Mozart: Overture to The Abduction from the Seraglio
Carter: Two Controversies and a Conversation
Cristina Valdés, piano
Matthew Kocmieroski, percussion
Ligeti: Mysteries of the Macabre
Maria Männistö, soprano
Haydn: Symphony No. 100 “Military"
Mozart and Haydn infuse beautiful symphonic and operatic music with militaristic fervor, while Carter contemplates the inner game of conversation in his double concerto for piano and percussion. In three arias from his surrealist opera The Grand Macabre, Ligeti pushes the limits of the human voice. Joined by three celebrated artists whose contemporary performances have been revered in Seattle and around the world, SMCO compares creative forces in the Classical era and the modern day in this explosive Season Finale.
About the Artists
Committed to both contemporary and standard repertoire, pianist Cristina Valdés is known for presenting innovative concerts with repertoire ranging from Bach to Xenakis. She has performed across four continents and in multiple venues including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Recital Hall, and the Kennedy Center and has collaborated with composers such as Terry Riley and Joan Tower. Cristina has appeared at festivals throughout the globe, and has performed with ensembles such as the Bang on a Can All-Stars, Seattle Symphony, and Seattle Chamber Players.
Matthew Kocmieroski is principal percussionist with the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, and frequently performs with the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, and Auburn Symphony. Matt was a founding member of both the Pacific Rims Percussion Quartet, and often performs with the Seattle Chamber Players and other groups. In addition to festival appearances with the Seattle Chamber Music Society and Warsaw Autumn Festival, Matt's long and varied freelance career has included performances with the Martha Graham Dance Co., New York City Ballet, Mariinsky Orchestra, Northwest Chamber Orchestra, John Cage, PDQ Bach, Sammy Davis Jr., and Mister Rogers.
Awarded the Finlandia Foundation Performer of the Year in 2007, soprano Maria Männistö is appearing with SMCO for the second time. She has been featured by the Seattle Symphony in the [untitled] late-night contemporary series, recently collaborated with composer Wayne Horvitz, and has appeared as a vocal soloist with the Pacific Northwest Ballet. Maria returns to the US fresh from solo recitals in Brussels, Belgium and Helsinki, Finland, and from performing the title role in Garrett Fisher’s new opera Kocho. In The Seattle Times, Paul de Barros wrote: Männistö has one of the most hauntingly beautiful voices I have heard in years."