Alisa Weilerstein’s FRAGMENTS 5 marks the next chapter of her groundbreaking, multi-year solo cello project, which interweaves movements from J.S. Bach’s Cello Suites with 27 newly commissioned works by leading contemporary composers. Each installment is crafted as an immersive, theatrically staged experience, performed without interruption.

FRAGMENTS 5 features new works by composers including Gabriela Lena Frank, Gabriella Smith, Gerard McBurney, Mathilde Wantenaar, and Osvaldo Golijov, thoughtfully paired with J. S. Bach’s Cello Suite No. 5. The result is a singular, multisensory journey that invites listeners to experience the cello repertoire in a completely new way.

Presented in the intimate Concert Hall at William & Mary as part of the Virginia Arts Festival’s 2026 season and co-presented with Office of the Arts at William & Mary, this special 60-minute performance offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience Weilerstein’s visionary project just before she performs it at Carnegie Hall.

The concert will last approximately one hour with no intermission. Please note that there will be no late seating.

Alisa Weilerstein, Project Creator, Performer
Elkhanah Pulitzer, Director
Seth Reiser, Scenic and Lighting Designer
Hanako Yamaguchi, Artistic Producer and Advisor
Molly Irelan, Costume Designer
Heather Sterling, Original Hair and Makeup Design

Today's performance weaves together 15 short movements from works by Gabriela Lena Frank, Gabriella Smith, Gerard McBurney, Johann Sebastian Bach, Mathilde Wantenaar and Osvaldo Golijov

With the exception of the cello suite no. 5 by J.S. Bach, all of the music in this program has been commissioned by Alisa Weilerstein and FRAGMENTS.

Further information on the composers and their works will be provided at the conclusion of the performance via the QR code in the programme book.

Leadership support for FRAGMENTS is generously provided by Joan* and Irwin Jacobs and Judy and Tony Evnin.

Patron support is provided by Clara Wu Tsai, Paul Sekhri, Gavin Berger, Topiary Foundation, Slavka Glaser, Judith Pisar, Sarah Billinghurst Solomon, Michiko Yamaguchi, Jane S. Moss, Judi Wolf and Alden Toevs, and an anonymous donor, among many others.

Commissioning partners include The San Diego Symphony, UC Santa Barbara Arts & Lectures, Carnegie Hall, Spoleto Festival, Vivo Performing Arts (formerly Celebrity Series of Boston), The Royal Conservatory of Music for the 21C Festival, and Washington Performing Arts. Additional support is provided by the Alphadyne Foundation, Mid Atlantic Arts, Musicians Advocacy Fund, Steinsieck Foundation, and Cheswatyr Foundation. FRAGMENTS was supported by New Music USA’s Organization Fund in 2024–2025.

Special thanks to Martha Gilmer for her leadership and counsel, and to Vivo Performing Arts, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and the Aspen Music Festival and School.