___ OR March 24___ Concert 4 (Hungarian Folk Lyricism): May 1

General Senior Donation Amount TotalAdmission (65+) (tax-deductible)$85____ $70___ $________________ $ _____

3-CONCERT SUBSCRIPTIONMIX & MATCH your choice of three concertsSelect Dates:Concert 1 (Bohemian Inception, American Inspiration): Sep. 21___

Concert 2 (East & West Transcended): Jan. 11___ OR Jan. 13___

Concert 3 (Mexican Kaleidoscope): March 22___ OR March 24___

Concert 4 (Hungarian Folk Lyricism): May 1___

General Senior Donation Amount TotalAdmission (65+) (tax-deductible)$60____ $50___ $_____________ $ _____

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