Commemorating the 50th anniversary of Heitor Villa-Lobos' death, “Marsalis Brasilianos" is an innovative new project that brings together the Grammy-winning, New Orleans-born jazz artist and the esteemed Brazilian ensemble, finding a fertile meeting ground in the composer's music. They perform Villa-Lobos' Fantasia for Saxophone (Soprano) and Piano or Orchestra (1949), the Suite for Strings (1912), and Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 (1938). Also on the program are Darius Milhaud's La cration du monde, op. 81 (1923) and Scaramouche for Saxophone (Alto) and Orchestra, op. 165c (1937).
Immediately following the performance, Lively Arts will usher in the new season with “Festa Brasileira," an elegant Brazilian-themed gala amid the fan palms of the Ford Alumni Gardens at Arrillaga Alumni Center, 326 Galvez Street. The event begins with a 5:00 p.m. reception, with cocktails and live music featuring two esteemed Brazilian-born artists: vocalist Claudia Villela and guitarist Ricardo Peixoto. At 6:00 p.m., the Brazilian festa continues with a gourmet seated dinner. Proceeds benefit Lively Arts' artistic and education programs.
This presentation is generously supported by Fred and Stephanie Harman and Microsoft Corporation.
About the Artists
Jazz luminary and three-time Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis was born in New Orleans into one of the city's most distinguished musical families, which includes patriarch/pianist/educator Ellis and siblings Wynton, Delfeayo, and Jason. Known for his broad musical scope, Marsalis has become increasingly active as a soloist with such acclaimed ensembles as the symphony orchestras of Chicago, Detroit, and Dsseldorf and the Boston Pops. His nearly two-dozen recordings in various styles have received numerous accolades, with his most recent CD, the Grammy-nominated Braggtown, acknowledged as his quartet's greatest recorded achievement to date. In addition to spending two years touring and recording with Sting and serving as musical director of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Marsalis has collaborated with the Grateful Dead and Bruce Hornsby, acted in films including Throw Mama from the Train and School Daze, provided music for Mo' Better Blues and other films, and hosted National Public Radio's syndicated program Jazz Set.
The Philarmonia Brasileira was founded in 1994 by conductor Gil Jardim, whose work is distinguished by its technique, excellence, and clarity of purpose as well as Jardim's strong understanding of the fusion between ethnic and erudite Brazilian music elements. In October 2005, Jardim released a CD with Philarmonia Brasileira reconstructing the first concert Villa-Lobos held in Paris, in 1924. Two of the tracks on the CD, the recordings of Penses d'enfant and Epigramas irnicos e sentimentais, were being released for the first time. The CD, titled Villa-Lobos in Paris, was awarded the Diapason d'Or from the well-known magazine Diapason. In addition, Jardim has appeared with the Brooklyn Orchestra in New York, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London, and the Camerata Mexicana in Mexico.
Tickets
Tickets for the “Marsalis Brasilianos" concert, presented by Stanford Lively Arts on Sunday, October 5 at 2:30 p.m. at Memorial Auditorium, are $40/$48/$56; Premium: $76 (adult), $20/$24; Premium: $38 for (Stanford student). Single tickets for this and other Lively Arts events go on sale to the public Tuesday, September 2.
Half-price tickets are available for young people age 18 and under and discounts are available for groups and non-Stanford students. Contact the Stanford Ticket Office at 650-725-ARTS (2787), or visit Lively Arts online.
Individual tickets for Festa Brasileira, Stanford Lively Arts' Season Opening Gala, are $500 per person and include preferred performance seating. For more information on the gala, including purchase of complete tables, contact Mary Ancell at [email protected] or (650) 723-7247.
Venue Information
Memorial Auditorium is located on the Stanford campus at 551 Serra Mall at Galvez, across from Hoover Tower. Parking on campus is free of charge after 4:00 p.m. and on weekends at all times. Maps and directions can accessed at our website.
About Stanford Lively Arts
Stanford Lively Arts curates experiences that engage artists' and audiences' imagination, creativity, and sense of adventure. Founded in 1969 at Stanford University, we produce and present music, theater, dance, spoken word, and multi-media events. We place a special focus on innovation and risk-taking, and through commissions and premieres are an incubator and destination for new work. Stanford Lively Arts plays a leading and collaborative role in the university's thriving vision of a sustained culture of creativity--one in which the arts integrate with the academic disciplines, flourish as a vital part of campus and community life, and inspire new perspectives on our lives and culture.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
