November 16, 2023

­Modus Operandi Orchestra (MOO) presents Three Great Romantics: An Evening of Brahms, Coleridge-Taylor, and Mendelssohn at Merkin Hall, NYC

November 30, 2023

with Chloé Kiffer, violin, and Justin Bischof, conductor

About the concert:

A Q&A with Justin Bischof and Chloé Kiffer

Justin Bischof (BM ’90, MM ’92, DMA ’98), Chair of the MSM Alumni Council: We are looking forward to making our return concert at Merkin Hall after last year’s successful debut. Three Great Romantics  will feature two iconic masterpieces — Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture and Brahms Symphony No. 1, as well as the rarely performed Coleridge-Taylor Violin Concerto in G minor.

I am very proud that MOO is presenting this long-neglected masterpiece in New York City after its debut over a century ago. As well, this will be its first performance at Merkin Hall. I am thrilled to be working with MSM alumna and faculty member Chloé Kiffer in her MOO debut as the violin soloist in the Coleridge-Taylor piece.

Chloé is an exceptional artist and colleague who will bring her insight and passion to this lyrical and poetic work.

Justin Bischof: MOO has always proudly had MSM alums in our ranks, including our current concertmaster Eiko Kano (BM ’05, MM ’07). Eiko has a thriving international career as a soloist as well as a chamber musician. She is a top prizewinner of multiple international competitions, such as the 4th International Competition of Tokyo among others. Eiko received her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from MSM as a protégé of Glenn Dicterow. I am a triple alum of our world-class institution and serve as the Chair of the Alumni Council. I am a proud MSMer!

This concert is a rare opportunity to experience two staples of the orchestral repertoire while at the same time rejoicing in the work of Coleridge-Taylor. We look forward to seeing you on November 30!

Chloé Kiffer (MM ’14, PS ’15): It is truly exceptional to perform the rarely played Samuel Coleridge-Taylor violin concerto, which was commissioned at the time by female American violinist Maud Powell. I discovered this piece through my mentor, Patinka Kopec, a few years ago.

I love this concerto, and I genuinely consider it a hidden treasure. This is one of the last compositions the composer wrote, full of folk-inspired but original melodies put into a canvas of a rich, late-romantic harmonic language evocative of American jazz and French impressionism.

I am thrilled that my friend Justin Bischof, conductor and artistic director of MOO, asked me to join MOO as soloist. I am excited to share the stage with him and many more musicians associated with our school.

As an alumna and current faculty member at MSM in both the Precollege and College divisions, I believe in the institution with all my heart. We create a supportive and creative environment for each student to grow as our next generation of performers and educators.