A little rest is good now and then. After 30 concerts since June 14, our band can use one. And it’s good to go out on a high note. Our Schubert/Klebanov concert was a huge success, but oddly enough, as beloved as Schubert’s E-flat Piano Trio is, the Trio by Dymitro Klebanov, a 20th century Ukrainian, almost overshadowed it. I was stunned at the reaction. Klebanov’s work has an underlying sadness brought about by his persecution under Stalin, both because he was Ukrainian and Jewish. Yet the work is also infused with a wry wit and bits of folk music and German nightclub music from the 1920s. Several in the audience were brought to tears by the unique and touching beauty of Klebanov’s mixture of a modern technique combined with traditional references.
It is also great to realize that our audiences have been growing as we continue to climb back from pandemic restrictions. Five recent sold-out performances and glowing enthusiasm for our musicians’ brilliant work is very reassuring. It makes me look forward to the three remaining programs (12 concerts) that await us toward the end of August and into early September.
The first of these programs features two French composers from the late 19th century. They are household names in certain quarters—but only in certain quarters. If you are an organist, or a fan of organ music, you will immediately recognize the names Widor and Vierne. These are giants in the field of organ music, both because they were spectacular virtuosos on their instruments in Paris, but also because of what they contributed to the organ repertoire. If you have ever stepped into a church at Easter, you have to know Widor’s Toccata from his Fifth Organ Symphony. It is one of the most explosively virtuosic movements ever written for the organ. It literally shouts “Hallelujah” at the end of the Easter service.
However, it is unfortunate that these wonderful composers are not better known for their wealth of other great compositions. They have been pigeon-holed to our detriment. Both wrote substantially in other genres including chamber music. The Piano Quintets each has contributed to our next program (works for piano and string quartet) are exhilarating and passionate works full of the kind or color, virtuosity, and intensity for which their organ works are known.
Jeannie Yu will be back, fresh from her radiant triumph in Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto, to wield her extraordinary technique and sublime musicianship in these equally challenging works. And David Perry, after a few breaths of fresh air, will return with his colleagues to offer sumptuous and brilliant string playing.
Buying tickets now saves the disappointment some experienced at our recent sold-out performances. Please call 920-854-7088 or visit www.midsumersmusic.com for tickets or further information for our “19th Century French Rapture” program, August 23–26, and additional concerts leading up to our Labor Day Gala. We also have a boat cruise for our 88 Key Society members coming up on August 28th. If you are not a member and would like to join us on the Island Clipper for a great evening of fun, food, and friendship, now is a good time to become a member. Just call our number or visit our website. We look forward to seeing you at the concerts and aboard ship soon. Ahoy!
Jim Berkenstock,
Artistic Director