The 17th season puts the “HOT” in Hot Springs Music Festival with a variety of musical styles befitting this year’s theme, “The Spice of Life.” Slated for June 3-16, the Festival will feature both classic and contemporary repertoire in an effort to appeal to a broad-based audience.
“We will continue to present the time-tested masters works that one would expect from a classical music festival,” said General Director Todd Cranson. “But we are also programming new music that young, classically-trained musicians are developing under the influence of our ever-more-connected world.”
In its continuing mission to bring world-class musicians to Hot Springs, the 17th annual event will feature the Cassatt String Quartet, a critically-acclaimed and award-winning ensemble based in New York City.
Cassatt will present two performances, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 3, in the Arlington Hotel Ballroom and at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 10, at the Woodlands Auditorium in Hot Springs Village.
“We are extremely excited to have such a fine ensemble joining us this year,” Cranson said. “They are one of the most prominent string quartets in the country and their participation will not only attract high-quality students and composers to this year’s Festival, but national attention as well.”
The Festival is also excited to host Rick “Mr. CutTime” Robinson, a longtime bassist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra who’s mission is to bring classical music to 21st Century audiences.
Over the first week of the Festival, Robinson will perform his style of modernized classical music at restaurants and bars throughout Hot Springs to help promote the Festival. He will then be taking his music to the street with a progressive concert along the historic Bathhouse Row, outdoors and inside the bathhouses, at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 9.
“Rick Robinson is a highly-trained classical musician who is keeping classical music alive by creating a unique style that appeals to classical music aficionados as well as newcomers to the genre,” Cranson said.
Watch the Promo Video:
(video by hotspringsartscene.com)
In addition to these performers, the Hot Springs Music Festival will welcome over 200 international musicians, comprising mentors, apprentices, associates and festival chorus members, who will present over 20 low-cost concerts and 250 free open rehearsals.
Attendants to the Conducting Master Class and Open Rehearsal held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 4 in the Hot Springs Fieldhouse will have a special opportunity to view the performers from a new perspective – by sitting in the orchestra. The audience will be able to witness a conducting master class from the musicians’ side of the podium and experience the power of Mahler’s monumental First Symphony, as the orchestra rehearses its closing night concert.
“I can say from experience, as a tuba player in the orchestra, that there is nothing more amazing than sitting in the orchestra for a piece like Mahler’s First Symphony,” Cranson said. “It’s different than sitting in the audience, so we are going to give between 100-200 audience members the opportunity to see what that feels like.”
The 17th season is the second season under the leadership of Music Advisor and Conductor Peter Bay of Austin, Texas and the first year under General Director Todd Cranson.
Cranson succeeded Laura Rosenberg in 2011, following her resignation. His longtime involvement with the Festival, as an apprentice, an associate, and tuba mentor, combined with his experience as an arts administrator in Springfield, Ill. made him a perfect fit for the job.
Rosenberg, who co-founded the Festival in 1996, will return to the Music Festival this season as the arts administration mentor.
“Bringing Laura back will be really great for the Festival,” Cranson said. “Not only does she have very intimate knowledge of how the festival runs but she will now have a lot more time to mentor her arts administration apprentices and to give seminars to all of our apprentice musicians about the business of music of which she is very knowledgeable.”
Festival passes are available $125, and include admission to every event, plus discounts at participating restaurants, and a copy of the souvenir program book. Festival pass holders will also have the opportunity to attend special events and meet the musicians.
Individual concert prices vary between $10-20 for adults. All concerts are $5 for students. Rehearsals are free and open to the public. For more information contact the Festival office at 501-623-4763.
