A piece previously attributed to the composer’s brother Felix, in a ground-breaking album that celebrates equality among the siblings’ music

The pianist also set to perform at the First Night of the BBC Proms 2024

New Album ‘Mendelssohn’ to be released August 9, 2024 on Decca Classics

As she prepares to open the 2024 BBC Proms season, Isata Kanneh-Mason announces her fourth solo album, Mendelssohn, to be released on August 9, 2024 on Decca Classics. Here the pianist presents music from both Mendelssohn siblings: the glittering Piano Concerto No.1 by Felix and the long-lost “Easter Sonata” by his exceptionally talented but overlooked elder sister Fanny, as well as transcriptions by other composers of some of Mendelssohn’s most famous music.

“I am fascinated by Fanny Mendelssohn,” says Kanneh-Mason. “She lived in such a confined way, yet her music has so much fire and so much passion.” That confinement was part and parcel of life for women in the 19th century: Fanny was prevented by her father from pursuing a career as a concert pianist or composer due to her gender. Rather than adhere to his strict instructions that music should be merely an “ornament”’ for his daughter, Fanny composed in private, writing nearly 500 works. Many of these are still being discovered today, with several – such as the “Easter” Sonata, written when Fanny was only 22 – a piece lost for 150 years, originally assumed to have been created by Felix and performed under his name for decades.

Isata recently featured in the critically acclaimed film The Other Mendelssohn, produced by the composer’s great great great granddaughter Sheila Hayman, which explores the life of Fanny Mendelssohn, later Fanny Hensel, and reveals the fascinating story behind “Easter Sonata”. This new album features a brand new recording of the new urtext edition of this work.

In programming the sonata alongside better-known music by Felix, Isata hopes to bring long-deserved recognition to Fanny’s achievements. Supporting neglected women composers is important to the eldest Kanneh-Mason sibling: the pianist recorded Clara Schumann’s concerto on her 2019 album Romance and will perform that work at this year’s First Night of the Proms (on July 19 with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and conductor Elim Chan). In a fitting connection, Clara performed her own concerto under the baton of Felix at the Leipzig Gewandhaus. The album blends well-loved works – Felix Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25, performed with the London Mozart Players, conducted by Jonathan Bloxham – with lesser-known gems, including Fanny’s Notturno in G minor for solo piano – also unpublished in the composer’s lifetime. The Mendelssohns regularly performed together during childhood and remained close through adulthood – even dying within a year of each other. As a member of one of the UK’s most beloved musical families, Isata Kanneh-Mason understands the musical connection between siblings (as heard on Muse, her 2021 duo album with cellist brother Sheku) and brings this empathy to her performance.

In an interesting programmatic twist, Kanneh-Mason includes three transcriptions by other composers who were inspired by Felix Mendelssohn. Rachmaninoff’s version of the Scherzo from A Midsummer Night’s Dream is among his most virtuosic solo adventures. “You’re leaping all over the piano and it’s incredibly complex, but also very subtle,” says Kanneh-Mason.

The Mendelssohn constellation also connects Moritz Moszkowski’s version of the dreamy Nocturne from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, an ethereal, sparsely beautiful reimagining of the sleeping lovers scene. Although Moszkowski was well known in his lifetime, his work has fallen out of fashion, and this is another revival of a rarely heard piece.

The carefully selected program is all, of course, delivered with Isata’s unique style and perspective. The pianist is increasingly busy with concerto appearances, solo recitals, and chamber concerts throughout the UK and abroad. This season’s highlights include performances at the Lucerne Festival, the Zurich Tonhalle, Wigmore Hall, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Saint-Denis Festival in Paris, and an extensive US tour starting in June. Key dates include a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York with the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) and Iván Fischer on August 6, as well as recitals in Baltimore on October 6, Florida on October 9, Ann Arbor on October 10, and Burlington on October 12, among others.

Track listings:

1. Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 25: I. Molto allegro con fuoco*
2. Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 25: II. Andante*
3. Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 25: III. Presto – Molto allegro e vivace*
4. Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Op. 61: Scherzo (transcription by Rachmaninoff)
5. Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Op. 61: Nocturne (transcription by Moszkowski)
6. Mendelssohn: On Wings of Song S. 547: I. Auf Flügeln des Gesanges (transcribed by Liszt)
7. Mendelssohn: Lieder ohne Worte VI, Op. 67: II. Allegro leggiero, MWV U145 (‘Lost Illusions’)
8. Mendelssohn: Lieder ohne Worte VI, Op. 67: VI. Allegretto non troppo, MWV U188 (‘Cradle Song’)
9. Fanny Mendelssohn: Notturno in G Minor, H-U 337
10. Fanny Mendelssohn: Easter Sonata: I. Allegro assai moderato
11. Fanny Mendelssohn: Easter Sonata: II. Largo e molto espresso – Poco più mosso
12. Fanny Mendelssohn: Easter Sonata: III. Scherzo. Allegretto
13. Fanny Mendelssohn: Easter Sonata: IV. Allegro con strepito

* with the London Mozart Players, conducted by Jonathan Bloxham

About Isata Kanneh-Mason

British pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason (b. 1996) is the eldest sibling in the Kanneh-Mason family; she performs as a soloist and as a chamber musician together with her brothers and sisters. Isata is a Decca Classics recording artist: her 2019 album Romance – the Piano Music of Clara Schumann topped the UK classical charts and subsequent releases – Summertime (2021) and Childhood Tales (2023) – were praised for their programming and musicianship. Like the current release, previous albums have featured important, previously overlooked historic works, notably the world premiere recording of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Impromptu No. 2 in B minor.

The Kanneh-Masons are the UK’s most beloved musical family, recognized for their passion for music education and classical music. Isata is a founding member of the Chineke! Orchestra, an ensemble that supports Black musicians and those from unique backgrounds. She makes her solo debut with Chineke! later this year (November 21), when she will perform Prokofiev’s third piano concerto – the work she made her solo Proms debut with in 2023, performing with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Ryan Bancroft – with the orchestra at London’s Southbank Centre.

Isata regularly performs with her cellist brother Sheku, who made history when he became the first Black artist to win the BBC Young Musician competition in 2016. (Isata reached the keyboard finals in 2014, and her younger sister Jeneba achieved the same feat in 2018.) Isata and Sheku’s duo album Muse (2021) followed on from their notable recital together during the 2020 BBC Proms, where the siblings performed to an almost-empty Royal Albert Hall. Isata and Sheku also collaborate with violinist brother Braimah as the Kanneh-Mason Trio, and in 2020 all seven siblings featured on Carnival of the Animals, a charming recording of Saint-Saëns’s iconic work, interspersed with specially written poems by Michael Morpurgo, read by the author and Olivia Colman.

With a burgeoning award collection including the coveted Leonard Bernstein Award – following on from winning a Sir Elton John Scholarship to study at London’s Royal Academy of Music, where she graduated in 2020, Isata maintains a busy performing schedule and has recently made debuts at the Barbican, Wigmore Hall, the Philharmonie Berlin, and the Lucerne Festival.

www.isatakannehmason.com

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The students act out a scene in the greenscreen settings

Local Tallahassee students from the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Bend experienced a day in the life as Florida State University film school students through a special partnership between Opening Nights at FSU and the College of Motion Picture Arts, sponsored by Prime Meridian Bank.

The middle and high schoolers were welcomed by filmmaker-in-residence David Wiley who asked what about movies inspired them and whether they were excited to learn about the process of making films; they were all too eager to answer.

“Opening Nights continues to open doors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Big Bend (BGCBB), through our partnership,” said John Baker, VP/Marketing Director of Prime Meridian Bank. “The level of care, thoroughness and professionalism the College of Motion Picture Arts team provided for the kids allowed them to envision a future in film.”

Students were broken up into two groups and divided into creative development and execution aspects of filmmaking. The students switched areas after lunch to ensure they experienced both aspects of filmmaking.

For the development activities, one group went back with Wiley and participated in the “Your Story” workshop, where they created their own storyline ideas. In the greenscreen group, under the direction of Ron Honn, filmmaker in residence, visual effects, the students learned about how different colors of light are used in filmmaking. The students were transported into various locations using the greenscreen, including a weather report and a busy city street, and acted out different scenes together.

“The VFX greenscreen was definitely the biggest hit! It was a great privilege to spend time with the girls and see their creativity at work,” said Sabrina Reisinger, assistant dean of the College of Motion Picture Arts. “We hope it won’t be the last time they are at the Film School.”

The execution groups were geared toward teaching the students how to use the camera and lighting equipment. Students learned how to operate a film camera under the direction of three film students. They learned how to move, zoom and angle the camera during a scene. In the same room, another group learned how to operate the lights while shooting a short clip, with the students being the actors.

“As a community bank, Prime Meridian Bank underwrites experiences like these for BGCBB members to give a glimpse of the endless opportunities available to youth in the Arts and elsewhere,” Baker said. “FSU Opening Nights shares our vision and brings it to life.”

For more information, visit film.fsu.edu.

Boys and Girls Club hearing from David Wiley, Film School Filmmaker in Residence

Students learning about how lighting is used with a greenscreen

The students learn to operate a film camera under the direction of FSU’s Film School students

The students act on set to learn about lighting

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The homecoming performance featuring the Gipsy Kings and the Maharajah Flamenco Trio was a tremendous success! On October 20th, over 2,200 people gathered at the Adderley Amphitheater to experience the legendary flamenco/pop musicians.

“I just want to say the Gipsy Kings concert Friday night was the best managed event I ever attended,” said community member Randy Blair. “Congratulations to Opening Nights FSU. The ushers were well trained and had complete control of the entry and exit process. As for the music…we will never see anybody play guitars better.”

This performance is the result of an exciting new partnership between Opening Nights and Visit Tallahassee/Leon County to bring stellar performances to benefit the community. A partnership that supports Opening Nights’ mission: to present compelling and distinguished artists who provide extraordinary experiences that educate, inspire and connect audiences on and off campus.

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Opening Nights In Class is thrilled to provide impactful educational experiences for students by fostering enriching collaborations like the one between GRAMMY nominated Bluegrass group Della Mae and the students of Gretchen Everhart School. In fact, the artists spent the day working with these students prior to taking the stage at Goodwood Museum and Gardens on November 7.

At the school, Della Mae performed their original songs, as well as country classics such as “Hey, Good Lookin’” by Hank Williams and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver. During the performance, 130 students gathered, dancing and clapping to the music. Between songs, Della Mae taught students about a wide variety of musical concepts, such as the types of instruments they were playing, the history of bluegrass, and harmony. After the performance, Della Mae joined their music class for a jam session, playing songs the students had already learned in class and adding their own unique twist.

Gretchen Everhart School is committed to empowering its students with intellectual disabilities to unleash their full potential and create unique experiences that broaden their horizons. The school serves not only Leon County but also the neighboring counties of Gadsden, Jefferson, Taylor, Wakulla, Liberty, and Franklin.

Through the partnership with Leon County Schools, Opening Nights in Class provides unforgettable experiences for its students, and opportunities for education and inspiration through award-winning artists. Opening Nights is grateful for educational funding that further ignites curiosity, creativity, and learning among students, through the performing arts. If you’re interested in supporting Opening Nights in Class in providing more opportunities for students in the Tallahassee community click on this link:
https://give.fsu.edu/Donate/Custom/519850b9-86e9-45a5-2082-08db306a23d0

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The Maharajah Flamenco Trio, a group of three talented alumni from Florida State University’s College of Music, are set to kick off the exciting 75th-anniversary homecoming weekend by opening for the Gypsy Kings during their performance at Adderley Amphitheater on October 20th.

The Maharajah Flamenco Trio is a unique nuevo flamenco group that fuses the art of flamenco with jazz, classical and world music.

Guitarist Silviu Ciulei, bassist David Cobb, and percussionist Ramin Yazdanpanah crossed paths while studying at FSU’s College of Music and started making music together back in 2011. Over the years, this dynamic trio has achieved significant milestones: they’ve dropped two well-received studio albums, taken their captivating performances nationwide, served as guest speakers at numerous events, and led engaging musical workshops for enthusiasts of all ages. Their mission? To share the magic of Flamenco music throughout the United States.

In addition to bringing inspiring musical performances, the Maharajah Flamenco Trio is passionate about educating our audiences through the experience of flamenco and discussing the intersections of music, well-being, and creativity. Silviu, Ramin, and David all teach courses in higher education and at the community level. In addition to their public performance, the trio will be hosting two masterclasses with Opening Nights in Class for some College of Music students.

If you want to celebrate homecoming with the Maharajah Flamenco Trio and the Gipsy Kings, get your tickets.

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In the world of contemporary dance, there are artists who push boundaries, challenge conventions, and create awe-inspiring performances that leave audiences spellbound. Adele Myers, an alumna of Florida State University, is one such visionary. Her journey through the realm of dance has been nothing short of remarkable, and her latest production, T.W.I.S.T., is a testament to her talent and creativity.

Adele Myers began her journey by getting her BA from Sarah Lawrence College, a One-Year Special Certificate from the London School of Contemporary Dance. She continued towards her goal of opening a dance company by earning an MFA with a focus on Dance Pedagogy and Choreography at Florida State University, where she honed her skills and developed her unique artistic voice. Her time at FSU was marked by a dedication to her craft and a tireless pursuit of excellence, traits that continue to define her work today. The university’s esteemed dance program provided the perfect foundation for her to explore her passion and prepare for a career in the dance world.

What sets Adele Myers apart as a choreographer is her ability to blend the traditional and the contemporary seamlessly. Drawing on her rich training and experiences, she infuses her work with a unique blend of athleticism, fluidity, and emotional depth. Her choreography has the power to move audiences, leaving a lasting impact that lingers long after the final bow.

T.W.I.S.T., short for “These Women in Space and Time,” is Adele Myers and Dancers’ latest creation. T.W.I.S.T. is a foot stomping, soul quaking, and heart pounding evening-length dance theater performance performed by five female athletes of the heart who embody Myers’ signature fusion of personal theatricality and robust physicality.

Adele Myers’ journey from her days as a Florida State University student to her current status as a trailblazing choreographer and dancer is a testament to the power of dedication, passion, and artistic innovation. T.W.I.S.T. is set to be another milestone in her illustrious career, offering audiences a chance to witness the magic of her choreography and the depth of her storytelling.

As we eagerly anticipate the premiere of T.W.I.S.T., we celebrate Adele Myers not only as a talented alumna of Florida State University but also as an artist who continues to redefine the boundaries of contemporary dance, one mesmerizing performance at a time. Tickets to see T.W.I.S.T. are available.

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In collaboration with the Challenger Learning Center, we will be hosting a special screening of the film “Dark Universe” on November 9th in preparation for Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson’s speaker event in January. “Dark Universe” is a full-dome planetarium show narrated by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. At its core, “Dark Universe” is an exploration of the enigmatic forces that shape the cosmos. Through state-of-the-art computer-generated imagery (CGI) and breathtaking visuals, the film delves into the realms of dark matter and dark energy, two of the most perplexing and least understood phenomena in modern astrophysics.

This exclusive screening will act as a fundraiser for the local college students. All proceeds will underwrite tickets for FSU and FAMU students to attend the live Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson speaking event at Ruby Diamond on January 24, 2024. Light refreshments will be served before the show, and the screening will end with a Q&A session with Dr. Massimo Marengo, a professor at the FSU Physics Department with a passion for astrophysics.

“Modern telescopes, like Hubble and now the James Webb space telescope, are an endless source of breathtaking views of the universe: the first galaxies, newborn stars immersed in colorful nebulae, alien worlds orbiting other stars. All these beautiful vistas, however, reveal to us less than 5% of what makes up the universe,” said Dr. Massimo. “The rest, indeed most, of the universe itself is invisible to us. It has cryptic names like “dark matter” and “dark energy” that underscore how little we know about it, since we can only detect its presence through the feeble gravitational pull and push that this dark universe exerts on the matter we see. Yet, it is this dark component that has shaped the universe as we know it, and that will determine its fate in the eons to come.” Tickets to this exclusive screening can be purchased at one.fsu.edu/foundation/event-registration/2023/dark-universe-student-ticket-fundraiser. This event is 21+.

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As part of the Opening Nights Educational Outreach Program, Lincoln High School hosted guitar students from Leon High School, Raa Middle School, and Swift Creek Middle School for an in-school performance by International Guitar Night, a professional group of four guitarists playing a variety of musical styles. The four guitarists performed to an enthusiastic audience of students, with one of those students being Lincoln senior Cory Marsh.

Cory started playing guitar as a freshman as part of the Lincoln Guitar Program under Dr. Eric Robles and developed a deep love of jazz over the last four years. As a junior, Cory heard “Two Bugs and a Roach” by Earl Hooker and “Swing to Bop” by Charlie Christian. It completely clicked with him that jazz would be the musical path he would follow.

Robles said, “The big step was when Cory learned the shapes that allow you to play all over the guitar; that’s when he started to use them to improvise and imitate his favorite jazz player, Charlie Christian. Two summers ago, Cory sends me this video of what he’s working on. Just a short video of him improvising over a ‘jazz blues’ progression, and it was easy to see he ‘cracked the code’ to improvising and connecting ideas that I was never able to do.”

Cory became transfixed as he listened to the virtuosic playing from International Guitar Night. He asked Dr. Robles if he thought they would let him play for them. Cory ran to the guitar room, grabbed his instrument, and, when he returned, sat down with Canadian jazz guitarist Jocelyn Gould. She sat down and traded solos and chord comping with him, acknowledging some of her cohorts when she heard an idea he “stole.” or referenced.

This one-on-one experience sent Cory’s enthusiasm into high gear. Mrs. Gould suggested he audition for the Summer Jazz Institute at the Brevard Music Camp in North Carolina. Cory was accepted, awarded a scholarship, and spent two weeks learning from renowned jazz educators like Branford Marsalis, Randy Napolean, Rodney Whitacre, and Luther Allison. When asked about his experience at Brevard, Cory said, “It was like heaven on earth being there. I loved not being the best player in the room and being around all this incredible knowledge. It was the perfect place to learn about the right things.”

Through the educational outreach of Opening Nights at FSU, Cory made musical and personal connections that have impacted his future. Cory has realized that he wants to be a music teacher and teach everyone the joy of music he has experienced first-hand, saying, “Jazz is a communal music; you don’t just play it for yourself.”

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After a great season, Opening Nights was able to celebrate our incredible volunteers with our annual Volunteer Celebration. Hosted in Dodd Hall’s FSU Heritage Museum, the Opening Night’s ushers gathered for a catered dinner and social hour. They were also presented with superlatives to commemorate their hard work.

“We are so grateful for our volunteers and everything they do. They always ensure our performances run as smoothly as possible, and we appreciate them taking the time to support our mission,” said ______.

The Opening Nights volunteers take on the hard work of assisting patrons, distributing programs, helping with seating and navigation, and, above all, making everyone feel welcome and ensuring a wonderful experience at every show.

If you are interested in becoming an Opening Nights volunteer, please visit openingnights.fsu.edu/about/volunteer or call 850-644-7670.

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Opening Nights at Florida State University will present two iconic singer-songwriters with illustrious careers spanning decades to open the 2023-2024 season.

Artists Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin will perform at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 1, 2023, in the Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. This announcement is one of two performances Opening Nights has revealed in advance of the reveal of the full 2023-2024 Season on Aug. 1.

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