The Bonneville Chamber Music Festival is ready to start its seventh season this weekend. Viktor Uzur, founder and director of the festival, is thrilled that his brainchild has found a permanent place in Utah’s ever expanding festival scene. “I am happy that [Weber State University, where he is on the faculty] has given us so much support,” said the Yugoslavian-born cellist in an interview with Reichel Recommends. “This festival is important for our culture and our community.”

Uzur tries to mix standard repertoire with lesser known works as well as pieces that are new to Utah audiences. “There are a lot of new things this time around,” he said.

Viktor Uzur

Among the pieces receiving their first performances at the festival is Morton Feldman’s Rothko Chapel for soprano, alto, chorus, viola, celesta and percussion, a work inspired by the composer’s visit to the like named chapel in Houston in 1971. “It’s acoustically interesting and a gorgeous piece,” Uzur said.

Playing the viola part is Mikhail Bereznicky, who introduced Uzur to the piece. “I have known him since 1989. He has played the piece and suggested we do it.”

Another new work, which will also be receiving its United States premiere at the festival, is David Chaillou’s Seul, a monologue for solo cello. “I met David when I played a concert at the Paris Conservatory with [pianist] Guigla Katsarava,” Uzur said. “He’s a young guy but a very current composer.” When Chaillou showed Uzur the piece Uzur was struck by the quality and depth of the writing. “It’s about 11 minutes in length and captures the different personalities of the cellist. It’s a serial piece that is well written and makes sense. It also has strong emotional content.”

Another composer who no doubt will be new to most of the audience is the Armenian Arno Babajanian, whose Piano Trio in F sharp minor will be played. “Babajanian is best known for this trio,” Uzur said adding that stylistically the work moves between atonality and tonality. Performing it will be the Tria Fata. Two of the group’s members, violinist Kathryn Palkki and cellist Samuel Runolfson, are former WSU students. The third member, pianist Nicholas Maughan is currently still at WSU. “This was my first serious chamber group at Weber State,” Uzur said. “When I coached them they picked things up quickly. They are very good professionals now who have taken off on their own.”

Part of the tradition that has grown up with the festival has Uzur teaming up with guitarist Brad Richter. As a duo they’ve performed around the country and have been featured a number of times on the syndicated radio program “Performance Today.” The two like to do unconventional things. This year Uzur and Richter will play an arrangement of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue for guitar and cello. “The music is untouched,” Uzur said. “We stay true to the original.”

On the same program will be arrangements of some rock songs including pieces by Nirvana. “I think rock songs are art, too,” Uzur said.

Of course there will also be a number of works by well known composers. Among this group are Antonin Dvorak’s String Quintet in G major, op. 77; Dmitri Shostakovich’s Piano Trio No. 2; and Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Trio No. 1 in G major.

As at past festivals, Uzur has invited a mix of WSU faculty members and international artists to join him. Among Weber State musicians are violist Michael Palumbo, violinist Shi-Hwa Wang and conductor Mark Henderson.

David Chaillou

Uzur is pleased with how the festival has developed and been embraced by chamber music lovers around the area. And this year he feels confident he has a solid line up of music and performers. “I’m hoping this festival will have something of interest for everybody,” he said.

Below is a listing of festival concerts. Except where noted all concerts and events take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Allred Theater in the Browning Center for the Performing Arts on the Weber State University campus. Tickets are $6 for general admission and $5 for seniors, students and those with military ID. Free events are noted. Tickets are available online at www.weberstatetickets.com or by calling 801-626-7000 or in person at the Dee Events Center box office. For complete concert and artist information log on to the festival website at http://weber.edu/bcmf.

• March 16: “Lively Mix.” Program: Beethoven, String Trio op. 9, no. 1; Morton Feldman, Rothko Chapel for soprano, alto, chorus, viola, celesta and percussion; music played by the Richter Uzur Duo. FREE.
• March 18: “Northern Lights.” Program: Boccherini, Guitar Quintet, G. 448, third movement, Introduction and Fandango; Machado/Uzur, Northern Lights; Dvorak, String Quintet in G major, op. 77.
• March 22, 1:30-3:30 p.m.: Master Class with violinist Miran Begic. FREE.
• March 22: “Water and Fire.” Program: Barber, Canzonetta; Rachmaninoff, Piano Trio No. 1 in G major; Arno Babajanian, Piano Trio in F sharp minor.
• March 23: “Eclectic Finale.” David Chaillou, Seul, monologue for solo cello (United States premiere); Shostakovich, Piano Trio No. 2.