2019 / 2020
SEASON
2019 / 2020
S E ASO N
WED, SEP 11, 2019 Yefim Bronfman Piano Series
WED, OCT 16, 2019 Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center WED, NOV 20, 2019 Pierre-Laurent Aimard Piano Series
WED, DEC 11, 2019 Spektral Quartet
WED, JAN 15, 2020 Miró Quartet
TUES, FEB 04, 2020 Danish String Quartet WED, FEB 05, 2020
WED, MAR 04, 2020 Lawrence Brownlee, tenor Myra Huang, piano WED, MAR 18, 2020 Benjamin Grosvenor Piano Series
WED, APR 01, 2020 Alisa Weilerstein, cello Inon Barnatan, piano WED, MAY 13, 2020 Arnaud Sussmann, violin Anna Polonsky, piano
Cover Photo Credit: Stephanie Berger, © 2019. Copyright belongs to Stephanie Berger. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome to our 66th season At Friends of Chamber Music, we’re dedicated to bringing world-class chamber musicians to the greater Denver area, and we invite you to experience their passion and artistry in our 2019-20 season. A number of artists help FCM celebrate the 250th anniversary of Beethoven this year, including pianist Yefim Bronfman, who will open our series, and the Danish String Quartet performing in two special evenings in February. Explore the breadth of chamber repertoire, including several Colorado premieres by living composers, in our full season. We’ll also continue sharing the beauty of chamber music in more casual, intimate spaces outside Gates Hall. In December, the Spektral Quartet arrives for a four-day residency, performing at the Denver Public Library, Clyfford Still Museum, and Florence Crittenton High School. Don’t miss our free Family Concert in October and our popular “Music in the Galleries” and “Music with Friends” series throughout the year.
A fresh look You may have noticed that FCM has a new logo, an exciting first step in refreshing our visual identity. We’re still the same FCM, just with a more contemporary look. Part of our new image will include an updated website (more on that soon) to better communicate with you, as well as to reach the next generation of chamber music lovers. Our mission, however – to present the world’s finest chamber music performances – remains unchanged. We hope you will explore and experience this extraordinary season with us. Best wishes,
Mary Park President
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energy emanates from his fingers “ His and swirls out of the piano with such
perfection that every note grabs the ear with an expressive, singing quality.
of the world’s “ One most distinguished
chamber ensembles. STAR TRIBUNE
THE WASHINGTON POST
WED, SEP 11, 2019
WED, OCT 16, 2019
Yefim Bronfman
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
piano series
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Grammy Award-winning pianist Yefim Bronfman returns to the FCM Piano Series for a second time, launching the 2019-2020 season and celebration of Beethoven’s 250th birthday.
Celebrating their 50th Anniversary Season as the nation’s premier repertory company for chamber music, thirteen artists will join FCM for a program entitled “New World Spirit,” including David Finckel on cello, Gloria Chien on piano, and David Shifrin on clarinet.
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
Beethoven: Sonata No. 5, Op. 10, no. 1 Beethoven: Sonata No. 6, Op. 10, no. 2 Beethoven: Sonata No. 7, Op. 10, no. 3 Beethoven: Sonata No. 23, Op. 57, “Appassionata"
Burleigh: Southland Sketches Dvořák: Quintet No. 3, Op. 97 Bernstein: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano Copland: Appalachian Spring Suite
A brilliant “musician and extraordinary visionary. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
creative and “ Highly-interactive, collaborative ... unlike anything its intended audience – or anyone else – has ever heard.
GRAMOPHONE
WED, NOV 20, 2019
WED, DEC 11, 2019
Pierre-Laurent Aimard
Spektral Quartet
piano series
FCM presents the Spektral Quartet in their series debut. Named “Chicagoans of the Year” (2017), Spektral is known for creating seamless connections across centuries, drawing in the listener with charismatic deliveries and bold, inquisitive programming.
Hailed as a musical visionary and an artist renowned for his revelatory insights, Pierre-Laurent Aimard returns to FCM’s Piano Series with an extraordinary program. Aimard was awarded the prestigious 2017 International Ernst von Siemens Music Prize in recognition of a life devoted to the service of music.
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
Messiaen: “L'alouette-lulu” and “La chouette hulotte” from Catalogue d’oiseaux Beethoven: Sonata No. 14, Op. 27, “Moonlight” Benjamin: Shadowlines Beethoven: Sonata No. 28, Op. 101
Victoria: O Magnum Mysterium Beethoven: Quartet No. 16, Op. 135 Thorvaldsdottir: Enigma (Colorado premiere) Brown: String Quartet No. 1
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they do know is how “ What to be an exceptional quartet,
whatever repertory they play. THE NEW YORK TIMES
“ Furiously committed!
NEW YORKER
WED, JAN 15, 2020
Miró Quartet The first ensemble ever to be awarded the coveted Avery Fisher Career Grant (2005), the Miró takes pride in finding new ways to communicate with audiences of all backgrounds while cultivating the longstanding tradition of chamber music.
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TUE, FEB 4, 2020 WED, FEB 5, 2020
Danish String Quartet Returning to our series after their well-received 2017 debut, the Danish will perform two different programs featuring Beethoven string quartets. The quartet is in demand worldwide for their impeccable technique, superb sound, and joyous music-making.
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
Mozart: Quartet No. 17, K. 458, "The Hunt" Schubert: Quartet No. 14, D. 810, “Death and the Maiden” Beethoven: Quartet No. 10, Op. 74, “The Harp”
All Beethoven: different program each evening Feb 4: add-on performance Feb 5: included in Chamber Series
instrument “ Anof great beauty and expression.
NPR
Grosvenor “ Benjamin delivers virtuosity beyond his years. If you haven’t heard him, hear him now.
LOS ANGELES TIMES
WED, MAR 4, 2020
WED, MAR 18, 2020
Lawrence Brownlee, tenor Myra Huang, piano
Benjamin Grosvenor
Stepping away from Beethoven we welcome tenor Lawrence Brownlee in his FCM debut performance. Named 2017 “Male Singer of the Year” by both the International Opera Awards and Bachtrack.
Described as “one in a million...several million” by The Independent, British pianist Benjamin Grosvenor is one of the most exciting young pianists around, recognized for his electrifying performances, distinctive sound, and insightful interpretations.
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
Sorey: Cycles of My Being (Colorado premiere) Poulenc: Selected songs Strauss: Selected songs Liszt: 3 Sonetti del Petrarca
Rameau: Gavotte and Variations Beethoven: Sonata No. 4, Op. 7 Liszt: Selections Gounod/Liszt: Valse de l’Opéra Faust
piano series
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who has an innate ability “ Atoviolinist hit the acoustic sweet spot of whatever hall he’s playing in.
BACHTRACK
interpretations were “ Their like a series of marvelously expressive close-ups.
BOSTON GLOBE
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WED, APR 1, 2020
WED, MAY 13, 2020
Alisa Weilerstein, cello Inon Barnatan, piano
Arnaud Sussmann, violin Anna Polonsky, piano
Alisa Weilerstein, a MacArthur Fellow before the age of 30, has been honored with both the Leonard Bernstein Prize and an Avery Fisher Career Grant. Inon Barnatan, an FCM audience favorite, is completing his third season as Artist-in-Association of the New York Philharmonic.
We complete our 66th season with Arnaud Sussmann and Anna Polonsky. Winner of a 2009 Avery Fisher Career Grant, Sussmann is a thrilling young violinist who has captured the attention of critics and audiences around the world.
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
Complete Beethoven Sonatas for cello and piano
Milhaud: Sonata No. 1, Op. 3 Grieg: Sonata No. 2, Op. 13 Prokofiev: 5 Melodies, Op. 35 Ravel: Sonata No. 2
MUSIC IN THE CITY Join us outside the concert hall for a variety of family-friendly chamber music programs.
Music with the Family
Music with Friends
FREE Concert with The Ivalas Quartet
A series of free weeknight concerts, 6:00 - 7:00 PM, at Broadway Roxy (formerly Syntax Physic Opera), 554 S. Broadway, Denver.
SUN, OCT 6, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Denver School of the Arts 7111 Montview Boulevard, Denver
can't tell you “ Ihow valuable this kind of support is for our students.
SEP 24, 2019 NOV 5, 2019 JAN 28, 2020 MAR 24, 2020 MAY 5, 2020
PRISCILLA SHAW HAMILTON MIDDLE SCHOOL
Music in the Galleries In partnership with the Clyfford Still Museum, FCM presents Sunday afternoon concerts in the gallery. Free with museum admission. All events at the Clyfford Still Museum, 1250 Bannock Street, Denver. Identical performances at 1:00 and 2:00 PM on these dates:
Special Event
OCT 13, 2019 DEC 8, 2019 FEB 9, 2020 APR 19, 2020
Join us for a night out with the Altius Quartet and their new cellist, Erin Patterson. Tickets are $30 each and include light refreshments.
THU, NOV 7, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Altius Quartet
Visit our website for details on all events.
Photo Credit: Willie Petersen
MUSIC IN SCHOOLS 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 bring professional musicians into local schools, serving over 4,000 Denver Public School students, all free of charge.
School Assembly Performances FCM schedules fun, interactive performances by local musicians, often a first, live classical music experience for many students.
Master Classes FCM occasionally arranges master classes with the touring artists performing on our Chamber or Piano Series concerts.
School-Based Residencies FCM offers music residency programs designed to provide targeted, interactive instruction based on the specific needs of a classroom teacher. We are grateful to the SCFD, the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, Colorado Creative Industries, Western States Arts Federation, and the Denver Foundation for their generous support of FCM and our educational efforts. friendsofchambermusic.com
Photo Credit: James Dewhirst
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Photo Credit: Amanda Tipton
BRING A FRIEND! Want to share the beauty of chamber music with a friend? For only $20 each, subscribers can purchase up to two vouchers to invite friends to attend any FCM concert during the 2019-20 season, subject to availability.
GENERAL INFORMATION Time + Venue Concerts begin at 7:30 PM June Swaner Gates Concert Hall Newman Center for the Performing Arts 2344 E. Iliff Ave., Denver, CO 80208
Parking Paid parking ($10 cash) is available in the garage just south of the Newman Center. For more information visit: www.newmancenterpresents.com/visiting/
Seating Seating is general admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open at 7:00 PM.
Refunds No refunds are available; however, the value of a returned ticket may qualify as a tax-deductible donation. Please call 303-388-9839 or email returns@friendsofchambermusic.com 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. Make a tax-deductible contribution today. Gifts can be included with your order or made via credit card on our website. For those who want to leave a musical legacy, a planned or deferred gift to Friends of Chamber Music is a meaningful way to ensure our artistic excellence and stability while providing enhanced tax benefits to you. Visit our website for more details.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!
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SUBSCRIPTIONS Chamber Series $190 FOR SERIES OF 7 CONCERTS (a savings of $100 over single ticket purchases)
Piano Series $95 FOR SERIES OF 3 CONCERTS (a savings of $35 over single ticket purchases)
Combined Piano + Chamber Series $260 FOR SERIES OF 10 CONCERTS (an additional $25 savings over subscription prices, and a total savings of $160 over single ticket purchases)
SEASON TICKET ORDER FORM
SINGLE TICKETS Pick Your Own Series (3+ Concerts) Create your own subscription, and save 20% off the regular ticket prices, by selecting 3 or more events in our exciting 2019-20 season*. Available online only. *Note: Yefim Bronfman (9/11/19) is excluded from this offer.
To Order Subscriptions • Online: Visit www.newmantix.com/fcm • Phone: 303-388-9839. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. • Mail: Return the enclosed order form with a check or payment information to: Friends of Chamber Music 191 University Blvd. #974 Denver, CO 80206
Advance Tickets Advance single tickets are available through the Newman Center Box Office: • Online: www.newmantix.com/fcm • By phone: 303-871-7720. Tickets are $40 each with the exception of Yefim Bronfman and Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, which are priced at $50 each. Additional fees may apply. Single tickets for patrons 30-years-old or younger are always $10!
PLEASE DETACH ORDER FORM & PLACE INSIDE AN ENVELOPE ALONG WITH YOUR PAYMENT *Make all checks payable to Friends of Chamber Music NAME ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS _________________________________________________________________________________ CITY __________________________________ ZIP _________________ PHONE _____________________________________________ EMAIL ________________________________________________________________________________________________ I would like ____ piano series season package(s) at $95 ea....................................................................... $____________ I would like ____ chamber series season package(s) at $190 ea.............................................................. $____________ I would like ____ combined season package(s) at $260 ea........................................................................ $____________ I would like ____ ticket(s) to the FEB 4 Danish Quartet at $40* ea ........................................................ $____________ (*$30 each if purchased with a subscription)
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