Tonight we feature Clara Schumann’s Three Romances for violin and piano, the Popper Requiem in F Sharp minor, Op. 66 for 3 cellos and the Brahms B Flat Sextet, Op. 18.

Festival Series IV brings the 2018 Season to a close with works by Clara Schumann, David Popper and Johannes Brahms. The Popper Requiem in F Sharp minor, Op. 66, is not a vocal work. However, it capitalizes on the vocal qualities of three cellos in perfect harmony. Balancing the valedictory gravitas of the Popper are the Three Romances of Clara Schumann and the B Flat Sextet, Op. 18 of Johannes Brahms. If the Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115, represents Autumn, then surely the B Flat Sextet represents Spring. Additional work, TBD. Celebrate the conclusion of the 2018 season in grand melodic style.

Violinist, Alessandra Jennings Flanagan (Ali) makes her WWCMF debut. Ali has been a member of the Fort Worth and Colorado Symphonies, holding leadership positions in both organizations. A graduate of the prestigious Shepard School of Music at Rice University and frequent participant summer programs such as Tanglewood and Yellowbarn, Ali now comes west to bring us a program that includes music by Mozart, Copland, Smetana and Clara Schumann. Expect a cameo from Festival regular and dad, Andrew Jennings, too. This special recital affords a unique view into the life of a great violinist from an extremely musical family.

Artists: Alessandra Jennings Flanagan, violin and Oxana Ejokina, piano.

Tonight we feature a World Premiere by composer Texu Kim, plus music of Beethoven and Clara Schumann with the Volta Piano Trio.

To kick off the 2018 Festival Series, WWCMF welcomes longtime friends, the Volta Piano Trio to perform the masterpiece by composer and pianist Clara Schumann, the Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 17. It is often said that Clara Schumann took a backseat to her more famous husband, Robert. However, this is incorrect on two counts. First, Clara was known as a virtuoso pianist of the highest order throughout Europe, her fame exceeding that of her hubby during her 60-plus-year performing career. Second, you can’t take a backseat when you are the one driving the bus!

Also on the program is the world premiere of a duo for violin and cello by the composer Texu Kim and the Quartet in D Major, Op. 18, No. 3 by Beethoven. It is a concert of firsts…