The Festival’s forty-ninth season will bring the highest caliber of musical artists to Greensboro, beginning with Schwarz himself, whose credits include over 265 acclaimed recordings, thirteen Grammy nominations (most recently in 2009), two Emmy awards, Gerard Schwarz Day (Sept. 2009) in Seattle, WA, and the key to the City of Greensboro (July 2009).

The cornerstone of the EMF season is the popular Saturday Festival Orchestra series with the Eastern Festival Orchestra, named one of the best on the East Coast. The series opens on July 3 in a performance featuring Maestro Schwarz with cellist Lynn Harrell playing Shostakovich’s aggressive yet lyrical Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, op.107. The Baltimore Sun said of Harrell’s performance, “Harrell unlocked those secrets [Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1] with playing that was extraordinarily incisive and gripping.” The remainder of the evening’s program will feature Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande Suite and Dvo?ák’s Symphony No. 7 in D minor, op.70.

The second week showcases pianist Barry Douglas performing one of Rachmaninoff’s most enduring and popular pieces - Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, op.18 on Saturday, July 10. The Los Angeles Times says of Douglas, “the sensitivity of a poet and the fingers of a magician.” Also on the evening’s program is the world premiere of Bright Sheng’s Just Dance. Sheng served as EMF’s first composer-in-residence during the 2009 season. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A major, op.92 will round out the repertoire.

On Saturday, July 17, EMF will introduce 22-year-old violinist Tianwa Yang making her Greensboro debut performing one of Tchaikovsky’s best known and most difficult works - Violin Concerto in D major, op.35. The Seattle Times said of Yang’s playing “this young woman could outplay the devil...(she) played with fire.” Mahler’s Symphony No. 6 in A minor (“Tragic”) will complete the program.

The fourth week brings guest conductor Christopher Seaman and pianist William Wolfram performing Mendelssohn’s improvisational Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, op.25 on Saturday, July 24. Wolfram returns to EMF where he last performed in 2008. During that 2008 performance, Classical Voice of North Carolina’s review stated “Wolfram played…with authority and aplomb...more impressive than the pianist’s virtuosity was his lyric playing.” Seaman will also lead the orchestra in Elgar’s In the South (Alassio), op.50 and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 in F minor, op.36.

The season finale on Saturday, July 31 concludes with the incomparable violinist Gil Shaham performing Brahms’ only violin concerto - Violin Concerto in D major, op.77. According to The Buffalo News, “[Shaham’s] glee and virtuosity were such that…people burst into spontaneous applause…That is what this guy does.” Schwarz will conduct the final piece of the season - Richard Strauss’ epic symphonic poem, Eine Alpensinfonie (Alpine Symphony).

Eastern Music Festival, the only local arts organization to do so, presents two extraordinary chamber series – the UNCG Chamber Series on Monday evenings at UNCG’s Recital Hall, and the Carnegie Chamber Series on Tuesday evenings at Guilford College’s Carnegie Room. In these acoustically superb and intimate settings, EMF’s talented faculty will perform great masterpieces of the past and invigorating contemporary pieces. They will be joined by special guests like pianist Barry Douglas on July 12, violinist Tianwa Yang on July 19, pianist Joseph Kalichstein on July 26, and William Wolfram on July 27.

On Wednesdays, the eclectic Friends & Great Performers Series will host five distinctive concerts including the Annual Steinway Piano Gala (June 30) at Dana Auditorium, a Concert Organ Gala (July 7) and An Evening of Vivaldi Concerti (July 14) at First Presbyterian Church (downtown Greensboro), and Pianopalooza (July 28) in Dana Auditorium. A highlight of this series is EMF’s third collaboration with Greensboro Opera titled, A Date with Oscar and Tony, featuring songs from Academy award-winning films and Tony award-winning shows. There will be two evening cabaret-style performances on Tuesday, July 20, and Wednesday, July 21, plus a third matinee “high tea” performance. All three performances will take place at Temple Emanuel (1129 Jefferson Rd).

While Eastern Music Festival is well-known as an internationally-acclaimed summer music festival, it also serves as one of the country’s foremost training programs for aspiring young orchestra and piano students between the ages of 14 and 22. The Young Artists Orchestra Series presents nine orchestral concerts comprised of two full orchestras, led by four conductors, with five great soloists, and two hundred of the finest young musicians from around the world. Gerard Schwarz and resident conductor José-Luis Novo will open the series on Friday, July 2. During this performance, Schwarz will conduct his own composition “Rudolf and Jeanette” (written in memory of his grandparents). On Thursday, July 8, the phenomenal trombonist Ko-ichiro Yamamoto will join these gifted young musicians performing Samuel Jones’ Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra. Other highlights of this series include pianists Yoshikazu Nagai and Gideon Rubin performing Poulenc’s Concerto for Two Pianos in D minor on Friday, July 9h; EMF’s concertmaster Jeffrey Multer performing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, op.64 on Thursday, July 15; guest conductor James Ross on Friday July 16; and pianist Joseph Kalichstein performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, op.58 on Friday, July 23. The final two evenings of this series on Thursday, July 29, and Friday, July 30, will feature EMF’s Concerto Competition Winners conducted by Novo and EMF alumnus and Triad native Chelsea Tipton II.

The best overall value subscription is the Classics Package that includes the Festival Orchestra, Friends & Great Performers, and Young Artists Orchestra series. Season ticket holders of any of the seven package options, including the popular FlexPass (includes 10 coupons redeemable in any combination for general admission tickets), also receive free entrance to three bonus concerts – High School Choir Festival (June 30) in collaboration with Bel Canto, Brass Ensemble (July 28), and Percussion Ensemble (July 31) – plus Sunday Young Artists Piano Recitals at Dana, and all public Master Classes.

There are three special events scheduled for the 2010 season. On Sunday, July 18, EMF will host its First Annual Piano Competition featuring the finalists from among EMF’s talented piano students. In addition to awarding cash prizes, the festival is planning an Audience Choice Award. On Saturday, July 24, at 11 am, EMFkids, in collaboration with Greensboro Ballet, will present Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf at the Carolina Theatre. There will be family-friendly activities prior to the performance. On Sunday, July 25, at 5pm, Temple Emanuel will serve as the backdrop for Music of Remembrance, a special lecture, musical performance, and reception featuring the organization’s founder and current president and Artistic Director Mina Miller. This organization’s unique mission is to preserve the musical legacy of Holocaust musicians. Tickets for these special events and all single tickets will go on sale beginning June 1, 2010.

For the tenth season, the Eastern Festival Orchestra will perform twice at Appalachian State University’s “An Appalachian Summer Festival,” this year with soloists Barry Douglas (July 11) and Tianwa Yang (July 18).

The Festival has also been invited to appear at the Kennedy Center (July 21) for the sixth consecutive year. The winning pianists from the piano competition will perform on the Millennium Stage, and the performance will be broadcast internationally via live webcast. 

Other events include Community Outreach Concerts at Elon University (June 29) and High Point University (July 12); Exploritas (formerly Elderhostel), a five-day adult lifelong learning program; EMFkids summer camps for children ages 4-10; free Young Artists Chamber concerts; free Open Rehearsals; Musically Speaking, free pre-concert conversations every Friday and Saturday; and more. There is great music happening every night of the week!

Discounted season tickets of up to 72% off are on sale through June 26 from the Festival’s Box Office at Triad Stage. Call weekdays in Greensboro: 336-272-0160 or toll-free 866-579-TIXX beginning February 2.

Single tickets for all events go on sale from the Festival’s Box Office at Triad Stage beginning Monday, June 1, at 10 am. Beginning June 1, tickets will also be available online 24/7 through the tickets link at www.EasternMusicFestival.org. Triad Stage service fees will apply to all ticket purchases.

The schedule for the 8th EMFfringe season, the alternative series featuring everything from Americana to alt country, blues, jazz, and gospel, will be announced in March 2010.

The 2010 season is sponsored in part by the United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro, the North Carolina Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, Continental Airways, and Piedmont Music Center (Steinway Pianos).

For more information about EMF or its programs or to download the First Announcement brochure, please visit www.EasternMusicFestival.org, or call toll-free: 1-877-833-6753

*Dates, programs, venues, and artists are subject to change.

The Eastern Music Festival’s mission is to promote musical enrichment, excellence, professional collaboration, innovation, and diversity through a nationally-recognized teaching program, music festival, concerts, and other programs which will enhance the quality of life, health, and vitality of our region.
EMF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All contributions are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

Contacts:
Ruth Spaulding / Stephanie Cordick
Eastern Music Festival
336-333-7450
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The Greensboro Visitor Information Center offers free guides and information on area attractions, accommodations, restaurants, golf, and a wide variety of activities and special events.

The Visitor Information Center has moved to 2200 Pinecroft Road, Suite 200, across from the Four Seasons Town Centre at exit 217 off I-40 at High Point Road. Call 1-800-344-2282 or 336-274-2282 for information and directions. On the Web visit www.visitgreensboronc.com.
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Contact:
Gail C. Murphy
Director of Marketing/Communications
336-335-1578
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