Lynn Harrell, Anne-Marie McDermott & Beethoven

March 13, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Chamber Music Society presents Lynn Harrell and Anne Marie McDermott

The stars of Beethoven continue to align over Southeast Michigan as Chamber Music Detroit presents two of the world’s most eminent classical musicians, cellist Lynn Harrell and pianist Anne-Marie McDermott, in concert on Saturday, May 18 at the Seligman Performing Arts Center. The concert begins at 8 p.m.

Program
Beethoven: Sonata in G minor, Op. 5, No. 2
Beethoven: Sonata in C major, Op. 102, No. 1
Beethoven: Sonata in A major, Op. 69

Seligman Performing Arts Center is located at 22305 W. 13 Mile Road (at Lahser), Beverly Hills, Michigan, 48025, on the campus of Detroit Country Day School.

Tickets range from $15 to $60. For reservations, phone (248) 855-6070 or email tickets@ChamberMusicDetroit.org.

From CMD: 

Lynn Harrell’s presence is felt throughout the musical world. A consummate soloist, chamber musician, recitalist, conductor and teacher, his work throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia has placed him in the highest echelon of today’s performing artists. His collaborator, Anne-Marie McDermott, is a member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and has performed as orchestral soloist, chamber musician and recitalist for over 25 years. She was recently appointed Artistic Director of the Vail Valley Music Festival as well as Curator for Chamber Music for the Mainly Mozart Festival in San Diego.

“From the opening gesture, Harrell embraced us and didn’t put us down, gently but with a flourish, until the end. His playing was bold, imaginative, and surpassingly sensitive … fully human and rich in detail” —The Boston Globe

“Anne-Marie McDermott is a pianist who balances qualities of excitement and spontaneity with clarity and elegance.” —The New York Times

Learn more online at Chamber Music Detroit.

The Chamber Music Detroit program continues the string of incredible good fortune we Beethoven lovers are enjoying in 2013. The Detroit Symphony Orchestra presented a Beethoven Festival with all nine symphonies and 32 piano sonatas and more, including Emanuel Ax performing the Egmont Overture…The Michigan Opera Theatre presented his only opera, “Fidelio,”…The Purple Rose Theatre currently is presenting “33 Variations” a drama set in two times, the present and Beethoven’s…Pro Musica of Detroit presented Dr. Richard Kogan, a Harvard trained psychiatrist and Juilliard trained concert pianist who analyzed the mind and music of Beethoven…

Mille grazie, stella celestial! Mille, mille grazie, Ludwig!

Filed Under: Classical, Culture, Detroit Inspires, Music, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Suzuki Royal Oak Celebrates 20 Years

February 13, 2012 By
Suzuki Royal Oak Students

Suzuki Royal Oak Students in Concert

More than 50 years ago, Shinichi Suzuki created his famous violin teaching method based on the belief that very young children can learn an instrument as easily as they can learn language.  And you know what?  The method works.   Just ask the many young musicians and proud parents who have passed through the doors of Suzuki Royal Oak Institute of Music, which celebrates its 20th birthday this year.

“The Suzuki method really is a journey that can change lives,” said Suzuki Royal Oak Founder and Director, Mark Mutter.  “We have seen our students go on to accomplish great things both musically, academically and socially.”

Among the celebratory events this month is the Ferndale Suzuki and Strings Workshop on Saturday, February 11, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m, at Ferndale High School, 881 Pinecrest in Ferndale. All levels of violin, viola and cello will be taught and each student will have four classes that day: a repertoire class, a technique class, alternative styles class and either orchestra or general music, depending on age and level.

The second big event a Faculty Concert at 5 p.m., Sunday, February 12 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 202 E. Fifth St., in Royal Oak.  Enjoy an afternoon of music featuring solos, chamber music and a violin concerto.  Donations will be accepted after the program with proceeds supporting Suzuki Royal Oak faculty continuing eduation.

Suzuki Royal Oak Institute of Music is a non-profit community music school located in the Churchill Community Education Center,707 Girard Street, Royal Oak.  The school has expanded to include instruction in violin, viola, cello and classical guitar and has an enrollment of over 170 students ages 3-18 from around Metro Detroit.

For questions about the 2/12 workshop, contact Jon Traines at 248.543.7435 or jtraines@comcast.net.  For more information about Suzuki Royal Oak, visit http://sites.google.com/site/srowebsite/

Filed Under: For Students, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Shaghai Comes to Detroit

February 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The Shanghai Quartet

The acclaimed Shanghai Quartet – Weigang Li, violin,Yi-Wen Jiang, violin, Honggang Li, viola, Nicholas Tzavaras, cello, is in Detroit to perform at 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 11, with pianist Peter Serkin for The Chamber Music Society of Detroit.  The concert will be at The Seligman Performing Arts Center in Beverly Hills.

While the Quartet is in town, they are giving a number of free performances and master classes in high schools.  Such was the case on Friday morning, February 3, when they played before an audience of Detroit Public School music students at The Detroit School of Arts.

They performed music by Smetana, Beethoven, and Bartok and demonstrated the importance of “voicing” or dynamics to bring out the melody as it is passed from instrument to instrument.  DSA student De’Shawn Wilson asked about the importance of physical movement, expressiveness, while playing classical music.  “It’s absolutely important,” said cellist Tzavaras. “You can’t restrict your body and still be musical.  At this same, always put the composer first.   Don’t get so carried away that the performance is all about you.  Try to bring out the music that the composer intended.”

Another student asked first violinist Yi-Wen Jiang how he manages to make the highest notes so clear and in tune.  “Practice,” was the one word reply.  And that, dear students, is always good advice.

More information about The Shanghai Quartet’s Detroit-area appearances is at http://www.comehearcmsd.org.

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Great Music in a Classic Home

January 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Ever attended the “Palmer Woods Music in Homes?”  It’s a great opportunity to enjoy an intimate concert in a historic mansion.  On Sunday, April 22 at 7pm, you’re invited to see the Stellar Piano Trio.  Detroit Symphony Orchestra violinist Adrienne Rönmark, joins her mom, former DSO cellist Debra Fayroian, and celebrated Brazilian-born pianist Maria Meirelles for an evening of Bach, Beethoven and dazzling surprises.

Adrienne grew up surrounded by classical musicians — both her mom and dad were in the DSO for years. Her mom and Maria have performed together since their college days. Adrienne has now joined their ranks, with impressive credentials — her  chamber music collaborations have taken her across the globe with artists such as Pinchas Zukerman, Nigel Kennedy, and others.

After 30 (stellar) years with the DSO, Fayroian moved to northwest Michigan, where she is the founding director of Chamber Music North and Northern Cello Retreat. She continues to perform with many of Michigan’s leading orchestras, music schools and festivals.

Meirelles appears frequently with orchestras in the U.S. and Latin America and is widely known for her performances of Beethoven’s 32 Piano Sonatas, which are now available on CD at the DSO and Detroit Institute of Arts.

TICKETS are sold in advance only: $35 for concert and reception with delicious feasts (concerts often sell out weeks prior to events). Discounts: $30 each for groups of 10 or more ordered at one time for a single concert (use discount code Group). Visit palmerwoods.org or call 313.891.2514 for more info or for assistance with using your credit card. The event planners will send or email you the address of the concert site, each a gorgeous home in Palmer Woods.

To purchase tickets online, visit palmerwoods.org/events/music-in-homes/order-tickets.

The concerts continue each month through the end of June—featuring world-renowned musicians with Detroit roots who perform in a different fantastic home.

As the days get longer and warmer in the Spring, the concerts move under the stars, into tents set in the gardens of gorgeous mansions: dance to Orqesta La Inspiracion with our Latin feast in May and jazz and jazzy classical during a two-day grand finale, June 22-23.

Homes for this year’s concerts are designed by legendary architects, such as Richard Marr, and are embellished with the irreplaceable artistry of old-world craftsmen. A reception with freshly prepared food, often related to the musical genre, is included with each concert.

Filed Under: Classical, Community, Culture, Detroit Inspires, Jazz, Music, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

All-American Chamber Music

January 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

DP Scarab Concert at GPUCChamber Music at the Scarab Club is pleased to present a concert at the beautiful Grosse Pointe Unitarian Church, featuring music by American composers Creston, Barber, Bauer and Beach. Entitled “An All-American Program,” the performance is Sunday, April 15 beginning at 4 p.m.

The performers include pianists Eduard Perrone and Mary Siciliano, violinist Velda Kelly and cellist Nadine Deleury. Each piece will be introduced by one of the musicians and a reception follows the performance.

The program includes “Trio for piano, violin and cello” by Paul Creston (1906-1985).  The piece, in four movements, has great rhythmic vitality and Creston’s unique style really captures the listener’s attention.

Samuel Barber’s “Sonata for cello and piano” was written relatively early in his career in 1932, and features Ms. Ciciliano and Ms. Deleury.

Both of the violin and piano works on this program were dedicated to the American violinist Maud Powell. “Up the Ocklawaha, Op. 55″ by- Marion Eugenie Bauer is based on a poem Powell wrote and sent to Bauer after a trip upriver during a Florida tour in 1912. This boat ride on a dark, narrow waterway obviously made a tremendous impression on Powell. Consequently, both the poem and the music are highly descriptive.

Amy Beach is perhaps a more well-known American composer from roughly the same period as Bauer. Her “Romance” is a lovely salon piece and is one of many short works she wrote for violin and piano.

Chamber Music at the Scarab Club is a popular series dedicated to presenting fine chamber music programs in informal, intimate settings that encourage a close rapport between audience and performers. The series includes performances at Detroit’s historic Scarab Club, The Grosse Pointe Unitarian Church and Marygrove College. Innovative programming and a connection with literature and the visual arts have assured this small series an important place in the metropolitan Detroit arts scene.

Tickets – $20 at the door, $18 in advance, $10 for students  For tickets and more info – (248) 474-8930 , e-mail: chambermusic@scarabclub.org  or visit online:  www.scarabclub.org/chambermusic.

The Grosse Pointe Unitarian Church is located at 17150 Maumee Avenue, at the corner of Maumee and St. Clair.

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Delicious Classical Brunch

January 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Here’s a great idea for a Sunday morning:  Enjoy a delicious brunch followed by a tasty concert from world-class musicians.

That’s what’s on the menu Sunday, March 25,  at  The Community House in Birmingham as it presents its final event in the 2011-2012 “Classical Brunch” series.  Robert deMaine, Artistic Director of the series and Principal Cellist of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, will perform with Hai-Xin Wu, violinist and Acting Assistant Concertmaster of the DSO, and Michael Klotz, violist of the renowned Amernet Quartet.  On the program will be trios by Dohnanyi and Beethoven. The program is presented in collaboration with WRCJ 90.9 FM radio.

“This classical brunch series has definitely been a hit,” said Sandi Reitelman, founding Chair of the two-year old program.  “Robert has identified truly wonderful artists and programs – the combination of a nice brunch and that beautiful music on Sunday morning has resonated with people.  And, the warm and comfortable setting of The Community House just adds to the total experience.”

“I am happy to be able to bring this to the community, and am grateful that Sandi and The Community House asked me to do this.  At our recent February concert, which was so well-attended, it became so clear to me that we have added something of real value and importance to the cultural life of Metro Detroit.  I am proud of it,” said   Robert deMaine.  “The concert in March may be one of our best yet.  I love to perform with both Hai-Xin, and Michael, who has been here recently with the Amernet Quartet for the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival.  These trio works are among my favorites.”

The ticket prices are $30 for adults/$12 for children (includes brunch).  Patron tickets, with preferred seating are also available for $50. Concert only seating is available for $10.  Discount Series is offered for Patron Series: 3 concerts for $125 (Patron seats) and Friend Series: 3 concerts for $75 (Friend seats). Doors open at 11:30am followed by the one-hour performance at 12:30pm.

Cecilia Benner is the Artistic Director Sponsor.  Additional support is provided by PNC Foundation.

For reservations/information contact The Community House, 380 South Bates Street, Birmingham, MI 248-644-5832, www.tchserves.org.

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