America’s Premier Winter Music Festival (February 3 - March 2), presents top artists of Classical, Broadway, Jazz and Pop in venues throughout Scottsdale and Carefree.
Highlights include the world music of classical chamber ensemble Imani Winds; Dan Levinson’s Palomar Quartet – plus The Anderson Twins – in a three clarinet salute to Benny Goodman; piano soloist Andrew von Oeyen in recital; journeys in jazz with the Tamir Hendelman Trio; the Greatest Hits of the ‘70s; and, chanteuse Barbara Rosene in one very special Valentine’s Dinner. Chris Brubeck is our Artist-in-Residence this year, appearing as a classical composer, performing as a member of the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, and sharing the spotlight in Bob Moody’s Cabaret.
At the heart of Arizona Musicfest 2012 is the Festival Orchestra conducted by Robert Moody. Musicians from the nation’s finest orchestras are hand-chosen by Maestro Moody to come to Arizona to perform in four exceptional concerts.
“Today, our one true escape from the incessant noise that permeates our lives is music,” said Moody. “We are especially rejuvenated with a live performance where we all journey together in a profound and thrilling experience. We musicians feel it as we perform and you sense it in the concert hall. Nothing is more powerful.”
2.3.12 at 7:30pm Greatest Hits of the ‘70s North Scottsdale Christian These are the songs you love – they made you laugh, they made you cry, they made you dance – starring four top Broadway performers who make the soundtrack of an era come to life. It’s the ultimate “feel-good” show! …details
2.7.12 at 7:30pm Around the World with Imani Winds Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Chamber music with a hip, sophisticated twist! This Grammy Award nominated quartet – Valerie Coleman, flute; Toyin Spellman-Diaz, oboe; Mariam Adam, clarinet; Jeff Scott, horn; Monica Ellis, bassoon – takes its intimate knowledge of world music and infuses new spirit into much loved classics. Savor Mendelssohn’s Scherzo from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin, and Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring with a hint of musical spices from around the world. …details
2.10.12 at 7:30pm Three Clarinet Salute to Benny Goodman North Scottsdale Christian Dan Levinson’s Palomar Quartet – plus The Anderson Twins – plays the great standards in a tribute to Benny Goodman’s small ensembles. Jazz aficionados call this, “The Three Benny Opera!” Generating all the wizardry and excitement of an unforgettable era, from Avalon to Wang Wang Blues: Dan Levinson, clarinet; Pete Anderson, clarinet; Will Anderson, clarinet; Matt Hoffmann, vibes; Mark Shane, piano; Jeff Hamilton, drums. Guest vocalist Molly Ryan adds evocative vocals. …details
2.12.12 at 3:00pm Piano Brilliance – Andrew von Oeyen in Recital Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Spend the afternoon with four of the world’s great composers as summoned forth by one of the world’s young stars in his Arizona debut. With his commanding technique and subtle interpretations, von Oeyen is described as “an American treasure” and “one of the greatest pianists of his generation.” Sonatas by Scarlatti, Schumann’s Carnaval, Op. 9, Ligeti’s Musica ricercata, Liszt’s Nuages gris, and Verdi/Liszt Rigoletto Paraphrase are nothing less than piano brilliance! …details
2.14.12 at 6:00pm Valentine’s Dinner – Love Songs by Candlelight Fairway House at Grayhawk It’s nothin’ but love, baby, as Barbara Rosene sings all the great love songs at this very special Valentine’s Day dinner cabaret. Seductively rich interpretations of classic romantic tunes will be served, among them: My Funny Valentine, It Had To Be You, Fools Rush In, My Foolish Heart, I Remember You, and The Shadow of Your Smile. Rosene has a heightened understanding of what’s behind a song, having shared the stage with both jazz icons and contemporary greats. This lyrical intelligence, plus her “young Streisand” energy, has earned her rave reviews and the distinction of a place in Scott Yanow’s Great Jazz Singers. Conal Fowkes accompanies Rosene on piano and vibraphone. …details
2.16.12 at 7:30pm Journeys in Jazz – Tamir Hendelman Trio Fairway House at Grayhawk Tamir Hendelman leads the Trio in music inspired by his travels and personal journey as a jazz pianist. From Alaska to New York, and Thailand to Israel, Hendelman and his Trio – Paul Keller, string bass; Sean Dobbins, drum set – explores jazz standards, Brazilian music, blues and his Israeli roots. “Wrap your Troubles in Dreams” as you enjoy tunes by Duke Ellington, Jerome Kern, Horace Silver, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Charlie Parker, and Lerner and Loewe. Hendelman performs and records with celebrated artists such as Gladys Knight, Diana Krall, Natalie Cole, and Barbra Streisand. …details
2.17.12 at 7:30pm Journeys in Jazz – Tamir Hendelman Trio Fairway House at Grayhawk Tamir Hendelman leads the Trio in music inspired by his travels and personal journey as a jazz pianist. From Alaska to New York, and Thailand to Israel, Hendelman and his Trio – Paul Keller, string bass; Sean Dobbins, drum set – explores jazz standards, Brazilian music, blues and his Israeli roots. “Wrap your Troubles in Dreams” as you enjoy tunes by Duke Ellington, Jerome Kern, Horace Silver, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Charlie Parker, and Lerner and Loewe. Hendelman performs and records with celebrated artists such as Gladys Knight, Diana Krall, Natalie Cole, and Barbra Streisand. …details
2.18.12 at 5:00pm Bob Moody’s Cabaret with Chris Brubeck Fairway House at Grayhawk Multi-talented Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra conductor Bob Moody teams up with the irrepressible blues-pop-classical-jazzman Chris Brubeck (son of the legendary Dave Brubeck) and musician friends in an unscripted evening of music, laughter and fun. This is the night when Bob puts down his baton and sings or plays his favorite tunes, interspersed with backstage stories. Said Chris Brubeck, “I’m looking forward to having a blast making music with the amazingly talented Bob Moody!” Expect memorable music and spontaneous insiders’ stories… it’s improv practiced at its multi-genre best! …details
2.18.12 at 8:00pm Bob Moody’s Cabaret with Chris Brubeck Fairway House at Grayhawk Multi-talented Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra conductor Bob Moody teams up with the irrepressible blues-pop-classical-jazzman Chris Brubeck (son of the legendary Dave Brubeck) and musician friends in an unscripted evening of music, laughter and fun. This is the night when Bob puts down his baton and sings or plays his favorite tunes, interspersed with backstage stories. Said Chris Brubeck, “I’m looking forward to having a blast making music with the amazingly talented Bob Moody!” Expect memorable music and spontaneous insiders’ stories… it’s improv practiced at its multi-genre best! …details
2.21.12 at 7:30pm Classical Passion Robert Moody conducts the Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra Pinnacle Presbyterian Church Robert Moody opens Festival Orchestra Week with the magnificent instrumental and emotional resonance of Joseph Jongen, Edward Elgar and Jean Sibelius. Following intermission is a wonderful surprise piece selected by the Maestro and announced from the podium, a true revelation! Noted organ soloist James Jones and the orchestra join forces in Jongen’s triumphant tour de force, the Toccata. Elgar’s Concerto in E Minor for Cello and Orchestra is a tender and introspective work performed with heightened depth by soloist Brant Taylor, distinguished member of the Chicago Symphony. The Sibelius Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Opus 43 is a radiant paean to the joy of living, the Finnish composer at his most powerful best. This concert has passion written all over it. …details
2.23.12 at 7:30pm Maestro’s Mix Robert Moody conducts the Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra Pinnacle Presbyterian Church Maestro Moody mixes it up: superb melodies, instrumental pyrotechnics and romance! The four short movements of Antonin Dvorak’s joyous Serenade for Winds in D Minor, Opus 44 will charm you just as they did Johannes Brahms. It’s a lyrical delight that transcends generations. Felix Mendelssohn’s Concerto in E Minor for Violin and Orchestra featuring promising young soloist Andrea Segar is a “sonic marvel”, and absolute powerhouse. Romeo and Juliet, Suites No. 1 and 2 by Sergei Prokofiev is sexy, zesty, sparkling and dynamic, conveying all the richness of Shakespeare. The bard’s immortal words are woven into the evening’s enchantment, brought to life by lauded Valley actors. …details
2.24.12 at 7:30pm Brubeck Brothers Quartet with the Festival Orchestra conducted by Robert Moody Pinnacle Presbyterian Church The second generation of America’s “first family of music,” the Brubeck Brothers Quartet – Chris Brubeck, bass and trombone; Dan Brubeck, drums; Mike DeMicco, guitar; Chuck Lamb, piano – joins the Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra conducted by Robert Moody. Dave Brubeck’s memorable In Your Own Sweet Way, transcribed for orchestra by brother Howard, begins the evening’s synergy between quartet, orchestra and audience. Then the Quartet swings into classic jazz with the sixty orchestra members as sidemen on Black & Blue, Unsquare Dance, Take Five, and We’re Still in Love After All These Years. Among the many highlights in this jazz and classical blend is Chris’ Concerto for Bass Trombone, with Chris and the Quartet soloing. Another guaranteed crowd-pleaser is the “Audience Choice Overture!” You pick the Overture you’d most like to hear by voting for one of six wonderful choices. …details
2.25.12 at 2:00pm TheVerdi Requiem – Dress Rehearsal Robert Moody conducts the Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra, Soloists & Chorus Pinnacle Presbyterian Church …details
2.26.12 at 3:00pm TheVerdi Requiem Robert Moody conducts the Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra, Soloists & Chorus Pinnacle Presbyterian Church The Verdi Requiem is a mind-altering experience! Long, arching melodic passages of exceptional beauty and punctuated with thunderbolts of the composer’s apocalyptic vision. Exceptional soloists Barbara Quintiliani, soprano; Beth Clayton, mezzo-soprano; Gaston Rivero, tenor; Wayne Tigges, bass-baritone; and a magnificent chorus join the all-star Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra in Verdi’s dramatic masterwork in all its operatic glory. Definitely not an ecclesiastic requiem! This work of epic proportions was created as a heroic monument and continues to be performed as originally intended, in tribute to beloved cultural icons. “Guaranteed to have the hair on the back of your neck standing up,” said the BBC. …details
3.2.12 at 7:30pm From A to Z – Abba to Les Miz – Broadway’s Best! North Scottsdale Christian Signature tunes from hit shows Mamma Mia!, Chicago, Rent, Jersey Boys Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Cats and Jesus Chris Superstar, sung by Broadway’s Nat Chandler and Teri Dale Hansen, backed by a hot piano combo, make this the ultimate Big Apple experience. Chandler’s multi-faceted career on Broadway includes title roles in shows from Camelot to Spamalot. The recipient of two Barrymore Award nominations for Best Actor, Chandler is also an accomplished vocalist, appearing as a soloist with orchestras around the country. Hansen headlined in Broadway, London’s West End and U.S. National Tour musical theater hits, earning a Kennedy Center Irene Ryan Award nomination and Variety accolades for “real vocal chops!” With major credits that range from Hal Prince’s Tony-winning Showboat to Gershwin at Lincoln Center, Hansen is a magical performer who never disappoints. …details
By Popular Demand – 2nd Show Added!
3.3.12 at 7:30pm From A to Z – Abba to Les Miz – Broadway’s Best! North Scottsdale Christian Signature tunes from hit shows Mamma Mia!, Chicago, Rent, Jersey Boys Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Cats and Jesus Chris Superstar, sung by Broadway’s Nat Chandler and Teri Dale Hansen, backed by a hot piano combo, make this the ultimate Big Apple experience. Chandler’s multi-faceted career on Broadway includes title roles in shows from Camelot to Spamalot. The recipient of two Barrymore Award nominations for Best Actor, Chandler is also an accomplished vocalist, appearing as a soloist with orchestras around the country. Hansen headlined in Broadway, London’s West End and U.S. National Tour musical theater hits, earning a Kennedy Center Irene Ryan Award nomination and Variety accolades for “real vocal chops!” With major credits that range from Hal Prince’s Tony-winning Showboat to Gershwin at Lincoln Center, Hansen is a magical performer who never disappoints. …details
America’s Premier Winter Music Festival (February 3 - March 2), presents top artists of Classical, Broadway, Jazz and Pop in venues throughout Scottsdale and Carefree.
Highlights include the world music of classical chamber ensemble Imani Winds; Dan Levinson’s Palomar Quartet – plus The Anderson Twins – in a three clarinet salute to Benny Goodman; piano soloist Andrew von Oeyen in recital; journeys in jazz with the Tamir Hendelman Trio; the Greatest Hits of the ‘70s; and, chanteuse Barbara Rosene in one very special Valentine’s Dinner. Chris Brubeck is our Artist-in-Residence this year, appearing as a classical composer, performing as a member of the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, and sharing the spotlight in Bob Moody’s Cabaret.
