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Fula Flute Ensemble: The Music of West Africa Saturday, May
3 at The Prallsville Mills, Stockton
The festival opens with a celebration of Mande culture featuring traditional and modern music of Guinea, Mali, Ivory Coast, and Sénégal. Performing selections from their new critically acclaimed CD are Bailo Bah—master of the tambin (fula flute) of the Fulani people—and instrumentalists on balafon, kora, and bass; some of the finest African and African-oriented musicians in North America today
"Fula Flute weaves a magical musical spell." Down Beat Magazine
"Charmed, amazing and magical flute." Maranhão Radio, Brazil
"The best concert I attended in a year-and-a half!" The New York Times
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- KEME
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Timothy Fain, violin: American Virtuoso Saturday, May 10 at 7:30 PM Old Greenwich Presbyterian Church, Bloomsbury, NJ
First Prize winner of the 1999 Young Concert Artists International auditions and the Mexico City Philharmonic Prize and recipient of a 2001 Avery Fisher Career Grant, violinist Timothy Fain is a virtuoso on the verge of stardom. He has received rave reviews and standing ovations for his debut recitals in New York, Boston, and Washington; solo appearances with orchestras throughout the country; performances at such festivals as Spoleto/Italy, Marlboro, Santa Fe, and Caramoor; and tours with The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. His program will include masterpieces for violin and piano by Mozart, Schubert, Prokofiev, and Waxman’s famed "Carmen Fantasy."
"Beautifully expressive, brilliant and elegant." The Strad (London)
"Sheer youthful exuberance and dazzling technical skill. Timothy Fain has everything he needs for a spectacular career as a violinist." The Washington Post
"Strong, beautifully shaded, and intensely emotional." Philadelphia Forum
"Extremely talented, his most striking qualities are his youthful exuberance and impetuosity, and his genuine musical feeling." Strings Magazine
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Elements Quartet: An Evening with the Elements Saturday, May 17 at 7:30 PM Stanton Reformed Church, Stanton, NJ
The Elements Quartet is dedicated to communicating the excitement of chamber music to contemporary audiences of all ages. Founded in 1999, the quartet’s repertoire ranges from Baroque classics to newly commissioned works by today’s most celebrated composers. Offering fresh insights into how chamber music can connect with today’s listeners, Elements Quartet was honored last year by being awarded the Norfolk/Yale Debut Prize for outstanding new ensemble. Composer Paul Moravec will be on hand for a preview of "Vince & Jan," his contribution to the quartet’s new Snapshots series of music inspired by personal photos. Moravec has earned such distinctions as the Rome Prize fellowship from the American Academy in Rome. Additional music by David Del Tredici, Zhou Long, Chen Yi, John Patitucci, John Corigliano, and others.
"It was gutsy playing. It was refined, knowledgeable playing. It was playing to die for." The Star-Ledger
"They played with precision and complete unity. It was superb in every imaginable way." Classical New Jersey
"This string quartet revealed a blend of passion, polish, intensity, nuance, maturity, imagination and humor." Detroit Free Press
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Glen Velez with The Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo Brazil and Beyond Saturday, May 24 at 7:30 PM Clinton Presbyterian Church, Clinton
Grammy Award-winning percussionist and composer Glen Velez is known to audiences everywhere for his performances and recordings with Paul Winter Consort, Steve Reich & Musicians, Pat Matheny, and Airto. Recently voted "Best Percussionist of the Year" by DRUM! Magazine, Velez takes audiences on a musical journey with original compositions and improvisations inspired by hand drumming traditions from around the world. In music of the Brazilian composer Celso Machado, Velez will be joined by The Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo—Ensemble-in-Residence at New York’s Mannes College of Music and Lafayette College with concert tours on five continents and ten acclaimed CDs. Award-winning composer and Raritan River Concerts’ Composer-in-Residence for 2003, Michael Karmon will discuss the world premiere of his new guitar duet, "Caught in the Headlights."
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Listen - Guitar Duo
Listen - Glen Velez
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