These performances have been recorded (remotely!) in one unedited take to create the feeling of live concerts. Boby Borisov of OOAudio has mixed the sound to create the highest quality listening experience (we recommend listening on a good sound system, or with headphones, when possible). We were also pleased to partner with Sonoma TV who filmed several performances on Yulupa Ranch within the restored ruins of Issac DeTurk’s 1863 winery located in Bennett Valley.
In keeping with VMMF’s vision of enhancing the concert experience by adding historical, cultural, and personal perspective to the performances, each piece features an introduction by a Festival Laureate, Apprentice, Faculty Artist , or Blattner Lecture Series speaker, including Nicholas Mathew, author of Political Beethoven and Associate Professor in the Department of Music at UC Berkeley and Nicholas McGegan, former Artistic Director of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra.
The health and safety of our Festival musicians is paramount – by exploring Beethoven’s music for small ensembles, we kept the number of performers to a minimum while carefully respecting current health guidelines.
A portion of all 2020 contributions will be donated to #BlackLivesMatter. VMMF supports the fight to end racial injustice in America. We thank you for joining us.Moonlight in the Valley of the Moon
Recorded performance from Saturday July 18, 2020
Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2 (“Moonlight”)
Beethoven, Variations on “Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen” from Mozart’s The Magic Flute, WoO 46, for cello and piano
Beethoven, Violin Sonata No. 8 in G major, Op. 30, No. 3
Francisco Fullana, violin
Tanya Tomkins, cello
Eric Zivian, fortepiano
Music for a While
Recorded performance from Sunday July 19, 2020
Songs by Purcell, Mozart, and Rossini
Beethoven, Serenade in D major, Op. 8
Maya Kherani, soprano
Francisco Fullana, violin
Liana Bérubé, viola
Tanya Tomkins, cello
Iconic Bach
Recorded performance from Saturday July 25, 2020
J. S. Bach, Prelude from Suite No. 1 in G major for solo cello, BWV 1007
J. S. Bach, Chaconne from Partita in D minor for solo violin, BWV 1004
Beethoven String Trio Op. 9 No. 1 in G Major.
Francisco Fullana, violin
Liana Bérubé, viola
Tanya Tomkins, cello
Symphony for Three
Recorded performance from Sunday July 26, 2020
Beethoven, Violin Sonata, Op. 12, No. 2
Beethoven, Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 36,
arranged for Piano Trio by the composer
Francisco Fullana, violin
Tanya Tomkins, cello
Audrey Vardanega, fortepiano
Eric Zivian, fortepiano
À Thérèse
Recorded performance from Saturday August 1, 2020
Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 24 in F-sharp major, Op. 78 (à Thérèse)
Beethoven, Cello Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 5, No. 2
Tanya Tomkins, cello
Audrey Vardanega, fortepiano
Eric Zivian, fortepiano
To a Countess
Recorded performance from Sunday August 2, 2020
Beethoven, Violin Sonata No. 4 in A minor, Op. 23
Beethoven, Piano Trio in E–flat major, Op.70 No.2
Francisco Fullana, violin
Tanya Tomkins, cello
Audrey Vardanega, fortepiano
Eric Zivian, fortepiano
FESTIVAL ARTISTS
The violin sonatas of Beethoven will be performed by Avery Fisher Grant recipient and rising star Francisco Fullana, currently based in Palo Alto.
Berkeley-based Audrey Vardanega, a pupil of Richard Goode with a special interest in historical pianos, will be making her VMMF debut.
Soprano Maya Kherani, familiar to Bay Area audiences for her acclaimed roles with Opera Parallèle, Opera San Jose and West Edge Opera will also be joining the proceedings.
Finally, Bay Area favorite, violist Liana Bérubé will return for her fifth season with the festival.
