Celebrating music and the arts for two decades, the Red Rocks Music Festival is back, promising an unforgettable 22nd season packed with a dazzling array of performances. The festival, a nonprofit organization established in 2002 by Moshe Bukshpan, an esteemed Valley resident and violinist, continues to shape Arizona’s cultural scene.
With a mission to educate, engage, and challenge, the festival weaves a tapestry of melodies by fusing the talents of Arizona’s leading artists with globally acclaimed musicians. This season’s lineup at Paradise Valley United Methodist Church and Sedona Creative Life Center is particularly notable.
On Saturday, Sept. 9, at 7:30 p.m., music enthusiasts will gather at the Paradise Valley United Methodist Church to celebrate the 70th birthday of iconic composer Daniel Asia. The evening promises an auditory journey featuring Asia’s “Piano Variations” & “Why (?) Jacob,” alongside “Variations on a theme by Chesnokov” by Joshua Nichols.
As an additional treat, Aaron Copeland’s “Piano Sonata” will be masterfully executed by Dr. Daniel Linder from the University of Arizona. To further enrich the experience, Prof. Asia will provide personal insights, introducing his compositions to the audience.
But the magic doesn’t stop there. Sunday, Oct. 15, sees another spectacular offering at 3 p.m. with “Brahms & Amram.” The iconic composer, pianist, and singer David Amram collaborates with Grammy-nominated violinist Elmira Darvarova, Howard Wall on the French Horn (formerly of the NY Phil), and Thomas Weaver on the piano from Curtis Music Institute. A delightful medley of Amram’s pieces, including “Themes from Splendor in the Grass” and “Spontaneous Blues,” will be performed, with the Arizona evening piece dedicated to the festival, encouraging audience participation. The concert also boasts Brahms Horn Trio, Op.40 among other selections.
Sunday, Nov. 12, promises to be an affair to remember. Held at 3 p.m., the legendary violinist Shlomo Mintz teams up with pianist Vitaly Serebriakov to deliver masterpieces like A. Dvorak’s “Romance for violin & piano” and Mintz’s “Sonatina,” marking its Arizona Premiere.
Outside its headline events, the festival holds the Winter Chamber Music Institute annually. This institute nurtures advanced strings and piano students, offering them coaching opportunities from a distinguished faculty.
Tickets for the various concerts range from $10 for students to $36 for general admissions. Given the excitement surrounding this year’s lineup and the festival’s stellar reputation, tickets are expected to sell out swiftly.
For more information on the Red Rocks Music Festival, to view their Sedona concerts, or to purchase tickets, visit redrocksmusicfestival.com.
