Festival Mozaic’s WinterMezzo Series runs October 25-27, 2018 with three days of music, food, wine and education. Well-known for its popular summer music festival, Festival Mozaic brings world-class chamber music performances to scenic San Luis Obispo County, California, throughout the year with its WinterMezzo series.
Scott Yoo, the Festival’s Music Director, curates the WinterMezzo series, which showcases exceptional artists performing in intimate venues. Yoo will perform as violinist in these programs along with featured artists. Yoo is in residence in San Luis Obispo six weeks annually; he serves as Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Mexico City Philharmonic and he recently conducted the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in two recording projects. Yoo is also the host and co-executive producer of Now Hear This, a music and travel television program slated to air as part of Great Performances on PBS in Spring 2019.
As part of this series, Yoo will be performing Bach’s Partita No. 2 for solo violin, which includes the massive Chaconne. This movement, often labeled the “Everest” of the solo violin repertoire, consists of thirty variations on a single theme and rivals the other four movements combined in length.
Joining Yoo will be Grammy Award-winning cellist Jonah Kim, called “the next Yo-Yo Ma” by the Washington Post. He made his debut at 14 with the Philadelphia Orchestra and attended the Juilliard School and the Curtis Institute of Music.
Appearing with Kim is bassist Susan Cahill, who has been a member of the Colorado Symphony since 1997. Together they will perform a seldom-played duo for cello and double bass by Rossini. Cahill has had a diverse and eclectic performing career. A composer as well as a performer, Cahill performed her Sonata for Double Bass and iTunes User Agreement at the 2018 Summer Festival Mozaic. Cahill will also be leading a free master class for local bass players as part of the WinterMezzo series, co-hosted with Festival Mozaic by the Cal Poly Music Department.
Patrons may attend one, two or all three events for a truly immersive experience.
Also on the program are two Los Angeles-based musicians, violinist Jason Uyeyama and violist Ben Ullery. Uyeyama is the Director of String Studies at La Sierra University in Riverside and performs regularly as a guest with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Ullery serves as Assistant Principal Violist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and is a faculty member at the Colburn School.
“The format of Wintermezzo allows us to explore these pieces in depth,” says Yoo. “We relish the opportunity to unlock the inner workings of these pieces.”
The performers will explore four works:
BACH – Violin Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004
ROSSINI – Duet for Cello and Double Bass
BEETHOVEN – String Trio in D major, Op. 9 No. 2
DVOŘÁK – String Quintet No. 2, Op. 77
The WinterMezzo weekend consists of three sequential events: two Notable Encounters, in which the musicians talk about the pieces and perform selections, and a traditional concert. One of the Notable Encounters is paired with a special dinner at the Park Ballroom in Paso Robles, featuring wines by SummerWood Winery.
The programs are designed so that patrons attend all three events and develop a richer understanding of the works to be heard on the final concert.
Tickets for the WinterMezzo kickoff weekend and the entire series are available at FestivalMozaic.com.
About Festival Mozaic: Founded as the Mozart Festival in 1971, Festival Mozaic celebrates the art form of classical music by creating unforgettable live music experiences in a variety of venues in San Luis Obispo County. The Festival is an immersive experience that includes professional performance, outreach, education, and dialogue. The Festival presents more than 30 events annually, including its summer music festival. For more information on Festival Mozaic’s WinterMezzo Chamber Music Series and the upcoming 2019 Summer Festival, please visit www.FestivalMozaic.com