Artistic Director Kristin Lee shares her inspiration behind this program: “After the thrilling success of the Evolution of the Keyboard last season, I’m excited to cement the “Evolution Series” moving forward as part of the ECM programming oeuvre. I’m joined by co-curator Nathan Whittaker – baroque cello specialist – as we explore the fascinating history of the cello. From what was a five-stringed instrument that only functioned as a “bass line” in an ensemble during the 16th century, the cello evolved to become one of the most celebrated solo instruments of today. Throughout the evening, you will witness rarely seen instruments that were created and experimented with before the cello became what we recognize now as the modern cello. Along the way, you will hear a variety of eclectic and historical works composed at each phase of the cello’s evolution.
From their latest album, Babel, the award-winning Calidore String Quartet performs quartets by Robert Schumann and Dmitri Shostakovich that demonstrate how music substitutes for language in the deepest human experiences. Filmed by Zac Nicholson from Gymnopedie in Brooklyn, NY.
Performing from New York City, pianist Peter Dugan and mezzo-soprano Kara Dugan make their ECM debut on our casual Wine Down Monday series.
In our busy world, rest comes with a price. 17th Century Count Keyserling was no stranger to restlessness. He suffered from insomnia and had hired a fourteen year-old boy, Johann Gottlieb Goldberg, to play for him during his sleepless nights. Johann Sebastian Bach – now considered one of the greatest composers of all time – happened to be the music teacher of the young Goldberg and was requested by the Count to write some harpsichord pieces for Goldberg to play whenever he could not sleep. Bach produced this set of Variations based on this request, and Emerald City Music will offer these iconic works arranged for string trio.
Emerald City Music presents the iconic Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center for a limited time on ETV. About the performance: The United States has been greatly enriched by the influences of its many distinguished visitors, including artists who came to perform, create, teach, or simply to be inspired by this country’s natural beauty and welcoming spirit. In a program celebrating America’s imported musical diversity, we will enjoy the sublime music of Dvořák twice, once through his “American” voice in the Sonatina, composed in Spillville, Iowa, and through his quintessentially Czech mode with his iconic Piano Quintet. In between, the stage is shared by the Belgians and English, as we hear the touching “Child’s Dream” by Eugène Ysaÿe, who led the Cincinnati Symphony from 1918-22, and the stunning Piano Quintet by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, who as an Afro-British composer felt a kinship to the Black American folk song tradition, incorporating those tunes into a tapestry of rich orchestration. This experience and admiration was mutual and multiple chapters of the Coleridge-Taylor society were established in the early 1900s by American audiences to promote his music.
Artistic Director Kristin Lee shares her inspiration behind this program: “After the thrilling success of the Evolution of the Keyboard last season, I’m excited to cement the “Evolution Series” moving forward as part of the ECM programming oeuvre. I’m joined by co-curator Nathan Whittaker – baroque cello specialist – as we explore the fascinating history of the cello. From what was a five-stringed instrument that only functioned as a “bass line” in an ensemble during the 16th century, the cello evolved to become one of the most celebrated solo instruments of today. Throughout the evening, you will witness rarely seen instruments that were created and experimented with before the cello became what we recognize now as the modern cello. Along the way, you will hear a variety of eclectic and historical works composed at each phase of the cello’s evolution.
The flute, violin, viola, and harp make up this program that takes you to reverie. Featuring works by Beethoven, Debussy, and Saint-Saëns. Filmed by Tristan Cook and Zac Nicholson in New York, NY.
Two luscious string sextets from the late-romantic period complete this colorful program of music by Richard Strauss and Arnold Schoenberg. Filmed by Tristan Cook at the DiMenna Center in New York, NY.
Join acclaimed harpist, Bridget Kibbey, as she shares how she got started on the harp, where she gains her inspirations from, and how she’s changing the face of the harp.
Violist Melissa Reardon shares her multifaceted career as a violist, the challenges and beauty of playing in her practice room, and why she loves the viola.
Join clarinetist Yoonah Kim as she shares why she loves the clarinet and the journey she has taken with her instrument. Hear live performances, fascinating discussions on life as a clarinetist, and much more.
Special guest: Stefan Jackiw, violin
Join violinist Sean Lee as he performs selections from the virtuosic 24 Caprices written by Niccolò Paganini, and hear his in-depth knowledge on the pieces and techniques necessary to perform them.
Join Sandbox Percussion as they discuss their lives as a percussion quartet, the multifaceted art of playing percussion, and a world premiere performance of Pillar 1 from Seven Pillars by Andy Akiho.
