Cabaret, Operetta, and Quintessential Viennese Charm—Composers from Haydn, Mozart, Schubert and Beethoven to Lehar, Johan Strauss Jr., Fritz Kreisler, Korngold, Mahler and Schonberg Capture the Many Faces of the Imperial City.

Close Encounters with Music presents “Café Vienna—Nervous Splendor,” Sunday, May 19, 4 PM at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Join us for this intriguing chamber music performance!

The ”Café Vienna” program takes a cross-section of Viennese musical modes—from operetta to waltz, Beethoven’s Piano Trio which spins on a popular song by Weigl, to Schubert’s sublime testament to his beloved métier, “An die Musik.”  And of course, the quintessential café music of Fritz Kreisler, “Caprice Viennois.”  In charm, verve, and artistic sophistication, Vienna’s past is unsurpassed. 

The imperial “City of Song” has played an essential role as a leading European cultural center, hosting major personalities in the development of music, as well as literature, painting, psychiatry and intellectual thought, from the 16th to 20th centuries. As in the architecture, musical styles that sprang up are a mix of Baroque, Classical, Art Nouveau, Modernist and sleek contemporary. During the 19th century, the café became a meeting place for the creative set in town.  Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven, Brahms, Johan Strauss Jr., Mahler, Korngold, all of whom are represented on the program, could be found in their favorite coffee houses, penning compositions while greeting the likes of Gustav Klimt, Arthur Schnitzler, Stefan Zweig, Rilke, Freud, Kafka, Werfel, or Wittgenstein.

“The city was the crowning glory of the Hapsburg empire. The paradox of its reaching unparalleled heights in the flowering of the arts, literature, sciences as it was gradually crumbling – declining politically and economically – makes it a fascinating historical case study.  From the founder of the classical dynasty, Haydn, all the way to the rebellion of Arnold Schonberg, and everything in between – cabaret, operetta, Beethoven trio—the program is as eclectic as Vienna itself was” says artistic director Yehuda Hanani.  

Under the artistic influence of mezzo-soprano Emily Marvosh, pianist Ieva Jokubaviciute, and violinist Xiao-Dong Wang, who join cellist and artistic director Yehuda Hanani, Vienna’s magic will cast its spell.  

All performers are frequent guests of Close Encounters With Music. Lithuanian pianist Ieva Jokubaviciute’s ability to communicate the essential substance of a work has led critics to describe her as possessing “razor-sharp intelligence and wit” and “subtle, complex, almost impossibly detailed and riveting in every way” (The Washington Post) and as “an artist of commanding technique, refined temperament and persuasive insight” (The New York Times).  American contralto Emily Marvosh has been gaining recognition for her “plum-wine voice,” and “graceful allure,” on the stages of Carnegie Hall, Jordan Hall, Disney Hall, Lincoln Center, Prague’s Smetana Hall and Vienna’s Stefansdom. Following her solo debut at Boston’s Symphony Hall in 2011, she has been a frequent soloist with the Handel and Haydn Society. Recent solo appearances include the American Bach Soloists, Washington National Cathedral, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood. Xiao-Dong Wang, who has been called the most talented violinist to emerge from China, has performed as soloist with orchestras around the world, including the London Royal Philharmonic, the London Mozart Players, Adelaide, Perth, Queensland symphony orchestras and Sydney Opera Orchestra.

As of this season, CEWM has fully resumed its hors d’oeuvres and wine receptions.  Audience members are invited to meet the artists and enjoy beverages and bites by Authentic Eats by Oleg on stage at the Afterglow receptions. Join us!

TICKET INFORMATION 

Tickets, $52 for Orchestra and Mezzanine and $25 for Balcony seats, can be purchased at www.cewm.org or by calling 413-528-0100.  In addition to offering live in-person concerts, curated online performances are available to accommodate geographically remote listeners and newly expanded virtual followers. Tickets are $28 for individual programs, delivered to your email address!

“CEWM patrons have learned that sooner or later they’ll be blindsided by a performance so sublime it will defy explanation.”  – The Berkshire Edge