First Time? Perhaps this is your first time attending a concert where the works — even the composers — are unknown to you. 

The composers Dan Welcher, Joan Tower, Friedrich Hermann and Anton Arensky fall outside of the canon of the ubiquitous “dead white guys” whose music dominates classical programming. To my knowledge, none of these composers ever sported a wig, and if they did, the wig would certainly not be powdered. How, then, could they compose great classical music, you ask? There’s only one way to find out!

Festival Series III explores exceptional music by composers you don’t encounter every day. From the wild virtuosity of Dan Welcher's Dante Dances, to the Russian liturgical influence of Arensky’s tribute to his idol, Tchaikovsky, each work on this program will surprise and delight. Petroushskates, by living American composer, Joan Tower, takes two sources for its inspiration; the Shrovetide Fair of Stravinsky’s ballet masterpiece, Petroushka, and the flowing continuous line of a figure skater’s blade on the ice. Perhaps another influence on this work is the instrumental force known as a “Pierrot Ensemble,” after the seminal work Pierrot Lunaire, by Arnold Schönberg. In every case, these works deserve our attention, and we guarantee that you will always remember your first time.

Friedrich Hermann (1828-1907)

Capriccio No. 2 in G major, Op. 5 for 3 violins

Allegro molto

Dan Welcher (b. 1948)

Dante Dances (Danzi d'Inferno) for clarinet & piano

Claude Debussy (1862-1918)

Prélude à l'après-midi d'une faune for piano, clarinet and flute

Joan Tower (1938-Present)

Petroushskates for flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano

Anton Arensky (1861-1906)

String Quartet No. 2 in a minor, Op. 35 for violin, viola and 2 cellos

I. Moderato

II. Thème (and Variations). Moderato

III. Finale. Andante sostenuto - Allegro moderato

Artists: Sarah Brady, Winston Choi, Timothy Christie, Julia Gish-Salerno, Norbert Lewandowski, Christina McGann, Stephen Miahky, Philip Payton, David Requiro, Maria Sampen, Kevin Schempf, Meta Weiss and MingHuan Xu

Tasting Music III finds WWCMF at Rasa Vineyards tasting room for the Quartet in A minor, Op. 35, by Anton Arensky.

This work, dedicated to the memory of Tchaikovsky, stands as a truly unique and heartfelt treatment of four string instruments. A string quartet is usually comprised of two violins, a viola and a cello. Here, Arensky inverts the ensemble, reinforcing the rich soulful low end of the group with one violin, one viola, and two cellos. The result is an wondrous piece. From its introduction in the style of mournful Russian Orthodox plainchant to its rowdy and celebratory conclusion, Arensky pays homage to his idol. While there are no cannons in the percussion section, and no percussion section for that matter, the influence of Tchaikovsky abounds. It is fitting that the wines of Rasa Vineyards pay tribute to influences as diverse as the framers of the Constitution and Sir Isaac Newton, reflecting the identities of brothers and managing partner and winemaker, Pinto and Billo Naravane. Both music and wine will be a tribute to an evening you will not soon forget.

Anton Arensky (1861-1906)

String Quartet No. 2 in a minor, Op. 35 for violin, viola and 2 cellos

I. Moderato

II.Thème (and Variations). Moderato

III. Finale. Andante sostenuto - Allegro moderato

Artists: Timothy Christie, Philip Payton, David Requiro and Meta Weiss