Virtual Pre-Concert Talks

The Festival’s pre-concert talks have always been a popular event, enhancing concert-goers’ enjoyment of a concert by giving them a deeper understanding of the program, taking them inside the inner workings of the music before the concert begins.

Last year, Dr. Ryan Dudenbostel, among the most engaging classical music (and other genres) advocates on the planet, converted his live conversations to the video medium. The results were magical! And they offered patrons a chance to watch pre-concert talks the week before attending a live concert.

So we have asked him to do it again for 2022, and happily he agreed! His inspiring and illuminating pre-concert talks will be posted on the BFM website as we move through the concert season, so please stay tuned to the BFM website.

By way of background, Dr. Dudenbostel is Director of Orchestral Studies at Western Washington University, where he conducts the WWU Symphony Orchestra, coordinates the graduate program, and directs the contemporary music ensemble NowHearThis! Previously, he was Music Director of the El Sistema-based Santa Monica Youth Orchestra in Los Angeles. Dr. Dudenbostel recently served as Interim Artistic Director of the Marrowstone Music Festival, and regularly returns to Los Angeles for concerts with the Jacaranda new music series.

Watch the Pre-Concert Talks

Friday, July 1, 2022

What is hunting music and why are contemporary works important?

The Calidore String Quartet

Joseph Haydn: String Quartet in B-flat Major, Op. 1, No. 1, “La Chasse”
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: String Quartet No. 17 in B-flat Major, K. 458 “The Hunt”
Jörg Widmann: String Quartet No. 3, “Jagdquartett” (Hunt Quartet)
Johannes Brahms: String Quartet No. 3 in B-flat Major, Op. 67

Saturday, July 2, 2022

Beethoven the revolutionary.

BFM Orchestra; Michael Palmer conducting
Stefan Jackiw, Violin

Johannes Brahms: Tragische Ouvertüre, Op. 81
Max Bruch: “Scottish Fantasy,” Op. 46
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92

Friday, July 8, 2022

Who was Franz Schubert?

BFM Orchestra; Michael Palmer conducting
Justin Bruns, Violin | Steven Thomas, Cello | Brandt Fredriksen, Piano

Ludwig van Beethoven: Triple Concerto in C Major, Op. 56
Franz Schubert: Symphony No. 9 in C Major, D.944 “The Great”

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

The art of the Lied.

BFM Orchestra; Michael Palmer conducting
Maria Valdes, Soprano

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Overture to Die Zauberflöte, K. 620 (The Magic Flute)
Richard Strauss: Selected Lieder
Das Rosenband, Op. 36, No. 1
Ich wollt ein Sträusslein binden, Op. 68, No. 2
Waldseligkeit, Op. 49, No. 1
Säusle, liebe Myrthe, Op. 68, No. 3
Die heiligen drei Könige aus Morgenland, Op. 56, No. 6
Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98

Friday, July 15, 2022

Beethoven the virtuoso.

BFM Orchestra; Michael Palmer conducting
Garrick Ohlsson, Piano

Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 C Minor, Op. 37

Saturday, July 16, 2022

Is Beethoven’s deafness encoded in his music?

BFM Orchestra; Michael Palmer conducting
Garrick Ohlsson, Piano

Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 19
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58

Sunday, July 17, 2022

Beethoven and the expansion of form.

BFM Orchestra; Michael Palmer conducting
Garrick Ohlsson, Piano

Ludwig van Beethoven: “Leonore” Overture, No. 3, Op. 72b
Ludwig van Beethoven: No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 73 (Emperor)

Sunday, July 24, 2022

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

BFM Orchestra; Michael Palmer conducting
Katie Van Kooten, Soprano | Ellen Graham, Mezzo Soprano
Eric Barry, Tenor | Clayton Brainerd, Bass

Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125