2024 Program Guide | Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music

CABRILLO FESTIVAL OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC 51 THE MUSE: PROGRAM NOTES in shaping the careers of many celebrated musicians, including Aaron Copland, Astor Piazzolla, Leonard Bernstein, Philip Glass, and Quincy Jones, to name only a few. While her compositions are less known, they are equally significant, showcasing her elegant and refined musical language. The Trois Pièces originally for cello and piano, demonstrate this sophistication, beautifully arranged here for violin and piano. Boulanger's influence extends beyond her own works, reflecting her enduring legacy as a mentor and visionary in the classical music world. Poem: The Muses Sappho (c. 630-570 BCE) Sappho, one of the earliest and most influential female poets, was a major figure of her time, renowned for her lyrical poetry that celebrated love, passion, and the arts. Living on the island of Lesbos in the 6th century BCE, Sappho's work was highly esteemed in ancient Greece, and she was often referred to as the "Tenth Muse" due to her profound impact on the literary world. Her poems, known for their emotional depth and personal expression, explore themes of desire, beauty, and the human experience, making her a central figure in the canon of Western literature. The Muses , in paying homage to the inspirational goddesses of literature, science, and the arts, reflects the enduring legacy of Sappho's contributions to these fields, highlighting her role as a source of inspiration and a pioneer in the celebration of artistic and intellectual pursuits. ‘Odyssey’ Rhapsody (2023) Lora Kvint (b. 1952) [World Premiere] Lora Kvint is one of the most celebrated Soviet- born composers, known for her significant contributions to symphonic repertoire, musical theater, opera, film, and T.V. Her works, such as the polystylist opera Giordano, musical The Count of Monte Cristo and the musical drama Pomegranate Bracelet , have received critical acclaim for their innovative approaches and emotional depth. One of her most notable recent compositions is the oratorio La Corrida (Bullfight Passions), inspired by the poetry of Yevgeny Yevtushenko, a celebrated Russian poet and dissident who resided in Tulsa, Oklahoma up until his death in 2017. Tonight's performance marks the World Premiere of Kvint's latest work for violin and piano, Odyssey Rhapsody , a piece especially composed for her son, violinist Philippe Quint. When Lora turned six, her parents took her to the Hermitage Museum for the first time, where she immediately fell in love with the many halls filled with ancient sculptures. She even dreamt of becoming an archaeologist. Her favorite book was Myths of Ancient Greece , which captivated Lora's attention. The music is so vivid that it effortlessly conjures images of the proud King Odysseus deciding to go to war with the Trojans. His devoted wife, Penelope, begs him to stay. The sea, the storm that led the Greeks to accidentally land on the island of the sweet-voiced but treacherous sirens, and how they managed to escape and celebrate their salvation—all this, thanks to the cunning and proud King Odysseus.