A look back at 2022 winter programming

The Festival’s Winter Season returned in person this year, offering four concerts at the Argyros in February. Programming featured an eclectic combination of works, from classical and well-known pieces to some improvised on the spot! Violinist Jennifer Koh curated each program, which included selections from her recent Grammy-winning album Alone Together, a project she launched to support composers during the pandemic, bringing them together around music. She was joined by her good friend, composer, pianist, and Alone Together contributor, Vijay Iyer.

The evening unfolded with Koh and Iyer each performing alone, with the audience gathered around a central, round stage, beneath lighting designed to invite them into the performance. With each successive piece, the ensemble grew, including Koh and Iyer in a duet written by Iyer, four Festival musicians playing a quartet also written by Iyer, and the final act bringing seven Festival string players together with Koh for Mendelssohn’s gorgeous Octet. Music Director Alasdair Neale described the latter as “the greatest work ever written by a child prodigy—with no apologies to Mozart!”

As one concertgoer described, it was “A special night of incredible music!” Of course, it was only possible thanks to Festival supporters!