Lenape Chamber Ensemble completes its spring season with concerts at 8:15 p.m. Friday, at Upper Tinicum Lutheran Church, off Route 32, in Upper Black Eddy, and 3 p.m. Sunday, in the Life Sciences Auditorium at Delaware Valley University, 700 E. Butler Ave. in Doylestown.
The program will begin with a composition written in 1795 by Franz Joseph Haydn – his “Piano Trio No. 1 in G Major.” One of 31 trios he wrote for violin, cello and piano, this trio nicknamed “Gypsy,” ends with the famous Hungarian Rondo.
Bringing their unique artistry to this lyrical and high-spirited work are Katie Hyun, founding member of both the Quodlibet Ensemble and the award-winning Amphion Quartet; Alberto Parrini, principal cellist of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic and regular performer with the New York Philharmonic and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and Lenape’s favorite prizewinning pianist, Marcantonio Barone, performer with major orchestras on four continents.
The next selection, the “Piano Quartet in A minor, Op. 67,” skips forward two centuries, written in 1931 by Joaquin Turina, who, together with Albeniz and DeFalla, were the three recognized Spanish composers of the early 20th century. But while the latter two wrote music with a definite flamenco style, Turina’s music also shows a strong French influence.
Barone and Parrini return to the stage, along with violinist Emily Daggett Smith, who is currently first violinist of the Vega String Quartet in residence at Emory University in Atlanta, and Dana Kelley, violist with the Orpheus and St. Paul Chamber Orchestras.
British composer Ethel Smyth’s “String Quintet in E Major,” written in 1883 is the final selection. Smyth was treated by critics in a condescending manner as a “woman composer” and her works were never taken seriously. Despite this, plus her father’s opposition, she pursued her music studies and attended Leipzig Conservatory in Germany.
She also became a passionate advocate of the women’s suffrage movement and spent some time in prison for her political activities. Much later, as the times changed, she earned great recognition and was honored by the rank of “Dame” Ethel Smyth.
Cellist Robert Burkhardt, soloist at several New York recital halls, and performer throughout Japan as a member of the New York Symphonic Ensemble, joins the other string players this selection.
For tickets, visit lenapechamberensemble.org or call 610-294-9361. They also will be available at the door.
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