Harp Strings 2

Event Description

Red Cedar Chamber Music’s Directors and core ensemble, violinist Miera Kim and cellist Carey Bostian, are joined by internationally acclaimed harpist Katherine Siochi for this exciting program. This is Katherine Siochi’s second appearance as guest artist with Red Cedar, having performed with the core ensemble in 2018. The program includes the world premiere of Imagining by Red Cedar’s composer-in-residence Michael Kimber. The seven-minute work is subdued, haunting, and conveys a sense of otherworldliness. The trio will also perform toque de azul, composed for the trio in 2018 by Katherine’s brother Jeremiah Siochi. The work, as the title suggests, is a jazzy three-movement work with movements titled bass, ballad and basso. The work is energetic, fresh and very groovy. It was commissioned in honor of Katherine’s former harp teacher, Pamela Weest-Carrasco.

The trio will also perform Jacques Ibert’s dramatic Trio for Violin, Cello, and Harp as well as works by Debussy and Ravel arranged for the instrumentation. In addition, Katherine will play her new transcription of William Grant Still’s Summerland from “Three Visions.” Summerland depicts the promise of heaven in the afterlife. Its intriguing harmonies translate beautifully to the harp and Still’s imagination sets up Kimber’s new work Imagining wonderfully.

This series of concerts is made possible by the Program Fund of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, the Iowa Arts Council (a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts), the McIntyre Foundation, the Grandon Foundation, the Giacoletto Foundation, AEGON Transamerica Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.  Additional support comes from CRST International, United Fire Group, GreenState Credit Union, and Friends of Red Cedar Chamber Music.

Artist sponsorship is generously provided by  Juanita Dennert.