Raritan River Music Festival, winner of the National Award for Adventurous Programming from ASCAP/Chamber Music America, will present a series of four concerts throughout the month of May.
Laura Oltman, co-founding director of Raritan River Music, explained the “Tributes: The Legacy of Musical Traditions” theme: “We are the product of those who came before us, set the stage, laid the foundation for creating the music and culture of today. This year, we honor the founders of musical organizations that have been influential in our lives, providing the legacy upon which Raritan River Music has grown to become an integral part of the community.”
The 34th festival will present internationally-known ensembles and soloists in concert – live and in person, in addition to online video streaming provided by The Animal Farm music production studio. Performers include the Bergamot String Quartet, the Four Nations Baroque Ensemble, the Mohawk Trail Piano Trio, Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo, and soloists Clare Hoffman, flute, Martha Mooke, electric viola, and Robert Bonfiglio, harmonica.
Concerts are as follows:
*The Four Nations Ensemble “Les Grands: French Baroque Music from Court & Concert,” :30 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at Clinton Presbyterian Church, 91 Center St., Clinton, N.J.
*Bergamot Quartet feat. Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo “Laments & Dances: Music from the Folk Traditions,” 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at Stanton Reformed Church, 1 Stanton Mountain Road, Stanton, N.J.
*The Mohawk Trail Piano Trio (violin, cello, piano) “Musical Monuments: Masterpieces by Arensky and Price,” 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at Old Greenwich Presbyterian Church, 17 Greenwich Church Road, Stewartsville, N.J.
*Serenade for the Grand Canyon, starring: Martha Mooke, viola/electric viola; Clare Hoffman, flute; Robert Bonfiglio, harmonica; and Laura Oltman & Michael Newman, guitars, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 27, at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, 2 Race St, Pittstown (Grandin), N.J.
Tickets and details about performers and composers, online streaming, musician videos, and more can be found at www.RaritanRiverMusic.org. For information, call 908-213-1100 or email info@RaritanRiverMusic.org
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