Mimir, named for the Norse god of wisdom, is the premiere festival in the South Central United States dedicated exclusively to the study and performance of chamber music. Artists are selected not only for their superb performing skills, but also for their ability to teach.
Throughout the event, guest artists hold master classes for aspiring pre-professional musicians, selected for participation through a rigorous audition process. In the evenings, guest artists present a series of five exciting and distinctly different musical performances.
The remaining Mimir Artists concerts are set for July 10 and 13 at 7:30 p.m. Each performance will be in PepsiCo Recital Hall. Individual tickets are $25 at the regular price, with discounts for seniors and for those attending multiple concerts. For a complete schedule and detailed information, go to www.mimirfestival.org. For information, phone ext. 5443.
Mimir Young Artists concerts (free and open to the public) will be tonight, July 9, at 7 p.m. (St. Mary of the Assumption Church), and July 12 at 7:30 p.m (TCU).
This year’s performers are:
Alessio Bax (piano) was First Prize winner of the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition in 2000. He has performed with more than 70 orchestras and worked with a number of esteemed conductors.
Che-Yen Chen (viola), also known as Brian, is a four-time winner of the National Viola Competition in his native Taiwan. He studied at The Curtis Institute of Music and The Juilliard School and is now principal viola of the San Diego Symphony.
Nathan Cole (violin) is with the Los Angeles Philharmonic as Associate First Concertmaster.
Robert DeMaine (cello) has been praised by The New York Times as "An artist who makes one hang on every note." He has distinguished himself as one of the finest and most versatile musicians of his generation, having performed worldwide to critical acclaim from Carnegie Hall to the Teatro Colon.
Kirsten Docter (viola) is a member of Cavani String Quartet, winner of the Naumburg Chamber Music Award. The quartet maintains a residency at the Cleveland Institute of Music.
Jun Iwasaki (violin) serves as concertmaster of the Nashville Symphony since his appointment in 2011. He previously served as concertmaster with the Oregon and Canton Symphonies.
John Novacek (piano) is a Grammy-nominated musician who regular tours the world as a solo recitalist, chamber musician and concerto soloist. He has recorded more than 30 CDs.
Stephen Rose (violin), is principal second violin of the Cleveland Orchestra and serves on the faculty of the Cleveland Institute of Music. He is a featured artist in festivals world-wide.
Brant Taylor (cello), a member of the Chicago Symphony, appears as guest soloist with orchestras and at music festivals around the world. He also serves on the faculty of the DePaul University School of Music.
Curt Thompson (violin), founding director of Mimir and associate professor of violin at the TCU School of Music, has performed as soloist, recitalist and chamber musician on five continents.