Marin Symphony, Visionary Mahler, Kenji Bunch, Guest Artist Monica Ohuchi

Monica Ohuchi Kenji Bunch59th Season | Maestro Alasdair Neale’s 10th Anniversary Fresh. Local. Music.

Photo: RJ Muna FEATURED ARTIST AND COMPOSER REFLECTIONS This is the second in a series of guest artist/composer stories and quotes— exposing secrets and insights from their points of view. Guest artist, virtuoso pianist Monica Ohuchi, performs a contemporary piano concerto by Kenji Bunch on Sunday, Nov. 6, and Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011. The concert finale: Mahler’s magnificent Symphony No. 1. Featured Artist | Pianist Monica Ohuchi | Concert 2, No. 2

“ KENJI Three orchestras played my first concerto in 2004: Santa Rosa, Marin and Oakland. I had a wonderful time working with the Marin Symphony and Alasdair Neale. My music is very expressive emotionally and in that particular piece there was a lot of humor. Alasdair found the heart in that music and brought it out. It’s really an honor to have a conductor of his caliber ” championing my work.Featured Artist | Pianist Monica Ohuchi | Kenji Bunch Piano Concerto | Concert 2, No. 2

KENJI A lyrical quality flows through Kenji Bunch compositions. His works are infused with a wide range of emotion and character—from subtle and pleasing textures—to animated high-energy passages. “ The piano concerto is in three movements. For the final movement, I wanted something fast and festive sounding. I wanted to end on a ” more energetic fun note.Featured Artist | Pianist Monica Ohuchi | Kenji Bunch Piano Concerto | Concert 2, No. 2

MONICA “ The piece has many different influences. There is some minimalism, polytonality, jazz influence, Latin influence and a Rachmaninov-like section. It has the potential to communicate with everyone and I’m excited to bring it to Marin. I want ” everybody to hear it.Featured Artist | Pianist Monica Ohuchi | Kenji Bunch Piano Concerto | Concert 2, No. 2

MONICA Working together as husband and wife, these gifted artists have found harmony and balance. “ When I’m in the zone trying to focus and learn his piece, he just lets me be. It’s so easy to work with him because we have this layer of understanding where we’re coming from and what the other person is all about, what the other person needs and doesn’t need. ”Featured Artist | Pianist Monica Ohuchi | Kenji Bunch Piano Concerto | Concert 2, No. 2

MONICA “ This piano concerto was a personal project for both of us since we’re married. For this composition, Kenji was asked to name a soloist to write for. He suggested me. I was floored. I felt quite a bit of pressure—I didn’t want to ” let him down.Featured Artist | Pianist Monica Ohuchi | Kenji Bunch Piano Concerto | Concert 2, No. 2

MONICA “ He felt a different kind of pressure from me, but I tried not to pester him. I trusted he would deliver his best work in time. Once he started writing, each page felt like an awesome discovery. I would wonder where it was going—it ” was like reading a book.Featured Artist | Pianist Monica Ohuchi | Kenji Bunch Piano Concerto | Concert 2, No. 2

MONICA “ He would introduce these beautiful themes and the tune would come back later, but it had become something else. It is interesting to hear how it evolves. I’m excited about bringing it to Marin. I genuinely love Kenji’s music. It brings me joy to practice his ” music hours on end.Featured Artist | Pianist Monica Ohuchi | Kenji Bunch Piano Concerto | Concert 2, No. 2

KENJI “ My job is experimenting. As a composer, basically what I do is make something out of nothing. I have to approach each piece with a clean slate. I never know where inspiration is coming from. It’s like improvisation—going where my ear leads me. I don’t want ” to dismiss any ideas.Featured Artist | Pianist Monica Ohuchi | Kenji Bunch Piano Concerto | Concert 2, No. 2

Fresh. Local. Music. Visionary Mahler Mahler took the world by storm with his First Symphony—an audacious and utterly original creation that still brings audiences to their feet. Kenji Bunch’s music is fresh and distinctive; his is a vibrant American voice for the new century. Connect with us: 415.479.8100, www.marinsymphony.org PROGRAM 2 Sunday, November 6, 2011 at 3pm Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 7:30pm Alasdair Neale, conductor Monica Ohuchi, piano Bunch Piano Concerto Mahler Symphony No. 1 AlasdairMonica Ohuchi Kenji Bunch Neale Photos: Erica Lyn Photo: Matthew Washburn

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Marin Symphony, Visionary Mahler, Kenji Bunch, Guest Artist Monica Ohuchi

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Marin Symphony, Visionary Mahler, Kenji Bunch, Guest Artist Monica Ohuchi Presentation Transcript