D E N V E R
2014– 2015 SEASON
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Announcing a new season is always a source of pleasure and pride for Friends of Chamber Music. Our 2014–15 season will feature both well-known artists and rising stars performing diverse programs rich in artistic appeal.
WELCOME TO OUR 2014–2015 SEASON Chamber Series highlights include our season opener with the Emerson String Quartet and a duo recital with blockbuster performers Leonidas Kavakos, violin, and pianist Yuja Wang. An ensemble from The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, featuring clarinetist David Shifrin and pianist Shai Wosner, will perform a special evening of late Brahms. The 8th season of our Piano Series will feature recitals by Hélène Grimaud, Jeremy Denk, and Jonathan Biss, all bringing distinctive voices to centuries of piano repertoire. In honor of our 60th anniversary, we are thrilled to welcome cellist Yo-Yo Ma to Gates Hall for a solo recital. Yo-Yo Ma stands as an icon in the world of classical music and we hope you will be able to join us for this very special evening. FCM is proud to continue its legacy of presenting the finest chamber music at affordable prices. Thanks to the generosity of our patrons and granting foundations, ticket prices will remain unchanged for another year. Friends looks forward to sharing our passion for chamber music with you in another season of exceptional performances.
Patsy Aronstein, Outgoing President
Lisa Bain, President-elect
Design by McGINTY Co.
PIANO SERIES
HÉLÈNE GRIMAUD WED, SEPT 17, 2014 | 7:30 PM $35 Single | $10 Students (25 or younger)
Hélène Grimaud could be called a Renaissance woman for our times. Not only is she a passionate and committed musical artist, she is a dedicated wildlife conservationist, human rights activist, and writer. Grimaud’s program of pianistic water music includes works by Liszt, Schubert, Debussy, Fauré, and Albéniz.
JEREMY DENK
WED, JAN 21, 2015 | 7:30 PM $35 Single | $10 Students (25 or younger)
One of America’s most thought-provoking, multi-faceted, and compelling artists, pianist and writer Jeremy Denk received a 2013 MacArthur Fellowship and was named Musical America’s 2014 Instrumentalist of the Year. He returns to our series after a well-received performance in 2010.
JONATHAN BISS
WED, MAY 6, 2015 | 7:30 PM $35 Single | $10 Students (25 or younger)
“He is a formidable musician who exerts a subtle intellectual pressure on seemingly straightahead readings of the classical and Romantic repertory.” — THE NEW YORKER
Hailed as one of the preeminent artists of the last decade, Jonathan Biss’s playing is emotionally driven, profoundly sensitive, and thoroughly engrossing. Having appeared twice previously with FCM, Biss returns after appearances in the 2013–2014 season with the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony, and Leipzig Gewandhaus. Program will include works by Berg, Schumann, Beethoven, and Thomas Adés.
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CHAMBER SERIES
EMERSON STRING QUARTET
WED, OCT 1, 2014 | 7:30 PM The Emerson String Quartet, in its 38th season, celebrates an unparalleled list of achievements, including more than thirty acclaimed recordings, nine Grammys® (two for Best Classical Album), three Gramophone Awards, and collaborations with many of the greatest artists of our time. This will be the Emerson’s 14th appearance on our series, but the first time performing with cellist Paul Watkins. Program will include Haydn, Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 3, and a new work by Lowell Liebermann.
“... with musicians like this there must be some hope for humanity.” —THE TIMES (LONDON)
CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER
WED, OCT 15, 2014 | 7:30 PM As the nation’s premier repertory company for chamber music, The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center presents performances from an extraordinarily varied repertoire, encompassing everything from Renaissance masterpieces to the finest music of our time. Six CMS artists will join us, including FCM veterans Shai Wosner on piano and David Shifrin on clarinet, to perform a program of late Brahms featuring his Clarinet Trio in A minor, Op. 114; Violin Sonata in D minor, Op. 108; and Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115.
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LEONIDAS KAVAKOS AND YUJA WANG WED, NOV 19, 2014 | 7:30 PM
Rarely do we have the chance to hear soloists of this stature together for an evening of chamber music. Leonidas Kavakos, violin, is recognized internationally as an artist of rare quality, known for virtuosity, superb musicianship, and the integrity of his playing. Yuja Wang, piano, returns to our series for a second time. Wang, a former Gramophone Young Artist of the Year, has been praised for her technical mastery, the depth of her musical insight, fresh interpretations, and charismatic stage presence. Program will include Brahms’s beloved Sonata No. 2 and Stravinsky’s Suite Italienne.
DOVER QUARTET
WED, DEC 3, 2014 | 7:30 PM The Dover Quartet draws from the musical lineage of the Vermeer and Guarneri Quartets but brings a youthful enthusiasm and musical conviction that is truly its own. In 2013 they swept the awards at the Banff International String Quartet competition, winning in every category. They are currently Quartet in Residence at the Curtis Institute of Music. Program will include works by Mozart, Dvořák, and Viktor Ullman’s Quartet No. 3.
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PIANO SERIES
CALDER QUARTET
WED, FEB 25, 2015 | 7:30 PM The Calder Quartet, called “superb” by the New York Times, continues to redefine and reimagine the role of a string quartet in today’s society. This eclectic ensemble reaches far beyond classical and contemporary genres, with over 25 commissioned works to date. Inspired by artist Alexander Calder, the Calder Quartet brings a distinctive musical curiosity to everything they perform, creating an artfully crafted musical experience.
LES VIOLONS DU ROY/MARC-ANDRÉ HAMELIN, PIANO THU, MAR 19, 2015 | 7:30 PM
The chamber orchestra borrows its name from the renowned string ensemble begun at the French court of Louis XIII. The orchestra has been widely acclaimed for the vitality of its performances. Joining the orchestra is pianist Marc-André Hamelin, known for his fresh readings of the established repertoire and for his exploration of lesser-known works of the 19th and 20th century. Featured on the program will be Haydn’s “Farewell” Symphony No. 45.
TRIO CON BRIO COPENHAGEN
WED, APR 1, 2015 | 7:30 PM Trio con Brio Copenhagen occupies a lofty perch in today’s musical scene. Playing with passion and meticulous technique, this Danish trio performs well-known repertoire as well as contemporary compositions from Scandinavia. Program will include works by Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, and Per Nørgård’s Spell.
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SPECIAL EVENT
YO -YO MA, CELLO WED, APR 29, 2015 | 7:30 PM
Tickets will go on sale through the Newman Center Box Office on October 1, 2014. Priority will be be given to Chamber Series and Piano Series subscribers.
A joyous presence in the American cultural landscape for more than three decades, Yo-Yo Ma stands as our country’s cellist-in-chief as well as the music world’s most enthusiastic teacher. His tone is luminous, his reach ambitious, his passion for music infectious. As an appointed United Nations Messenger of Peace, he has organized teaching and mentoring programs, inspiring students across the world to love and honor music. His own collaborations go well beyond the traditional boundaries of classical music—notably with his Silk Road Project— celebrating the universality of music itself.
“He is the best-known, most versatile, most engaged music soloist in this country and perhaps in the world.” — A N N E M I D G E T T E , T H E WA S H I N G T O N P O S T
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SUBSCRIPTIONS PIANO SERIES $85 FOR SERIES OF 3 CONCERTS Piano Series subscriptions are available now. Chamber Series subscribers are able to purchase the Piano Series for the discounted price of $60.
CHAMBER SERIES $180 FOR SERIES OF 7 CONCERTS Current subscribers may renew using the enclosed envelope. Not a current subscriber? Please email info@FriendsofChamberMusic.com or call 303-388-9839 to put your name on our Chamber Series wait list.
TO ORDER SUBSCRIPTIONS: By mail: Return the enclosed order form with a check or payment information to: Friends of Chamber Music, 191 University Blvd. #974, Denver, CO 80206 By phone: 303-388-9839. We add a $5 credit card fee on all subscription orders. We accept Visa and MasterCard.
SINGLE TICKETS PIANO SERIES TO ORDER SINGLE TICKETS: Advance single tickets to Piano Series concerts are available July 15 through the Newman Center Box Office. Additional fees may apply. NEWMAN CENTER BOX OFFICE
CHAMBER SERIES Advance single tickets to the Chamber Series are not available at this time. However, we always have returned tickets available for sale on the day of the concert. Please contact us at 303-388-9839 or tickets@friendsofchambermusic.com for details.
Open Mon.–Fri. 10 AM–4 PM Sat. Noon–4PM (Sept.–May only) 2344 E. Iliff Ave. (University and Iliff ) 303-871-7720 | www.newmantix.com
GENERAL INFORMATION TIME & VENUE Concerts begin at 7:30 PM Newman Center for the Performing Arts June Swaner Gates Concert Hall 2344 E. Iliff Ave., Denver, CO 80210 SEATING Seating is general admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open 30 minutes before the concert.
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PARKING Parking is available in the adjacent garage just south of the Newman Center. The University charges an event parking fee (cash only). REFUNDS No refunds are available, however, the value of a returned ticket may qualify as a taxdeductible donation. Please call 303-388-9839 if you are unable to attend.
WE WELCOME YOUR SUPPORT Friends of Chamber Music is a non-profit organization that relies heavily on grants and donor support to provide affordable cultural and educational experiences. We are grateful for support from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) and the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation. Make a tax deductible contribution today. As a subscriber and a donor, you will play an instrumental role in our success. Gifts can be included with your order in the enclosed envelope, made via credit card on our website, or you can send a check (payable to FCM Denver) to: 191 University Blvd. #974, Denver, CO 80206. For those who want to leave a musical legacy, a planned or deferred gift to Friends of Chamber Music is a meaningful way for you to help insure our future artistic excellence and stability while providing enhanced tax benefits to you. Visit our website for more details. OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT Word-of-mouth is one of the best ways to help inform the community about our programs and events. Here are a few ways you can help:
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Like us on Facebook. “Friends of the Friends.” Tell others about our organization. Bring them to concerts as your guest.
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up extra brochures from our ticket table in the lobby (on concert nights), and pass them out to friends, contacts, or even complete strangers.
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up for our monthly email newsletters and forward them to your friends.
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the gift of music by giving tickets to performances to friends and family for holidays and birthdays. Better yet, sponsor a “40 Under 40” subscription (details below).
• Bring students, children, and
grandchildren! Did you know that our concerts are only $10 for students ages 25 and under?
Thank you for your generosity!
40 UNDER 40 Jill and Lee Richman, long-time FCM subscribers, have challenged our audience to help usher in a new generation of music lovers, insuring the future of Friends of Chamber Music for many more years to come. It’s simple to participate. Identify a potential new subscriber or two—under 40 years old—who would enjoy our 2014–15 Piano Series. Invite them to join you, and let them know you’ll be paying for their first year subscription. We’ll help by extending the subscriber discount to your new guests—$60 for all three concerts. The goal is 40 new subscriptions by the time we launch our 2014–15 Piano Series in September. If you are interested in purchasing one or more subscriptions for someone under the age of 40, call 303-388-9839 or email tickets@friendsofchambermusic.com.
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EDUCATION Friends of Chamber Music believes that music education is critical to enriching the audiences of today and building the audiences of the future. Each year we engage both local and visiting artists to provide in-school performances, residencies, and master classes serving nearly 5,000 Denver Public School students. All programs are offered free of charge. IN-SCHOOL PERFORMANCES: Professional ensembles provide performances for larger school audiences, combining age-appropriate music theory with accessible classical music. Last year FCM sponsored 20 performances in 15 schools, including Revolutionary Times: Franz Josef Haydn and George Washington, which combined the music of Haydn with a humorous history lesson about his contemporary, George Washington, supporting the 5th grade U.S. History curriculum. RESIDENCIES: For teachers who prefer targeted, interactive instruction based on specific needs, FCM offers multi-day residencies using professional and student teaching artists. At Maxwell Elementary School, a teaching artist made 21 visits to coach beginning string students. Last year 27 graduate students in the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music worked with students at Cory Elementary and Skinner Middle Schools, improving student musicianship while refining their own teaching and presentation skills. MASTER CLASSES: Touring artists, such as last year’s Trio Solisti, provide in-depth instruction and communication with students pursuing a career in music in schools including Denver School of the Arts, Lamont School of Music, and other area universities. ADULT/COMMUNITY EDUCATION: Adult education offerings last season included a talk-back by pianist Kirill Gerstein, a screening of the documentary film I Am Not a Rock Star about Canadian classical pianist Marika Bournaki, and a free midday concert downtown.
FCM is committed to educational outreach that engages both children and adults. We are grateful to the SCFD and Target for their generous support of our educational efforts.
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2014–2015 SCHEDULE PIANO SERIES
HÉLÈNE GRIMAUD WED, SEPT 17, 2014 JEREMY DENK WED, JAN 21, 2015 JONATHAN BISS WED, MAY 6, 2015 CHAMBER SERIES
EMERSON STRING QUARTET WED, OCT 1, 2014 CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER WED, OCT 15, 2014 LEONIDAS KAVAKOS AND YUJA WANG WED, NOV 19, 2014 DOVER QUARTET WED, DEC 3, 2014 CALDER QUARTET WED, FEB 25, 2015 LES VIOLONS DU ROY/ MARC-ANDRÉ HAMELIN, PIANO THU, MAR 19, 2015 TRIO CON BRIO COPENHAGEN WED, APR 1, 2015 SPECIAL EVENT
YO-YO MA, CELLO WED, APR 29, 2015 All concerts begin at 7:30 PM
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