CMH 2024-2025 Season Brochure

SERIES 2024/25

SEASON AT A GLANCE

DOVER QUARTET

tuesday

September 17, 2024

VOCES8

thursday

October 10, 2024

JERUSALEM QUARTET

tuesday

October 29, 2024

BENNEWITZ QUARTET with ARSENTIY

KHARITONOV, piano

tuesday

November 19, 2024

PAVEL HAAS QUARTET

tuesday

December 10, 2024

GRYPHON TRIO with JAMES CAMPBELL, clarinet

tuesday

January 21, 2025

ESCHER QUARTET with JORDAN BAK, viola

tuesday

February 11, 2025

NOTOS QUARTETT

tuesday

March 4, 2025

LEONKORO QUARTETT

tuesday

March 25, 2025

LINCOLN CENTER ON TOUR

tuesday

April 29, 2025

ALL CONCERTS BEGIN AT 7:30 PM IN STUDE CONCERT HALL, BROCKMAN MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, RICE UNIVERSITY

PROGRAMS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Dear Friends,

I feel so privileged to begin my work with Chamber Music Houston as we celebrate our 65th season, an amazing milestone worthy of the highest-quality sapphire (the traditional gift for a 65th anniversary). That rare sapphire would be the Star Sapphire, historically used by travelers for protection and guidance. That precious gemstone symbolizes many things, but what resonates with me, as an astrophile, is the notion of stars partnered with guidance, hope, and potential.

CMH’s forte is to bring the greatest stars – constellations, if you will – of chamber music today. One definition of constellation is most apt: “a group of famous or admired people all together in one place.” What better way could one describe the numerous stellar ensembles that have shone over six decades as part of the CMH family? Some have become favorite friends; some offer marvelously fresh sounds that we hope to hear again. The light these artists share with us warms our hearts and touches our very lives – each time their music fills us, it is our happy fate to carry gratitude and a trove of treasured moments in time.

This season we welcome the return of familiar favorites: the Dover, Jerusalem, Pavel Haas, and Escher string quartets; the Gryphon Piano Trio; and VOCES8. New this season are award-winning ensembles: the Bennewitz and Leonkoro string quartets and the Notos piano quartet. And bringing the season to a perfect close is a sextet of string musicians from the famed Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.

As a musician myself and a patron of the arts, I value the full measure of what CMH unfailingly offers: sharing, within and beyond our community, the profound humanity and intimacy of world-class chamber music, unmatched by any other concert experience. How lucky we are to be guided in that endeavor by the brightest stars in the CMH universe: our dedicated Board of Directors, every donor who engages with the larger CMH mission, and our faithful audience, old and young.

Join us for more treasured moments in time – the sky’s the limit!

Sincerely,

ANGELA WREN WALL

Executive Director Designate 2024-2025

Special thanks to the following organizations for their support.

DOVER QUARTET

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Mendelssohn String Quartet in E minor, op.44/2

Jerod Tate New Work for String Quartet co-commissioned by CMH Dvo ák String Quartet in F major, op.96 (“American”)

“I fully expect them to emerge as one of the brightest lights of their musical generation and to bring the highest artistic standards to their work for many years to come…”

FRED CHILD, PERFORMANCE TODAY

Boasting three alumni from Rice’s Shepherd School of Music, Dover Quartet returns for its sixth CMH performance. Named one of the greatest string quartets of the last 100 years (BBC Music Magazine), the two-time Grammynominated quartet is one of the world’s most in-demand chamber ensembles. Emmy-winning Native American composer Jerod Tate has written a new piece for Dover, co-commissioned by CMH, that complements Dvořák’s beloved “American” String Quartet. Tate is admired for “his ability to effectively infuse classical music with American Indian nationalism” (The Washington Post), making this a concert not to be missed!

VOCES8

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Andrea Haines | Molly Noon soprano

Katie Jeffries-Harris alto | Barnaby Smith, Artistic Director countertenor

Blake Morgan | Euan Williamson tenor

Chris Moore baritone | Dominic Carver bass

“VOCES8’s

gorgeous sound, impeccable ensemble and intense responsiveness to text, harmony and melodic shape

is all of the highest quality. Hearing them

sing is a joy.”

BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

Returning to CMH, this 2023 Grammy-nominated British vocal ensemble celebrates their love of singing with performances of diverse musical expression. VOCES8 strives to involve audiences in the music so thoroughly that the group prefers to perform without a program listing or notes. This promises to be an unforgettably immersive concert experience.

JERUSALEM QUARTET

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Haydn String Quartet in B-flat major, op.50/1

Shostakovich String Quartet #12 in D-flat major, op.133

Mozart String Quartet in C major, K.465 (“Dissonance”)

“Passion, precision, warmth, a gold blend: these are the trademarks of this excellent Israeli string quartet.”

THE TIMES (LONDON)

One of CMH’ s returning favorites this season is the Jerusalem Quartet, offering Mozart’s most unusual 1785 String Quartet in C Major, known as “Dissonance”. Despite its famously discordant introduction, this piece in particular inspired Haydn to name Mozart “the greatest composer known to me.” This is a rare chance to hear what many consider Mozart’s most harmonically complex work.

BENNEWITZ QUARTET with ARSENTIY KHARITONOV, piano

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Smetana String Quartet #2 in D minor

Ullmann String Quartet #3, op.46

Dvo ák Piano Quintet #2 in A major, op.81

“Drama, expression, and utmost sensitivity.”

THE STRAD

Winners of the 2019 Classic Prague Award for Best Chamber Music

Performance of the year, this Czech ensemble makes its CMH debut with two powerful offerings: the String Quartet #3 by Viktor Ullman, whose courageous music honors the tragedy of the Holocaust; and the Dvořák Piano Quintet #2 with Russian pianist Arsentiy Kharitonov, whose playing reveals “genuine poetry” (Fanfare Magazine).

PAVEL HAAS QUARTET

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Special Tour: Carnegie Hall & CMH

Mozart String Quartet in B-flat major, K.589

Martin String Quartet #7, Concerto da camera

Janá ek String Quartet #2, Intimate Letters

“...a group that plays as if their lives depend on it.”

THE TIMES (LONDON)

CMH welcomes back by popular demand the Pavel Haas Quartet, as part of a special US tour. With five Grammophone awards under its belt, this revered ensemble will perform the rarely heard String Quartet #7 by Bohuslav Martinů, as well as Janáček’s String Quartet #2 (Intimate Letters), an emotionally impressive yet paradoxical work, sure to be flawlessly performed.

GRYPHON TRIO with JAMES CAMPBELL, clarinet

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Beethoven Piano Trio #7 in B-flat major, op.97 (“Archduke”)

Messiaen Quartet for the End of Time

“The Gryphon brings bravura spirit to the piano trio.”

THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

As 2025 opens, lovers of Beethoven’s “Archduke” will eagerly await the return of Gryphon Trio pianist Jamie Parker, cellist Roman Borys, and violinist Annalee Patipatanakoon. Canadian artist James Campbell, called “a national treasure” by CBC, joins the trio for the CMH premiere of Quartet for the End of Time, a seminal chamber work of the 20th century, completed while Messiaen was a prisoner of war in Silesia (now Poland) — an ambitious work that suggests the end of Past and Future, and the beginning of Eternity.

ESCHER QUARTET with JORDAN BAK, viola

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Mendelssohn String Quartet in F minor, op.80

Chris Rogerson New Work for Viola Quintet co-commissioned by CMH Brahms Viola Quintet #2 in G major, op.111

“...eloquent, full-blooded playing...the four players offer a beautiful blend of individuality and accord.”

BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

Escher unveils a CMH co-commissioned piece by composer Chris Rogerson, featuring award-winning Jamaican-American violist Jordan Bak, “a powerhouse musician, with a strong voice and compelling sound” (The Whole Note). Praised for its “haunting beauty” and “virtuosic exuberance” (The New York Times), Rogerson’s music is desired for its characteristic lyricism, notably in recent works for Yo-Yo Ma and Dover Quartet. This performance offers two viola quintets, including a breathtaking later work by Brahms.

NOTOS QUARTETT

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Mahler Klavierquartettsatz

Mozart Piano Quartet #2 in E-flat major, K.493

Bryce Dessner Spirals (2020)

Schumann Piano Quartet in E-flat major, op.47

“Wow! A musical sensation, highly virtuosic, with verve and spirit.”

SCHWÄBISCHE

Winner of the rarely bestowed EKCO Klassic Award as newcomer of the year in 2017, this Berlin-based ensemble values traditional chamber works, resurrects lost treasures, and champions new works. In keeping with their vision, we will hear Mozart and Schumann, one of Mahler’s surprising chamber works, and an exciting short work written for Notos by GRAMMY-winner Bryce Dessner.

LEONKORO QUARTETT

Tuesday, Mar 25, 2025

Emerging Young Ensemble of the 2024-2025 Season

Haydn String Quartet in F major, op.50/5

Berg Lyric Suite

Ravel String Quartet

“This quartet is already one of the finest: perfectly unanimous, colourful and original.”

ALFRED BRENDEL

Founded in Berlin in 2019, Leonkoro Quartett solidified its place among celebrated chamber music ensembles, sweeping competitions across Europe in 2022. We are fortunate to witness their exceptional artistry first hand as the CMH Emerging Young Ensemble of the 2024-2025 Season - in particular Alban Berg's lovely Lyric Suite, and Ravel's String Quartet on his 150th birthday!

LINCOLN CENTER ON TOUR

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Featuring renowned artists of Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center:

Paul Huang | Danbi Um violin

Matthew Lipman | Timothy Ridout viola

David Finckel | Sihao He cello

“One of the world’s most distinguished chamber ensembles.”

STAR TRIBUNE

Bach Ricercar from The Musical Offering

Haydn

String Trio in G major, op.53/1

Schubert String Trio in B-flat major, D.581

Strauss String Sextet from Capriccio

Tchaikovsky Souvenir de Florence

Headed by CMSLC Co-Artistic Director David Finckel, this multidimensional program features their superstar musicians, well-known to our audience from our cmh@home online concert series. We celebrate the end of our 65th season with an impressive variety of sextets and trios from monumental composers, including one of Schubert’s great early string trios.

OUTREACH IN OUR COMMUNITY

Join Chamber Music Houston in bringing the world’s greatest chamber musicians to the Houston stage and into our community. Your generous support allows us to further showcase the value music has in our lives through outreach programs for students, seniors and the many who may not be able to reach the concert hall.

Since 2020, our online concert series, cmh@home, has provided 60 free world-class concert performances reaching over 800,000 people worldwide!

CMH has provided 65 private music lessons and masterclasses in the past year to financially challenged high school students in the Houston community. These services are provided by professional local musicians who support our goal to remove obstacles and inspire the next generation.

Help us bring chamber music into our community and showcase how music has the power to transform lives!

Your needed support will make a difference and touch lives.

YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS ENSURE A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR CHAMBER MUSIC IN HOUSTON!

Rising costs have impacted us all, and less than half of CMH costs are met with ticket sales. CMH is expanding more affordable ticket options for the community and increasing student benefits, but your support is needed to continue these efforts.

Your donation allows CMH to to enrich and enlighten the lives of the young and old in our community. Help ensure a bright future of chamber music for generations to come, and enjoy these benefits.

FRIENDS $100 - $499

• Priority ticket purchase and exchange;

• One (1) guest voucher to share a concert with a friend or family; and

• Invitation to one (1) private artist reception.

CONTRIBUTORS $500 - $1,499

Benefits listed above, PLUS:

• An additional guest voucher (total of two) to share a concert with a friend or family; and

• Invitations to three (3) private artist receptions.

SUSTAINERS $1,500 - $2,999

Benefits listed above, PLUS:

• Three additional guest vouchers (total of five);

• Three (3) complimentary valet parking passes; and

• Invitations to all private artist receptions.

BENEFACTORS $3,000 - $4,999

Benefits listed above, PLUS:

• Three additional guest vouchers (total of eight);

• Three additional valet parking passes (total of six).

GUARANTORS $5,000 - $9,999

Benefits listed above, PLUS:

• Complimentary valet parking for the season.

SPONSORS $10,000+

In addition to all the mentioned benefits, you have the gratitude of all patrons, musicians and the Board of Directors for your generous support of Chamber Music Houston.

Become a Subscriber and Enjoy These Benefits!

SAVE up to 40% over single tickets

RECEIVE one FREE ticket for every Full Season subscription

ATTEND exclusive receptions with the performers

ENJOY priority seating – SAVE YOUR SEAT if renewing by 4/30/2024

CREATE YOUR OWN (CYO) subscription of 3 to 9 concerts and enjoy the FLEXIBILITY of FREE ticket exchange during the season

Coming Soon…

SINGLE TICKETS go on sale June 1, 2024

NEW Pay-What-You-Will tickets (Price Level 5) will be offered to ensure affordable options for all!

Stude Concert Hall Seating Chart

STUDE CONCERT HALL SEATING CHART

Please complete your purchase on the next page. There are no ticket processing or “convenience” fees. The senior discount is available for those 65 or older.

Gifts from generous contributors make it possible to keep ticket prices low while continuing to present chamber music at the highest level of quality. Gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Chamber Music Houston is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS

FULL SEASON

CYO — CREATE YOUR OWN PACKAGE

VALET PARKING

CONTRIBUTION:

Sponsor: $10,000+

Guarantor: $5,000 - $9,999

B enefactor: $3,000 - $4,999

Sustainer: $1,500 - $2,999

C ontributor: $500 - $1,499

Friend: $100 - $499

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This recurring contribution may be changed or cancelled at any time.

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For seating choices please see the chart provided. Seats are assigned in the order that orders are received, with a guarantee only to full season subscribers renewing by April 30, 2024. All efforts are made to meet your requests, so please let us know!

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*A limited amount of accessible seating is available in all price levels at our venue. If you require wheelchair accessibility or have other special seating needs, please notify us when placing your order. Most accessibility seating is located in the side balconies, and an elevator is available near the left entrance to the hall.

KEEP CHAMBER MUSIC STRONG AND VIBRANT IN HOUSTON FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. CHAMBER MUSIC HOUSTON HAS RELIED ON THE GENEROSITY OF OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1960 . FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT A PLANNED GIFT, PLEASE CONTACT ANGELA WREN WALL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AWALL@CHAMBERMUSICHOUSTON.ORG