Marin Symphony, Visionary Mahler, Kenji Bunch, Guest Artist Monica Ohuchi

Fresh. Local. Music.59th Season | Maestro Alasdair Neale’s 10th Anniversary

Monica Ohuchi Kenji Bunch

Featured Artist | Pianist Monica Ohuchi | Concert 2, No. 2

FEATURED ARTIST AND COMPOSER REFLECTIONS

This is the second in a series of guest artist/composer stories and quotes—

exposing secrets and insights from their points of view. Guest artist, virtuoso

pianist Monica Ohuchi, performs a contemporary piano concerto by Kenji Bunch

on Sunday, Nov. 6, and Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011. The concert finale: Mahler’s

magnificent Symphony No. 1.

Photo: RJ Muna

”Featured Artist | Pianist Monica Ohuchi | Kenji Bunch Piano Concerto | Concert 2, No. 2

KENJI

“ Three orchestras played my

first concerto in 2004: Santa

Rosa, Marin and Oakland. I

had a wonderful time working

with the Marin Symphony and

Alasdair Neale. My music is very

expressive emotionally and in

that particular piece there was a

lot of humor. Alasdair found the

heart in that music and brought

it out. It’s really an honor to

have a conductor of his caliber

championing my work.


KENJI

“ The piano concerto

is in three movements.

For the final movement,

I wanted something fast

and festive sounding.

I wanted to end on a

more energetic fun note.

A lyrical quality flows through Kenji Bunch compositions. His works are infused with a wide range of emotion and character—from subtle and pleasing textures—to animated high-energy passages.


MONICA

“ The piece has many

different influences. There

is some minimalism,

polytonality, jazz influence,

Latin influence and a

Rachmaninov-like section.

It has the potential

to communicate with

everyone and I’m excited

to bring it to Marin. I want

everybody to hear it.


MONICA

“ When I’m in the zone trying to

focus and learn his piece, he

just lets me be. It’s so easy to

work with him because we have

this layer of understanding

where we’re coming from and

what the other person is all

about, what the other person

needs and doesn’t need.

Working together as husband and wife, these gifted artists have found harmony and balance.


MONICA

“ This piano concerto was a

personal project for both

of us since we’re married.

For this composition,

Kenji was asked to name

a soloist to write for. He

suggested me. I was

floored. I felt quite a bit of

pressure—I didn’t want to

let him down.


MONICA

“ He felt a different kind of

pressure from me, but

I tried not to pester him.

I trusted he would deliver

his best work in time. Once

he started writing, each

page felt like an awesome

discovery. I would wonder

where it was going—it

was like reading a book.


MONICA

“ He would introduce these

beautiful themes and the

tune would come back later,

but it had become something

else. It is interesting to hear

how it evolves. I’m excited

about bringing it to Marin.

I genuinely love Kenji’s

music. It brings me

joy to practice his

music hours on end.


KENJI

“ My job is experimenting.

As a composer, basically what

I do is make something out of

nothing. I have to approach

each piece with a clean slate.

I never know where inspiration

is coming from. It’s like

improvisation—going where

my ear leads me. I don’t want

to dismiss any ideas.

Visionary MahlerMahler took the world by storm with his First Symphony—an audacious and utterly original creation that still brings audiences to their feet. Kenji Bunch’s music is fresh and distinctive; his is a vibrant American voice for the new century. Connect with us: 415.479.8100, www.marinsymphony.org

PROGRAM 2

Sunday, November 6, 2011 at 3pm Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 7:30pm

Alasdair Neale, conductor Monica Ohuchi, piano

Bunch Piano Concerto

Mahler Symphony No. 1

Alasdair Neale

Fresh. Local. Music.

Photos: Erica Lyn Photo: Matthew Washburn

Kenji BunchMonica Ohuchi

Entertainment & Humor

Marin Symphony, Visionary Mahler, Kenji Bunch, Guest Artist Monica Ohuchi