January 20 - February 3
Fridays | 10:00am
Dive deeper into your favorite music through Lectures on Music, lead by local scholars and Musicfest staff!
PLEASE NOTE: Dr Meyer is returning on 3/10 to extend his Musicfest U: series with a 75-minute discussion on conducting considerations for works for “orchestra and…” (Ballet, Opera, Choral works, etc.) RSVP via the link above – we look forward to you joinign us!
Igor Stravinsky’s incredible ballet setting the Russian legend of The Firebird has captivated audiences since it’s premiere in 1910. Stravinsky’s powerful music translated beaitufully into his 1919 suite, which we’ll cover in this series and will be performed by the Festival Orchestra. Join ASU Director of Orchestras Dr. Jeffery Meyer for a three-part series exploring the story, structure, and performance of The Firebird.
During the series, we’ll hear from Dr. Meyer about his experiences conducting and performing The Firebird, and experience some of the great moments of the work in anticipation of the Festival Orchestra performance on March 9. Find recordings of the piece below; we hope to see you for these exciting sessions!
Participants are highly encouraged, though not required, to attend all three sessions, and we request interested participants to RSVP to help us properly set up the class space.
Stravinsky conducting The Firebird
Igor Stravinsky – The Firebird (1919 Suite) Full
Led By
Dr. Jeffery Meyer
An accomplished conductor, pianist, and educator, Jeffery Meyer launched his career as a champion of contemporary orchestral music and innovative collaborations. He currently holds positions as the Artistic Director of the St. Petersburg Chamber Philharmonic as well as the Director of Orchestras at Arizona State University. In recent concert seasons, he has performed as a conductor and chamber musician throughout North America, Europe, China, Russia, and Southeast Asia.
Called “one of the most interesting and creatively productive conductors working in St. Petersburg” by Sergei Slonimsky, Meyer’s work with the St. Petersburg Chamber Philharmonic has been noted for its breadth and innovation. In 2010, he led the St. Petersburg Chamber Philharmonic in its United States debut with three performances at Symphony Space’s “Wall-to-Wall” Festival in New York City which the New York Times called “impressive”, “powerful”, “splendid”, and “blazing.” His programming in the United States has been recognized with three ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming. He has been distinguished in several international competitions and was a prizewinner in the 2008 International Conducting Competition “Antonio Pedrotti” and the winner of the 2013 American Prize in Conducting.
Recent and upcoming activities include appearances throughout Southeast Asia including the Tianjin May Festival, the 2016 Singapore International Festival of Music, and concerts with the Philippine Philharmonic, Tianjin Symphony, Sichuan Symphony, and Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as appearances with the Phoenix Symphony, the Orquesta Sinfónica de Xalapa, Orquesta Sinaloa de las Artes, Stony Brook Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble X, the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Chamber Orchestra, Alia Musica, and the MiNensemblet (Norway).