2026 Concerts

Thursday, August 13, 2026, 6 p.m.
Taos Community Auditorium

This program celebrates the power of American imagination through two pioneering voices — one in music, one in film.

The sweeping “Piano Quintet” by Amy Beach stands as a milestone in American chamber music. At a time when European models dominated concert life, Beach wrote with confidence, emotional depth, and unmistakable individuality, helping to define what an American classical voice could be.

From the concert hall, we move to the silent screen with Buster Keaton’s legendary comedy, “The General.” Set during the Civil War and renowned for its breathtaking stunts and inventive storytelling, the film embodies the daring, humor, and ingenuity that characterize American artistic spirit.

Performed with live music, it becomes a vibrant fusion of past and present.
Together, these works honor artists who forged new paths, trusted their voices, and expanded the boundaries of their art. American Originals invites us to experience liberty, not only as history, but as creative courage — alive in sound, motion, and imagination.

Piano Quintet, op. 67 (1905) (30 minutes )
AMY BEACH  (1867-1944)

• Adagio
• Allegro moderato
• Adagio expressivo
• Allegro agitato
• Adagio come prima
• Presto

Benny Kim, violin • Daniel Phillips, violin • Toby Appel, viola • Angela Park, cello • Marina Iwao, piano

INTERMISSION

1926 film “The General” Starring Buster Keaton w/ live film score by Stephen Prutsman (45-50 minutes)
KEATON/PRUTSMAN

Daniel Phillips, violin • Chili Ekman, violin • Toby Appel, viola • Angela Park, cello • Marina Iwao, piano

Friday, August 14, 2026, 1:00 p.m. • Free
United Church of Angel Fire

Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
Moreno Valley Preparatory

This program traces a musical journey across oceans, generations, and identities — a dialogue between Europe and America that continues to shape our artistic world.

We begin with the luminous elegance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, whose “Adagio” reflects the refinement and expressive balance at the heart of the Classical tradition. His music represents the European foundations upon which so much of Western art music was built.

From there, we turn to the distinctly American voice of Aaron Copland. His “Duo for Flute and Piano” captures the openness, clarity, and quiet lyricism that came to define a uniquely American sound in the twentieth century.

Contemporary composer and violist Kenji Bunch brings the journey into the present with “The Viola Burns Longer,” a work of rhythmic vitality and emotional intensity that reflects today’s richly layered musical landscape.

The program culminates with Antonín Dvorák’’s beloved “American” quartet — a work born of his time in the United States and infused with spirituals, folk influences, and a deep curiosity about American musical identity.

Here, a European master absorbs and reimagines the sounds of a new world.

Together, these works reveal music as a living exchange — ideas crossing borders, traditions transforming, and voices responding to one another across time. Transatlantic Voices celebrates the enduring conversation

Adagio in E Major, K. 261 for violin and piano (1776) (7 minutes)
W.A. MOZART  (1756-1791)

Benny Kim, violin • Marina Iwao, piano

Duo for Flute and Piano (15 minutes)
AARON COPLAND  (1900-1990)

• Flowing
• Poetic, somewhat mournful
• Lively with a bounce

Tara Helen O’Connor, flute • Marina Iwao, piano

The Viola Burns Longer: Four Vignettes for solo viola, piano, and string quartet (2024)
Kenji Bunch (b. 1973)

• Fast and Rhythmic
• Flicker
• Smolder
• Blaze

Toby Appel, solo viola • Marina Iwao, piano
Candide Quartet
Chili Ekman, violin • Henry Rogers, violin • Amelia Krinke, viola • Vanny Hu, cello

INTERMISSION

String Quartet No. 12 in F, op. 96 “American” (25 min)
Antonin Dvořák (1841-1904)

• Allegro ma non troppo
• Lento
• Molto vivace
• Trio
• Finale. Vivace ma non troppo

Daniel Phillips, violin • Benny Kim, violin • Toby Appel, viola • Angela Park, cello

Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
Shuler Theater, Raton, N.M.

This program celebrates the power of American imagination through two pioneering voices — one in music, one in film.

The sweeping “Piano Quintet” by Amy Beach stands as a milestone in American chamber music. At a time when European models dominated concert life, Beach wrote with confidence, emotional depth, and unmistakable individuality, helping to define what an American classical voice could be.

From the concert hall, we move to the silent screen with Buster Keaton’s legendary comedy, “The General.” Set during the Civil War and renowned for its breathtaking stunts and inventive storytelling, the film embodies the daring, humor, and ingenuity that characterize American artistic spirit.

Performed with live music, it becomes a vibrant fusion of past and present.
Together, these works honor artists who forged new paths, trusted their voices, and expanded the boundaries of their art. American Originals invites us to experience liberty, not only as history, but as creative courage — alive in sound, motion, and imagination.

Piano Quintet, op. 67 (1905) (30 minutes )
AMY BEACH  (1867-1944)

• Adagio
• Allegro moderato
• Adagio expressivo
• Allegro agitato
• Adagio come prima
• Presto

Benny Kim, violin • Daniel Phillips, violin • Toby Appel, viola • Angela Park, cello • Marina Iwao, piano

INTERMISSION

1926 film “The General” Starring Buster Keaton w/ live film score by Stephen Prutsman (45-50 minutes)
KEATON/PRUTSMAN

Daniel Phillips, violin • Chili Ekman, violin • Toby Appel, viola • Angela Park, cello • Marina Iwao, piano

Monday, August 18, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. • Free
United Church of Angel Fire

Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
United Church of Angel Fire

Duet in G Major for Flute and Violin (14 minutes)
FRANK ANTON HOFFMEISTER (1754-1812)

• Allegro
• Adagio
• Allegretto

Tara Helen O’Connor, flute • Daniel Phillips, violin

Duo for Violin and Cello, H.157 (14 minutes)
BOHUSLAV MARTINŮ (1890-1959)

• Preludium. Andante moderato – Poco vivo
• Rondo. Allegro con brio

Benny Kim, violin • Eric Kim, cello

Flute Quartet in C Major, K. 285b (17 minutes)
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1756-1791)

• Allegro
• Andantino, Theme and variations

Tara Helen O’Connor, flute • Daniel Phillips, viola • Cathy Meng Robinson, violin • Keith Robinson, cello

A Tale for Two Violins (21 Minutes)
KRISTAPOR NAJARIAN  (b. 1991)

• Introduction – Over The Plateau
• Kef – Festivities (Loy Loy)
• Rendezvous (Ambets Gorav, Lousengan)
• Capture (Groung)
• Misty Morning – Lament
• Escape (Nehavent Longa)

Ani Kavafian, violin • Ida Kavafian, violin

Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Taos Community Auditorium

Romance for Violin and Piano, Op. 23 (7 minutes)
AMY BEACH (1867-1944)
Daniel Phillips, violin • Marina Iwao, piano

String Sextet No. 1 in B-Flat Major, Op. 18 (35 minutes)
JOHANNES BRAHMS (1833-1897)

• Allegro ma non troppo
• Andante ma moderato
• Scherzo. Allegro molto
• Rondo. Poco Allegretto e grazioso

Ida Kavafian violin • Cathy Meng Robinson, violin • Toby Appel, viola • Steven Tenenbom, viola • Eric Kim, cello • Keith Robinson, cello

College , a 1927 film by Buster Keaton with live film score by Stephen Prutsman (1 hour and 5 minutes)
KEATON/PRUTSMAN
The Dolphins
Luke Henderson, violin • Isaac Park, violin • James Preucil, viola • Ian Maloney, cello
Marina Iwao, piano

Friday, August 22, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Eagle Nest Community Center

Works by Vivaldi, Foster and others.

Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Moreno Valley Preparatory

The Arm Family dedicates tonight’s concert to their beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Marilynn Lampert-Arm, a cherished member of the Music from Angel Fire family for over 40 years. From designing costumes for our Salon concerts to hosting the beloved cold-noodle party with her husband Teddy, Marilynn brought joy, artistry, and a deep sense of community to our festival. Their daughter Heather even joined the tradition, serving as a stagehand for several seasons. Marilynn’s generous spirit and artistic touch enriched every season, and her presence is deeply missed.

Nigun from ‘Baal Shem’ Suite (Improvisation) (7 minutes)
ERNEST BLOCH (1880-1959)
Benny Kim, violin • Marina Iwao, piano

Overture on Hebrew Themes, Op. 34 (11 minutes)
SERGEI PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)
Todd Palmer, clarinet • Marina Iwao, piano • Ida Kavafian, violin • Benny Kim, violin • Toby Appel, viola • Eric Kim, cello

String Quartet in G minor, Op. 10 (25 minutes)
CLAUDE DEBUSSY (1862-1918)

• Animé et très décidé
• Assez vif et bien rythmé
• Andantino, doucement expressif
• Très modéré

Vizsla Quartet
Jacques Forestier, violin • Maya Anjali Buchanan, violin • Sumin Kim, viola • Laura Navasardian, cello

Verklärte Nacht, (Transfigured Night) Op. 4 (34 minutes)
ARNOLD SCHOENBERG (1874-1951)
Video by Nikki Pet (Commissioned by Tara Helen O’Connor and Daniel Phillips)
Ani Kavafian, violin • Daniel Phillips, violin, Toby Appel, viola • Steven Tenenbom, viola • Eric Kim cello • Keith Robinson, cello

Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
Moreno Valley Preparatory

Hoedown from Rodeo (arr. T. Palmer) (4 minutes)
AARON COPLAND (1900-1990)
Tara Helen O’Connor, piccolo • Todd Palmer, clarinet • Daniel Phillips, violin • Benny Kim, violin • Steven Tenenbom, viola • Mihai Marica, cello • Marina Iwao, piano

Techno-Parade for Flute , Clarinet and Piano (5 minutes)
GUILLAUME CONNESSON (b. 1970)
Tara Helen O’Connor, flute • Todd Palmer, clarinet • Marina Iwao, piano

I Wonder as I Wander (4 minutes)
REENA ESMAIL (b. 1983)
Maya Anjali Buchanan, violin • Ian Maloney, cello • Marina Iwao, piano

Concert Polonaise, op. 14 for Cello and Piano (7 minutes)
DAVID POPPER (1843-1913)
Laura Navasardian, cello • Marina Iwao, piano

AND MORE!

Monday, August 25, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. • Free
United Church of Angel Fire

Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Angel Fire Baptist Church

Trio in A minor, TWV 42 a4 ‘Gypsy’ (11 Minutes)
GEORG PHILLIPP TELEMANN (1681-1767)

• Largo
• Vivace
• Affetuoso
• Allegro

Tara Helen O’Connor, flute • Ida Kavafian, violin • Kathleen McIntosh, harpsichord • Keith Robinson, cello

Subah Shaam (Morning and Night) (2025) World Premiere (15 minutes)
REENA ESMAIL (b. 1983)

Reena Esmail’s composition Subah Shaam (text by Mirabai) was commissioned by Backshore Artists’ Project, Inc. in memory of Lynne S. Mazza and underwritten through heartfelt donations from her family, many friends and colleagues, and with additional generous support provided by Music from Angel Fire.

Sarah Brailey, soprano • Tara Helen O’Connor, flute • Daniel Phillips, violin • Mihai Marica, cello • Kathleen McIntosh, harpsichord

Clarinet Quintet in A Major, K. 581 (31 minutes)
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1756-1791)

• Allegro
• Larghetto
• Menuetto
• Allegretto con variazioni

Todd Darren Palmer, clarinet • Ani Kavafian, violin • Cathy Meng Robinson, violin • Toby Appel, viola • Mihai Marica, cello

Thursday, August 28, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Angel Fire Baptist Church

Strum (8 minutes)
JESSIE MONTGOMERY (b. 1981)
Ani Kavafian, Daniel Phillips, Jacques Forestier, Maya Anjali Buchanan, violin 1
Ida Kavafian, Cathy Meng Robinson, Isaac Park, Luke Henderson, violin 2
Toby Appel, Steven Tenenbom, Sumin Kim James Preucil, viola
Mihai Marica,Keith Robinson, Ian Maloney, Laura Navasardian, cello

Selected arias for Soprano, Flute, Strings and Harpsichord
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750)
Sarah Brailey, soprano • Tara Helen O’Connor, flute • Daniel Phillips, violin • Mihai Marica, cello • Kathleen McIntosh, harpsichord

Andante e Variazione for Flute, Clarinet and Strings (13 minutes)
PIETRO BOTTESINI (1792-1874)
Tara Helen O’Connor, flute • Todd Darren Palmer, clarinet
Ani Kavafian, Daniel Phillips, Jacques Forestier, Maya Anjali Buchanan, violin 1
Ida Kavafian, Cathy Meng Robinson, Isaac Park, Luke Henderson, violin 2
Toby Appel, Steven Tenenbom, Sumin Kim James Preucil, viola
Mihai Marica,Keith Robinson, Ian Maloney, Laura Navasardian, cello

INTERMISSION

Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043 (18 minutes)
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750)

• Vivace
• Largo, ma non tanto
• Allegro

Ani Kavafian, violin solo • Ida Kavafian, violin solo
Daniel Phillips, Jacques Forestier, Maya Anjali Buchanan, violin
Cathy Meng Robinson, Isaac Park, Luke Henderson, violin 2
Toby Appel, Steven Tenenbom, Sumin Kim, James Preucil, viola
Mihai Marica, Keith Robinson, Ian Maloney, Laura Navasardian, cello