Ruskaya! Music... the Soul of Russia
2009 Ventura Music Festival
15th Concert Season
This year, the Ventura Music Festival marks its 15th season with a celebration of Russian music, an area of the world that became the cradle of modern musical performance. Just some of the world-renowned artists for this season include The Jerusalem String Quartet, virtuoso guitarists The Romero Family, trumpeter Chris Botti, and David Krakauer’s Acoustic Klezmer Project. Performances are held in intimate and historic venues throughout Ventura. Check out the full schedule and details below and order your tickets today!
Copyright Ventura Music Festival 2008/2009. All rights reserved. Photography credits: Linda F. Peterson, Paul Harris, BIll Hendricks.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
OPENING NIGHT GALA
Ventura Beach Marriott
2055 East Harbor Blvd., Ventura
$75
Ventura Music Festival’s opening night festivities will include fine cuisine, wine, entertainment and awards. Come join us in a toast to our fifteenth season.
Gala sponsored by: AT&T, Elise & Bill Kearney, Ventura Beach Marriott
Friday May 1, 2009 & Friday May 8, 2009 ~ 3:00 pm
Tea & Trumpets with the Festival Brass
Nona’s Courtyard Café
67 So. California St.
$65
A perennial favorite, The Festival Brass Quintet returns to the gracious courtyard at Nona’s. The afternoon includes an elegant English High Tea. This one sells out early, don’t wait!
Sponsored by Barbara Meister -- Barber Automotive Group, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, West Coast Environmental Engineering
Media Sponsors, 5/1: VC Reporter & Ventana Magazine, KUSC;
5/8: Cumulus Broadcasting, KCLU
Friday, May 1, 2009 ~ 8:00 pm
“What’s the Score?” A pre-concert conversation – 7:15 pm
The Jerusalem String Quartet
Ventura Missionary Church
500 High Point Drive
$40~$30~$15**
One of the most dynamic and exciting quartets currently performing, the Jerusalem Quartet is in demand all over the world and frequently performs at the Concertbouw and Carnegie Hall. Their two most recent recordings for Harmonia Mundi were featured as Editor's Choice in Grammophone Magazine and won the BBC Music Magazine Awards best recording of the year, respectively.
Sponsored by Barbara Meister – Barber Automotive Group, Micheline & Al Sakharoff
Media Sponsors: Gold Coast Broadcasting, Time Warner Cable, Ventana Magazine
Restaurant Partner: Watermark Restaurant, 10% discount
Saturday, May 2, 2009 ~ 8:00 pm
The Romero Family
Ventura Missionary Church
500 High Point Drive
$45~$35~$15**
The legendary Celedonio Romero, with his sons Celin, Pepe and Angel, founded this renowned ensemble known to millions as "The Royal Family of the Guitar." The Romeros have dazzled audiences all over the world with virtuosity and internationally acclaimed performances. The Romeros return to the Festival for our first Saturday night concert, and whether you’re a fan of classical music or enjoy a program of virtuoso guitar, it’s one you won’t want to miss.
"Collectively, they are the only classical guitar quartet of real stature in the world today; in fact, they virtually invented the format." The New York Times
Sponsored by: P.W. Gillibrand Inc/Celine Gillibrand, Rabobank, E.J. Harrison & Sons,
The Player's Club
Media Sponsors: Consortium Media Services, Lazer Broadcasting
Restaurant Partner: My Florist Café & Bakery – A free glass of wine before or after the concert!
Sunday, May 3, 2009~2:00 pm
Chris Botti
Ventura College Green
$45~$30~$15**
Jazz trumpeter Chris Botti started playing at the age of ten, and
began performing professionally while still in high school. After studying at the prestigious Indiana University music program, Botti relocated to New York, swiftly emerging as a highly regarded session player on recordings by Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, and Paul Simon. A featured soloist in Sting’s “Brand New Day” world tour, he has also recorded numerous top 40 hits. Bring a picnic basket and a few friends and enjoy a rare outdoor jazz performance by jazz star Chris Botti on the College Green!
NOTE: Please bring a lawn chair (preferably low) or blanket for seating.
Sunscreen and hat suggested.
Concert sponsored by: Fashion Forms/Ann Deal
Media Sponsors: Time Warner Cable, Cumulus Broadcasting, Gold Coast Broadcasting, Ventura County Star, KTWV, The Wave, VC Reporter, Lazer Broadcasting, KCLU
Restaurant Partner: Tutti’s Off Main – 10% discount on dinner
Monday, May 4, 2009 ~ 7:30 pm
David Krakauer’s
Acoustic Klezmer Project
Temple Beth Torah
7620 Foothill Rd.
$40~$25~$15**
Klezmer music is the traditional celebration music played at weddings for Jewish communities of Eastern Europe. David’s Acoustic Klezmer Project updates this timelss party music with a sense of freedom and playfulness that has given rise to a diverse repertoire, including the influences of jazz, funk and hip hop. A night of fun at Temple Beth Torah! http://www.davidkrakauer.com/live/
Concert sponsored by Sandra & Jordan Laby, Micheline & Al Sakharoff
Media Sponsors: KDB, Cumulus, KUSC
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 ~ 7:30 pm
“What’s the Score?” A pre-concert conversation – 6:45 pm
Alexander Ghindin
Community Presbyterian Church
1555 Poli St.
$40~$25~$15**
By the age of 13, Alexander Ghindin became laureate of the Moscow Young Pianists Competition. He was also the youngest prize-winner of the 10th International Tchaikovsky Competition and more recently the winner of the Cleveland International Piano Competition. Alexander’s concert promises to embody our season theme.
Concert sponsored by GBS Financial/Mary & Don Gloisten, Fickewirth & Associates
Media Sponsors: Cumulus Gold Coast, Time Warner Cable, Ventura Breeze
Restaurant Partner: Weaver Wines, Wine: $6 a glass!
Thursday, May 7, 2009 ~ 7:30 pm
Rising Stars
Sophie Wingland
Jourdan Urbach
First United Methodist Church
1338 E. Santa Clara St.
$25~$15
Soprano Sophie Wingland, a native of Ventura, is a recent graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where she performed leading roles in A Midsummer Nights Dream (Helena) and Transformations (Anne Sexton).
Sixteen year old concert violinist Jourdan Urbach has been compared to a “Young Paganini” Jourdan has performed in recital at major concert halls in the United States, including Carnegie Recital Hall and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Concert sponsored by: Howard Boroughs, Elise & Bill Kearney, Micheline & Al Sakharoff
Media Sponsors: KDB, Ventura County Star, KCLU
Restaurant Partner: Brooks, 10% discount on dinner
Friday, May 8, 2009~8:00 pm
“What’s the Score?” A pre-concert conversation – 7:15 pm
Mehta 2 ~ A Family Affair
Community Presbyterian Church
1555 Poli St.
$40~$25~$15**
Nuvi Mehta, Artistic Director of the Music Festival and his renowned father, Dady present an evening of favorite sonatas for violin and piano. Program includes the works of Beethoven, Prokofiev and Bach. This concert showcases the talents of a rare father and son pairing, with the gifted father Dady Mehta appearing for the first time at the Ventura Music Festival. Call early for best tickets!
Concert sponsored by Sandra & Jordan Laby, Judy & Morris Leventhal, The Schwab Family Charitable Fund.
Media Sponsors: KUSC, Ventura County Star, Gold Coast Broadcasting
Saturday, May 9th, 2008 ~ 8:00 pm
“What’s the Score?” A pre-concert conversation – 7:15 pm
Burning River Brass: “Russian Carnival”
Ventura Missionary Church
500 High Point Dr
$40~$30~$15**
One of the most respected brass ensembles in the United States, Burning River Brass has been dazzling audiences since 1996 with "power and virtuosity," "harmonious blend" and "consistently stirring performances." Composed of the finest brass and percussion players in the country, Burning River Brass is an ensemble on fire!
Concert sponsored by: Affinity Bank, Freddie & Al Contarino, P.W.
Gillibrand Co./Celine Gillibrand, Pierpont Racquet Club, Nancy & Terry O’Brien
Media Sponsors: VC Reporter/Ventana, KTWV, The Wave
Restaurant Partner: Jonathan’s at Peiranos, 10% off all food items
Music.... the Soul of Russia
