Seeking Haydn

(image courtesy of Naxos Classical Archives)

August tends to be slow (arts-wise) around Middletown. Wesleyan's summer session is over, the Oddfellows Children's Circus has come and gone, The Buttonwood is closed down for vacation, the CineFare Movie night is history,the Music at the Mansion series is done and the yearly ARTFARM production has run it course.

There's still concerts to attend; for instance, the Summer Sounds Series will continue its Tuesday run, Motorcycle Mania takes over Main Street on the 12th, and the new club, Boney's Music Lounge, keeps on bringing in great funk, blues and jazz performers.

Local classical music buffs probably already have the 4 Fridays in August circled. The Chestnut Hill Concerts series, now in its 40th season, brings the finest chamber music musicians to the First Congregational Church of Madison (26 Meetinghouse Lane) and the music is often sublime. Founded in 1969 by Dr. Elsa Redlich (who lived in Killingworth at the time), "the concerts evolved from informal performances which were associated with Dr. Redlich's summer program, the Chestnut Hill Creative Arts Center for Children. She was eager to provide a venue for the then sixteen year-old violinist Yoko Matsuda. Many of the performers were drawn from the Yale School of Music who also served as faculty at the camp. From the beginning, the concerts sought to involve young people in experiencing fine classical music."

This is music director (and cellist) Ronald Thomas 20th season curating the series and he is a big fan of having, at least, one composer 's music featured in every concert. This year, he's chosen 2: Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809, his image above) and Johannes Brahms (1833-1897, pictured left). Haydn, a contemporary of Mozart and teacher of Beethoven, wrote many string quartets and symphonies while Brahms, (born a century later but a big lover of Haydn's music), studied with Schumann and is considered one of the more influential musical bridges to the 20th Century.

The first concert of the 2009 season is Friday August 7 and features the trio of Arnaud Sussmann (violin), Julie Albers (cello, pictured on left) and Pedja Muzijevic (piano). They'll play Haydn's "Piano Trio in G-minor, Hob. XV:19", Brahms' "Violin Sonata in A-major, Op. 100" and Schumann's "Piano Trio in D-minor, Op. 63."

The following Friday (8/14), the quartet of Eric Ruske (horn), Jennifer Frautschi (violin), Mihae Lee (piano) and Andrew Mark (cello) performs Haydn's "Piano Sonata in C-major, Hob. XVI: 50", Brahms' "Scherzo in C-minor", Beethoven's "Piano Trio in G-major, Op. 1, No. 2", and contemporary composer John Harbison's "Twilight Music for Horn, Violin and Piano."

On 8/21, pianist Lee returns joined by Ronald Thomas and violinist Steven Copes. They'll explore the intricacies and delights of Haydn's "Piano Trio in G-major: Gypsy", Brahms' "Piano Trio in B-major, Op. 8" and Debussy's "Cello Sonata."

The final concert (8/28) marks the Chestnut Hill debut of Israeli-born violinist Carmit Zori (pictured) playing in a quartet setting with Robert Rinehart (viola), Wilhelmina Smith (cello) and Reiko Aizawa (piano.) Sharp readers should recognize Ms. Aizawa as she is a member of the Amelia Piano Trio alongside Middletown residents Anthea Kreston and Jason Duckles. In Madison, she and her cohorts will play Haydn's "Piano Sonata in D-Major, Hob. XVI: 37", Brahms' "Piano Quartet in G-minor, Op. 25" and the "String Trio" by Jean Francaix (1912-1997.)

Should you so desire, picnic suppers prepared by Anna's Catering & Gourmet Take-Out of New Haven can be ordered for the night of the concert (order must be placed by the Wednesday before the concert.) For more information, you can call 203-245-5736 or go to www.chestnuthillconcerts.org.