Golandsky Institute International Piano Festival
I know a guy. That’s a phrase every man in New Jersey has said at least once in his life. Personally, I say it every day. But, nevertheless…I know a guy. He is a piano prodigy that I had the good fortune to meet and perform with in a band in 1975. We have remained close friends and musical mates through the years although his talents dwarfed mine and made me realize that comedy was a much better choice for me. Either that or politics. The guy’s name is Marty Mellinger and he is a musician, composer and student. His talents have taken him all over the world and he is currently performing at the Paris Jazz Festival. What does this have to do with the Golandsky Institute, you ask? Well, last year I was invited to attend a Golandsky Institute Piano Festival performance of his Russian piano teacher, a current resident of Manhattan, and simply one of the most brilliant musicians I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing live on a stage, anywhere in the world. The Princeton campus was alive with some of the most mellifluous sounds the state of New Jersey has ever heard. So it stands to reason that I will be returning this year to enjoy the talents of this year’s performers.
A little bit about this facility before we go on… The mission of the Golandsky Institute is to instruct musicians in the skills that enable them to realize their highest potential as performing artists. It also teaches them how to overcome technical limitations and recover from playing-related injuries. It provides training for teachers in the diagnostic tools necessary to teach healthful skills to musicians of all levels. Through educational programs, professional collaborations, continued research and multi-media publications, the Golandsky Institute seeks to raise the awareness of the musical community and the public at large to the problems musicians face and the solutions available to them. As always, the McCarter Theatre will be hosting the festival and handling all ticket sales. There will be a week of chamber music, solo recitals and jazz concerts beginning on Sunday, July 8 and ending on Saturday, July 14.
Sunday, July 8 /
8:00 PM
Opening Night
LLEWELLYN SANCHEZ-WERNER, PIANO
Berlind Theater, McCarter Theater Center
Monday, July 9
/ 8:00 PM
An Evening of Song
GOLANDSKY INSTITUTE/OPERA NEW JERSEY COLLABORATION WITH THOMAS BAGWELL, PIANO
Berlind Theater, McCarter Theater Center
Tuesday, July 10
/ 8:00 PM
Chamber Evening
JASPER QUARTET WITH ILYA ITIN, PIANO
Berlind Theater, McCarter Theater Center
Wednesday, July 11
NO CONCERT TONIGHT
Thursday, July 12 /
8:00 PM
JOSU DE SOLAUN, PIANO
Berlind Theater, McCarter Theater Center
Friday, July 13
/ 8:00 PM
ILYA ITIN, PIANO
Richardson Auditorium, Princeton University
Saturday, July 14
/ 8:00 PM
BILL CHARLAP, JAZZ PIANO
Richardson Auditorium, Princeton University
Festival Finale
For a complete overview of the Festival and Summer Symposium:
www.mccarter.org
www.golandskyinstitute.org