American Classical Orchestra presents

THE SFZP FORTEPIANO PROJECT

The Sfzp Fortepiano Project is ACO’s three-year initiative—launched in 2019—to elevate the fortepiano in the early music scene, particularly in New York City. Cycle I (2019) explored Classical repertoire by Mozart, Haydn, C.P.E and J.C. Bach, among others. In 2020, as we mark Beethoven at 250, we delve into his significant catalog of solo and chamber works for fortepiano. In 2021, we turn to the Romantics: Brahms, Schumann, and Schubert, with an especial eye toward collaborative piano.

The Sfzp Project – Cycle II: Beethoven
May 4-9, 2020

EVENTS
Beethoven Piano Sonata Marathon (May 4-8)
High Fives: ACO Lincoln Center series concert featuring Petra Somlai (May 7)
Masterclasses and Panel Discussion (May 8)
The 2nd Sfzp International Fortepiano Competition (May 9)
Appassionata: The Sfzp Project 2020 finale concert (May 9)

PACKAGES                             SINGLE TICKETS

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BEETHOVEN PIANO SONATA MARATHON

May 4-8, 2020

As part of our three-year Sfzp Fortepiano Project, American Classical Orchestra presents a Beethoven Piano Sonata Marathon, with performances of Beethoven’s 32 piano sonatas, performed on fortepiano by an international roster of the finest early keyboardists, including David Belkovski (winner—1st Sfzp International Fortepiano Competition), Sylvia Berry, Shuann Chai, Christian De Luca, Maria Rose, Petra Somlai, Jiayan Sun, Bart van Oort, and Eric Zivian.

Monday, May 4, 2020
St. Ignatius of Antioch, 552 West End Ave

7 pm: Episode I | Op. 7 (‘Grand’) · Op. 14, No. 2 · Op. 10, No. 2 · Op. 2, No. 2 · Op. 31, No. 1
Tickets: $40 Prime Seating; $20 Standard; $10 Student (valid ID req’d)
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9 pm: Episode II | Op. 2, No. 3 (‘Cuckoo’) · Op. 79 · Op. 31, No. 3 (‘Hunt’) · Op. 53 (‘Waldstein’)
Tickets: $20; $10 Student (valid ID req’d)
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Tuesday, May 5, 2020
St. Ignatius of Antioch, 552 West End Ave

7 pm: Episode III | Op. 10, No. 1 · Op. 49, No. 2 · Op. 28 (‘Pastoral’) · Op. 14, No. 1 · Op. 13 (‘Pathetique’)
Tickets: $40 Prime Seating; $20 Standard; $10 Student (valid ID req’d)
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9 pm: Episode IV | Op. 27, No. 1 · Op. 26 · Op. 54 · Op. 110
Tickets: $20; $10 Student (valid ID req’d)
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Wednesday, May 6, 2020
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Musical Instruments Gallery

11 am Symposium by Bart van Oort
Title to be announced.

11:45 am: 1 PM Episode V | Op. 10, No. 3 · Op. 49, No. 1 · Op. 31, No. 2 (‘Tempest’) · Op. 27, No. 2 (‘Moonlight’)

2:30-4:30 pm: Episode VI | Op. 78 (‘Therese’) · Op. 90 · Op. 109 · Op. 106 (‘Hammerklavier’)

All events at The MET Museum are free and open to the public (with museum admission); however, space is extremely limited. Consider a package to guarantee your seat at one or both of these events.

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Friday, May 8, 2020
St. Ignatius of Antioch, 552 West End Ave

7 pm: Episode VII | Op. 2, No. 1 · Op. 22 · Op. 81 (‘Les Adieu’) · Op. 101 · Op. 111
Tickets: $40 Prime Seating; $20 Standard; $10 Student (valid ID req’d)
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Join us on Saturday, May 9, 2020 to hear the final sonata of our marathon: Op. 57, No. 23 (Appassionata), at the finale performance of our week-long Sfzp Project (details below).

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HIGH FIVES

Thursday, May 7, 2020, 8 pm

Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center

This festive conclusion to ACO’s Lincoln Center concert series and ongoing celebration of Beethoven’s 250th includes the composer’s Fifth Symphony, a stirring work from its iconic opening line. As part of The Sfzp Fortepiano Project, the program also features Hungarian virtuoso Petra Somlai on fortepiano, performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. Schubert’s sparkling Symphony No. 5 balances the musical intensity.

Tickets: $39.50 Standard; $58.50 Preferred; $78.50 Prime B; $98.50 Prime A; $10 Student (valid ID req’d)
Assigned seating; ACO will provide best seating available in section of your choice
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MASTERCLASSES & PANEL DISCUSSION

Friday, May 8, 2020

St. Ignatius of Antioch, 552 West End Avenue

10:30 – 11:30 am: Master class with Audrey Axinn

11:30 am – 1 pm: Panel Discussion

1:30 – 3 pm: Master class with Bart van Oort

Master classes and panel discussion are offered free to the public.

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THE 2ND SFZP INTERNATIONAL FORTEPIANO COMPETITION

Saturday, May 9, 2020, 11 am – 1 pm

St. Ignatius of Antioch, 552 West End Avenue

In Cycle II of American Classical Orchestra’s The Sfzp Fortepiano Project, four finalists compete for first and second place prizes, each performing a 30-minute program of works by Beethoven and contemporaries. The first prize winner will perform a Beethoven piano concerto with American Classical Orchestra in its 2020-2021 season. Competition co-sponsor Academy of Fortepiano Performance offers all finalists a full scholarship to its summer workshop.

Tickets: $10 General Admission; Students free with valid ID. Ticket revenue goes directly to support The Sfzp Fortepiano Project.
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THE SFZP PROJECT 2020 FINALE: APPASSIONATA

Saturday, May 9, 2020, 7:30 PM
New York Society for Ethical Culture

All Beethoven Program
Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57 (“Appassionata”)
     Shuann Chai, Fortepiano
Volkslieder selections
     Lawrence Jones, Tenor
Clarinet Trio in B-flat, Op. 11
     Ed Matthew, Clarinet
Grosse Fuge, Op. 133

The culminating event of The Sfzp Fortepiano Project*, we present a chamber concert, featuring works at the pinnacle of Beethoven’s solo and chamber output, including the rarely-heard Grosse Fuge and, capping off our sonata marathon, Piano Sonata No. 23. The winners of The 2nd Sfzp International Fortepiano competition will also be announced.

Tickets: $50 Prime; $25 Standard; $10 Student (valid ID req’d)
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Packages

Beethoven Piano Sonata Marathon Pass


Standard Marathon Pass - $80 (a $100 value)

• Standard tickets to 5/4, 5/5, and 5/8 Beethoven Piano Sonata Marathon recitals at St. Ignatius of Antioch ($100 value)

Prime Marathon Pass - $120 (a $160 value)

• Prime seating tickets to 5/4, 5/5, and 5/8 Beethoven Piano Sonata Marathon recitals at St. Ignatius of Antioch ($160 value)

Purchase Marathon Pass

 

Festival Passes



Student Festival Pass - $50 (a $110 value)

• Student Tickets to all 2020 Sfzp Project concerts and events (except guaranteed entry to 5/6 Met Museum concerts)

Standard Festival Pass
 - $177.00 (a $210 value)

• Standard tickets to 5/4, 5/5, and 5/8 Beethoven Piano Sonata Marathon recitals at St. Ignatius of Antioch ($100 value)
• Guaranteed entry to either 11 am or 2:30 pm recital at The Met Museum on 5/6
• Prime B seating to ACO’s 5/7 Alice Tully Hall concert “High Fives” ($75 value)
• Entry to The 2nd Sfzp International Fortepiano Competition finals on 5/9 at St. Ignatius of Antioch ($10 value)
• Standard seating to the 5/9 finale concert of the 2020 Sfzp Project, “Appassionata” at New York Society for Ethical Culture ($25 value)

Prime Festival Pass
 - $250.00 (a $315 value)

• Prime seating tickets to 5/4, 5/5, and 5/8 Beethoven Piano Sonata Marathon recitals at St. Ignatius of Antioch ($160 value)
• Guaranteed entry to either 11 am or 2:30 pm recital at The Met Museum on 5/6
• Prime B seating to ACO’s 5/7 Alice Tully Hall concert “High Fives” ($95 value)
• Entry to The 2nd Sfzp International Fortepiano Competition finals on 5/9 at St. Ignatius of Antioch
• Prime seating to the 5/9 finale concert of the 2020 Sfzp Project, “Appassionata” at New York Society for Ethical Culture ($50 value)

Purchase Festival Pass

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Sponsorship Opportunities

Call the American Classical Orchestra office (212.362.2727) to learn about sponsorship opportunities, including dedicating a piano sonata in honor or memory of a loved one (starting at $250) or underwriting one of eight performances or the 2nd Sfzp International Fortepiano Competition.