At the Aspen Ideas Festival, Anderson Park, a serene grassy area intersected by footpaths and a man-made stream, became the stage for an extraordinary musical performance. Nearby, an 800-pole bamboo sculpture was under construction, adding to the artistic atmosphere. Nickel Creek’s Chris Thile, alongside violinist Sofia Hashemi-Asasi and students from the Aspen Music School, prepared for a special performance.
Thile’s excitement was palpable as he led the group through a rehearsal of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Concerto for 2 Violins in D Minor, BWV 1043, 3rd Movement. As they fine-tuned the piece, an audience gathered on the hillside, eager to witness the concert. The rustling long grass near the microphones added a soothing texture to the already joyful performance.
After the Bach piece, Thile performed two of his original compositions, “Dionysus” and “Ecclesiastes 2:24.” Before playing his tribute to the god of wine-making, Thile remarked, “This is undeniably a nice place, right here, part of the natural world that we experience so little of these days. It brings to mind wine for me, as it’s one of humanity’s most successful collaborations with nature.”
As the performance drew to a close, Thile expressed his deep appreciation. “It’s good for a person to eat, drink, and take pleasure in their work. I don’t know when I’ve made music with people who were taking more pleasure in their work than these extraordinary young musicians I just played the third movement of the Bach double with,” he said. “I feel very, very lucky in this moment.”
