FCM 2023-24 Season Brochure

Beatrice Rana performs February 20, 2024

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 nov 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 apr 19 2024

TAKT TRIO

thu may 9 2024

LES VIOLONS DU ROY WITH MILOŠ

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

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

“The Trio proved to be masters of their instruments individually and exceptional compatriots collectively.“

– South Florida Classical Review

“…technically fearless with an enormous rich sound”

– La Scena Musicale

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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

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 supergroup to savour” – The Arts Desk

“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

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.

Program

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

- The New York Times

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

nt

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

The New York Times

“…top-notch…more essential at this moment than ever.” -

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:

TAKT Trio

Fri • Apr 19 • 2024 Special Event Performance

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

In collaboration with DU’s Lamont School of Music and Newman Center Presents • Hamilton Recital Hall

Program

Hilda Paredes:

Koan (Colorado Premiere)

György Ligeti:

Trio for Violin, Horn and Piano, Hommage à Brahms

Johannes Brahms:

Horn Trio, Op. 40

David Byrd-Marrow

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

Help bring music to our community

There are many ways you can support FCM:

• Become “Friends of Friends!” Tell others about our concerts. Better yet, bring them as your guest!

• Give your time as a volunteer. Share your expertise, participate in committee work, or assist with pre-concert talks or other special events.

• Make a lasting difference through a planned or deferred gift.

• Donate today with a one-time or recurring gift. To make a tax-deductible donation, or to find out more about ways you can help, visit friendsofchambermusic.com/support.

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.

Newman

PURCHASE SEASON TICKETS FOR BEST VALUE! Tickets on sale

CHAMBER SERIES

$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.

July 10

Single tickets for patrons 30-years-old or younger are always $15! Students (with I.D.) just $5!