Community Calendar

The Hotchkiss Orchestra and jazz ensemble Right Brain Logic take the stage on Friday, May 22 at 7 p.m. in Katherine M. Elfers Hall, Esther Eastman Music Center. Led by Fabio Witkowski, the orchestra performs works by Chopin, Grieg, and de Falla, while Michael Musillami directs Right Brain Logic in an engaging set of original compositions. Celebrating student musicianship and 20 years of performances in Elfers Hall, this dynamic evening of classical and jazz is free and open to all.

Featuring the West Stockbridge Chamber Players artistic director and clarinetist Catherine Hudgins, oboist Amanda Hardy, violinist Sheila Fiekowsky, violist Daniel Getz, and double bassist Edwin Barker. The program will include Michael Haydn’s Divertimento in C major, MH 179; W.A. Mozart’s Duo for Violin and Viola in G Major KV 423; Ema Quiñones Núñez’ Haiku: Three Miniatures for Clarinet & Contrabass (World Premiere); and Sergei Prokofiev’s Quintet for Oboe, Clarinet, Violin, Viola and Double Bass, Op.39.  These concerts, which benefit the West Stockbridge Historical Society, routinely sell out, so order your tickets today! Tickets ($35 for members, $40 for non-members) can be reserved at www.weststockbridgehistory.org. Seating is limited, first come, first served. This concert is supported by the West Stockbridge Cultural Council.

While not composed as a set, these six motets (BWV 225-230) are considered to be among the pinnacles of the choral repertoire. All were written for St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, where Bach was director of music. Four of the six were written for funeral services of prominent Leipzig citizens, and are scored for double chorus without instrumental accompaniment. Bach took the traditional motet and elevated it into a more ambitious, multimovement choral concerto, expanding the boundaries of the genre. Beyond their technical brilliance, these motets express a unique emotional and theological depth. They will be performed over two consecutive days, featuring three motets at each venue, with the repeat of “Lobet den Herrn.” As the repertoire is different on each day, reduced price tickets are available at crescendomusic.org for attendees of both concerts.
Performers: Crescendo Vocal Ensemble of twenty-two singers, with Guinevere Fridley, basso continuo, directed by Christine Gevert, organ

While not composed as a set, these six motets (BWV 225-230) are considered to be among the pinnacles of the choral repertoire. All were written for St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, where Bach was director of music. Four of the six were written for funeral services of prominent Leipzig citizens, and are scored for double chorus without instrumental accompaniment. Bach took the traditional motet and elevated it into a more ambitious, multimovement choral concerto, expanding the boundaries of the genre. Beyond their technical brilliance, these motets express a unique emotional and theological depth. They will be performed over two consecutive days, featuring three motets at each venue, with the repeat of “Lobet den Herrn.” As the repertoire is different on each day, reduced price tickets are available at crescendomusic.org for attendees of both concerts.
Performers: Crescendo Vocal Ensemble of twenty-two singers, with Guinevere Fridley, basso continuo, directed by Christine Gevert, organ

Join Mostly Modern’s kickoff concert at Saratoga Springs historic and iconic Caffè Lena. Tonight features tapas, a tasting and variety of what Mostly Modern is all about. Sold out for 3 years in a row ~ secure your seats!

Tonight features the Albany Pro Musica Choir and Maestro José Daniel Flores-Caraballo. This is a brand-new three year collaboration with Albany Pro Musica and the Mostly Modern Festival. This concert also features our concerto winner, Ethan Pound, in Tomasi’s Concerto for Trombone, as well as special guest from Mexico City, handpan percussionist Diego Alfonso, featured in Robert Paterson’s KAMA. The program starts with Johanny Navarro, who is a fantastic Puerto Rican composer, and the evening ends with Morten Lauridsen’s breathtaking Lux Aeterna.

Tonight brings brand-new premieres with “hot-off-the-press” pieces, featuring composers of all ages and backgrounds from across the globe, all in the audience. Mostly Modern Ensemble features our world class faculty performing everything up close and personal from the piano to cello to clarinet to harp and much more. New this year — Audience Choice Awards — pick your favorite of the night via QR code!

This afternoon celebrates FAB5’s tracks from their very 1st album, along with brand new premieres. The FAB5 is a string quartet with famed-percussionist Diego Alfonso coming all the way from Mexico City! This matinee is a great choice for families, kids and seniors ~ classical and pop music all come together for a very special afternoon. Explore the FAB5 here – Digital, Vinyl and CDs will be for sale at the show!

We kick off the summer season with a pianist who is a participant at the renowned Marlboro Music Festival at the invitation of Mitsuko Uchida and Jonathan Biss. A Juilliard graduate, the young pianist has already soloed with the Minnesota Orchestra and Milwaukee Symphony among other major orchestras.

Beethoven: E-major Sonata, Op. 109
Schoenberg: Drei Klavierstücke, Op. 11
Webern: Variations, Op. 27
Brahms: Handel Variations, Op. 24

Join us for a program devoted to the art of the serenade, written expressly for winds, that reveals the evolution of the wind serenade across eras. From the Classical elegance of Mozart to the rich Romantic textures of Dvořák and Strauss, the program moves from refinement to fullness, illustrating how the wind ensemble grew in expressive range over time.

Program:
Strauss, Serenade in Eb major, op. 7
Mozart, Serenade #11, K.375
Dvorak, Serenade for Winds, op. 44

Free and open to the public; donations are appreciated.

The Stockbridge Sinfonia is a unique multi-generational full symphony orchestra that undertakes ambitious orchestral works. It is the largest and longest operating community orchestra in the Berkshires. The Stockbridge Sinfonia uses music as a tool to develop the leadership of youth, recognize the talents of adults and build community across Berkshire County. All of this is accomplished through our mission of “classical music for the love and fun of it!”

Tracy Wilson, Music Director
Christine Singer, President