By Arthur Stampleman
I have enjoyed chamber music for many years, attending concerts in private homes in Westchester and various New York City venues. But only in the past few years have I become familiar with an outstanding concert series offered close to home. I have enjoyed the series offered by The Westchester Chamber Music Society so much that I want to be sure all local music lovers are aware of it.
The Westchester Chamber Music Society is celebrating its 67th anniversary this season. Led by its president, Dr. Caroline Bauman, it has been bringing first-rate artists to Westchester, including the Tokyo, Emerson, and Brentano string quartets. “We have many longtime subscribers and newer members who enjoy the unique experience of listening to chamber music in a space similar in size to the ones in which Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven originally performed,” said Bauman.
The Society hosts five concerts each year Sunday afternoons at 4 at Congregation Emanuel-El of Westchester on the border of Rye and Harrison.
Audience members, myself included, and performers have found that the hall has excellent acoustics and is well suited for chamber music. After each performance, concertgoers are invited to meet the musicians at an informal reception at which refreshments are served.
A first-rate program is lined up this year:
October 15: The Ariel Quartet. They have performed throughout North America, Europe and Israel. Program: Mozart, Bartok, and Brahms.
November 19:The Dover String Quartet. In 2013-14, they became the first Quartet-in-Residence of the venerated Curtis Institute of Music.
December 10: The Walsh-Drucker-Cooper Trio. Comprised of Eugene Drucker of Emerson Quartet fame, his wife cellist Roberta Cooper, and pianist Diane Walsh.
March 18: Amerigo Trio. Features former New York Philharmonic Concertmaster Glenn Dicterow.
April 22: The Frisson Ensemble. A nine-piece chamber ensemble featuring young classical musicians and showcasing a myriad of rarely performed masterworks.
Season subscriptions or individual tickets are available, and students are admitted at no charge. Information is available at http://www.westchesterchambermusicsociety.com.
