Grammy-nominated American violinist Tessa Lark gave the audience a sample of what they could hear at the upcoming Moab Music Festival at a performance in the Grand America Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City last Wednesday, May 27.
Lark has played the violin for 30 years, and is the artistic director of the annual Moab Music Festival. She also directs Musical Masterworks, a chamber music series based in Connecticut. “Just because the [music’s] quality is elite and exquisite doesn’t mean only people like that can come see it,” Lark said about the festival.
Classical music and “Stradgrass”
Lark, a classically-trained violinist and a bluegrass fiddler, draws influence from her home state, Kentucky. She coined the term “stradgrass” to lovingly describe her experimental style that combines classical violin with Appalachian folk music as its own breakout genre. “Bach, Beethoven and Brahms were all using folk music in their pieces, or trying to write songs that are for folks and will stand the test of time, so it actually is a completely natural pairing to me,” said Lark about what inspired the fusion of genres.
The “stradgrass” name comes from the Stradivarius violin she played for four years. Antonio Stradivari is one of the most famous violin makers in history and his technique is a gold standard for violin makers today.
“It always gets to something so deeply and eternally human,” said Lark about how it feels to play classical and folk tunes on her violin. “It’s music that everyone can relate to on a super deep level, and I think that’s why we’re still playing the stuff hundreds of years later.”
Her Wednesday night performance included a piece she wrote called “Le Soka – Cheese in the Wine” from her 2023 album, “The Stradgrass Sessions.”
The Moab Music Festival
Lark has been performing with the Moab Music Festival for ten years. This is her second year as the artistic director and the first where she curated the entire program.
Musicians Michael Barrett and Leslie Tomkins founded the festival 34 years ago. This trip inspired them to combine Moab Red Rocks’ acoustics with classical music.
“The founding of the festival was really for the love of classical chamber music, and that’s very much still at the heart of the festival,” Lark said. “Though many artists are not making the music from scratch, the way it is performed and interpreted there is unique, and I’m bringing in a lot of creative friends who do write and make their own music.”
The music festival runs from Sept. 2 to 18 and will feature several classical performances throughout Moab. Lark called this year’s theme “This Land,” and the festival, will celebrate the diverse musical roots that shaped American music. Its mission is to allow anyone to experience concert music, promote music education and provide cultural enrichment. “It was my favorite toy when I was younger,” Lark said about her violin. “I owe it to the violin for how colorful and joyful my life has been.”
Lark’s mission
Lark hopes this festival displays classical music and concert experiences for everybody. She said she feels that some people might have a misconception of classical music as being elitist and exclusive. “It’s like the Olympics. Those athletes are elite for sure, but the whole world gets to watch,” Lark said.
She wants the space to allow everyone there to make connections as equals while having a world-class experience. “What I love about Moab is that you can’t dress to the nines and bring your fancy gear. You’re going to have sand in the cracks of your toes and messy hair.”
The beauty of the land is important for Lark as well. “I love that it’s outdoors in one of the most beautiful places in the world,” said Lark, “with some of the most beautiful things humans can create, which is music.”
