West Coast premiere of Kenji Bunch's Piano Concerto featuring pianist Monica Ohuchi, plus Mahler's Symphony No. 1., Sunday, November 6 at 3pm and Tuesday, November 8 at 7:30pm View this above slideshow to discover more about the Kenji Bunch Piano Concerto composition. Monica and Kenji share insights and glimpses into their experience working together.

1. Monica Ohuchi Kenji Bunch
59th Season | Maestro Alasdair Neale’s 10th Anniversary Fresh. Local. Music.

2. Photo: RJ Muna
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.
Featured Artist | Pianist Monica Ohuchi | Concert 2, No. 2

3. “
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.
Featured Artist | Pianist Monica Ohuchi | Kenji Bunch Piano Concerto | Concert 2, No. 2

4. KENJI
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.
“ 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.
Featured Artist | Pianist Monica Ohuchi | Kenji Bunch Piano Concerto | Concert 2, No. 2

5. 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.
Featured Artist | Pianist Monica Ohuchi | Kenji Bunch Piano Concerto | Concert 2, No. 2

6. MONICA
Working together as husband and wife,
these gifted artists have found harmony
and balance.
“ 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.
”
Featured Artist | Pianist Monica Ohuchi | Kenji Bunch Piano Concerto | Concert 2, No. 2

7. 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.
Featured Artist | Pianist Monica Ohuchi | Kenji Bunch Piano Concerto | Concert 2, No. 2

8. 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.
Featured Artist | Pianist Monica Ohuchi | Kenji Bunch Piano Concerto | Concert 2, No. 2

9. 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.
Featured Artist | Pianist Monica Ohuchi | Kenji Bunch Piano Concerto | Concert 2, No. 2

10. 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.
Featured Artist | Pianist Monica Ohuchi | Kenji Bunch Piano Concerto | Concert 2, No. 2

11. Fresh. Local. Music.
Visionary Mahler
Mahler 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
Monica Ohuchi Kenji Bunch Neale
Photos: Erica Lyn Photo: Matthew Washburn