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Clarinetist Anthony McGill[/column]
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Violin Virtuoso Frank Huang
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By Roy Ziegler
One generally thinks immediately of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart when discussing composers whose great careers ended far too soon by their tragic early deaths. But, unfortunately, there were many other gifted classical composers whose great talents were silenced in the midst of promising careers.
On Sunday, November 16 at 3:00 PM at the Trinity Church in Solebury, the Concordia Chamber Players will pay homage to three such composers whose early exits from this life undoubtedly deprived the world of countless musical treasures.
Samuel Coleridge Taylor, an African-British composer and a fellow student of Vaughn Williams, wrote his famous Clarinet Quintet after being challenged by Williams to compose a work that would match Brahms. Some music critics believe that Taylor succeeded with this beautifully expressive, heartfelt charming quintet. Pneumonia claimed Taylor’s life when he was just thirty-seven years old. The Metropolitan Opera’s brilliant young principal clarinetist, Anthony McGill, will be featured in this performance just two months after the composition was presented at the BBC Proms 2008.
Gideon Klein’s String Trio is a celebration of the human spirit’s undying drive to express its soul to the world regardless of the tragedies that beset mankind. Written just three months before his horrible death at the age of twenty-five at Furstengrubbe concentration camp, Klein’s String Trio is a wonderful, life-affirming composition.
The genius of Felix Mendelssohn is so readily identifiable by music lovers throughout the world. In a lifespan of just thirty-eight years, Mendelssohn became one of the most prolific and acclaimed composers in music history; often compared to Mozart. His Viola Quintet, cheerful, passionate, soulful and romantic, is certain to lift the spirits of the audience. Violinist, Frank Huang, whose appearance with Concordia last season left the audience applauding for more, will lead the Quintet.
The Concordia Chamber Players are directed by cellist, Michelle Djokic, Artistic Director. Violinist, Carmit Zori, a long-time favorite of Concordia audiences and Robert Rinehart and David Cerutti, Violists will also be featured.
Tickets for the Concordia concert are $25 at the door. Season tickets for three concerts for just $60 are still available and may be purchased at www.concordiaplayers.org.