SARATOGA SPRINGS— “What the cellist David Finckel and the pianist Wu Han, the society’s artistic directors since 2004, have achieved with their hands-on approach to blending standard, unusual and new repertory, played by a mix of familiar and emerging performers, has connected with a large, enthusiastic constituency.” – The New York Times
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS) and Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) are pleased to announce programming details for the debut season of CMS at SPAC, a new, history-making partnership establishing CMS as SPAC’s resident chamber music constituent. Under the inspired and acclaimed direction of CMS Artistic Directors, David Finckel and Wu Han (Musical America’s 2012 Musicians of the Year), the three-week festival features six programs offering a fascinatingly wide range of repertoire from the classical period to the 21st century, performed by an international selection of today’s finest chamber music artists. CMS at SPAC begins on August 11 and continues through August 26. Afternoon and evening performances take place in the charming and intimate Spa Little Theatre.
The illustrious line-up of artists for the debut season of CMS at SPAC includes pianists Wu Han and Anne-Marie McDermott; violinists Benjamin Beilman, Kristin Lee, Alexander Sitkovetsky and Arnaud Sussmann; violists Yura Lee, Paul Neubauer and Richard O’Neill; cellists David Finckel and Paul Watkins; double bassist Joseph Conyers; flutist Tara Helen O’Connor; harpist Bridget Kibbey; and the Mirό Quartet (Daniel Ching, William Fedkenheuer, violin; John Largess, viola; Joshua Gindele, cello).
The six diverse concert programs feature masterpieces of the repertoire including works by Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, and Mendelssohn, an enchanting all-French program, and lesser known surprises such as contemporary composer George Tsontakis’s KnickKnacks for Violin and Viola.
CMS Artistic Directors David Finckel and Wu Han commented on their choice of artists and programs:
“CMS at SPAC affords us a genuinely thrilling opportunity: to present concerts for the first time in a true summer festival style, filled with joyous and beautiful music from start to finish. And we are equally delighted to introduce to the Saratoga Springs community our burgeoning family of phenomenal musicians, which comes together from around the world to perform exclusively for the festival. We look forward, with eager anticipation, to hearing the first sounds of CMS in the exquisite Spa Little Theater, and to making wonderful new friends during what promises to be a blissful three weeks in chamber music paradise.”
Key to the enormous success of CMS under the dynamic leadership of Artistic Directors David Finckel and Wu Han, has been the implementation of a large, rotating, international and intergenerational roster of artists.
CMS at SPAC Tickets
With the launch of the CMS summer residency, SPAC is unveiling a new subscription package for chamber music audiences. The cost-saving offer entitles individuals purchasing tickets to three or more CMS performances to a five dollar per ticket discount; the offer is valid for purchase online at spac.org or via mail order form. Ticket sales for the series will begin online this week for SPAC members (Mon, Feb 3 – Fri, Feb 7) and for the general public on Monday,
February 10 at 10:00 AMat spac.org.
Pricing for the series is outlined below.
$45 – Orchestra Center, Balcony Center
$40 – Orchestra Side, Balcony Side
Subscription Discount: Buy a ticket to three or more performances, save $5 per ticket.
Program Details - CMS at SPAC:
Monday, August 11, 8 p.m.
Pianists Wu Han and Anne-Marie McDermott; violinists Benjamin Beilman and Alexander Sitkovetsky; violist Paul Neubauer; cellist David Finckel
BEETHOVEN Trio in G major for Violin, Viola, and Cello, Op. 9, No. 1
BARBER Souvenirs for Piano, Four Hands, Op. 28
DVORÁK Quintet in A major for Piano, Two Violins, Viola, and Cello, B. 155, Op. 81
Tuesday, August 12, 8 p.m.
Pianists Wu Han and Anne-Marie McDermott; violinists Benjamin Beilman and Alexander Sitkovetsky; violist Paul Neubauer; cellist David Finckel; and double bassist Joseph Conyers
MOZARTQuartet in E-flat major for Piano, Violin, Viola, and Cello, K. 493
KODÁLYSerenade for Two Violins and Viola, Op. 12
MENDELSSOHNSextet in D major for Piano, Violin, Two Violas, Cello, and Bass, Op. 110
Sunday, August 17, 3 p.m.
Mirό Quartet (Daniel Ching, William Fedkenheuer, violin; John Largess, viola; Joshua Gindele, cello)
BEETHOVENString Quartet in F major, Op. 59, No. 1, “Razumovsky”
String Quartet in E minor, Op. 59, No. 2, “Razumovsky”
String Quartet in C major, Op. 59, No. 3, “Razumovsky”
Tuesday, August 19, 8 p.m.
Mirό Quartet (Daniel Ching, William Fedkenheuer, violin; John Largess, viola; Joshua Gindele, cello); Ricardo Morales, clarinet; Kirsten Johnson, viola
MOZARTQuintet in G minor for Two Violins, Two Violas, and Cello, K. 516
WEBERQuintet in B-flat major for Clarinet, Two Violins, Viola, and Cello, Op. 34
Sunday, August 24, 3 p.m.
Wu Han, piano; Kristin Lee, Arnaud Sussmann, violin; Yura Lee, viola; Paul Watkins, cello; Tara Helen O’Connor, flute; Bridget Kibbey, harp
SAINT-SAENSFantaisie in A major for Violin and Harp, Op. 124
DEBUSSYSonata for Flute, Viola, and Harp
TOURNIERSuite for Flute, Violin, Viola, Cello, and Harp, Op. 34
FAURÉQuartet No. 2 in G minor for Piano, Violin, Viola, and Cello, Op. 45
Tuesday, August 26, 8 p.m.
Wu Han, piano; Kristin Lee, Arnaud Sussmann, violin; Yura Lee, Richard O’Neill, viola; David Finckel, Paul Watkins, cello
BEETHOVENTrio in E-flat major for Piano, Violin, and Cello, Op. 1, No. 1
TSONTAKISKnickKnacks for Violin and Viola
BRAHMSSextet No. 2 in G major for Two Violins, Two Violas, and
Two Cellos, Op. 36
