provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Cited as one of today’s most innovative chamber ensembles, American Chamber Players will perform on March 8 at Sanibel Music Festival. “There’s always excited anticipation for American Chamber Players,” said Festival President Jana Stone. “Although Artistic Director Miles Hoffman will not be performing this season, he is known for creating programs that surprise and delight the audience.” Miles Hoffman is the group’s founder, artistic director, and a longtime music commentator for National Public Radio.
Tickets are on sale now at the Sanibel Music Festival website; in-person in Sanibel at Bank of the Islands, 1699 Periwinkle Way (check and cash only); by mail to Sanibel Music Festival, PO Box 1623, Sanibel, FL 33957; or by phone at 239-344-7025. American Chamber Players will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Sanibel Congregational U.C.C., 2050 Periwinkle Way on Sanibel Island.
“The program covers a wide range of music that showcases flute with violin, cello, and piano,” continued Stone. “I encourage everyone to attend Tuesday March 8, even those new to chamber music. It promises to be a unique and entertaining evening.”
The American Chamber Players program will begin with two pieces from early 20th century Paris: Three Watercolors for Flute, Cello, and Piano by composer and flutist Philippe Gaubert, and Two Interludes for Flute, Violin, and Harp by composer Jacques Ibert. Next, from a century earlier, Viennese composure Franz Schubert’s Sonatina No. 1 for Violin and Piano will be performed, followed by Sonata for Flute, Violin and Continuo in B-flat Major from composer C.P.E. Bach, known as “Berlin Bach,” to distinguish him from his father Johann Sebastian. The concert will conclude with Trio for Violin, Cello, and Piano in C Major from German composer Johannes Brahms. Local residents Linda and Doug Garde are sponsors.
During the month of March, Sanibel Music Festival features seven ensembles at evening concerts at 7:30 pm plus one matinee at 2 p.m. This signature series is followed by two Emerging Artist Series concerts featuring the popular FGCU Bower School of music chamber ensembles on March 29 and April 5.
The 2022 season begins March 5 with America Pianist Jon Nakamatsu, Tenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Gold Medalist. The widely acclaimed Boston Trio performs March 12, featuring the trio’s founding member Pianist Heng-Jin Park, the noted Boston Symphony soloist cellist Jonah Ellsworth, and violinist Grace Park, winner of the 2018 Naumberg International Violin competition.
Members of the celebrated Juilliard String Quartet will perform March 15 with guest pianist Anna Polonsky. Polonsky has been included for this concert following the January death of the quartet’s distinguished violist, Roger Topping. On March 19, Haochen Zhang, Gold Medalist at the Thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and recipient of the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant, performs.
Opera Theater of Connecticut returns March 22 by popular demand with “Singing Andrew Lloyd Webber- Superstar of Song and Stage”. Performances at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. will include hits from Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, Evita, and the Phantom of the Opera, punctuated by commentary from Artistic Director Alan Mann, noted speaker and opera historian.
The acclaimed Emerson String Quartet performs March 26. Their unparalleled list of achievements spanning four decades includes more than thirty renowned recordings, nine Grammys (including two for the Best Classical Album), three Gramophone Awards, the Avery Fisher Prize, and Musical America’s “Ensemble of the Year.” They were inducted into the Classical Music Hall of Fame in 2010. In 2015, the Emerson received The Richard J. Bogomolny National Service Award, the highest award in classical chamber music.
The season concludes with the two Emerging Artist Series concerts featuring the Bower School of Music Orchestra and String Ensembles under the direction of Dr Kyle Szabo. “The concerts promise energy and surprises, including solo performances by Glen Basham, concertmaster of the Naples Philharmonic and Dr. Kyle Szabo, head of strings studies and Orchestra Director at FGCU,” said Festival Board Member Gloria Garrett.
Sanibel Music Festival is a volunteer organization focused on bringing chamber music, piano recital, and vocal ensemble of the highest caliber to southwest Florida. Evening concerts are presented at 7:30 pm on selected Tuesdays and Saturdays, with a matinee performance on March 22 at 2 p.m. for the Opera Theater of Connecticut. Emerging Artist Series concerts will be presented in the morning at 11 a.m. on March 29 and April 5.
Multiple discount packages are available and student tickets are half price. Emerging Artist Series concerts are performed for free will donations on the Sanibel Music Festival website or at the concert. Pre-register on the website to assure seating at the Sanibel Music Festival website .
All concerts will take place at Sanibel Congregational U.C.C. at 2050 Periwinkle Way, in the center of the island across from Periwinkle Place.
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