On a very special Monday morning I found myself, along with a good friend, heading to Napa to visit Festival Napa Valley. This festival extends for about two weeks, offering 100 events, and half of them are free. Jennifer Grim states, “Festival Napa Valley is a special place where artists of the highest caliber gather in a beautiful setting for incredible performances”
I wondered, as we drove, would this free Monday morning concert be worth the time and effort to get there? It was! We had a unique and beautiful musical experience. And until July 21st, you can, too.
Arriving, we found parking easily and proceeded to the ECOLAB THEATRE AT CIA AT COPIA for the 11:00 performance. The building was lovely as was the auditorium which was welcoming, warm moderate in size, and had excellent acoustics, the perfect place to feel intimately connected to the performers. This day this audience was treated to Solidaire -Jennifer Grim, flute and Svet Stoyanov, percussion.
From the Solidaire website: “The inspiration for Solidaire was born from the struggle and isolation the world faced in 2020 and celebrates human creativity, resilience, equity, and connection. Flutist Jennifer Grim and percussionist Svet Stoyanov join forces by sharing their contrasting life experiences, diverse musical breadth, and vast sonic collective palette. Solidaire is dedicated to presenting imaginative, expertly executed, and fearlessly expressive musical experiences that transcend audiences into deeper connection with the art of music.” Indeed, we delighted in the “fearlessly expressive musical experiences”.
There is nothing in this program that would give you the sense of the unique quality as the sounds of the flute and marimba combined to produce sounds the were unlike anything I have ever heard, but wonderful, exciting, pleasing and intriguing.
Philip Glass (b. 1937): Opening from Glassworks (1981)
Tōru Takemitsu (1930-1996): Towards the Sea (1981) I. The Night
II. Moby Dick
III. Cape Cod
Tōru Takemitsu (1930-1996): Voice for solo flute (1971) Christopher Theofanidis (b. 1967): Aria for solo marimba (2016) Note: There was a last-minute change and percussionist Svet Stoyanov utilized a traditional Bulgarian wooden drum for a percussion piece.
Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992): Histoire du Tango (1985) I. Bordel 1900
II. Café 1930
III. Nightclub 1960
IV. Concert d’aujourd’hui ”
The musical quality of each piece was different but very pleasing and compelling. I was especially charmed and amazed by the two solo pieces. Flutist Jennifer Grim announced that her piece was an homage to Noh performances in Japan (Noh (能, Nō, derived from the Sino-Japanese word for “skill” or “talent”) is a major form of classical Japanese dance-drama that has been performed since the 14th century.) Having had the opportunity of attending a Noh performance in Japan, I found Grim’s piece remarkable. The flute took on so many voices to which she added her own voice, with words in several languages. Watching her “dance” with her flute was a joy.
Svet Stoyanov announced before began that he had been given permission to change his piece and that he would be sharing with the audience the way his traditional Bulgarian wooden drum was used in wedding ceremonies and other traditional events. He played top and bottom of the drum with a skin on one side and tin on the other. The sounds and rhythm were spellbinding as the emitted sounds became louder and faster.
The filled auditorium rose to an extended ovation showing appreciation for this memorable concert.
The high caliber of much of the music that is presented is due to the current partnership with the Frost School of music. The Frost School of Music at Festival Napa Valley is a multiyear partnership with the University of Miami, featuring the Frost School of Music faculty and students playing a leading role in the Festival’s pre-professional educational, chamber music, and orchestral music programming. The program is led by Artistic Administrator Jennifer Grim, Associate Professor of Flute at the Frost School of Music.
About the performers:
Hailed as “a deft, smooth flute soloist” by the New York Times, Jennifer Grim‘s remarkable depth and breadth as a performer of solo and chamber repertoire has gained broad national acclaim. Grim is currently an associate professor at The Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, and she serves on the Board of Directors of Chamber Music America.
Svet Stoyanov is a driving force in modern percussion who has performed more than 1,000 recitals and has presented over 200 masterclasses worldwide. Winner of the prestigious Concert Artists Guild International Competition, Stoyanov is currently an associate professor and Director of Percussion Studies at The Frost School of Music at the University of Miami.
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