Ravinia 2026 Issue 3

BLACKMOON TRIO Black Moon Trio is a horn, violin, and piano ensemble rede ning the chamber music experi- ence through adventurous programming, com- munity-centered education, and a commitment to equity in the arts. Founded in by Parker Nelson, Jeremy Vigil, and Khelsey Zarraga, the trio seeks to e ect meaningful change by con- necting with diverse audiences and amplifying underrepresented voices. At the heart of Black Moon Trio’s mission is the belief that classical music is for everyone. rough innovative per- formances, original commissions, and collab- orations across artistic disciplines, they spot- light the work of composers of color, women composers, and others historically excluded from the classical canon. eir adventurous programming blends newly commissioned works with reimagined classics, interdisciplin- ary collaborations, and thought-provoking themes—cra ing concerts that challenge tra- ditional expectations while fostering a sense of inclusivity and discovery. Recent commissions include works by award-winning composers Je Scott, Stacy Garrop, and Gala Flagello. In addition to their own productions, Black Moon Trio has curated concert experiences for Con- necticut Summerfest and the Ravinia Festival, expanding access to chamber music through immersive, community-informed program- ming. Beyond the stage, Black Moon Trio in- spires curiosity and creativity through engaging educational programs reaching thousands of participants each year. eir members bring extensive experience not only in chamber mu- sic performance, but also music education in social service settings, university-level work- shops, multi-day residencies, and arts-integrat- ed curriculum development. ese collective strengths allow the trio to o er performances and learning experiences that bring curriculum to life through vivid, interactive musical expe- riences that invite participants to create, re ect, and lead. Whether in concert halls, classrooms, or community spaces, Black Moon Trio invites listeners of all ages and backgrounds to experi- ence classical music that echoes far beyond the nal chord. PETERWINKLER (b. 1943) Trio for Horn, Violin, and Piano ( , ) is music was com- missioned by and ded- icated to Chamberosity, the ensemble created by my dear friends Je Forden, Linda Sinanian, and Christine Doré. I am deeply grateful for their suggestions and feedback, which have led to signi cant improvements in the piece. e trio is a series of character pieces. e image of the rst movement was suggested by a story Je and Linda tell of a party in Long Island where Je serenaded guests with horn calls as they were ferried to an island across a foggy lake. e second movement, a romantic waltz, leads without pause to the nal move- ment, which begins with a mournful elegy and moves to a nostalgic conclusion over a gentle Latin rhythm. e rich harmonies in this move- ment were inspired by the music of Gil Evans. YEEUN SIM (b. 2002) Orbit of Breeze ( ) (written for Black Moon Trio) What memories do you have about gentle breeze in the spring days? It goes around you, follows you, hides away from you, then tickles you so ly all of a sudden. Orbit of Breeze is written from re ect- ing the trip to San Fran- cisco Bay Area, where I experienced a new color of sky, new warmness of sunlight during the golden hour, and the breeze I felt while I was on the tram. Like the tram has its own route and orbits, I perceived breeze as the air was gently talking to me. is piece does not only contain so windy gestures. I tried to embody the natu- ralness and unpredictability in music. INDIGOKNECHT (b. 1988) submerged mirror ( ) (written for Black Moon Trio) submerged mirror is a work inspired by bod- ies of water, from how the world sounds below the surface to the re ec- tion and refraction of light at the surface. As I composed this piece, I couldn’t help but think of Sylvia Plath’s Peter Winkler Yeeun Sim Indigo Knecht “Mirror” and the imagery of a woman staring at her re ection in the lake as she ages. I wanted to create a work that would demonstrate the un- relenting passage of time while nature remains constant. ADAMSCOTT NEAL (b. 1981) Rivermist ( ) Rivermist is a non-pro- grammatic work con- cerned with typical musical ideas like har- mony and texture. As I wrote it, the ebbing, owing, and undulation of the music began to make me envision cool mountain streams. HARRYT. BULOW (b. 1951) Indiana Dunes ( ) e Indiana Dunes are sand dunes that appear along the southeastern portion of Lake Michi- gan and the northwest- ern coastline of Indiana. e poet Carl Sandberg once wrote, “ ey con- stitute a signature of time and eternity.” In some places, the sand dunes rise as high as feet. One dune called Mount Baldy is a favorite launching pad for hang glider enthusiasts. e piece is an attempt to re ect the unique charac- ter of the dunes and the busy populations that frequent its coastline. It begins with a sense of mystery by presenting a chordal design of per- fect hs stacked upon each other surrounded by sounds set in an atonal framework suggesting the early morning sunrise along the coastline. e work quickly moves on to a rolling piano accompaniment that speaks of water currents and growing activities of people and wildlife. e work culminates in a rhythmically robust and rather muscular presto re ective of the tur- bulent and sometimes unpredictable nature of the coastline of Lake Michigan. Quelque Chose premiered the work on December , , at omas Duncan Hall in Lafayette, IN. –Program notes by the composers and Black Moon Trio Adam Scott Neal Harry T. Bulow RAVINIAMAGAZINE • AUGUST 3 – AUGUST 16 , 2026 82