Chamber music racks up a Nesko-win
Thanks surely in no small part to its stunning location, the Neskowin Chamber Music festival attracts world-class performers. The well-known series has been bringing musicians to the Central Coast for 29 years, giving audiences the chance to see high-caliber concerts at a modest price. Tickets for the new season of concerts, held in the chapel at Camp Winema, are now available for sale.
Pianist David Kaplan begins the season on Oct. 16 with a varied program that illustrates why he is in demand as a soloist with numerous orchestras, including the Britten Sinfonia and Das Sinfonia Orchestra Berlin. He has performed recitals at Ravinia Festival, the Sarasota Opera House, the National Gallery in Washington and Strathmore. A review in The New York Times called his playing “excellent and adventurous.”
The season continues on Nov. 6 with the Brasil Guitar Duo. Joao Luiz and Douglas Lora have
been performing together since they met in Sao Paulo as teenage guitar students 20 years ago. They specialize in both classical and Brazilian music and strive to expand the repertoire for two guitars. Classical Guitar magazine noted their “maturity of musicianship and technical virtuosity.”
The 2023 performances begin on Jan. 22 with the Boston-based ensemble, Parker String Quartet, specializing in the music of Dvorak, Beethoven and Bartok. All teach at Harvard University as well as holding residencies at other colleges. They earned graduate degrees from the Julliard School and The New England Conservatory of Music.
On Feb. 26, the sounds of the Cremona String Quartet will fill the church. Since its formation in 2000, this quartet has become a popular favorite internationally, frequently invited to perform in Europe, North and South America and the Far East.
Appearing on March 19 is a trio that bears the name of one of Tolstoy’s heroines, Trio Karenine. Founded in 2009, the group’s recordings of Schumann’s piano trios won numerous awards. Recent recordings of Schonberg, Liszt and Schumann were also well-received. Its many appearances have been hailed by critics for “musical integrity and passionate interpretation.”
On April 23 is the New York City-based Frisson, featuring what many critics call “the best and brightest of classical music’s rising stars.” During its performance, the group expands and contracts into a variety of ensembles including quintets, sextets, nonets and a small chamber orchestra.
The season wraps up on May 21 with the Ariel String Quartet, which specializes in Beethoven
quartets, performing the complete cycle on five occasions throughout the US and Europe. The group’s members, who met as teenagers in Israel, have played all over the world.
Between performances, they teach at the University of Cincinnati’s Conservatory of Music.
All concerts begin at 3 pm. The season ticket price for the seven concerts is $130. Single-event tickets, available at the door for cash or check only, are $30 for adults age 30 and older, $20 for those age 18 to 29, and $10 for children 17 and younger.
Camp Winema is located three miles north of Neskowin, just off Highway 101, between mileposts 93 and 94. For more information, go to neskowinchambermusic.org or call 503-965-6499.