Recital Stream Presents Cornelia Sommer, bassoon – "May I Have This Dance?" [LIVE]
Free
Astor Piazzolla — Tango Etude No. 3
Gilles Silvestrini — "VI. Le Ballet Espagnol" from Six Études pour Hautbois
Paul Bonneau — Caprice en Forme de Valse
Cornelia Sommer, bassoon & contrabassoon
Each piece is inspired by dance and originally written for an instrument other than bassoon:
Astor Piazzolla – Tango Etude No. 3 (originally for flute)
Gilles Silvestrini – "VI. Le Ballet Espagnol" from Six Études pour Hautbois
Johann Sebastian Bach – "IV. Sarabande" & "VI. Gigue" from Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007 (performed on contrabassoon)
Paul Bonneau – Caprice en Forme de Valse (originally for saxophone)
About the artist
Cornelia Sommer is a bassoonist, arranger, and educator dedicated to sharing music with diverse audiences and expanding the bassoon’s repertoire. Originally from Seattle, she is now based in New York City where she is a doctoral candidate at The Juilliard School. Her research focuses on music inspired by fairy tales, exploring the connection between the universal narratives embedded in the tales and the unique ways in which music conveys those narratives.
A versatile performer, Cornelia frequently plays orchestral, chamber music, and solo concerts. She has been a member of the International Chamber Orchestra of Puerto Rico since 2017, and she has regularly appeared with the Seattle Symphony, New World Symphony, and, on historical instruments, American Bach Soloists and Juilliard415. In the summer, you might find her playing bassoon quartets in Central Park.
Cornelia actively seeks to expand the bassoon’s repertoire through her collaborations with composers and her own arrangements. She will soon record her first album, New Enchantments: Fairy Tale Music for Bassoon, which will include three of her own arrangements and three commissions by composers Max Grafe, Sato Matsui, and Ivan Rodriguez.
An experienced educator, Cornelia teaches and tutors bassoon, piano, music history, music theory, and writing. She currently teaches privately and as a Teaching Fellow in music history and arts education at Juilliard. A graduate of Yale University (M.M.) and Indiana University (B.M.), Cornelia has studied bassoon with Frank Morelli, Kathleen McLean, William Ludwig, and Francine Peterson, and baroque bassoon with Dominic Teresi.
The recital begins at: 12pm Pacific / 3pm Eastern / 8pm British Summer Time
Watch the livestream & donate to the artist here
About the series
Recital Stream is a new platform for audiences and performers of classical music in response to the Coronavirus crisis.
We are all adjusting to a life lived further apart from one another. But staying at home needn't mean missing out on the thrill of witnessing great music, performed live. Indeed, as we navigate these treacherous and uncertain waters, it is our belief that we need great art more than ever.
Our outstanding featured artists will be presenting informal performances live from their living rooms to yours.
Artists across the world have been severely affected by the current crisis, as engagements evaporate and incomes are decimated for months. We recognise that particularly in these challenging times, not everyone will be able to spare the price of a concert ticket. That's why these livestreamed concerts are free for everyone to enjoy. For those with the means who would like to support our artists, however, there will be the opportunity to donate to them directly.