Enrico Elisi: Reflections on the Amalfi Piano Program
Now that the Amalfi Piano Program has come to a close, how would you reflect on the value of the festival with regard to the students and faculty who participated, yourself included, and what do you believe future students would gain from participating in the festival?
Let me indulge in an exercise of comparison between a summer program such as that of the Amalfi Coast Festival, and a more typical program that is generally offered by any North American institution during th
Yoshi Nagai on the Unique Amalfi Festival Experience
How do you think the Amalfi Coast Music & Arts differs from other programs? The obvious thing is that it is on the Amalfi Coast, in a beautiful resort town with so many Italians and not a bunch of tourists. There are a lot of festivals in Italy and throughout Europe, but often times there you will have so many tourists from America. If you’re studying in America and you see and hear fellow countrymen, I mean that’s okay, but at this festival we have a lot of international stu
Philip Glass: A Retrospective Tribute by Paul Barnes
On Saturday, July 23rd, the Amalfi Coast Music & Arts Festival will present renowned pianist Paul Barnes in concert at the historic Convento di San Francesco in Tramonti, Italy, in a recital dedicated to the contemporary minimalist composer Philip Glass. The solo recital is planned as a retrospective tribute to the two artists’ two decades long relationship. The event also honors Glass’s upcoming 80th birthday. The concert program will feature repertoire that progresses ch
Introducing Boris Slutsky
by Jeannette Fang We are thrilled to welcome the international powerhouse of Boris Slutsky to the Amalfi Coast Music and Arts Piano Program. Professor Slutsky is currently the chair of the Peabody Conservatory’s Piano department, where he has taught since 1993. His activities as a performer, teacher, and adjudicator are in high demand, as evidenced by his packed summer itinerary, which involves judging at the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, and teaching and p
Concert Review: Young Artist Series #3
by Hyae-jin Hwang On Sunday afternoon at the Reginna Auditorium in Maiori, the audience was treated to the third concert in the Young Artist Series.
Bit Nal Choi opened the recital with an energetic performance of Chopin’s Fantasia in F minor, Op. 49, full of color and character. She maintained an unerring sense of direction and clarity throughout, phrasing beautifully in this long and difficult work. An expressive pianist with a warm and inviting sound, she conveyed the p
Presentation Review: Thomas Mastroianni
by Jeannette Fang In the spirit of active generosity, the directors of the Amalfi Coast Music Festival came up with the creative idea of having Pedagogy Sessions, a sort of workshopping of ideas to introduce to the Hotchkiss kids into the mind of a teacher. As Thomas Mastroianni introduced it, students would get a chance to know how teachers thought, why they did and said certain things, and what they believed was the most effective way to reach and benefit a student.
St
Concert Review: Young Artist Series #2
by Josh Wright The second Young Artist Concert was a treat for those in attendance at the Amalfi Coast Music Festival, highlighting three of the world's best and brightest young students. Starting off the concert was Elliot Wuu, whose crystalline technique and polished finesse may have left his older colleagues feeling the urge to hit the practice room hard the next day. His performance was charming, to say the least, and never overstated. He serves the music, and in his humi
Concert Review: Young Artist Series #1
by Josh Wright Set atop a hill in a beautiful Abbey with long, curved hallways and an intimate recital room, the first Young Artists' Concert portrayed the incredible potential and skill of the students here at the Amalfi Coast Music Festival. Starting off the concert was Hyae-jin Hwan, playing two movements from Ravel's Miroirs. The ethereal "Oiseaux triste" was longing, atmospheric, and painted the perfect picture of distant bird calls. In contrast, Hwan's performance of "A
Masterclass Review: John Perry #1
by Jeannette Fang The avuncular John Perry began his masterclass with the task of humorously trying to locate his performers, setting up an easy interaction that was friendly and entertaining.
Sophia Pileggi was the first to play, delivering with poise Bach’s Toccata in e minor. Perry talked about the appropriate Baroque touch to use, advising against using a Romantic sound or using “winsome endings” that would be anachronistic. What he said was helpful for all of us, suc
Concert Review: Independence Day Concert
by Moon Kyoung Kim The Independence Day concert was a very special experience both for the performers and the audience. The piano was placed in the beautifully decorated garden of the Town Hall. The scent of flowers was carried on the gentle breeze, the audience in attendance delightfully waiting for the concert.
The concert began with an impromptu performance of the national anthems of U. S. A. and Italy. Immediately following, Logan Skelton came up to the stage and delive
