San Francisco International Piano Festival – Opening Night – Friday, August 22 at 8 pm
San Francisco International Piano Festival
Opening Night
Monsieur Ravel Comes to San Francisco: Recreating the 1928 Concert
Gwendolyn Mok, piano
Jeffrey LaDeur, piano
Heidi Moss Erickson, soprano
Kindra Scharich, mezzo-soprano
Chili Ekman, violin *
* Alumnus of Young Chamber Musicians
All works by Maurice Ravel
Shéhérazade
Histoires Naturelles
Pavane pour une infante défunte
Habanera
Violin Sonata
Chansons Grecques
Tombeau de Couperin (selections)
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
In celebration of his 150th birthday, the 8th annual San Francisco International Piano Festival will honor Maurice Ravel, one of the most influential and beloved composers of the 20th century. In 1928, Ravel toured the United States to great acclaim, and the voyage included a stop in San Francisco. Ravel’s concert here featured a mélange of his compositions for solo piano, song cycles, (including the intoxicating Shéhérazade) and his jazz-tinged violin sonata. It is this historic program that the festival recreates tonight as we open our season. Featured artists include pianists Gwendolyn Mok and Jeffrey LaDeur, mezzo-soprano Kindra Scharich, and violinist Chili Ekman. Don’t miss this slice of history as Monsieur Ravel comes to San Francisco!
*The festival will celebrate this concert in period style, so feel free to dress in your flapper best, and there will be a prize for the best socks!