The Susanville Chamber Music Festival, two days of amazing performances, will begin this Saturday, August 9th with a second program of chamber music to be offered next Saturday, August 16th. Both performances will be held at the Methodist church on South Lassen street beginning at 7:30p.m.
The festival was conceived by Johnny Lenz, the Susanville Symphony’s principal cellist for over ten years, whose vision was to bring together some of the finest musicians he knew from across the globe to perform some of the greatest works in a chamber music repertoire.
A few years ago, Johnny expressed interest in forming a summer music festival for the Susanville area partnered by the Susanville Symphony but bringing together the musicians he envisioned all at the same time proved to be an almost impossible task. Finally, this summer there was an aligning of the stars and his dream has come true. Many members of the Lenz family and extended family along with musicians from the Reno Philharmonic and the Susanville Choral Society will come together to perform.
When asked why a chamber festival, Lenz said that chamber music is about friendship.
“It comes from a wish to explore the deepest reaches of music with a small group of friends. Unlike in the orchestra world, where programs are put together quickly, the gestation of a chamber music concert is a long term project. It is about philosophy, the swapping of ideas, of thoughts. It is the most intimate form of music making, and also the most exciting.”
Lenz added that bringing the festival to our community was his first choice because of the enthusiasm that patrons express at every Susanville Symphony concert.
Musicians who will be featured in the two performances include internationally renowned pianist Nicholas Carthy; Concertmaster of the Reno Philharmonic, Ruth Lenz; Principal cellist of the Reno Philharmonic, Peter Lenz; Principal Horn of the Reno Philharmonic, John Lenz. Also featured will be internationally accomplished violist, Anne Ristorcelli; musical performer and pedagogue, Bruce McBeth and Mezzo Soprano, Liudmila Mullin.
Saturday, August 9th program includes; Handel-Halvorsen: Passacaglia for Violin and Cello, Schumann: Adagio and Allegro for Horn and Piano, Fantasiestuke for Cello and Piano, and Brahms: Piano Quartet.
The Saturday, August 16th program includes; Bach: Three Fugues from the Well-Tempered Clavier; Beethoven: Cello Sonate #3 and Schumann: Piano Quintet.
Tickets are available at Margie’s Book Nook or by calling the symphony hotline at 310-8111. $5 Student or Senior tickets, $12 general admission and $20 package for both concerts.
More info is available at www.susanvillesymphony.com.
