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In Celebration of the Human Spirit
The Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth is thrilled to announce their 34th Anniversary Season beginning Saturday, September 11 at 2:00 pm in the beautiful auditorium of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Preceding each concert are the popular Pre-Concert Conversations led by Laurie Shulman, Gary Levinson and Till Meyn. These talks center on the composers and their music that is being presented on the concert.
Gary Levinson
Photo courtesy of the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth
Artistic Director Gary Levinson‘s decision to title the series “In Celebration of the Human Spirit” references the breadth of the human spirit in several respects. This includes the composers who have created these marvelous works, the featured artists who interpret these works and bring them to us to enjoy, and finally from the strength and ingenuity necessary for the arts community here in Fort Worth and around the world to endure given the devastation of the past year.
SERIES HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights of the series include, in addition to the standard repertoire, works that are seldom performed but certainly deserve to be heard. For example, the concert on September 11 is titled “So Much More Than Tinseltown” which references the works by Erich Korngold who is primarily known for his film scores. Other lesser-known composers on the series include Swiss-born Frank Martin and Louise Ferrenc.
The Dover Quartet
Photo courtesy of the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth
Guest artists are comprised of established ensembles including the Dover Quartet and the Busch Trio. “Hailed as “the next Guarneri Quartet” (Chicago Tribune) and “the young American string quartet of the moment,” (New Yorker), the Dover Quartet catapulted to international stardom in 2013, following a stunning sweep of all prizes at the Banff Competition and has since become one of the most in-demand ensembles in the world.” CMSFW is very privileged to be able to present this fine group of young musicians. The Busch Trio which is based in Amsterdam came together in 2012 while students at the Royal Conservatory in London. They are also in demand worldwide plus and when not in the performance hall have also been engaged in the recording studio.
In addition to drawing on the talents of Fort Worth Symphony musicians, Artistic Director Levinson has secured top-notch performers to come to Fort Worth. These artists making their debut with CMSFW are violinist Denbi Um (South Korea), pianist, Orli Shaham (Israel), pianist, Dènes Várjon, (Hungary), and violist, Iakov Zats (Italy). It is always awe-inspiring to have so many remarkable musicians on our programs. Kudos to CMSFW for bringing them to Fort Worth. In truth, according to Levinson, these artists are excited to come here because of the reputation of the organization and the appreciative, welcoming, and knowledgeable audience.
BEYOND THE CONCERT HALL
CMSFW prides itself on reaching out to all ages ranging from second graders to senior adults.
Photo courtesy of the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth
The ABCDs of Working Together is a school program that targets underserved schools in the Fort Worth Independent School District for students from 2nd through 4th grades. This program seeks to create an appreciation and love for chamber music and the music-making process. Pianist and pedagogue, Sara Doan, engages students in a learning experience that demonstrates the common elements of music making in the everyday lives of students. Awareness, Balance, Communication, and Discipline are necessary components in making music and doing well at school.
Learning with the Masters “is an integral component of the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth’s continuing work to support young aspiring musicians. “The journey from student to professional musician is long and complex, but it is one that every great artist has experienced. Through heartfelt conversations and story recollections by guest artists, as well as master classes, Learning with the Masters gives insight and encouragement by the time-honored tradition of passing down wisdom from teacher to pupil.” For young artists it is extremely valuable to have the opportunity to work with the professionals who perform on our concerts.
For the college-aged student, undergraduate and graduate, a program has recently been established to give the serious students who want to specialize in the chamber music genre an opportunity to perform for seasoned audiences. CMSFW2 has presented ensembles from SMU, Curtis Institute of Music, New England Conservatory, and Carnegie-Mellon School of Music. In 2021-22, a piano quartet from UT-Austin will be presented at Steinway Hall in Fort Worth.
Photo courtesy of the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth
Two brand new programs will begin this year. A collaboration with The Stayton Senior Living Facility and Baylor Scott-White Hospital is in the developmental stages. It is our goal to reach out to those who might not be physically able to attend a live performance by bringing artists to them.
YOU’RE INVITED
To learn more about the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth please visit our website for program details, our history, how others see us, and of course to purchase tickets for any or all of our concerts. Go to www.cmsfw.org or call 817-877-3003 for more information. Hope to see you soon.
“The Chamber Music Society continues to grow and strive to achieve new heights by presenting the best, most diverse roster and programming in the country.” Gary Levinson, Artistic Director
