Entangled Sounds: University of Washington Residency/Ligeti Piano Concerto
György Ligeti describes his piano concerto as encompassing music that embodies “frozen time, as an object in imaginary space that exists simultaneously in all its moments.” This dazzling, multi-layered work features Boston-based pianist Aaron Wonson, an interpreter with a long relationship to the concerto, in his debut Seattle performance. SMO presents the concerto alongside recent works for sinfonietta by UW faculty composers. Seattle newcomer and recently appointed UW composition professor William Dougherty’s the new normal juxtaposes a wide range of musical quotations and styles, directly engaging with social issues of xenophobia and racism in our current political climate. Huck Hodge’s La Llorona draws on images from the 1585 Florentine Codex of Bernardino Sahagun, featuring UW faculty flutist Donna Shin. The program also features a preview performance of select movements from Joël-François Durand’s new wind quintet Musica fict(iv)a. Don’t miss this chance to hear SMO with select graduate-student members of the UW Modern Music Ensemble in this large-ensemble format.
PROGRAM:
OLIVER SCHOONOVER: tearing down a forest to build a dog bar (2026)
JOËL-FRANÇOIS DURAND: Musica fict(iv)a for wind quintet (2026) (preview): I. Musica fict(iv)a, Interlude, II. Variation en noir et blanc
WILLIAM DOUGHERTY: the new normal (2016)
HUCK HODGE: La Llorona for flute and ensemble (2012) – Donna Shin, flute soloist
~ intermission ~
GYÖRGY LIGETI: Piano Concerto (1985-1988) – Aaron Wonson, piano soloist
ABOUT THE PERFORMERS:
Flutist Donna Shin has been praised for her beautifully-spun phrases, seductive sound, sterling technique, and charismatic exchanges with the audience. Described as “dazzling” by the Boston Globe, Shin has built an enviable reputation as a versatile performer of solo, chamber, orchestra, jazz and ancient Asian repertoire. Performing in concert halls throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, she is admired for her adventurous programming and expressive flair.
Devoted to the role of artist-teacher, she is the flute professor, chair of woodwind and brass studies, and director of the Chamber Music Lab at the University of Washington School of Music after holding faculty posts at the University of South Carolina School of Music and Oklahoma State University. She frequently appears as artist-performer and master class clinician at universities and flute clubs throughout the world, modeling the artist-teacher path for young flutists.
Pianist Aaron Wonson is equally at home with the music of Ives and Ligeti as he is with Bach, Debussy, or Thelonious Monk. Jeremy Denk described his technique as “scary,” and his extensive new music collaborations include composers Phillip Cashian, Lei Liang, Elizabeth Ogonek, and conductors David Dzubay and Timothy Weiss. Recent recording projects include an arrangement of Béla Bartók’s first violin sonata for piano and alto saxophone and a jazz trio album.
Wonson holds degrees from Oberlin Conservatory, studying with Peter Takács, and from Jacobs School of Music, with Spencer Myer. He is currently pursuing a DMA degree in piano performance and pedagogy at Boston University with Andrius Zlabys. While at the Jacobs School, he was involved in a piano, violin, and clarinet trio funded by the Verdehr Trio of Michigan University. In addition to classical performance, Wonson also composes, plays jazz, and teaches at the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School. He currently resides in the greater Boston area.