Anthony McGill, ClarinetistBy Roy Ziegler
The Concordia Chamber Players returns for its eleventh season on Sunday, November 11 at 3:00 PM at its new concert venue in the Trinity Church on Upper York and Sugan Roads featuring one of the nation’s bright, young and dynamic concert virtuosos. Anthony McGill, the Principal Clarinetist for the Metropolitan Opera Company, received the Avery Fisher Career Grant and has gone on to become one of the most sought-after soloists and chamber musicians in the country. Mr. McGill has recently appeared at the Music @ Menlo and Marlboro Music Festivals. He has described his position with the Metropolitan Opera Company as a dream come true that inspires him every day.
The Sunday afternoon program will portray a journey through the great romantic tradition of Viennese chamber music of the late 19th century. It opens with the Trio in d minor by Alexander Zemlinsky for piano, clarinet and cello in what Mr. McGill described as work, “…with it’s sweeping melodies and wonderful lines takes you away to a different world. It’s one of the great pieces for this combination of instruments.” The work was not only inspired by Brahms’ well loved clarinet trio, but was greatly influenced by the master himself. Zemlinsky was a student of Brahms. Joining McGill will be the internationally acclaimed pianist, Diane Walsh who earlier this fall performed with unanimous praise by music critics; the Beethoven Diabelli Variations in a new play by Moises Kaufmann entitled “33 Variations”. Concordia’s artistic director and founder, cellist, Michelle Djokic, will lead the ensemble.
Then, the audience will be treated to a glimpse of what might have been if Gustav Mahler had invested himself in writing works for chamber ensembles. The only composition he left in this discipline was also his first, written when he was just 16 years old. He wrote only one movement and 24 measures of a scherzo of a Piano Quartet in the key of a minor which Mahler thought symbolized the “unconscious anticipation of things to come”. Even at that young age, he may have already sensed his own future that portended a great deal of suffering in Mahler’s life from the untimely death of his children and his own ill health.
The musical sojourn in Vienna will conclude with the treasured Piano Quartet in g minor by Johannes Brahms. Joining Walsh and Djokic for the two piano quartets will be the illustrious husband and wife team, and long-time favorite of Concordia audiences, violinist, Carmit Zori and Robert Rinehart, violist. Carmit is the artistic director of the critically acclaimed Brooklyn Chamber Music Society and Robert is a member of the New York Philharmonic.
Meet these world class musicians immediately following the performance at a delightful reception. Prizes ranging from dinner for two at the Lambertville Station to a $500 gift certificate at the Gratz Gallery will be awarded to lucky ticket holders. Tickets are $25 or a subscription to all three concerts for $60. Concordia Chamber Players offers free admission to children up to the age of 15. Please visit our web site www.concordiaplayers.org for more information or call 215-297-5972 for reservations