L’Academie at Dana Farber Cancer Institute: An Interview with Leslie Kwan
by Published April 2, 2015
April 2, 2015
EMA Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Brandon Labadie, caught up with Leslie Kwan over the phone last February to discuss her work with her ensemble, L’Academie, in the Boston hospital system. Since 2009, L’academie has been presenting French Baroque music to the patients of Dana Faber Cancer Institute and has recently financial support for their outreach programs from the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Leslie gives EMA the story behind L’academie’s beginnings, how she feels the group’s music making has made an impact, and what other projects might be on the horizon.
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For upcoming concerts, Trio Sefardi will perform traditional songs of the Sephardim, the descendants of Jews expelled from Spain in 1492. They'll also pay tribute to Flory Jagoda, a mentor who taught the ensemble songs in Ladino, the endangered language of Sephardic Jews.
From a tribute sent by Stanley Ritchie's family to EMA: "Liberating" is the term he used after switching from modern to Baroque violin, adding, "After playing so many years professionally as a [modern] violinist, I found playing Baroque violin akin to driving a sports car!" A memorial celebration is planned for April, 2027.
Harmonia Stellarum Houston, opening its fifth season next week, focuses on music from the Holy Roman Empire, often mixing Central European classics with recently unearthed treasures.
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