Composer Jennifer Higdon’s music celebrated in Santa Barbara: works to be premiered by Music Academy of the West and presented by the Santa Barbara Symphony
November 18, Higdon’s Song Cycle Wise Moon, commissioned by the Music Academy, to receive world premiere by Marilyn Horne Song Competition Winners mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce and pianist Chien-Lin Lu in recital in Hahn Hall
February 19 and 20, 2022, Santa Barbara Symphony presents Higdon’s Grammy Award-winning Harp Concerto in the Granada Theatre
Shortly after returning from my residency at the Music Academy, I was walking one evening in Philadelphia, and looked up to see a very bright moon gazing down on me. I thought about how that celestial body has always been present, watching silently, and inspiring everyone from poets penning lines to astronauts pushing the boundaries of space. And for this composer, it felt like a noble starting point for creating songs for these talented performers.
Jennifer Higdon on her inspiration for composing Wise Moon
It is the opportune time to collaborate with the Santa Barbara Symphony to promote the artistry of one of our nationu2019s most performed living composers. Jennifer Higdon continues to make a personal and positive impact as a mentor to our alumni and in our community. We are inspired by her ability to connect stories to music.
Scott Reed, Music Academy President & CEO
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
EVENT INFORMATION
Marilyn Horne Song Competition Winners Recital Thu, Nov 18, 7 pm
Hahn Hall, 1070 Fairway Road Sun-Ly Pierce mezzo-soprano Chien-Lin Lu piano Tickets $55; $10 Community Access (on sale Nov 4); 7-17 Free musicacademy.org/songPROGRAM
CLAUDE DEBUSSY Chansons de Bilitis HUGO WOLF Spanisches Liederbuch WONJU LEE 이화우 (Yihwawoo Songbook) JENNIFER HIGDON Wise Moon (world premiere, Music Academy commission) ARNOLD SCHOENBERG Galathea BENJAMIN BRITTEN Funeral Blues ISABELLE ABOULKER Lettre d’amour WILLIAM BOLCOM AmorThe Music Academy of the West Marilyn Horne Song Competition Recital is generously supported by Linda Seltzer Yawitz.
Wise Moon was commissioned by Music Academy of the West with the generous support of Stephen Schaible and Daron Builta.
Santa Barbara Symphony Beethoven in Bloom Sat, Feb 19, 7:30 pm & Sun, Feb 20, 3 pm
Granada Theatre, 1214 State Street Tickets: $156, $100, $71, $46, $31 Nir Kabaretti conductor Michelle Temple Santa Barbara Symphony Principal Harp thesymphony.orgPROGRAM
JEFF BEAL The Great Circle JENNIFER HIGDON Harp Concerto LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6 in F Major, “Pastorale”Kate Oberjat (she/her/hers) Director of Marketing & Communications Music Academy of the West 805‐695-7908 / koberjat@musicacademy.org