Published: June 05, 2008 08:52 am         

Chamber Music Festival announces season lineup

The Cooperstown Chamber Music Festival will celebrate its 10th summer of music, from July 11 to Aug. 19, a Festival press release announced. Artistic Director Linda Chesis has created a season with a mix of musical styles, from chamber music classics to Brazilian and American jazz.

The Festival, which was founded by Chesis in 1999, continues its tradition of bringing exceptional performances to venues throughout Cooperstown, including the Louis C. Jones Center at The Farmers' Museum, Christ Episcopal Church, the Otesaga Resort Hotel and Templeton Hall, the press release said.

The Festival opens July 11 with the concert "Nature Calls," featuring Schubert's "Trout" Quintet, an arrangement of Saint-Saens' "Carnival of the Animals," and George Crumb's "Vox Balaenae (Voice of the Whale)" for three masked players.

There will be a post-concert reception with the artists hosted by Brewery Ommegang. On July 13, the awardwinning Parker String Quartet will perform works by Haydn, Janacek and Beethoven. The concert "Enchanted Baroque" celebrates the works of Bach, Purcell and Telemann on July 23.

The Daedalus Quartet and clarinetist David Shifrin will perform Brahms' "Clarinet Quintet" and works by Haydn and Shostakovich on Aug. 3. Concert Artist Guild winners soprano Sarah Wolfson and the Brasil Guitar Duo perform a program ranging from the Baroque to Bossa Nova on Aug. 9. Trio Solisti and Linda Chesis perform works by Beethoven, Franck and Ravel on Aug. 13.

The Festival's Gala Tenth Anniversary Concert will be on Aug. 17, with one of the largest ensembles ever gathered at the Festival performing the "Brandenburg Concertos," the press release said. A post-concert reception with the artists will be hosted by The Farmers' Museum. The Festival's final concert of the season features jazz with the Brubeck Brothers Quartet on Aug. 19.

All evening concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Audiences are invited to attend 7 p.m. preconcert chats with the artists on the following dates: July 11, 13, 23, and Aug. 3, 9 and 13.

Free Community Concerts

Joining the Festival's tradition of offering free concerts in the community is a Pro-Am Seminar, with accomplished amateurs playing alongside three professional musicians, the press release said. "We see this as an opportunity to celebrate chamber music as a lifelong pursuit that can be shared and enjoyed," said Chesis, who will be performing with David Geber, cello, and Shirley Irek, piano. These concerts will be held in venues throughout the area, from July 14 to 16. "It's a great way for us to kick-off our 10th anniversary season," said Chesis.

On Aug. 7, the Festival will present a Flute Fest at the Otesaga Resort Hotel, featuring a flute choir from the New York Summer Music Festival.

There is no charge for these performances.

Family Music Fest Concerts In addition to these free concerts, the Festival offers two Family Music Fest concerts, where a family can attend for $15. On July 12 at 11 a.m., the Parker String Quartet offers an introduction to the chamber music foursome in a kid-friendly program called "What's That Four?"

On Aug. 16, children can explore one of the most celebrated works in chamber music, in an 11 a.m. program based on the Brandenburg Concertos, titled "Go For Baroque." Tickets and Information Evening concerts are $30 for adults. Early bird and subscription discounts are available. Students (6-18) tickets for evening concerts are $15.

Daytime Family Music Fest events are $15 per family. Programs are subject to change.

For more information, call toll-free 877- MOOSIC1 (877- 666-7421), visit Festival's web site, www.CooperstownMusicFest.org, or email info@cooperstownmusicfest.org. Tickets may be purchased on the Festival's web site, by phone, or at the door as available. The Cooperstown Chamber Music Festival is made possible in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency. The Festival is made possible with funding by the Otsego County Bed Tax Event Grants Program.

Otsego County Tourism, 800/843-3394/visitcooperstown. com. Festival pianos are provided courtesy of Artist Pianos.

About Linda Chesis

Flutist Linda Chesis is founder and artistic director of the Cooperstown Chamber Music Festival. She is a member of the flute faculty and chair of the Woodwind Department at the Manhattan School of Music. She has been hailed by critics on three continents as one of the most exciting and dynamic flutists of her generation, according to the press release. The top prize winner at the Paris and Barcelona International competitions, and at the National Flute Association Competition, Chesis has performed with orchestras and in solo recitals throughout the U.S., France, Great Britain, Germany, Japan and Korea. Her recordings can be heard on the EMI, Nonesuch and Music Masters labels.

Cooperstown Chamber Music Festival

Tenth Anniversary Season, July 11 to Aug. 19 Linda Chesis, Artistic Director and Founder July 11 -- "Nature Calls," 7:30 p.m. The Farmers' Museum. Animal-themed season opener features Schubert, "Trout" Quintet; an arrangement of Saint-Saens, "Carnival of the Animals"; Henrich von Biber, "Sonata Representativa"; and George Crumb, "Vox Balaenae (Voice of the Whale)" for three masked players. Linda Chesis, flute; Gil Morgenstern, violin; Kathryn Lockwood, viola; Wilhelmina Smith, cello; Shirley Irek, piano; Jeremy McCoy, double bass. Pre-concert chat with the artists begins at 7 p.m. Postconcert reception with the artists sponsored by Brewery Ommegang.

July 12 -- "Family Music Fest: What's That Four?" 11 a.m., Templeton Hall. The Parker String Quartet delivers an introduction to the chamber music foursome: the string quartet. Hands-on activities and crafts begin at 10:30 a.m., the post-concert instrument petting zoo is provided courtesy of John Keal Music Co.

July 14 to 16 -- "Pro-Am Seminar." Various venues and times to be announced. Linda Chesis, flute; David Geber, cello; and Shirley Irek, piano perform with accomplished amateur musicians, in free concerts throughout the community.

July 13 -- "Parker String Quartet," 7:30 p.m., The Farmers' Museum. Come hear this award-winning quartet, whom The New York Times calls "flawlessly balanced, perfectly tuned and sheathed in lustrous textures." Works by Haydn, Janacek and Beethoven. Preconcert chat with the artists begins at 7 p.m.

July 23 -- "Enchanted Baroque," 7:30 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church. Concert features Lisa Saffer, soprano; Amanda Crider, mezzo soprano; Peggy Pearson, oboe; Linda Chesis, flute; Bradley Brookshire, harpsichord; and Brian Manker, cello performing works by Bach, Purcell and Telemann. Pre-concert chat with the artists begins at 7 p.m.

Aug. 3 -- "Daedalus Quartet with David Shifrin," 7:30 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church. The Daedalus Quartet, Grand Prize winner of the Banff International String Quartet Competition, performs the Brahms Clarinet Quintet and works by Haydn and Shostakovich with three-time Grammy nominee David Shifrin. Preconcert chat with the artists begins at 7 p.m.

Aug. 7 -- Free Concert: "Flute Fest at the Otesaga," 7:30 p.m., Otesaga Resort Hotel. The Festival again joins with the NY Summer Music Festival's International Flute Institute to offer a free concert featuring a flute choir.

Aug. 9 -- "Chords & Strings," 7:30 p.m., The Farmers' Museum. Soprano Sarah Wolfson and the Brasil Guitar Duo offer a program ranging from the Baroque to Bossa Nova.

Pre-concert chat with the artists begins at 7 p.m.

Aug. 13 -- "Trio Solisti with Linda Chesis," 7:30 p.m., The Farmers' Museum. Festival favorites Trio Solisti and Linda Chesis perform works by Beethoven, Franck and Ravel. Pre-concert chat with the artists begins at 7 p.m.

Aug. 16 -- "Family Music Fest: Go for Baroque," 11 a.m., Templeton Hall. A kidfriendly tour of a masterpiece: Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto No. 5." Hands-on activities and crafts begin at 10:30 a.m., with a post-concert instrument petting zoo courtesy of John Keal Music Co.

Aug. 17 -- "Gala Tenth Anniversary Concert: The Brandenburg Concertos," 7:30 p.m., The Farmers' Museum. One of the largest ensembles ever gathered at the Festival celebrates 10 summers of chamber music in Cooperstown with Bach's joyous concertos, no. 3 through 6. Features returning Festival artists Timothy Fain, Bradley Brookshire and Linda Chesis. Post-concert reception with the artists hosted by The Farmers' Museum.

Aug. 19 -- The Brubeck Brothers Quartet, 7:30 p.m., The Otesaga Resort Hotel. A jazz dynasty performs at the Otesaga. Daniel Brubeck, drums; Chris Brubeck, bass and trombone; Mike DeMicco, guitar; and Chuck Lamb, piano perform straight-ahead jazz with a mix of funk, blues and world music.