James D'León and AZ Phil's Finest
Yep, they're back to wow you again.

On February 17 & 18, Arizona Philharmonic presents our James D'León And Friends concert, first at the ASU Kerr Recital Hall on Saturday, February 17, 7:30 pm, and then at Prescott’s Ruth Street Theater on Sunday, February 18, 3 pm. This is James’ third time presenting a piano and strings program: the previous two concerts remain some of our most praised performances.

This year we are presenting a piano quartet, which, in its most general definition, is an ensemble of a pianist with three instrumentalists. On this concert, the piano quartet is in its most common form: piano plus a string trio consisting of violin, viola, and cello.

Of course, Steinway Artist James D'León is on piano. Accompanying D’León are three principal AZ Phil string players who have wowed you in previous D’León concerts: violinist Luke Hill, violist Kimberly Hankins, and cellist Ruthie Wilde. We also will be presenting some music that uses a subset of this quartet: a piano trio (piano, violin, and cello), and a duet (piano and cello).

As usual, James has crafted a beautiful program of great works chosen to take us on a musical journey. The program opens with Gabriel Faure’s lyrical and romantic Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 120. We are then treated to an intimate and contemplative work just for piano and cello, Arvo Pärt’s Spiegel im Spiegel. Luke Hill then returns to stage to help conclude the first half with Rebecca Clarke’s expressive and innovative Piano Trio. The second half features the entire quartet on Robert Schumann’s charming and romantic Piano Quartet in E-flat major, Op. 47.

This concert is an opportunity to see a handful of Arizona Philharmonic's finest musicians join the stage with the powerful James D'León. All of the program features demanding and beautiful works that you would be hard pressed to hear as exquisitely-presented elsewhere.

Over the next two weeks leading into the concert, I’ll be chatting about the works coming up on this program, sharing personal observations and anecdotes from my perspectives as Artistic Director, composer, performer, or educator. Stay tuned!

I'd like to close with a teaser for this concert. Listen to the rollicking final movement of Schumann’s Piano Quartet in the video below. Most multi-movement pieces close with an energetic movement, to leave the audience happily tapping their feet on the way out. This work is no exception. If you find the Finale fun in the video, imagine how much more fun it will be to hear and see it live on Saturday, February 17 in Scottsdale or Sunday, February 18 in Prescott.

- Henry Flurry, Artistic Director

Art 4 All™

Art 4 All is a fundamental component of Arizona Philharmonic’s efforts to bring professional orchestra music to all interested members of the community.

In our Art 4 All program, AZ Phil offers free and donate-what-you-can access to anybody in the Quad-City community who otherwise could not afford a ticket.

If purchasing tickets for a concert does not fit into your or a friend’s budget, you may sign up for Art 4 All coupons at AZPhil.org/art4all.

Currently, we are offering coupons for Arizona Philharmonic's James D'León and Friends, in Prescott, performing Sunday, February 18, 3 PM at Ruth Street Theater.

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