Beauty and Brilliance
Our 36th season begins with some of the most beautiful and brilliant music ever written. Schubert’s Nocturne, although not performed often, will melt your heart. Mozart wrote his 1st Piano Quartet to show off the brilliance of the new-fangled piano-forte as only he could. Our Opening Night Gala and the following three programs conclude with one of the 19th century’s most esteemed composers, Joachim Raff, whose First Piano Quartet is mesmerizing and captivating from beginning to end, featuring star pianist, Jeannie Yu, from the Milwaukee Symphony.
Before the concert, enjoy a special performance by Sonora Strings, the elite touring violin ensemble of Suzuki Strings of Madison. Representing one of Wisconsin’s premier youth string programs, Sonora Strings features advanced student musicians who have performed throughout North America and beyond, including appearances in Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., Toronto, and Vancouver. Closer to home, the ensemble has collaborated with the Madison Symphony Orchestra and performed at venues such as the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Chazen Museum of Art. We are delighted to welcome these talented young musicians as a special opening act for select Midsummer’s Music performances.
Notturno in E-flat Major, Op. 148 (D. 897) – Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Violin, Cello, and Piano
Adagio
Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, K. 478 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Piano, Violin, Viola, and Cello
Allegro
Andante
Rondo: Allegretto con moto
Intermission
Quartet No. 1 in G Major, Op. 202, No. 1 – Joachim Raff (1822-1882)
Piano, Violin, Viola, and Cello
Allegro
Allegro molto
Andante, quasi adagio
Allegro