Series. Classical music. Closer than ever HOUSTON FRIENDS OF CHAMBER MUSIC

Transcription

1 HOUSTON FRIENDS OF CHAMBER MUSIC Series Classical music Closer than ever

2 Dear Friend,...an unheralded leader among mainstream presenters in Houston. Houston Chronicle the crème de la crème of classical music s intimate scene... CultureMap...bringing chamber music s stars to Houston... Houston Chronicle Welcome to Houston Friends of Chamber Music s season! This nine-concert series is a thrilling opportunity to experience classical music up close, performed by top-notch chamber ensembles from around the world. The wonderful acoustics and intimate atmosphere of Stude Concert Hall, at Rice University s Shepherd School of Music, will allow you not only to hear wonderful music, but to experience an uplifting connection with the performers closer than ever. Opening the series is the compelling Miró Quartet, universally acknowledged for its creative approach and unique connection with the audience. Making their HFCM debut, the legendary violinist Gidon Kremer s ensemble Kremerata Baltica, the ever-exciting Imani Winds, and the vibrant Elias String Quartet bring diversity and innovation. Rounding out the series are The King s Singers and the famed Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble. Houston Friends of Chamber Music also brings you the Grammy Award-winning Pacifica Quartet, the thrilling Fauré Quartett, and America s greatest quartet, the Emerson String Quartet. These groups have delighted audiences both in the United States and abroad, and you can experience them right here in Houston, for as little as $21 per concert. We invite you to see what we mean when we say we bring you classical music, closer than ever. Deirdre Spann President, Board of Directors Our concert series are generously co-sponsored by: The Shepherd School of Music 2 / houstonfriendsofchambermusic.org

3 Season at a Glance All concerts take place in Stude Concert Hall, Shepherd School of Music, Rice University. Miró Quartet Tuesday, September 17, :30 pm Imani Winds Tuesday, October 15, :30 pm Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble Thursday, November 7, :30 pm The King s Singers Monday, December 9, :30 pm Miró Quartet Schubert Quartettsatz Philip Glass String Quartet No. 5 Beethoven String Quartet in F Major, Op. 59, No.1 Razumovsky Daniel Ching, violin William Fedkenheuer, violin John Largess, viola Joshua Gindele, cello Tuesday, September 17, :30 pm With their explosive vigor and finesse [The New York Times], the Austin-based Miró Quartet is widely recognized as one of the country s top chamber groups. Captivating audiences with their fresh perspective and creative approach, the Quartet excels at new interpretations of the classics, as well as showcasing stirring contemporary pieces. This evening s program features the group at its best. A more committed.performance than the captivating one the Miró gave would be hard to imagine. Gramophone Pacifica Quartet Thursday, January 16, :30 pm Kremerata Baltica with Gidon Kremer Tuesday, February 4, :30 pm Fauré Quartett Tuesday, February 25, :30 pm Elias String Quartet Tuesday, March 25, :30 pm Emerson String Quartet Tuesday, April 29, :30 pm 4 / houstonfriendsofchambermusic.org

4 Imani Winds Valerie Coleman Tzigane Arrangements of: Stravinsky Rite of Spring Mendelssohn Scherzo from A Midsummer s Night Dream Ravel Le Tombeau de Couperin Simon Shaheen Dance Mediterranea Valerie Coleman, flute Toyin Spellman-Diaz, oboe Mariam Adam, clarinet Jeff Scott, French horn Monica Ellis, bassoon Tuesday, October 15, :30 pm Making their Houston Friends of Chamber Music debut, this young group has dazzled audiences around the country with its dynamic playing, culturally poignant programming, and diverse repertoire. This concert will take the audience on a one-of-a-kind journey through an eclectic mix of pieces, from classics to contemporary and folk-inspired works. stunningly beautiful and technically amazing. Cleveland Classical Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble Brahms Sextet in B-flat Major, Op. 18 Enescu Octet in C Major, Op. 7 Shostakovich Prelude and Scherzo for String Octet, Op. 11 Harvey de Souza, violin Martin Burgess, violin Jennifer Godson, violin Robert Smissen, viola Duncan Ferguson, viola Stephen Orton, cello John Heley, cello Thursday, November 7, :30 pm Drawn from the legendary Academy of St. Martin in the Fields orchestra, the Ensemble are praised for their richly nuanced and brilliant interpretations. They will lend their signature style to three gorgeous classical works: Brahms s rich Sextet, Enescu s lyrical Octet, and Shostakovich s haunting Prelude. a luminous and often-breathtaking performance that won the musicians a standing ovation. The Washington Post 6 / houstonfriendsofchambermusic.org

5 The King s Singers Program to be announced Monday, December 9, :30 pm With their spot-on intonation, impeccable vocal blend and a decidedly British wit, the Grammy Award-winning King s Singers are sure to bring pizzazz to the season. David Hurley, countertenor Timothy Wayne-Wright, countertenor Paul Phoenix, tenor Christopher Bruerton, baritone The superlative vocal sextet. The [London] Times Consummate entertainers. The Boston Globe Christopher Gabbitas, baritone Jonathan Howard, bass Pacifica Quartet Haydn String Quartet in B-flat Major, Op. 76, No. 4 Sunrise Brahms String Quartet in C Minor, Op. 51, No. 1 Shostakovitch String Quartet No. 7 Simin Ganatra, violin Sibbi Bernhardsson, violin Masumi Per Rostad, viola Brandon Vamos, cello Thursday, January 16, :30 pm Widely hailed for its exuberant performance and daring repertory choices, the Grammy Awardwinning group returns. Pacifica s rendition of Shostakovich s string quartets has been praised as a wedding of youthful electricity and interpretive insight [Boston Globe]. Also in the program: Sunrise, one of Haydn s most melodic inventions, and Brahms dramatic and tense Quartet in c minor....magnificently polished... The New York Times 8 / houstonfriendsofchambermusic.org

6 Kremerata Baltica with Gidon Kremer Weinberg Concertino for violin and strings Shostakovich Violin Sonata, Op. 134 Britten Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge Gidon Kremer Tuesday, February 4, :30 pm This Grammy Award-winning chamber group, led by violin legend Gidon Kremer, brings together enthusiasm and exceptional young talent. Expect energy and passion as the group brings life to one of Britten s Fauré Quartett Bridge Phantasy in F-sharp Minor Tuesday, February 25, :30 pm In just a few short years, the vibrant Fauré Quartett has become of the world s leading piano ensembles. Acclaimed for its passionate playing and its visionary approach to the repertoire, enduring masterpieces and offers the recently for Piano Quartet the group made a dazzling Houston Friends of rediscovered Weinberg Concertino. Kremer will solo on this delightful piece and the Shostakovich Sonata, for which his playing was Mozart Piano Quartet in E-flat, Major K. 493 Strauss Piano quartet in C Minor, Op. 13 Chamber Music debut in Pianist Martha Argerich says it best: Anyone who heard the Fauré Quartett perform will want to hear it again. called extraordinary in its emotional impact. Mr. Kremer, leading his fine young ensemble of players, remains one of the truly interesting musicians among us today. Dirk Mommetz, piano Erika Geldsetzer, violin Sascha Frömbling, viola Konstantin Heidrich, cello Emotionally explosive... plenty of dynamism, musical style and a lithe animation of texture Daily Telegraph, London The New York Times 10 / houstonfriendsofchambermusic.org

7 Elias String Quartet Beethoven String Quartet in E Minor, Op. 59, No. 2 Razumovsky Beamish Reed Stanzas Debussy String Quartet in G Minor, Op. 10 Tuesday, March 25, :30 pm The Sunday Telegraph called this British ensemble pure magic, and in this concert you will see for yourself why the players have established themselves as one of the most intense and vibrant quartets of their generation. The Elias are a quite exceptional quartet Gramophone Emerson String Quartet Haydn String Quartet in G Minor, Op. 20, No. 3 Mozart String Quartet in E-flat Major, K. 428 Beethoven String Quartet in C Major, Op. 59, No. 3 Razumovsky Tuesday, April 29, :30 pm The Emerson String Quartet stands alone in the history of string quartets with an unparalleled list of achievements. In a program that combines classical and romantic masterpieces, hear why The New York Times applauded the Emerson as the most impressive of American string quartets. an extraordinary fusion of experience and authority with audacity and freshness. The Boston Globe Sara Bitlloch, violin Donald Grant, violin Martin Saving, viola Marie Bitlloch, cello A heaven-storming performance.big things lie ahead of them The Strad Eugene Drucker, violin Philip Setzer, violin Lawrence Dutton, viola Paul Watkins, cello 12 / houstonfriendsofchambermusic.org

8 Why Subscribe? Over 30% Savings! Save from 30% to 40% off single ticket prices! Priority Seating Subscribers get the very best seats available. Renewing subscribers seats are reserved until May 31, Free Ticket Exchanges If you cannot attend a concert, you may exchange your ticket to any other series concert. Bring a friend free! For each full season subscription purchased by April 30, 2013, receive a free ticket to any series concert! Valet parking option Enjoy the ease of close self-parking or purchase valet parking. Why Donate? Houston Friends of Chamber Music needs your support. Did you know that ticket sales and subscriptions cover only 45% of the cost of a concert? We rely on your donations in order to keep bringing you music of the finest quality. Whether $10 or $10,000, every gift matters! Please consider giving a generous tax-deductible contribution to support the music you enjoy. Additional benefits when you add a donation to your subscription: $10,000 Guarantor Private chamber music concert at your home Plus all benefits below $5,000 Benefactor Recognition as concert co-sponsor for one concert Plus all benefits below $400 Patron Beverage coupons A personalized autographed CD Plus all benefits below $150 Contributor Access to receptions and special events Plus all benefits below For more information, call or visit houstonfriendsofchambermusic.org. $1,000 Sustainer Recognition as education co-sponsor for one outreach event Plus all benefits below Up to $150 Friend Recognition in all program books for one season Special Thanks Houston Friends of Music would like to thank the following supporters in their efforts to bring the arts and renowned musical ensembles to Houston and the Greater-Houston area: The Shepherd School of Music 15

9 Order your subscription today! To subscribe now: Call Order online at houstonfriendsofchambermusic.org Fill out this subscription form below and mail it to: Houston Friends of Chamber Music Rice University, MS532, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, TX Step 1: Choose your subscription. Please refer to the seating chart on the reverse side. Full Season Series Enjoy the entire HFCM season and 0ver 30% savings! Seating Ticket Qty Price Total Loge & Side Standard X $390 = $ Balcony Senior X $340 = $ Standard X $300 = $ Orchestra & Front Balcony Senior X $250 = $ Student X $110 = $ Senior X $190 = $ Parterre & Balcony Standard X $185 = $ Student X $90 = $ Valet Parking (all concerts) $110 = $ 3 Plus Packages Pick your favorite 3, 4, 5 or 6 concerts and save 10% or more! Miró Quartet Imani Winds Academy of St. Martin in the Fields The King s Singers Pacifica Quartet Kremerata Baltica with Gidon Kremer Fauré Quartett Elias String Quartet Emerson String Quartet Seating Ticket Qty # of Concerts Price Total Orchestra & Front Balcony Parterre & Balcony Standard X X $45 = $ Senior X X $35 = $ Senior X X $25 = $ Standard X X $25 = $ Valet Parking (per concert) X $13 = $ Step 2: Indicate your seating preferences. Accessible seating required* Step 3: Subscriber Information Stude Hall Seating Chart Renewing full season subscriber with same seats as prior season if renewed by May 31, 2013 New subscriber Please refer to the seating chart above and indicate your seating preferences: Name: Street Address: City: State: Zip Code: Address: Work Phone: Home Phone: Step 4: Payment Check (Payable to Houston Friends of Chamber Music) Visa MasterCard Discover Credit Card #: Exp. Date: / Name as it appears on card: Step 5: Donation I would like to make a donation to Houston Friends of Chamber Music. Step 6: Total Your Order $ TICKETS & VALET SUBTOTAL $ DONATION: $ TOTAL: $ Seats are assigned in the order that subscriptions are received. Please note that there are no refunds on season ticket orders. Houston Friends of Chamber Music reserves the right to make changes in programming due to unavoidable circumstances. *A limited amount of accessible seating is available at our venue. If you require wheelchair accessibility or have other special seating concerns, please notify us when placing your order. Accessible seating is located in the side balcony. An elevator is available near the left entrance to the hall. The side balcony has individual chairs which may be moved to accommodate a wheelchair or other mobility aid. Seats in this hall are priced by section. One accessible seat is available at Loge price, four at Orchestra price and two at Parterre price. Please note that all seats in the Parterre and rear balcony require climbing steps.

10 HOUSTON FRIENDS OF CHAMBER MUSIC Bringing the World s Finest Chamber Music to Houston since 1960 Rice University, MS 532 P.O. Box 1892 Houston, TX HOUSTON FRIENDS OF CHAMBER MUSIC Series Classical music Closer than ever houstonfriendsofchambermusic.org