The world’s only string quartet in continuous existence for more than a hundred years will perform a repertoire of classical chamber music: After being founded in Brussels by Alphonse Onnou in 1912, the Pro Arte became Court Quartet to Queen Elizabeth of Belgium. They first visited America in 1926, playing… [Read More]
Articles
Answering a call from Itzhak Perlman
Following their intense Midsummer’s Music Festival schedule that concluded July 15th, violinist David Perry and Artistic Director/bassoonist Jim Berkenstock were looking forward to a bit of free time before the Labor Day Concert Series begins. However, a call from Itzhak Perlman and the Chicago Philharmonic changed all that. On August… [Read More]
Home Cooking
I’m often asked how I go about putting together the music for our Midsummer’s Music programs. My usual method begins with a legal sized tablet. I draw a vertical line down the middle of the page and write “piano” above one column and “no piano” above the other. Since about… [Read More]
Performing in Improvised Spaces
Gary Jones recently published an article in the Peninsula Pulse which provides an apt description of a Midsummer’s experience. Read on for the full text! — Originally chamber music, relatively small ensembles as opposed to full symphonic orchestras, was performed in homes rather than concert halls, hence the term chamber music. Modern chamber… [Read More]
Royalty Intervenes After Viola Creates International Incident
It was a close call. I’m glad I didn’t know about it at the time. I’m not much of a Nervous Nellie, but some things can give me a little indigestion or a sleepless night. We artistic director types worry mostly about illness or accidents. A sprained arm or wrist… [Read More]