Inaugural Classical Bridge Festival Updates Line Up

This August, New York City will host the first ever Classical Bridge, an international music festival, academy and conference designed to build bridges through the music. Presented by New York Concert Artists & Associates (NYCA), the inaugural event runs August 4 - 11 at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center (129 West 67th Street, between Broadway & Amsterdam Ave), Symphony Space (2537 Broadway, at 96th Street), and Steinway Hall (1133 Avenue of the Americas at 44th Street). For tickets. reservations and more information visit www.ClassicalBridge.org.

The festival offers three components:

FESTIVAL CONCERTS featuring the festival orchestra and internationally renowned soloists ranging from 11 - 95 years old.

ACADEMY of celebrated artists offering master classes for aspiring musicians.

CONFERENCES. In an unique element that is unique to this particular music festival, Classical Bridge offers full schedule of panel discussions at which classical music industry leaders engage with musicians, addressing practical topics and mentoring emerging careers.

"With Classical Bridge, we aspire to create an event for the classical music community - musicians,aspiring artists, music industry professionals and music lovers - with the goal of building new audiences and providing helpful resources and innovative ideas to musical presentation," says Classical Bridge founder, producer and performing artist Klara Min. "Classical Bridge believes that we contribute to an ever-evolving music industry and society-at-large in the hopes of a more fully imagined musical life. We live in a time when division is rampant in daily conversation and headlines. But through music, we can find unity and build bridges across, nations, cultures, generations, and aspirational goals. We can inspire young artists through master classes, introduce great artists to new generations of audiences, and provide each with platform learn and collaborate. Through mentorship and a shared passion for music, we can bring together a community that puts music before any boarder, boundary or barrier."

The schedule for the inaugural Classical Bridge Festival conferences and concerts is as follows:

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3

ACADEMY: Master Class with Ivry Gitlis, violin

12PM at 55 Central Park West, 66th Street, 15-A, New York (private residence)

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4

ACADEMY: Orientation

2PM at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway

CONFERENCE: Pre-Concert Discussion - Jed Distler in conversation with legendary violinist Ivry Gitlis

6PMat Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway

OPENING CONCERT: Chamber music with Ivry GItlis, violin

with Ivry Gitlis, Eric Silberger, Alissa Margulis, Sirena Huang, violin; Andrew Gonzalez, Colin Brookes, viola; Alexander Buzlov, Borislav Strulev, cello; Alexander Fiterstein, clarinet; Klara Min, piano; Spencer Myer, piano.

7:30PM at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway

Program: L'isle joyeuse (Debussy); Overture on Hebrew Themes (Prokofiev); Liebeslied/Paradise (Kreisler); Navarra "Spanish Dance" (de Sarasate); Octet for Strings in E-flat major, Op. 20 (Mendelssohn)

SUNDAY, AUGUST 5

ACADEMY: Studio lessons with Eric Silberger, violin; Alissa Margulis, violin; Yong Hi Moon, piano; Eduard Zilberkant, piano

9AM - 3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

ACADEMY: Master Class with Ivry Gitlis, violin

12PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

CONFERENCE: One-on-One Career Advice Sessions with Bettina Mehne (by appointment)

12PM - 3PMatKaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

CONFERENCE: Panel Discussion - New media and musician entrepreneurship

3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

Sean Hickey, award-winning composer and Vice-President, Sales and Business Development of Naxos of America Inc., discusses the blend of art and administration. With a focus on musician entrepreneurship, new media, artist citizenry and navigating the current music and tech landscapes, Hickey's lectures at colleges, universities and conservatories throughout the world aim to engage and inspire, and to demystify marketing and social media strategies. He here speaks with select leaders in the field. Panelists: Sean Hickey, Collin Rae, Christopher O'Riley, Ariel Horowitz

CONFERENCE: Pre-Concert Panel Discussion: Living music ...how performing artists can develop new traditions

6PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

A special discussion of why new performing traditions - outside the traditional recital or concert - should be of interest to all, and led by a stellar group of visionary artists who are constantly redefining the presentation of new music. Panelists: Amanda Cook, Kathleen Supove, Robert Patterson

CONCERT: 2018 NYCA Worldwide Debut Audition Winner: Milan Al-Ashhab, Violin; Adam Skoumal, piano

7:30PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

Program: Paganiniana (Milstein); Poeme (Chausson); Sonata for violin and piano No. 2 (Ravel); Djinnia (Skoumal); Sonata No 3 for solo violin, "Ballade" (Ysaye);Nigun from Baal Shem (Bloch); Carmen Fantasy (Waxman)

MONDAY, AUGUST 6

ACADEMY: Studio lessons with Eric Silberger, violin; Alissa Margulis, violin; Yong Hi Moon, piano; Eduard Zilberkant, piano, Gábor Takács-Nagy, ensemble.

9AM - 3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

ACADEMY: Master Class with Gábor Takács-Nagy, ensemble

12PM atMerkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

CONFERENCE: One-on-One Career Advice Sessions with Christina Baker (by appointment)

12PM - 3PM atKaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

CONFERENCE: Panel Discussion - Diversity in performance and presentation

3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

Legendary philanthropist, performing artist, professor and founder of ArtsForce and Sphinx, Jacqueline Jove, discusses the role of diversity in classical music with a group of distinguished guests, how diversity and inclusion is essential for the growth and dissemination of the artform and which is currently under threat. Panelists: Jacqueline Jove, Alexander Fiterstein, Emil Kang, Jeremy Ganter

CONFERENCE: Pre-Concert Panel Discussion: New approaches to recording, production and distribution

6PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

The DIY ethos permeates all areas of music, and perhaps none more so now than in the world of classical music presentation and recording.Sean Hickey leads a discussion with some of the most successful individual entrepreneurs in the space. Panelists: Collin Rae, Bob Lord, Judd Greenstein

CONCERT: Chamber Music - Stravinsky/Shostakovich/Tchaikovsky

Sirena Huang, Eric Silberger - violin; Colin Brookes, Andrew Gonzalez - viola; Alexander Buzlov, Borislav Strulev - cello; Vyacheslav Gryaznov, - piano; Alexander Fiterstein - clarinet

7:30PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

Program: L'Histoire du soldat Suite (Stravinsky); Piano Trio No.2 in E minor, Op. 67 (Shostakovich); Sextet "Souvenir de Florence", Op. 70 (Tchaikovsky)

TUESDAY, AUGUST 7

ACADEMY: Studio Lessons with Eric Silberger, violin; Alissa Margulis, violin; Yong Hi Moon, piano; Eduard Zilberkant, piano, David Kim, violin.

9AM - 3PMat Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

ACADEMY: Master Class with David Kim, violin

12PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

CONFERENCE: One-on-One Career Advice Sessions with Sean Hickey (by appointment)

12PM - 3PM at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

CONFERENCE: Panel Discussion - Rethinking and retooling concert presentation, programming and performance

3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

From large hall to intimate cabaret, there are a plethora of choices in engaging with classical music that didn't all exist a decade ago. What are the approaches some of these leading music directors and leaders take, and what might programming look like a decade from now? Panelists:Glenn Cornett, Judd Greenstein, Justin Kantor

CONFERENCE: Pre-Concert Discussion - Finding an original voice as soloist

6PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

There is most certainly no shortage of tremendously talented instrumentalists and singers, hailing from all corners of the globe, many with big ambitions. What sets you apart and why should others care? A critical discussion of finding an original artistic voice. Panelists: Carsten Durer,Klara Min, Gábor Takács-Nagy, Sean Hickey

CONCERT: Chamber Music - Brahms/Schumann/Schubert

David Kim, Alissa Margulis, Eric Silberger - violin; Andrew Gonzalez - viola; Alexander Buzlov - cello; Juan Carlos Fernandez-Nieto,Zhenni Li, Klara Min, Eduard Zilberkant - piano

7:30PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

Program: Fantasy in F minor for four-hands, D. 940 (Schubert); Violin Sonata No. 5 (Beethoven); Sonatensatz (Brahms); Quintet, Op. 44 (Schumann)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8

ACADEMY: Studio Lessons with Alissa Margulis, violin; Yong Hi Moon, piano; Eduard Zilberkant, piano, Phillip Kawin, piano

9AM - 3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

ACADEMY: Master Class with Yong Hi Moon, piano

12PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

CONFERENCE: One-on-One Career Advice Sessions with Bettina Mehne (by appointment)

12PM - 3PM atKaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

ACADEMY: Masterclass with Alexander Fiterstein, clarinet

3PM at Merkin Concert Hall, Studio #408 at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

CONFERENCE: Group Discussion - New media and entrepreneurship opportunities for young artists

3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

Sean Hickey, award-winning composer and Vice-President, Sales and Business Development of Naxos of America Inc., discuss the blending of art and commerce. With a focus on musician entrepreneurship, new media, artist citizenry, and navigating the current music and tech landscapes, Hickey's lectures at colleges, universities and conservatories throughout the world aim to engage and inspire, and to demystify marketing and social media strategies.

CONFERENCE: Group Discussion - Promotional opportunities for artists in the streaming space

3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

In many ways, the ubiquity of streaming means that the world's music is at our fingertips, and at low to no cost for all. Mark Forlow leads a discussion on how best to capitalize on opportunities within the services (Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon, etc), and what Big Tech and the services ask of artists.

CONFERENCE: Pre-Concert Discussion - Featured composer Jean-Frederic Neuberger in discussion with Amanda Cook

6PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

CONCERT: New Music Evening featuring French composer Jean-Frédéric Neuburger

Alissa Margulis, Eric Silberger - violin; Andrew Gonzalez - viola; Alexander Buzlov, Borislav Strulev - cello; Klara Min, Jean-Frédéric Neuburger - piano; Alex Lipowski, Bill Solomon - percussion

7:30PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

Program: Sinfonia for two pianos and drums (Neuburger); String Quartet (Neuburger); Cello Suite No.1 in G major [Choreographed with a dancer] (Bach); World-Premiere of a commissioned Electronic Music piece (Neuburger)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9

ACADEMY: Studio lessons with Alexander Buzlov, cello; Phillip Kawin, piano; Alissa Margulis, violin; Yong Hi Moon, piano; Gábor Takács-Nagy, ensemble; Eduard Zilberkant, piano

9AM - 3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

ACADEMY: Master Class with Phillip Kawin, piano

12PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

CONFERENCE: One-on-One Career Advice Sessions with Bettina Mehne (by appointment)

12PM - 3PM at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

CONFERENCE: Group Discussion - Networking/connection building

3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

David Homan and Bettina Mehne lead a roundtable discussion on the subject of perhaps the most important aspect of any artist's career, beyond the craft.

CONFERENCE: Pre-Concert Interview - Best of All Possible Worlds: Celebrating Bernstein at 100

6PM Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

Some of the world's leading experts on one of America's most original voices and what Bernstein's legacy means 100 years on, and all of the celebratory projects of the Bernstein year. Panelists: Eliott Forrest, Lara Downes, Daniel Felsenfeld, John Mauceri

FINAL CONCERT: Celebrating Bernstein at 100

NYCA Symphony Orchestra

Gábor Takács-Nagy, conductor; Soloists: Eric Silberger, violin; Klara Min, piano

7:30PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

Program: Selections from Pulcinella Suite (Stravinsky); Concerto for Violin and Piano, K. Anh. 56/315f (Mozart);On the Town - Three Dance Episode (Bernstein), Appalachian Spring (Copland)

POST-CONCERT VIP COCKTAIL RECEPTION

Private event for participating artists, VIP ticket holders, NYCA and festival sponsors

FRIDAY, AUGUST 10

ACADEMY: Studio Lessons with Eric Silberger, violin; Alissa Margulis, violin; Yong Hi Moon, piano; Eduard Zilberkant, piano; Phillip Kawin, piano; Klara Min, piano.

9AM - 3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

ACADEMY: Master Class with Gábor Takács-Nagy, ensemble

12PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

CONFERENCE: One-on-One Career Advice Sessions with Bettina Mehne (by appointment)

12PM - 3PM atKaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

CONFERENCE: Group Discussion - Public relations for classical artists

3PM at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street

A lively discussion with the leaders in classical music PR and promotion on how best to define your brand, to reach the widest possible audience using all of the available tools. Public relations strategies - How do you wish to define your brand? How do you wish to be perceived? And how can your message and artistry meaningfully translate into media attention? Panelists: Keith Sherman, Christina Jensen, Bettina Mehne

CONCERT: Steinway Hall Concerts By Young Musicians

Program TBA on August 8

4PM at Steinway Hall,1133 Avenue of the Americas

Tickets are free. Reservations are encouraged.

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