FCM 2023-24 Season Brochure

Beatrice Rana performs February 20, 2024

2 023/2024 S E A SON

astonish 2023/2024 season wed sept 13 2023 POLONSKY-SHIFRIN-WILEY TRIO wed oct 4 2023 MICHELLE CANN, PIANO thu oct 19 2023 THIBAUDET-BATIASHVILI-CAPUÇON TRIO tue n ov 28 2023 ISIDORE STRING QUARTET wed dec 13 2023 JEREMY DENK, PIANO wed jan 17 2024 PACIFICA QUARTET, KAREN SLACK, SOPRANO TUE feb 20 2024 BEATRICE RANA, PIANO wed MAR 20 2024 SPHINX VIRTUOSI wed apr 10 2024 JERUSALEM QUARTET fri a pr 19 2024 TAKT TRIO thu may 9 2024 LES VIOLONS DU ROY WITH MILOŠ

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ing Dear Friends, For nearly 70 years, Friends of Chamber Music has presented some of the greatest artists in the world, including Yo-Yo Ma, the Danish String Quartet, Sir András Schiff, and Hilary Hahn. Each season we present musicians who play the classics, alongside artists who perform contemporary compositions.

This season is no exception with a vast array of talent in performers, repertoire, and composers, with artists from all over the world, including France, Israel, and Italy. Highlights include the star-studded Thibaudet-Batiashvili-Capuçon Trio; the young and dynamic Isidore Quartet, FCM favorite Jeremy Denk; and the Pacifica Quartet, returning this season with soprano Karen Slack.

Music has immense power to educate, inspire, and comfort, and the experience of witnessing and participating in that power in person is why Friends of Chamber Music is a unique presence in the cultural life of Denver.

Feast your eyes on this incredible roster and buy your subscriptions early. We cannot wait to see you at the beautiful Gates Concert Hall!

All the best,

Eli Wald President, Friends of Chamber Music

extraordin Polonsky-Shifrin-Wiley Trio Wed • Sept 13 • 2023 Chamber Series

FCM’s Chamber Series opens with three celebrated musicians, all in constant demand as soloists and chamber musicians: Anna Polonsky, piano, David Shifrin, clarinet, and Peter Wiley, cello.

Program

Ludwig van Beethoven: Trio in B-flat Major, Op. 11 Nino Rota: Trio for clarinet, cello and piano Pacquito D’Rivera: Danzón for clarinet, cello, and piano Johannes Brahms: Trio in A Minor, Op. 114

“The Trio proved to be masters of their instruments individually and exceptional compatriots collectively.“ – South Florida Classical Review

Michelle Cann, piano

Wed • Oct 4 • 2023 Piano Series Cann, the recipient of the 2022 Sphinx Medal of Excellence, the highest honor bestowed by the Sphinx Organization, performs works that reflect her commitment to underrepresented composers.

Program

Hazel Scott: Improvisation on Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in C-sharp Minor Joel Thompson: My Dungeon Shook; Three American Preludes Alberto Ginastera: Piano Sonata No. 1, Op. 22 Maurice Ravel: La Valse Nathan Gulla: Ballade for Piano William Grant Still: A Deserted Plantation Franz Liszt: Mephisto Waltz No. 1, S.514

“…technically fearless with an enormous rich sound” – La Scena Musicale

ary Thibaudet-Batiashvili-Capuçon Trio Thu • Oct 19 • 2023 Chamber Series Three of the world’s most virtuosic musicians, pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, violinist Lisa Batiashvili, and cellist Gautier Capuçon, perform in the world-class Gates Concert Hall prior to their Carnegie Hall appearance the following week.

Program

Joseph Haydn: Trio in E Major, Hob. XV:28 Maurice Ravel: Piano Trio Felix Mendelssohn: Piano Trio No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 66

“A supergroup to savour” – The Arts Desk

Isidore String Quartet Tue • Nov 28 • 2023 Chamber Series

With a 2023 Avery Fisher Career Grant and a spectacular win at the Banff Chamber Music competition, this group of young Juilliardtrained musicians is taking the classical music world by storm.

Program

W.A. Mozart: Quartet in C major, K. 465 “Dissonance” Billy Childs: Quartet No. 2, Awakening Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, Op. 132 “A focus and command beyond their years…the sweeping coherence and blazing virtuosity of their narrative had the audience leaping to their feet.” – Violinist.com

magnifice Jeremy Denk, piano Wed • Dec 13 • 2023 Piano Series

FCM favorite Jeremy Denk will be our guide on a journey through centuries of music by women composers and the composers they influenced.

Program Highlights Clara Schumann: Romance No. 1, Op. 22 Tania León: Ritual Missy Mazzoli: Heartbreaker Amy Beach: Five Improvisations for Piano, Op. 148 Johannes Brahms: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, Op. 24

Pacifica Quartet Karen Slack, soprano

Wed • Jan 17 • 2024 Chamber Series The Pacifica Quartet returns this season, this time in concert with star soprano Karen Slack, recipient of the 2022 Sphinx Medal of Excellence.

“Denk is a pianist you want to hear, no matter what he performs …”

- The New York Times

Program George Walker: Lyric for Strings Louis Gruenberg: Four Diversions for String Quartet James Lee III: Double Standard for Soprano and String Quartet Antonín Dvorák: Quartet No. 14 in A-flat Major, Op. 105

“…spine-tingling intensity” – The New York Times

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Beatrice Rana, piano

Tue • Feb 20 • 2024 Piano Series Italian pianist Beatrice Rana has become an international star in the classical music world, receiving praise from audiences and critics alike.

“All the virtuosic flair that you’d expect, but never for its own sake.”

(The New York Times) Program Alexander Scriabin: Fantaisie in B Minor, Op. 28 Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Cipressi, Op. 17 Claude Debussy: Selcted Preludes Franz Liszt: Piano Sonata in B Minor, S.178 Rana “possesses an old soul that belies her years...more than a touch of genius.”

– Gramophone Magazine

Sphinx Virtuosi

Wed • Mar 20 • 2024 Chamber Series This concert is presented in collaboration with Newman Center Presents.

This dynamic, selfconducted chamber orchestra of accomplished Black and Latinx artists works to evolve and transform the face of classical music through artistic excellence, pioneering programming, and impassioned community engagement.

Program Highlights Ludsen Martinus: Paisajes Caribeños Andrea Cassarubios: Herencia Coleridge Taylor Perkinson: Sinfonietta No. 2 “Generations” Michael Abels: Global Warming Nokothula Ngwenyama: Primal Message “…top-notch…more essential at this moment than ever.” The New York Times

enchant Jerusalem Quartet Wed • Apr 10 • 2024 Chamber Series

Founded in 1993, this Israeli ensemble has performed in concert halls all over the world and is known for their wide repertoire and astonishing depth of expression.

Program Franz Joseph Haydn: Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 76, no. 6 Paul Ben-Haim: Quartet No. 1, Op. 21 Dmitri Shostakovich: Quartet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 68

TAKT Trio

Fri • Apr 19 • 2024 Special Event Performance Celebrating György Ligeti’s centennial, this special event performance features David Byrd-Marrow, horn faculty, Lamont School of Music, performing with Austin Wulliman, violin and Conor Hanick, piano.

Program Hilda Paredes: Koan (Colorado Premiere) György Ligeti: Trio for Violin, Horn and Piano, Hommage à Brahms Johannes Brahms: Horn Trio, Op. 40

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

- The Times (of London) In collaboration with DU’s Lamont School of Music and Newman Center Presents • Hamilton Recital Hall

David Byrd-Marrow

ing Les Violons Du Roy With MILOŠ Thu • May 9 • 2024 Chamber Series

Returning to our series for a second time, Quebec’s 15-member Les Violins du Roy, joined by the world-renowned classical guitarist, MILOŠ, will perform a program of Baroque music with Conductor and Music Director Jonathan Cohen.

Program Highlights Pietro Locatelli: Concerto Grosso in F Minor, Op. 1, no. 8 Antonio Vivaldi: L’estro Armonico, Op. 3 (selected movements) Francesco Geminiani: Concerto Grosso in D Minor, H.143 “La Folia” Jean-Philippe Rameau: The Arts and the Hours François Couperin: Les Barricades Mystérieuses Henry Purcell: Selected works

“One of the best-kept secrets in the world of Baroque and Classical chamber orchestra music is...Les Violons du Roy” - David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com

Classical guitarist, MILOŠ

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MUSIC IN THE GALLERIES In partnership with the Clyfford Still Museum, FCM presents Sunday afternoon chamber concerts in the gallery. Free with museum admission.

All events are at the Clyfford Still Museum, 1250 Bannock St. in Denver.

Identical performances at noon and 1:00 pm on these dates: Sept. 10, 2023 • Nov. 12, 2023 • Mar. 10, 2024 • May 12, 2024

MUSIC IN SCHOOLS

With its ability to amaze, inspire, and empower, Friends of Chamber Music believes that no education is complete without music. Each year we bring professional musicians into local schools, serving over 4,000 Denver Public School students, all free of charge.

School Assembly Performances

We schedule fun, interactive performances by local musicians, often a first, live classical music experience for many students.

Master Classes

We occasionally arrange master classes with our performing artists.

School-Based Residencies

Our music residency programs are designed to provide targeted, interactive instruction based on the specific needs of a classroom teacher.

All series concerts will be held In Gates Concert Hall Newman Center For The Performing Arts • 2344 E. Iliff Ave Denver 80210

PURCHASE SEASON TICKETS FOR BEST VALUE!

CHAMBER SERIES

Tickets on sale July 10

$300 for 7-concert series a savings of 20% over single ticket prices

PIANO SERIES

$150 for 3-concert series

a savings of 15% over single ticket prices

COMBINED SERIES

$390 for all 10 concerts

a savings of 30% over single ticket prices

New! FLEX VOUCHERS $190 for a package of 4 vouchers

Vouchers are redeemable online or in person at the box office.

subscription benefits • Save up to 30% over single ticket prices.

• New this year! Purchase additional tickets for friends and family at a 20% discount.

• One fee (just $12) to process your entire subscription order.

• Can’t make a concert? Free ticket exchange for another concert or transfer to a friend up to 24 hours prior to performance.

• Lose or forget your tickets? Get them reprinted for free.

SINGLE TICKETS Advance single tickets are available through the Newman Center Box Office beginning July 10: Tickets range from $45-$65.

Purchase tickets online: fcm.newmantix.com • by phone 303-871-7720 • in person at the Newman Center box office: open Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm; Sat, 12pm-4pm (Sep-May) 2344 E. Iliff Ave., Denver, CO 80210 Single tickets for patrons 30-years-old or younger are always $15!

Students (with I.D.) just $5!

f ri endsofchambermu sic.co m

celebrate!

Sphinx Virtuosi performs Wednesday, March 20, 2024

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