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Summerfest Concerts Presents Season |
Summerfest Concerts offers four weeks of performances this summer, designed to evoke and engage the senses. The four are centered on flowers and gardens during this 19th season of chamber music concerts. Violinist Mary Grant, one of the founding members and an artistic advisor, says the artistic committee creates a substantial list of pieces and if a theme emerges, all the better. “It is a group effort to look at chamber pieces by those composers with name recognition, but to also explore contemporary composers. We also look for pieces that use all the instruments and then some with unique uses of certain instruments like the harpsichord. There really will be something for everyone in these programs. Often people will come for the romantic composer and enjoy the new composers’ works. We explore music from the past four centuries.” The July 11 and 12 program should be as colorful as the name “Wildflowers.” Handel’s “Gloria” features the soprano and harpsichord. Both return for Antonio Vivaldi’s “All’ombra di sospetto.” New composer Jenni Brandon’s “Wildflowers” for oboe, bassoon, and piano was inspired by the plantings of Ladybird Johnson. “Tempête de sable” (Storm of Sand) for clarinet, violin, and viola is from young composer Alexandra DuBois. The next weekend, July 18 and 19, includes new composer David Morgan’s “The Secret of the Golden Flower,” Beethoven’s Septet, op. 20 and new composer Nancy Galbraith’s “Incantation and Allegro.” “Chrysanthenums,” July 25 and 26, features Elgar’s Quintet, op. 84. The concert also includes Endre Szervánszky’s Wind Quintet no. 1, influenced by Hungarian folk music, and Giacomo Puccini’s Chrysanthemums for string quartet. The last weekend, Aug. 1 and Aug. 2, looks at Dvorak’s “Cypresses.” Schubert’s “The Shepherd on the Rock” and Grant says many in the 20-member group also play in the Kansas City Symphony. “There are not many chamber groups that play during the summer. We help fill the need for classical music and there truly is something for everyone.” Flutist Shannon Finney, another artistic advisor, has played with the group for 12 years and appreciates the process that brings together unique instruments and opportunities to hear pieces from baroque to the newly composed. “It is a smaller and more intimate setting and experience overall. We have a more personal connection with each other because we have no conductor.” The intimacy continues when the group plays at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church at 13 and Holmes. “Guests can see my music and watch me breathe. We have guests that come year after year. We are also going to offer a talkback after the performance. This will allow the audience to talk to all the musicians and it gives us a chance to know what the audience is thinking too. A dialogue adds value to the experience and I know that when I am a patron, I like to know those extras.” Concerts: “The Secret Flower” “Chrysanthemums” “Cypresses” “Informances” |
