Viva la VIVO: Columbus chamber music festival to offer new works, fan faves
Known for adventuresome repertoires, VIVO Music Festival will leave few stones unturned during its 11th season of new works and fan favorites.
Founded in 2015 by two longtime friends and colleagues, violinist Siwoo Kim and violist John Stulz, the festival opens with "VIVO: Meditation" at 7 p.m. Aug. 27 at Strongwater Events , 401 W. Town St.
The concert will feature the world premiere of an innovative commission by Columbus composer Tina Tallon , assistant professor of artificial intelligence and music composition at OSU.
"VIVO is committed to adding to the chamber music literature every year," said Kim, a 2008 Westerville High School graduate.
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The season continues with "VIVO: Metamorphosis," inspired by the fantastical visions of Franz Kafka, at 7 p.m. Aug. 28 in OSU's Timashev Family Music Building, 1900 College Road N.
The popular "Beer and Beethoven" returns to Natalie's Grandview, 945 King Ave., for two shows on Aug. 29. The first show at 6 p.m. will be a spirited romp that's a VIVO tradition.
"It's spontaneous and interactive; a favorite our audiences know very well," said Stulz, a 2006 Upper Arlington High School alumnus.
The 9 p.m. program, "Not So Classic," is curated by inaugural VIVO: Next fellows, violist Isabella Prater and cellist Liam Battle.
Stulz and Kim are enthused about the pair's debut and participation in festival events including residencies, masterclasses and school performances.
"It's a wholistic mentoring program to help the younger generation of musicians just graduating from school gain professional experience and guidance," Stulz said.
"VIVO: Momentum," the final concert, at 3 p.m. Aug. 31 at the Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St., will end with Felix Mendelssohn's String Octet, the piece that also wrapped the first festival.
Guest artists include soprano Lucy Fitz Gibbon ; guitarist Jordan Dodson; violinists Isabelle Ai Durrenberger , Alicia Hui and Alexi Kenney ; and cellist Julia Yang .
Tickets for VIVO Music Festival concerts range from pay-what-you-want to $49 at vivofestival.org .
(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)
Entertainment and Things to Do reporter Belinda M. Paschal can be reached at bpaschal@dispatch.com .
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: VIVO Music Festival to offer chamber music in Columbus from Aug. 27-31
