César Franck’s monumental Piano Quintet is dramatic, impassioned, and harmonically rich.
Concluding its 2025 summer season, Midsummer’s Music presents one of the five greatest piano quintets ever written: César Franck’s monumental Piano Quintet. Dramatic, impassioned, and harmonically rich, Franck’s quintet remains a cornerstone of the genre. The piece premiered with Saint-Saëns himself at the piano, and Midsummer’s is thrilled to feature virtuosa pianist Jeannie Yu performing one of her favorite works.
Also returning is flutist Heather Zinninger, who brings her artistry to Amy Marcy Beach’s Theme and Variations for Flute and String Quartet—a colorful, lyrical, and deeply evocative piece that beautifully showcases Beach’s voice as a pioneering American composer.
This festive program, filled with expressive depth and virtuosic flair, promises to be a joyful and memorable conclusion to the season. The Labor Day Gala – the final performance of this program – is an unforgettable afternoon supporting music that brightens the future for the community, with inspired cuisine and spectacular live performances featuring Midsummers’ world-class musicians.
Joining Yu and Zinninger is an outstanding ensemble of musicians: David Perry and Ann Palen, violins; Sally Chisholm, viola; and Cole Randolph, cello—each a distinguished performer.
Concert Schedule:
August 24 at 4:00 pm
Hope United Church of Christ, Sturgeon Bay
The César Franck Piano Quintet program is sponsored by James Berkenstock.
This performance is sponsored by Sandy Zingler
August 27 at 7:00 pm
Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church, Ellison Bay
The César Franck Piano Quintet program is sponsored by James Berkenstock.
September 1 at 3:00 pm
Björklunden, Baileys Harbor
Labor Day Gala
The César Franck Piano Quintet program is sponsored by James Berkenstock.
The Labor Day Gala is sponsored by Jean Berkenstock Family Fund, the Gould Family Fund, the Stefan and Joan Anderson Charitable Fund, the Nancy T. and David A. Borghesi Fund, Fortifi Bank and Sugar Maple Asset Management, George and Julie Fiedler, Sandy Zingler, the Michael & Tonya Felhofer Fund of the Door County Community Foundation, Megan & Mark Heintzkill, Frank & Roberta Helsom, Nicolet Bank, Karin & Scott Myers, and Jeremy & Cindi Schwab.
Tickets are $39.99 for adults, $19.99 for students, and children 12 and under are free with an adult. Labor Day Gala tickets are $149 for adults and $89 for students. Flex-packs of six tickets for the price of five tickets are also available and cannot be used for special events. Order tickets at www.midsummersmusic.com or by phone at 920-854-7088.
A complete 2025 summer brochure can be downloaded at www.midsummersmusic.com.
Midsummer’s Music was co-founded in 1991 by Jim and Jean Berkenstock, long-time Door County summer residents and principal orchestral players with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. What began as two concerts among friends has become one of the Midwest’s most anticipated chamber music series, bringing thousands of chamber music enthusiasts from around the globe to the magical Door County Peninsula.
For more information visit www.midsummersmusic.com.
High-resolution photo – Jeannie Yu (credit Dan Eggert): https://www.midsummersmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/jeannie-yu-e1729078747502.jpg
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César Franck Piano Quintet
Pick the five greatest Piano Quintets in the literature and Franck’s has to be among them. Saint-Saëns was the pianist at the premiere. Here is an opportunity to hear Jeannie Yu in her favorite repertoire. Flutist Heather Zinninger returns to perform Amy Beach’s colorful and evocative Theme and Variations with strings. This program will close our season at our annual Labor Day Gala at Björklunden. A special and celebratory afternoon indeed!
Theme and Variations in A Minor, Op. 80 – Amy Marcy Beach
Quintet in F Minor – César Franck
August 24, 4:00pm, Hope UCC, 141 S 12th Ave., Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
August 27, 7:00pm, Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church, 11836 WI 42, Ellison Bay, WI 54210
September 1, 3:00pm, 7590 Boynton Ln., Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
The Majesty of Schubert’s Octet
Schubert’s Octet was inspired by Beethoven’s Septet, which was immensely popular. Schubert adds a second violin to the ensemble. It is his chamber music answer to the Great C-Major Symphony—a masterpiece of immense proportions. Gernot Wolfgang joins us to introduce his “Impressions,” which are suggestive of imaginary paintings, “Carnival of Venice,” “Dream,” and “Country Road.” Wolfgang, a Grammy-nominated composer, also uses the same instrumentation – clarinet, bassoon, horn, violins, viola, cello, and bass – as the Beethoven Septet in his energetic, novel, and delightful addition to this illustrious repertoire.
Impressions (2002) – Gernot Wolfgang
Octet in F Major, D. 803 – Franz Schubert
August 28, 7:00pm, Björklunden, 7590 Boynton Ln., Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
August 29, 7:00pm, MUSE, 330 Jefferson St., Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
August 30, 3:00pm, The Clearing Folk School Schoolhouse, 12103 Garrett Bay Rd., Ellison Bay, WI 54210
August 31, 4:00pm, Kress Pavilion 7845 Church St., Egg Harbor, WI 54209
Coffee Talks
Coffee Talks are free, informal presentations on music themes by ensemble members, staff, and friends.
The Physics of Music—Without the Equations, with Dr. Elmer Lewis
August 30, 1:00pm, The Clearing Folk School – Schoolhouse, 12103 Garret Bay Rd., Ellison Bay, WI 54210