Classical Action presents Josefowicz and Novacek on Feb 10
Classical Action: Performing Arts Against AIDS opens its 2012 Michael Palm Series of intimate house concerts on Friday, February 10, presenting violinist and MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient Leila Josefowicz in recital with pianist John Novacek. Held in the Tribeca loft apartment of supporters Simon Yates and Kevin Roon, who have generously hosted the Michael Palm Series since 2010, the concert marks the duo’s fourth collaboration for Classical Action as well as its debut as part of the New York City-based salon series named after the charity’s late benefactor. Music making begins at 7:30pm, with wine and hors d’oeuvres served starting at 6:30pm. Tickets for all concerts in the Michael Palm Series can be purchased online at www.classicalaction.org or by calling Classical Action at (212) 997-7717.
Josefowicz comes to the Michael Palm series hot off a string of stellar performances of violin concertos by living composers: Steven Mackey’s Beautiful Passing – written for Josefowicz in 2008 – with the National Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Adès’s Violin Concerto with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, and Esa-Pekka Salonen’s Grawemeyer Award-winning Violin Concerto with the Filarmonica della Scala, conducted by the composer. The Washington Post lauded her recent performance of Mackey’s Beautiful Passing, declaring, “The radiant Josefowicz…presented a small-scale intimacy so intense that it pulled the energy of the whole orchestra into her orbit.”
Novacek, in addition to being a renowned soloist and recitalist, is also a world-class collaborative pianist. Of a recent recital with Josefowicz, the Los Angeles Times remarked, “Novacek’s contributions cannot be exaggerated. His partnering is at once brilliant and unobtrusive; without slighting any musical values, he underplays handsomely while accomplishing technical feats many pianists can’t even consider: varieties of touch, a huge dynamic range, nuances of statement and the bold use of all his pianistic resources within the parameters imposed by the genre.”
Later this season, the 2012 Michael Palm Series continues with two additional concerts by world-class performers. First, on March 10 the award-winning baritone Thomas Hampson is joined by his son-in-law, rising star bass-baritone Luca Pisaroni, in their first US appearance together, with pianist Carrie-Ann Matheson. On May 17, Christine Brewer, recently named among the BBC’s top 20 sopranos of the 20th century, performs with pianist Craig Rutenberg.
About the performers
Leila Josefowicz came to national attention in 1994 when she made her Carnegie Hall debut with Sir Neville Marriner and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, and she has since appeared with the world’s most prestigious orchestras and eminent conductors. A regular collaborator with leading composers of the day, she is a passionate advocate of new music, for which she was awarded a 2008 MacArthur Fellowship. During the 2011-12 season, Josefowicz appears with the Boston and San Francisco symphonies playing the Salonen concerto under the baton of the composer, and she joins the Cleveland Orchestra and Franz Welser-Möst for a performance of the Adams Violin Concerto at the Lincoln Center Festival. She is the Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2011-12 Artist in Residence.
Pianist John Novacek regularly tours the Americas, Europe and Asia as solo recitalist, chamber musician and concerto soloist; in the latter capacity he has presented more than 30 concerti with dozens of orchestras. His performances have been heard in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall and Alice Tully Hall, the Kennedy Center, Boston’s Symphony Hall, Wigmore Hall, Musée du Louvre, and major concert halls of Japan. He took top prizes at the Leschetizky and Joanna Hodges international piano competitions.
About Classical Action’s Michael Palm Series
Classical Action: Performing Arts Against AIDS was founded in 1993 by Charles Hamlen, who now serves in a dual capacity as director of the charitable organization and chairman of IMG Artists, the performing arts management company he co-founded in 1984. Classical Action became a fundraising program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS in 1997. The not-for-profit organization draws upon the talents, resources, and generosity of the performing arts community to raise vitally needed funds for HIV/AIDS service, education, and prevention programs across the country. Funds are raised through special events, private house concerts, recording and merchandising projects, individual donations, and foundation and corporate support. In the 18 years since Classical Action opened its fundraising doors, it has raised more than $8 million. Additional information is available at www.classicalaction.org.
Michael Palm, a generous and enthusiastic supporter of Classical Action, spearheaded the concept of private benefit house concerts, hosting several at his penthouse apartment 37 floors above Lincoln Center. A supporter of a wide range of performing arts and HIV/AIDS organizations, Michael died in 1998, but his memory thrives in the spirit and name of the Michael Palm Series, to benefit Classical Action.
Classical Action: Michael Palm Series 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
Michael Palm Series
Leila Josefowicz, violin
John Novacek, piano
At the home of Simon Yates and Kevin Roon. New York City
Tickets are $250 ($175 tax-deductible)
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Michael Palm Series
Thomas Hampson, baritone
Luca Pisaroni, bass-baritone
At the home of Simon Yates and Kevin Roon. New York City
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Christine Brewer, soprano
Craig Rutenberg, piano
At the home of Simon Yates and Kevin Roon. New York City
www.classicalaction.org
Follow Classical Action on Facebook
Follow Classical Action on Twitter