My First Three Weeks At Aspen Music Festival
A reflection of my first three weeks as a Fellow at the Aspen Music Festival and School
7/13/20242 min read
It has been three weeks since I landed in Aspen for my two-month Fellowship at this year’s Aspen Music Festival and School, and it still feels surreal somehow. Every time I see the stunning landscape around me, I feel like I’m on a film set.
It has been one of the most wonderful experiences I’ve had so far, and we still have five more weeks to go. Aspen really is a musical heaven for young artists since it is a bubble where you are surrounded by like-minded people from all backgrounds, and the most beautiful scenery - the perfect place for deep work and reflection.
I’ve always loved going on walks for fresh air first thing in the morning, and there is no better place than here. I’ve been enjoying morning runs/walks at 6am every morning, it has been the perfect start to my days.
The first few weeks were busier than I’d expected since I was given the great opportunity to be part of this year’s Piano Palooza Concert in the Klein Music Tent which is happening on the 18th of July. It is a concert with 8 Steinways, 16 pianists, and 32 hands. I don’t imagine I’ll have many more concerts with such a sight for the rest of my life.
Nevertheless, I had two solo recitals in the past week. My first time playing for an American audience, what a wonderful crowd they were! So attentive and appreciative. I was lucky to squeeze in a visit to Maroon Bells which is just, STUNNING.
Upcoming Performances:
Next week is a busy one with three performances in three days. Two of which are in the beautiful Harris Hall and one in the Tent which I am so excited about!
Favourite concert so far:
Sergei Babayan and Daniil Trifonov joined forces for a two-piano concert in Harris Hall and it might just be one of the best concert (certainly piano concert) I’ve ever been to. For their encore, they played an arrangement of Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony’s Third Movement. I was in tears. Needless to say, I was speechless and still am till this day when I think about that night. Luckily, they recorded the arrangement for their album which you can hear here. I think this piece will be one that I associate with Aspen for a very long time.
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