September 17, 2017, Sunday - NADIA at MacPhail Center for Music

Time: 4:00pm

Location: MacPhail Center for Music, 501 S 2nd Street

NADIA - Giving voice to the most influential music teacher of the 20th century through her words and music.

Who was Nadia Boulanger? Why did thousands of musicians flock to France to study with “the most influential teacher since Socrates”? Actress/singer Christina Baldwin of Jeune Lune/Moving Company/ Guthrie is compelling in the role of Nadia as she explores the memories and secrets behind this charismatic music teacher in a riveting one -woman tour- de -force marrying music with theater. 

In this chamber music/ theatrical revue, music performed by the Bakken Trio‘s warmly expressive violinist Stephanie Arado and the brilliant pianist Michael Kim trigger Nadia’s memories of her life, the deaths of her father and lover, the complex relationship she had with “the true genius of the family”, her sister Lili, and the “crazy pleasure” she feels teaching.   Nadia Boulanger’s brilliance and magnetic personality are showcased in master classes – How Does Bach Write Mercy? – as well as in private lessons with Copland, Francaix and Piazzola.

The imaginative Stephen Epp, veteran of Jeune Lune Theater and the Moving Company, focuses on symbolism in his playful yet focussed direction of this original Bakken Trio production based on  Boulanger’s own quotes,  and  on scenes recounted by Boulanger students to scriptwriter Mina Fisher. Musical excerpts of Nadia’s teachers and from her vastly diverse students – Piazzola and Quincy Jones, Lili Boulanger and Skrowaczewski – permeate the play, even as music formed the backbone of Nadia Boulanger’s life. NADIA is the story of a woman tenaciously overcoming sexism in early twentieth century Paris to make an unparalleled impact on the musical world.

In this homage to great teachers, themes include the richness of the mentor/scholar relationship, the balance of artistic freedom with craft, truth vs. perception, and the counterpoint of emotion endured by those who live intensely.

Tickets available at the door and on http://www.bakkentrio.org/  ($30 general, $25 senior, $20 student)

Additional performance: Monday, September 18, 7:30pm