Brevard – At the recently opened Parker Concert Hall on the Brevard Music Center campus, Jordan Bak and Jihye Chang will give a viola and piano concert. Musicians are finally able to return to the stage for audiences to enjoy and allow audiences to reacquaint themselves with their favorite pieces. This is the third concert of the indoor season starting November 16th, held in this stunning performance space. Of course, strict COVID-19 protocols must be implemented, but an evening out listening to live musicians, and not just a recording, can be enjoyed.
Bak is a 25-year old Jamaican-American violist, known for great sensitivity and passionate playing. He is only the third violist to earn the Artist Diploma from the renowned Juilliard School in New York City. Bak holds a Bachelor of Music degree with academic honors from New England Conservatory and a Master of Music degree from The Juilliard School, where he was awarded the prestigious Kovner Fellowship. In addition he has received many honors and awards, as he builds his reputation internationally. He currently lives in New Haven, Connecticut with his wife, violist Rubina Bak and their two cats, Bartok and Walton.
Pianist Jihye Chang
Jihye Chang has showcased her versatility and excellence on many prestigious stages with renowned musicians and is a member of the Brevard Music Center Faculty Bak and Chang have chosen some familiar pieces for this concert, such as Haydn’s Divertimento, Shumann’s Fantasiestucke and Brahms Sonata in E Flat Major for viola and piano, as well as lesser known but lovely, lyrical pieces by Rebecca Clark and Jeffrey Mumford.
Pianist Jihye Chang enjoys a versatile career as a soloist, collaborative artist, and educator of music, presenting creative and educational programs around the globe. Dr. Chang has recorded for Albany, Centaur, Sony/BMG Korea, and Parma. She has been Visiting Assistant Professor and Lecturer at Florida State University since 2011 and holds degrees from Indiana University and Seoul National University.
Viola Versus Violin
Perhaps a short definition of the difference between a violin versus a viola is needed. Taken from Orchestra Central’s website (https://orchestracentral.com/viola-vs-violin) both instruments are traditionally a four-stringed instrument; both were invented by the Italians; both look quite similar, although the viola is somewhat larger. However, the sound they produce is different. Viola strings are thicker when compared to the violin – this is one of the main reasons why the sound is so much deeper. The tuning is not the same– most violas are tuned in the standard A tuning with the strings being: A, D, G, C compared with the violin’s E, A, D, G. One might say that the violin’s sound is haunting and high-pitched, while the viola’s sound is deeper and more mellow. Bak plays a 2016 viola made by renowned luthier, Jon van Kouwenhoven.
The Parker Concert Hall
Overlooking scenic Lake Milner, the Parker Concert Hall is Brevard Music Center’s first year-round performance space. This stunning building that overlooks Lake Milner is in the center of the campus. The new six-million state-of-the-art facility, designed to seat 400 patrons in an airy, acoustically-superior space, was designed, built, and furnished by Al Platt, a Brevard-based architecture, construction and interior design firm founded in 1982. This is the first performance venue built since BMC’s Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium in 1964. Excellent acoustics in the Hall’s retractable modular system from Belgium allows for ultimate flexibility in floor plan design, as well as multi-purpose use for events, performances and community gatherings. The concert hall serves as the home for BMC’s piano, chamber, classical guitar and jazz programming, as well as a community space for special events.
Programs This Season
Throughout the season there is a wide variety of performances.
On Tuesday, Dec. 7 jazz vocalist Halie Loren shares Christmas favorites and original songs. Her silky voice will undoubtedly sing Many Times, Many Ways, part of her Holiday Collection album.
After the new year, the series continues on Feb. 1 with the youthful Chinese pianist Zee Zee. (Zhang Zuo) in recital. She won first prize awards at the first International Piano Competition in China, and many other competitions, including Juilliard’s 32nd annual William Petschek Piano Recital Award in 2013.
Later in the month of February—on Tuesday, the 22nd— artists from the renowned Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia are performing. The Curtis Institute Quintet features extraordinary emerging professional artists performing alongside celebrated faculty and alumni in “Stars of Tomorrow.”
Then, on March 8, Brevard’s Jeff Sipe Trio brings jazz and melody to the stage.
On April 5, the award-winning Trio AYA makes its first visit to Brevard in a program. Their music has been described as magical.
On April 28, large British vocal ensemble Stile Antico performs. They are renowned for vibrant and expressive performances of music from the Renaissance.
The inaugural season at the Parker Concert Hall comes to a close on May 12 with the violinist Midori returning to Brevard to play pieces by Dvorak, Ravel and Beethoven. In 2021 she was honored at the 43rd annual Kennedy Center Honors in Washington D.C. in recognition of lifetime artistic achievement.
Tickets
All concerts begin at 7:30 pm and are midweek. Ticket prices vary with the specific concert and seat chosen—ranging from $35 to $125. Auditorium seating is reserved. To find out more about the 2021-22 Parker Concert Hall performances, visit http://www.brevardmusic.org/tickets. In addition, you can call the BMC box office at (828) 862-2130. Please note that COVID-19 protocols have been implemented for all concerts at Parker Concert Hall. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to performance is required. Masks are required for all patrons and visitors regardless of vaccination status.