Jasmine Choi, Flute

Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 7pm

Artist Sponsor
The Gerrit & Amy Cole Foundation

Jasmine Choi: Flute
Hugh Sung: Piano
Dario Bizio: Bass
Maverick Macmillan: Drums

This performance will include a 15-minute intermission.

Family Concert with Jasmine and Friends

This evening’s program offers audiences of all ages a vivid and colorful journey through the expressive spectrum of the flute, presented in two contrasting parts. The first part features cornerstone works from the late Romantic and contemporary flute repertoire, while the second introduces a fresh soundscape through a jazz ensemble, highlighting the instrument’s remarkable adaptability across genres.

Part I – Flute and Piano

Ennio Morricone (1928–2020): Cinema Paradiso (arr. for flute and piano)

Ennio Morricone’s Oscar-winning score for Cinema Paradiso (1988) is widely recognized for its emotional poignancy and lyrical elegance. In this arrangement for flute and piano, the nostalgic themes are brought into intimate focus, allowing the flute to sing with a voice that is both tender and expressive. The music evokes a profound sense of memory and longing, reflecting the story of a filmmaker looking back on his childhood in post-war Italy. This piece sets a tone of warmth and storytelling that resonates throughout the concert.

Jules Mouquet (1867–1946): La Flûte de Pan, Op. 15 for Flute and Piano

Composed in 1906, La Flûte de Pan is inspired by the mythological figure Pan—the half-goat, half-man god of the wild who plays a flute made of reeds. Jules Mouquet imbues this three-movement work with impressionistic color and ancient mysticism. The piece alternates between rhapsodic lyricism and sparkling technical passages, painting a vivid sonic landscape that blurs the line between fantasy and nature. It is emblematic of early 20th-century French fascination with antiquity and exoticism, and it remains a staple in the flutist’s repertoire.

Ian Clarke (b. 1964) : Orange Dawn for Flute and Piano

Written in 1992, Orange Dawn represents a significant evolution in the contemporary flute idiom. British flutist-composer Ian Clarke explores extended techniques, modal harmonies, and rich textures to depict the otherworldly calm of sunrise over an imagined African savanna. The music is meditative and spacious, inviting both the performer and listener into a world of quiet intensity. This piece stands in contrast to the preceding works, offering a modern and introspective voice in the flute’s ongoing narrative.

 Cécile Chaminade (1857–1944): Concertino Op. 107 for Flute and Piano

Commissioned in 1902 as an examination piece for the Paris Conservatoire, Chaminade’s Concertino quickly became one of the most beloved showpieces in the flute repertoire. The piece was originally composed for flute and piano, but it was later orchestrated by Chaminade herself. The work balances lyrical charm with technical brilliance, showcasing the performer’s range of expression and agility. As one of the few female composers of her time to gain widespread recognition, Chaminade’s contributions to late Romantic music—and to flute literature in particular—are historically significant. Her Concertino serves as a triumphant and exhilarating conclusion to the first half of this concert.

Part II – Flute and Jazz Trio

Justin Hurwitz (b. 1985) : Another Day of Sun (arr. for flute and jazz trio)

Originally from the acclaimed film La La Land (2016), Another Day of Sun is a vibrant, uplifting piece that encapsulates the spirit of hope and perseverance amidst the challenges of life. This arrangement for flute and jazz trio brings a fresh, intimate perspective to the composition, highlighting the melodic lines of the flute while allowing the rhythm section to provide a dynamic backdrop. Moments of improvisation allow for personal expression, inviting the performers to explore the boundaries of the composition while staying true to its core message. It serves as a celebration of dreams and the resilience of the human spirit—a reminder that, no matter the struggles we face, there is always a new day filled with possibilities waiting just around the corner.

Claude Bolling (1930–2020) : Suite for Flute and Jazz Trio

Claude Bolling’s Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio (1975) is a landmark work that helped popularize the concept of “crossover” music. Written for flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal, the suite spans seven movements that merge Baroque-inspired structures with jazz harmony and swing rhythm. Each movement highlights a different facet of the flute’s character—from the elegant and stately Baroque and Blue, to the lively and virtuosic Javanaise, and the introspective Sentimentale. Bolling’s suite celebrates collaboration between genres and traditions, positioning the flute as a bridge between classical refinement and improvisational freedom.

 While the evening traverses a broad stylistic terrain—from cinematic to Romantic, from contemporary to jazz—the program is unified by its emphasis on storytelling and the versatility of the flute. Each piece presents a different sound world, yet they are connected by themes of transformation, memory, and imagination. The concert’s arc begins with introspection and nostalgic beauty, moves through myth and modernity, and culminates in joy, rhythmic vitality, and artistic freedom. Together, these works celebrate not only the flute’s expressive range but also the joy of musical collaboration across generations and genres.

- Written by Jasmine Choi

Praised as “The goddess of the flute” by The Korea Times, Jasmine Choi is a dynamic and innovative artist whose musical vision transcends traditional boundaries. Renowned for her captivating performances and engaging digital presence, she is passionate about cultivating new audiences for classical music while exploring the limitless potential of the flute.

A graduate of the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music and The Juilliard School, Jasmine began her career with orchestral appointments as principal flutist of the Vienna Symphony under Fabio Luisi and associate principal of the Cincinnati Symphony under Paavo Järvi. She later launched a successful solo career that has taken her to major stages around the world.

Highlights of her 2024–2025 season include solo performances with the Orchestre de Chambre de Genève, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra, Würzburg Philharmonic, Haifa Symphony Orchestra, Sejong Soloists, Pacific Philharmonia Tokyo, Korean National Symphony, and Macao Orchestra. She also embarks on recital tours with pianists Kit Armstrong and Hugh Sung, and harpist Johanna Schellenberger.

Born into a third-generation family of classical musicians in South Korea, Jasmine was immersed in music from an early age, beginning her studies with piano and violin. At nine, she discovered the flute—a moment that sparked a lifelong passion and set her on the path to a professional career.

Jasmine has performed as a soloist with many of the world’s most respected orchestras, including the Vienna Symphony, Salzburg Mozarteum, Berlin Symphony, Czech Philharmonic, St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony, and Seoul Philharmonic. Her recital appearances span Paris, Vienna, London, New York, Tokyo, Seoul, and Hong Kong, among others.

Her discography on the Sony Classical label includes Fantasies (virtuoso flute works), Mozart’s Flute Concertos and Quartets, and Claude Bolling’s Jazz Suite, as well as works by Brahms, Schumann, and Reinecke. Additional recordings include Love in Paris (a live recital), Golden Age Flute Concerto, Trio Joy (free improvisation), and singles dedicated to Paganini, Reichert, and Ian Clarke.

Driven by musical curiosity, Jasmine has arranged numerous classical masterpieces for the flute, including the Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky violin concertos. She continues to champion contemporary composers, premiering over 15 concertos written specifically for her. Theodore Presser Company publishes many of her arrangements, including her edition of Taffanel and Gaubert’s 17 Daily Exercises. Her flute method books for beginners, released in 2021 by Seoul Music Publishing, quickly became bestsellers. She later expanded the series with flute performance books.

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Professor Emeritus Physics and Astronomy
University of California, Irvine

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Eugene Choi
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James Mai
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Stuart Winston
Anu Worah

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