MARLBORO — Some of the world's most noted and most promising young musicians have gathered at the hilltop campus of Marlboro College for the opening of the 64th season of the Marlboro Music School & Festival.
The unique Vermont summer community which The New Yorker once described as “the classical world's most coveted retreat” will share the discoveries of its 75 resident artists on five concert weekends from July 19 through Aug. 17.
Performances are on Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., with two special Friday concerts on Aug. 8 and 15 at 8:30 p.m. Ticket holders can also attend designated rehearsals in Persons Auditorium. Information about tickets, lodging, dining and activities in the area can be obtained at www.marlboromusic.org or by calling 802-254-2394.
At Marlboro, musicians have the rare opportunity to rehearse works that they themselves have suggested, exchanging new ideas and insights while working on most major pieces for anywhere from three weeks to the full summer.
Less than 25 percent of the approximately 250 works explored each summer are publicly performed, with concert programs decided upon only a week in advance from those works that the musicians feel have gone especially well. Musicians, staff, and their families live together on the campus of Marlboro College, sharing meals, chores, social events, and life experiences to create a close-knit and caring family.
This summer's Composer-in-Residence is Finland's Kaija Saariaho, who will share her ideas with the artists exploring three of her chamber works. She joins recent resident composers at Marlboro, including Thomas Ades, Lera Auerbach, George Benjamin, William Bolcom, Robert Cuckson, Marc-Andre Dalbavie, Kristof Penerecki, Alexander Goehr, Osvaldo Golijov, John Harbison, Tigran Mansurian, and Jorg Widmann.
Special Guest Leon Fleisher will lead an exploration of the Bartok Divertimento and conduct the season-closing Beethoven Choral Fantasy; and current or former members of the Cleveland, Guarneri, Johannes, Juilliard, Mendelssohn and Pro Arte Quartets will rehearse a wide variety of chamber works in depth with their younger colleagues.