My Dear Friends,
Welcome to the Blue Candlelight Music Series’ 16th Season! I can hardly contain my excitement in introducing the 2017-18 Blue Candlelight Music Series. In addition to many of our favorites returning to our series and new friends making their debuts,you will find repertoire that shows our artists at their most virtuosic.
Making his BCMS debut is Franklin Cohen, recently retired Principal Clarinet of the Cleveland Orchestra, whose meteoric solo and chamber music career has never been busier. We aredelighted to have him join audience favorites Michael Klotz, Gary Levinson, and yours truly.
It’s been a few seasons since I have played a solo recital with Gary Levinson at BCMS. This program will be a virtuosic kaleidoscope of works that are unabashedly romantic and will sweepyou off your feet!
On the heels of the wildly successful Prague in Dallas concert of 2016, we are delighted to bring back our sax/piano duo with a magical twist: Felix Slovacek, Jr. will perform with Felix Slovacek, Sr. This father and son duo is an incredible rarity outside of the Czech Republic and we get to welcome them at BCMS.
Two solo recitals follow: the legendary Sergei Babayan who last performed the hypnotic Goldberg Variations 13 seasons ago for BCMS and UNESCO Ambassador for Peace, Elisso Bolkvadze a pianist who represents a generation junior to Maestro Babayan and equally arresting, musically speaking. Blue Candlelight is the only chamber music series in the DFWmetroplex to present an annual piano recital and this season we are proud to present two!
Speaking of generational talents, violinist Mark Peskanov and pianist Nina Kogan are artists whose names are synonymous with legendary music roots. Peskanov, a protege of none other than Isaac Stern, last played on our series over a decade ago. Kogan the daughter of the great Soviet violinist Leonid Kogan, is Mark’s duo partner in a concert that wilI be the hottest ticket in townfor music lovers all over.
This season promises to be the very best season we’ve have ever had.
With love,
Baya