In his Ottawa debut, Rob Kapilow reveals “What Makes It Great”!

January 29, 2010 · Filed Under Festival News, News

What makes ‘What Makes It Great?’ great? Well, Kapilow is as enthusiastic as the Energizer Bunny and profound at the same time. He is learned and funny, and he edifies the musically experienced at the same time as he reaches non-musicians in the audience. – Ann Arbor News

Ottawa (January 28, 2010)

The Ottawa Chamber Music Society, under the Artistic Direction of Roman Borys, the Gryphon Trio, and in partnership with the Extra Curricular Creative Arts Program of the Continuing Education department of the Ottawa Carleton District School Board, proudly announces the Ottawa debut of Rob Kapilow to reveal “what makes it great”.

Commentator, composer and conductor Rob Kapilow will take his audience on a riveting exploration of Brahms’ Piano Trio in B major, Op. 8 (Revised Version – 1891), followed by a performance of the work by the Gryphon Trio, on Sunday, February 7, at 3 PM, at Dominion-Chalmers United Church, 355 Cooper Street, Ottawa.

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board’s Extra Curricular Creative Arts Program is proud to support the Rob Kapilow “What Makes It Great?” concert as an exciting and entertaining event for young musicians and their families. For parents who confess, “I can’t help my child; I know nothing about music”, Rob Kapilow has the ability to translate the classical world into language everyone can understand and thoroughly enjoy! – Deborah Latham, Supervisor, Extra Curricular Creative Arts Program, Continuing Education, OCDSB

With his diverse array of talents and infectious enthusiasm for all things musical, Rob Kapilow has been compared to Leonard Bernstein for bringing the pleasures of classical music to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. For more than 15 years, master communicator Rob Kapilow has brought the joy and wonder of classical music, and at the same time unraveled some of its mysteries, to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Characterized by his unique ability to create an “a-ha” moment for his audiences, no matter their level of musical sophistication, Kapilow helps people to listen actively rather than just hear.

You could practically see the light bulbs going on above people’s heads … The audience could decipher the music in a new, deeper way. It was the total opposite of passive listening. – Philadelphia Inquirer

With remarkable energy, Kapilow breaks the music down in a listener-friendly way and explains why a piece is so “likeable”. He pulls themes apart and guides listeners through the maze of melodies, then finishes up with a complete performance of the work – the perfect combination of education and entertainment!

Kapilow’s accessible and refreshing approach is designed to help listeners – whether newcomers to classical music or experienced concert-goers – to understand music from the inside out. He deciphers what it is about a piece that triggers the listener’s response. Kapilow teaches audience members to become great listeners by expanding on his belief that the core of real listening has less to do with musical terminology and historical facts than with one’s ability to pay attention and to listen closely. He demonstrates how to listen to music from the composer’s point of view; he highlights what composers intended to be heard, but what listeners so often miss.

An educator, motivational speaker, and game show host, all rolled up in one … Rob Kapilow’s insightful and entertaining programs … bring moments of revelation to even the most seasoned aficionados. – The Boston Globe

By opening “new ears” to musical experiences, Rob Kapilow helps people understand how music can enrich, reflect and enhance their daily lives. Educating an audience is essential for the future of classical music as education leads to music enthusiasm. What makes Rob Kapilow so great is that he has mastered this. His presentations satisfy listeners at all levels of musical sophistication, resulting in each member of Kapilow’s audience having a unique but shared experience: a lightbulb is lit in his or her musical consciousness.

In my 20 years in this business I have never seen a more innovative musical program help to open minds and change attitudes and perceptions about classical music. - Martha H. Jones, President of the Celebrity Series of Boston

THE PERFORMERS

Robert Kapilow (December 22, 1952) is an American composer, conductor, and music commentator. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Yale University, a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, and a student of Nadia Boulanger. He initially gained recognition for his classical music radio program, “What Makes It Great?”, under the umbrella of National Public Radio’s “Performance Today”. “What Makes It Great?” now sells out regular subscription series in Kansas City (12th season) and Cerritos, CA (9th season), as well as at New York’s Lincoln Center [follow this link to see Rob at the Lincoln Centre in January 2008] and the Celebrity Series of Boston.

The wide reach of his interactive events and activities range from Native American tribal communities to inner-city high school students, and from youngsters to seasoned Ivy League musicologists. Kapilow has appeared on NBC’s Today Show in conversation with Katie Couric, presented a special “What Makes It Great?” event for broadcast on PBS’s Live From Lincoln Center, and written the prize-winning All You Have to Do is Listen: Music from the Inside Out (2008).

THE GRYPHON TRIO

The Gryphon Trio, formed in 1993 and based in Toronto, consistently delight audiences with their dynamic performances throughout Canada, the United States and Europe. With a strong commitment to expanding the piano trio repertoire, the Trio has commissioned and premiered over 50 works. Their celebrated recordings include works by Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Dvorak, Lalo, and Shostakovich. Their recordings include the 2004 Juno winning Canadian Premieres, Tango Nuevo, and their recently released recording Beethoven Piano Trios. The Trio is actively involved in teaching and nurturing future classical musicians and audiences. They are Artists-in-Residence at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music where Dr. Parker is the Rupert E. Edwards Chair in Piano Performance and violinist Annalee Patipatanakoon is an Assistant Professor. The Trio has also given master classes across North America. After two seasons as Artistic Directors of the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, they are continuing with Roman Borys as Artistic Director and Jamie Parker and Annalee Patipatanakoon as Artistic Advisors.
TICKET INFORMATION

Full 2009-2010 Concert Series details are available on the OCMS’ website at www.chamberfest.com.

Single tickets range from $30 – $47. Discounted student pricing is also available.

The OCMS has recently partnered with eyeGO to the Arts!, a national program dedicated to making the arts accessible and affordable for high school students allowing them to purchase concert tickets – including the best seats in the house – for only five dollars. For more information about this and all other ticket options, please contact the OCMS office at 613-234-6306.

The next concert in the series will feature the Cecilia String Quartet with Louise Bessette on Sunday, March 7, at 3 PM, Dominion-Chalmers United Church (355 Cooper Street).

Mark your calendars! Chamberfest 2010 will take place from July 24 to August 7.

The Ottawa Chamber Music Society gratefully acknowledges the support of its sponsors, partners and donors.

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Media Contact :

Karen St. Aubin
Communications, Marketing & Events Coordinator
Ottawa Chamber Music Society
201-4 Florence Street
Ottawa, ON K2P 0W7
613-234-8008 x 244
613-299-0929 (cell.)
kstaubin@chamberfest.com

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July 24 – August 7

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Tags: Chamber Music, Ottawa, Rob Kapilow