Our 2009/2010 chamber music series is grounded in a traditional repertoire, but offers some exciting new elements. Under the artistic leadership of Russell Platt, a composer and a Senior Editor for Classical Music at The New Yorker, chamber music audiences learn from pre-concert talks and in-depth programs that provide engaging arts experiences for listeners at all levels.
Co-presented with arts partner Pequot Library.
We would like to thank the following sponsors for their continuing support of our chamber music series: Millette Alexander, the Artur and Heida Hermanns Holde Foundation, Inc., the Estate of Ruth Steinkraus Cohen and Herbert L. Cohen (Friends of Music), the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, Abe and Elsa Nad, Joe and Marion Wertheim, and media sponsor, WSHU.
This concert is sponsored by the Family and Friends of Jean M. Boyd in her memory.
Playing "Chamber Music in Any Chamber," the Chiara Quartet reaches from the concert hall into clubs, bars and galleries, expanding the places to hear live classical music while returning chamber music to its roots in intimate spaces. The Pequot Library offers a perfect space to hear this exciting young string quartet who will perform music by Mozart, Beethoven, and the outstanding young New York composer Jefferson Friedman, a protégé of former Westporter John Corigliano.
Special offer: Buy 2 tickets and get 1 free! For online ticket orders: The discounted price will not be reflected at check out; it will be applied when processed by our office.
In a lovely concert for a winter afternoon at the Arts Center, two engaging young musicians, the harpist Bridget Kibbey and the flutist Claire Chase—both winners of the prestigious Concert Artists Guild International Competition—will offer solo and duo works by Bach, Britten, Paganini, Takemitsu, Piazzolla, and Elliott Carter.
Please join us before or after the concert for a 3-course prix fix lunch or dinner for $33 (tax and tip excluded) at Da Pietro's, 36 Riverside Avenue in Westport. Call Da Pietros to make your reservation at (203) 454-1213.
The Connecticut Alliance for Music presents its annual Heida Hermanns International Piano Competition. Semi-Finals Saturday, December 5, 2009, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m Free admission
Finals Sunday, December 6, 2009, 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Members and guests: $20. Age 18 and under are free Prizes are awarded at reception that follows.
Both the semi-finals and finals will be held at the Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Ave. Tickets are available at door. Reservations are not required.
COLIN AND ERIC JACOBSEN
Saturday, 11/21/09 8:00pm $25, $5.00 youth
Fresh from their exciting appearance at the Westport Arts Center in April, two members of the quartet Brooklyn Rider--Colin and Eric Jacobsen, on violin and cello--will return for an evening of duo works by Handel, Bach, Kodaly, and a brand new Duo for Violin and Cello by Russell Platt.
Please join us before the concert for a 3-course prix fix dinner for $30 (tax and tip excluded) at Blue Lemon, 15 Myrtle Avenue in Westport. Call Blue Lemon to make your reservation at (203) 226-2647.
FREDERIC CHIU, WITH ALEXANDER PLATT & FRIENDS
Sunday, 9/20/09 4:00pm $35, $5.00 youth
In a special afternoon season-opener at the historic auditorium of the Pequot Library, two Westport stars, the conductor (and WAC Artistic Advisor) Alexander Platt and the pianist Frederic Chiu, will gather for a program featuring piano sonatas by Haydn and Szymanowski along with a performance of the chamber version of Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor (with members of The Knights).
This concert is sponsored by the Heida Hermanns Holde Foundation in her memory. Frederic Chiu won the presitgous Heida Hermanns Competition for Piano in 1986. The competition is sponsored by the Connecticut Alliance for Music.
SHANGHAI QUARTET - NEW DATE
Saturday, 6/6/09 8:00pm $35.00/5.00 youth
Join us to celebrate the musical legacy of Heida Hermanns Holde, and honor her passion and support of classical music. This world distinguished group will perform string quartets by Haydn, Debussy, and the new Penderecki String Quartet No. 3, "Leaves from an Unwritten Diary." Artists appear by arrangement with California Artists Management. Please note that all programs are subject to change by the artists.
There will be a pre-concert talk at 7:30 pm with the musicians led by WAC's Chamber Music Curator, Russell Platt.
Join us before the concert at La Villa Restaurant in Westport for a special 3-couse prix fix dinner for $34 (tax and tip excluded). Call La Villa at 557-4810 to make reservations.
