Gil Morgenstern's Reflection Series Announces 2012-13 Line-Up

Violinist and artistic director Gil Morgenstern's acclaimed Reflections Series celebrates five years of innovative programming in its intimate home at WMP Concert Hall (31 East 28th Street, NYC), described by New York Magazine as, "a miniature version of a European aristocrat's music room." Due to the success of the series, most programs will now have two performances. Season tickets are now available. Those who purchase by June 30 will be invited to a VIP Opening Night Party on September 12.

The 2012-2013 season-opening concerts, Stravinsky, The Violin Years: 1930–1935 on September 12 at 7pm and September 13 at 7:30pm, will explore the composer's "Russian" and neo-Classical styles through the wealth of material written and transcribed for violin and piano during this brief but extremely fertile period. Nacht und Traüme or Night and Dreams on November 19 at 7:30pm will create a narrative of fantasy and nightmare through the music of Schubert, Sibelius, Cage and Enesco, and the prose and poetry of Sylvia Plath, featuring four-time Obie Award-winning actress Elizabeth Marvel. The Voice of the Violin, Part 2 on February 26 and February 27 at 7:30pm will expand on the theme of Morgenstern's opening concert at WMP Concert Hall in 2010 – the expressive range of the violin. Concluding the season on May 7 and May 8 at 7:30pm with Reflections on Things Past: The First Five Years, Morgenstern will celebrate five years of innovative and original Reflections programming with pianist Jonathan Feldman.

By placing musical works in their respective artistic, historic and social context, Gil Morgenstern invites audiences to travel with him behind the scenes into the composers' creative processes. Using both existing and original works, and with the collaboration of a superb ensemble of creative and performing artists representing all art forms, Reflections Series programs present works that both reflect upon one another and invite the audience to reflect anew on universal themes. The 2012-2013 Reflections Series will also be presented in Miami, Philadelphia, Boston and at An Appalachian Summer Festival in Boone, North Carolina; and in various cities throughout Italy, France, and England.

Stravinsky, The Violin Years: 1930–1935 | Wed., September 12 at 7pm & Thurs., September 13, 2012 at 7:30pm
Igor Stravinsky once said, "I had taken no pleasure in the blend of strings struck in the piano with strings set in vibrations by the bow." Yet his introduction to the violinist Samuel Dushkin in 1930 seemed to have given him pause, resulting in a relatively brief but highly prolific and fertile period for the composer. Coming just at the time when Stravinsky was developing an interest in piano performance and conducting, their collaboration produced a wealth of new compositions as well as transcriptions of orchestral works for violin and piano. The works on this program, while focused on a short period in Stravinsky's life, span two of his major compositional styles: his so-called "Russian" and neo-Classical. Gil Morgenstern explores how these styles overlap and depart from one another. Music will include portions of the Violin Concerto in D Major, Firebird Suite, Duo Concertante, and Suite Italienne, all arranged by Stravinsky in consultation with Dushkin. With J.Y. Song, piano.

Nacht und Traüme, "Night and Dreams" | Mon., November 19, 2012 at 7:30pm
A journey from dusk to dawn, Nacht und Traüme ("Night and Dreams") creates a narrative of fantasy and nightmare through the music of Schubert, Sibelius, Cage and Enesco, and the prose and poetry of Sylvia Plath (from The Unabridged Journals, Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams, and The Wishing Box). With four-time Obie Award-winning actress Elizabeth Marvel and pianist Donald Berman.

The Voice of the Violin, Part 2 | Tues., February 26 & Wed., February 27, 2013 at 7:30pm
The Voice of the Violin, Part 2 expands on the theme of Gil Morgenstern's opening concert at WMP in 2010. Mr. Morgenstern has crafted a second program showcasing the singularly expressive range of the violin and the contrasting manner in which composers have exploited it. He will perform selections highlighting the instrument's unique and versatile voice in music by Beethoven, Berio, Webern, Bach, Schumann, Ysaÿe, and Ravel. With Benjamin Hochman, piano.