{"id":24865,"date":"2025-09-02T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/?p=24865"},"modified":"2025-08-29T18:16:03","modified_gmt":"2025-08-30T01:16:03","slug":"summer-roundup-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/2025\/09\/02\/summer-roundup-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer Roundup (Part 2)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Sunset at the J. Christopher at Appassionata Estate vineyards.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Just a week or so after my wonderful time at the Chintimini festival, it was time to begin rehearsals for what is truly the highlight of my year, the Willamette Valley Chamber Music Festival<\/a>. The founders and co-artistic directors – husband and wife team Sasha Callahan (violin) and Leo Eguchi (cellos) – are now dear friends after 8 years of making music together – as is their fellow Bostonian, violinist Megumi Stohs Lewis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Megumi Stohs Lewis, Leo Eguchi, Sasha Callahan, and Charles Noble at Sokol-Blosser winery.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This year celebrated the 10th anniversary of the founding of the festival. So pieces were brought back that were highlights of past seasons, along with new gems. As usual, there was an excellent composer in residence. This year it was Akshaya Tucker<\/a>, who brought a fusion of Indian Classical and Western Classical techniques and forms. She has been immersed in the world of Indian Classical music for much of her life, as well as a practitioner of Odissi dance. A string quintet was commissioned from her by the festival and was given its premiere in the opening week of the festival, with Akshaya listening to rehearsals and giving feedback on how she wanted things to sound. It was a joy to get to work with her for the first two weeks of the festival (usually we only get one week with the composer) and to get to know her style and personality. We were joined by the awesome violist Bradley Otteson<\/a> of the Fry Street Quartet (based in Logan, UT) for both Akshaya’s quintet and for Mendelssohn’s joyous and virtuosic Quintet in B-flat major. The Mendelssohn has been getting played a lot around the country this summer, and with good reason. It is well-written and a both a blast to play and for listening enjoyment! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Leo Eguchi, Sasha Callahan, Charles Noble, Akshaya Tucker, and Megumi Stohs Lewis at Sokol-Blosser winery.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There was a ton of repertoire over the three weeks that I won’t go into here, but the highlights for me were, in week one, Akshaya’s new quintet Oh Whose Head He Danced<\/em> and the Mendelssohn quintet. In week two they were Schubert’s incredible quartet in D minor “Death and the Maiden”, and Akshaya’s string trio In Whose Mouth the Stars<\/em>, which though intricate and tricky to perform always delivers big time feels for both the performers and the audience. Week three brought Beethoven’s mighty Op. 59 no. 1 “Razumovsky” quartet, Shelley Washington’s achingly beautiful meditation on nostalgia and family Middleground<\/em> and Akshaya’s gorgeous quartet (commissioned by the incredible Brooklyn Rider quartet) Hollow Flame<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was at times an exhausting month, but also exhilarating, challenging, and rewarding. In short, it was just what a chamber music festival ought to be!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now there’s a bit of actual down time (gasp!), which will contain some traveling, some yard and house work, and a little bit of maintenance practicing before the symphony season starts on September 8th. I’ll be back in just over a week with a look at what I’m looking forward to in the 2025-2026 Oregon Symphony season. See you then!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PS – if you’re enjoying what you’re reading here, please consider buying me a coffee at the coffee cup icon floating on the page. I’d appreciate it so much!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Just a week or so after my wonderful time at the Chintimini festival, it was time to begin rehearsals for what is truly the highlight of my year, the Willamette Valley Chamber Music Festival. The founders and co-artistic directors – husband and wife team Sasha Callahan (violin) and Leo Eguchi (cellos) – are now dear […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":303,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[136,503,138,22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24865","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chamber-music","category-string-quartet","category-summer-festivals","category-viola"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pa8kC-6t3","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13794,"url":"https:\/\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/2015\/07\/16\/focus-on-chamber-music\/","url_meta":{"origin":24865,"position":0},"title":"focus on chamber music","author":"Charles Noble","date":"July 16, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"A week from today I'll be on my way to the Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival\u00a0(July 23 - August 1), which is a wonderful little festival in one of those special out-of-the-way places that really are truly magical. Last year's festival was cancelled due to the huge wildfires in the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "chamber music"","block_context":{"text":"chamber music","link":"https:\/\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/category\/music\/chamber-music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/10556379_10152264415142776_6152986843543323104_n.jpg?fit=640%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/10556379_10152264415142776_6152986843543323104_n.jpg?fit=640%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/10556379_10152264415142776_6152986843543323104_n.jpg?fit=640%2C640&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13677,"url":"https:\/\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/2015\/03\/30\/summer-festival-preview\/","url_meta":{"origin":24865,"position":1},"title":"summer festival preview","author":"Charles Noble","date":"March 30, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Well, sort of. I've just gotten my festival plans for the summer finalized, and thought I'd share them with you. If I'm in your corner of the PNW at some point this summer, come say hello, or at least come and support one of these great festivals with your patronage!\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "summer festivals"","block_context":{"text":"summer festivals","link":"https:\/\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/category\/music\/summer-festivals\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The best sort of practice room!","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IMG_8360.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IMG_8360.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/IMG_8360.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14825,"url":"https:\/\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/2018\/08\/04\/preview-willamette-valley-chamber-music-festival-week-one\/","url_meta":{"origin":24865,"position":2},"title":"preview: willamette valley chamber music festival – week one","author":"Charles Noble","date":"August 4, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"A bit of backstory: for the past twenty-odd years or so, my summers have followed a pretty stable pattern of festival-hopping. Some years I've done five festivals in a summer. I spent much more time on the road and in a homestay or dorm room than at home. I'd come\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "chamber music"","block_context":{"text":"chamber music","link":"https:\/\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/category\/music\/chamber-music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/WVCMF-FB-cover-2-500x270.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":24850,"url":"https:\/\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/2025\/08\/28\/summer-roundup-part-1\/","url_meta":{"origin":24865,"position":3},"title":"Summer Roundup (Part 1)","author":"Charles Noble","date":"August 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Summers are an interesting time for musicians - whether they are in a full 52 week orchestra, freelance performers, or members of orchestras that play less than 52 weeks each season. The Oregon Symphony plays 40 weeks a year - leaving 12 weeks where we find work where we can.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "chamber music"","block_context":{"text":"chamber music","link":"https:\/\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/category\/music\/chamber-music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_8741-scaled.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_8741-scaled.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_8741-scaled.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_8741-scaled.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_8741-scaled.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_8741-scaled.jpeg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":23769,"url":"https:\/\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/2024\/08\/26\/summer-music\/","url_meta":{"origin":24865,"position":4},"title":"summer music","author":"Charles Noble","date":"August 26, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"The Oregon Symphony's season ended on June 12 this year, and there was barely time for a respite and the summer festival season began in earnest. In the midst of that 'respite', I had the great pleasure of playing the string trio version of Bach's Goldberg Variations on the brand\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "chamber music"","block_context":{"text":"chamber music","link":"https:\/\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/category\/music\/chamber-music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/IMG_6451.jpeg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/IMG_6451.jpeg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/IMG_6451.jpeg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/IMG_6451.jpeg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13473,"url":"https:\/\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/2014\/06\/29\/whats-on-the-music-stand-summer-edition\/","url_meta":{"origin":24865,"position":5},"title":"what’s on the music stand, summer edition","author":"Charles Noble","date":"June 29, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"The stand isn't groaning with music as it often can during the symphony season, but there's stuff still there awaiting my attention. Here's what's on the docket for July. Scales, Arpeggios, and Double Stops - Michael Kimber. A great all-around basic daily practice reference. 16 Fantasy Etudes - Lilian Fuchs.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "chamber music"","block_context":{"text":"chamber music","link":"https:\/\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/category\/music\/chamber-music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/IMG_7496-e1404066852324.jpg?fit=300%2C225&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24865","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/303"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24865"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24865\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24865"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24865"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nobleviola.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24865"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}