Love classical music or wish you knew more about it? The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS) is returning to Saratoga Performing Arts Center August 4 through 20 for its annual summer residency, and with it they are bringing two special programs designed to give the community a deeper understanding of and appreciation for chamber music.
On August 8 at 7 pm, stop by Caffè Lena for In Concert & Conversation with David Finckel and Wu Han on Thursday August 8 at 7 pm. The married duo, renowned musicians and co-artistic directors of the CMS, will discuss chamber music as an art form and their methods of interpreting it. They’ll also be performing pieces across genres and styles, with David Finckel on the cello and Wu Han on the piano. The event is free, but you may want to make a reservation in order to reserve a spot.
The duo has never performed at Caffè Lena before. “Chamber music started in coffeehouses in 17th century Europe, so we love having this opportunity to reprise the roots of the tradition,” Sarah Craig, Caffè Lena’s executive director, said in a statement. “To do so with two of the most important figures in chamber music today is a rare and precious opportunity. It’s just wonderful what can happen when SPAC and Caffè Lena combine their strengths.”
Want to introduce your kids to classical music in a fun and informative way? Head out to the Spa Little Theatre for Meet the Music! Leave it to Ludwig. The event will have two performances — Friday August 16 at 1 pm and Saturday August 17 at 11 am — and introduce kids and adults alike to the backstories of famous works of classical music. The Escher String Quarter will be accompanied by Bruce Adolphe as Beethoven. Admission is free but limited, so it’s recommended that you make a reservation.
“While the CMS musicians have called Saratoga their summer home for several years, many people in the community are still unfamiliar with chamber music,” Elizabeth Sobol, president and CEO of SPAC, said in statement. “By bringing David Finckel and Wu Han…who are incredibly compelling musicians, story tellers and artists…to Caffe Lena, and by partnering with CMS on an education program to inspire the next generation of arts lovers, we hope to spark a curiosity for newcomers of all ages.”
During their 2019 residency at SPAC’s Spa Little Theatre, The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will feature performances from David Finckel and Wu Han, the Escher Quartet, violinist Bella Hristova, violinist Angelo Xiang Yu, cellist Keith Robinson, and flutist Adam Walker. The season ends August 20.
