October 17 | Saturday, 6 PM
Chopin in Paris

A toast to the 200th anniversary of Chopin’s birth with Ballades, Mazurkas and Polonaises— framed by works of his contemporaries, including his friendly rival Franz Liszt. Acclaimed in every major concert hall throughout the world, and with a special affinity for Chopin and the Romantics, pianist Walter Ponce has been hailed by the Chicago Tribune as “magical.” Queen Elisabeth of Belgium Competition laureate Stephanie Houtzeel brings her vocal luster to arias by Donizetti and Bellini, whose operas influenced Chopin’s bel canto style, and to his rarely heard Polish songs.

Artists:
Walter Ponce, piano; Stephanie Houtzeel, mezzo-soprano;
Yehuda Hanani, cello

December 5 | Saturday, 6 PM
Soldier's Tale: Holiday Concert!

"'L'Histoire" known in English as "A Soldier's Story,' ... was an intriguing project, and a noble effort... [an]exuberant theatrical adventure... Stravinsky's winsomely galloping waltzes, polkas and marches framing the dialogues were in superb hands with the ensemble..."

Set to music by Igor Stravinsky, with a libretto based on a Russian folk tale, the much-loved l’Histoire du Soldat is a parable about a soldier who trades his fiddle to the devil for a get-rich-quick recipe. The music—orchestral color at the fore—is scored for a Luxon septet of strings, winds and percussion; and the story is told by a narrator, in this case renowned English baritone Benjamin Luxon. Virtuoso violinist Yehonatan Berick leads this performance and other holiday fare.

Artists:
Yehonatan Berick, violin; Willam Campbell, trumpet;
Daniel Gilbert; clarinet; David Lee Jackson, trombone;
Jeffrey Lyman, bassoon; Diana Gannett, bass;
Joseph Gramley, percussion; Yehuda Hanani, cello;
Benjamin Luxon, narrator

February 20 | Saturday, 6 PM
A Night of Quartets

A stunning program of works by Beethoven, Arensky and Prokofiev, all mining overlapping Russian folkloric themes, interpreted by the Avalon Quartet (“Engrossed, impassioned and imaginative…” — The New York Times). The Opus 59 No. 2 “Razumovsky” Quartet represents the pinnacle of Beethoven’s quartet writing, revolutionary in character and symphonic in reach. Arensky’s arresting work is for two cellos, and Prokofiev’s Quartet No. 2 bears his infatuation with folk instruments.

Artists:
Avalon String Quartet:
Blaise Magniere, violin; Marie Wang, violin;
Tony DeVroye, viola; Cheng-Hou Lee, cello;
Yehuda Hanani, cello

March 20 | Saturday, 6 PM
The Romantic Bach

Bach through the filter of Schumann, Mendelssohn, Brahms (the brilliant Chaconne arrangement for left-hand piano) and Liszt, and unfiltered, in his own voice, in Suites and Partitas. Truly a composer for all seasons and for all times, Bach, like Shakespeare, emerges always relevant through different ages and treatments. Plus the world premiere of a new neo Bach chamber piece commissioned by CEWM in homage to his magisterial presence.

Artists:
Cordelia Hagmann, violin; James Tocco, piano;
Yehuda Hanani, cello

Adam Neiman

April 24 | Saturday, 6 PM
Chopin and His Circle

A second evening celebrating the Chopin 200th anniversary: From John Field, father of the Nocturne, who paved the way for Chopin’s masterworks of the genre, to Hummel, whose music Chopin heard in Poland and whose concerti he played, to Auguste Franchomme, his cohort, and to the charismatic Paganini, a frequent collaborator, this program offers a spectrum of Chopin’s friends and mentors as well as his sublimely poignant, swoon-inducing Ballades and Nocturnes. Adam Neiman, a latter-day Romantic, elicits lavish praise for his Chopin—“Playing of wisdom and light”—The Washington Post.

Artists:
Adam Neiman, piano; Stefan Milenkovich, violin;
Yehuda Hanani, cello; Amy Gillingham, cello

June 5 | Saturday, 6 PM
Prague Spring–Czech Idyll

From the land of Franz Kafka, bucolic landscapes, and Bohemian crystal, music by Dvorák, Smetana, and Janácek that glows with lyricism and melodiousness. Dvorák’s Piano Quintet is a recognized masterpiece, and along with the other selections, it over-flows with Mittel-European ease, cultivation and affecting tenderness. It’s never too far from the Czech countryside and a languid summer’s evening. This Gala concert is followed by a Patrons’ reception for all CEWM season contributors.

Artists:
Lydia Artymiw, piano; Erin Keefe, violin; Lily Francis, violin;
Toby Appel, viola; Yehuda Hanani, cello