As part of Colburn’s Next Up Series, which showcases alumni, we’re speaking with the alumni curators of each program and sharing these conversations as minisodes. In this episode, we speak with Makiko Hirata, who has curated our final Next Up program of the 2021-22 Season. Her program will explore the life and music of Ernst Toch in historical context, performing pieces in chronological order with narration from Toch's grandson, author Lawrence Weschler. The program begins with the Brahms and Mozart of Toch's early days in Europe—before fleeing the influence of Nazi Germany—through Toch's very last piano pieces written in Southern California in 1962.

The concert takes place in Thayer Hall on Thursday, May 12. Register for the concert.

Music in this Episode:

JAMES STEPHENSON Celestial Suite for Brass Quintet

V. Hawking

Jackson Prasifka, Horn

Diego Stine, Tuba

Gracie Potter, Trombone

Forrest Johnston, Trumpet

Tyler Norris, Trumpet

From Next Up: Celestial Suite, April 27