Pittsburgh Chamber Society adds smaller series to its next season
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The Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society will expand and shrink at the same time next year.
Its 2010-11 season will start with its typical lineup of top ensembles performing at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland, but mix in a new recital mini-series taking place in nearby Bellefield Hall.
"It came out of the idea that everyone is sad that the Y Music Society is not around anymore," PCMS board president Frances De Broff says of the long-running series that ended in 2004.
Leading the three recitals is the distinguished pianist Menahem Pressler, founding member of the Beaux Arts Trio, playing a recital of Beethoven, Debussy and Schubert. The other artists are a duo of clarinetist Jon Manasse and pianist Jon Nakamatsu, and violinist Benjamin Beilman,
Carnegie Music Hall series (subscriptions $50-$150): • Miro Quartet (Sept. 27); • Pacifica Quartet (Nov. 29); • Empire Brass with Elisabeth von Trapp (Dec. 13); • Trio Cavatina (March 14. 2011); • Takacs Quartet (April 11).
Bellefield Hall series ($30-$75): • Manasse/Nakamatsu Duo (Nov. 8); • Menahem Pressler (Jan. 24, 2011); • Benjamin Beilman (Feb. 7).
Subscriptions to both series $70-$215; 412-624-4129 or www.pittsburghchambermusic.org.
"The Y Music Society used to bring in young people who were exciting new stars, and we wanted to do that again, too," says Ms. De Broff.
The main series will begin with two of the top string quartets in the world and end with a third.
The season opens with the Miro Quartet, and former North Allegheny High School cellist Joshua Gindele, performing Haydn, Brahms and Kevin Puts.
Then the Pacifica Quartet returns to play Beethoven, Shostakovich and Schubert.
The season ends with the venerable Takacs Quartet performing Haydn, Bartok and Schubert.
In December will be a concert that is a departure for PCMS, the Empire Brass.
"It is the first time we have had brass," says Ms. De Broff. "There is something about brass and Christmastime."
The quintet is bringing singer Elisabeth von Trapp, granddaughter of the Maria and Baron von Trapp of the Trapp Family Singers, for holiday selections.
Trio Cavatina is the last piece of the puzzle for next season, performing Arvo Part, Mendelssohn and Beethoven.
The Chamber Music Society also announced that it will continue "Poco a Poco," an educational strings program for the students of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh Charter School in East Liberty. The program started this year with 40 second-graders and will continue with them next year, while simultaneously bringing in a new class of second-graders.
"Every kid gets a violin, viola or cello to learn how to play," says Ms. De Broff."
Eventually, they will form string quartets with Duquesne University School of Music graduate students, who will teach them throughout the year.
"I went to Allderdice and we had three orchestras," she says. "We learned a love of music, playing together and working hard. I always tried to find a way to get music back in the schools. These kids are so excited."
First Published April 6, 2010 12:00 am
