2022-23
Concerts

Rhiannon Giddens has made a singular, iconic career out of stretching her brand of folk music, with its miles-deep historical roots and contemporary sensibilities, into just about every field imaginable.

Thirty years after her formative busking days Peyroux is the proud curator of nine beguiling albums and an accomplished performer with sold-out worldwide tours under her belt. Her atmospheric version of Serge Gainsborough’s La Javanaise was used in the soundtrack of the Oscar winning film The Shape of Water and her countless accolades include the coveted BBC International Artist Of The Year honor. 2023 finds the prolific musician continuing her world tour around the 2021 release of Careless Love Deluxe Anniversary Edition.

Haydn is well known for his 104 symphonies and 68 string quartets, but his piano trios supply equal delight for listeners and inspiring challenges for performers. In this program, we hear the direct effect of Haydn’s genius on Beethoven, as three familiar and formidable CMS musicians tackle a four-work juxtaposition of seminal trios by both composers. We will hear each composer’s trios evolve, as they did side-by-side in Vienna, where Haydn and Beethoven enjoyed a cordial if somewhat competitive relationship. Beethoven’s “Ghost” Trio concludes, its eerie slow movement reportedly inspired by the witches’ scene from Macbeth.

Blue Note Records is celebrating their 85th Anniversary with a U.S. Tour starring “The Blue Note Quintet” – A group brought together to honor the label’s rich history and pave the way for the eclectic artists of today’s roster. Six-time Grammy Award nominee Gerald Clayton leads the band as Musical Director and Pianist; “Gerald Clayton is one of the most accomplished, distinctive and innovative pianists performing today” says Don Was, the The Blue Note label’s President since 2012. Rounding out the group is vibraphonist Joel Ross, Saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, Drummer Kendrick Scott, and Bassist Matt Brewer.

In a celebration of instrumental odd couples, three duo teams highlight the extremes of possibility for their ensembles. Maurice Duruflé’s post-Romantic trio augments the duo format, and all join for the concluding Septet by virtuoso pianist Johann Hummel, who was a pupil of Mozart and Haydn and was admired by Beethoven. Featuring Juho Pohjonen, piano; Paul Neubauer, viola; Nick Canellakis, cello; Nina Bernat, double bass; Sooyun Kim, flute; James Austin Smtih, oboe; Radovan Vlatkovic, horn.

With her GRAMMY-Award winning and chart-topping album, Linger Awhile, 23-year-old Samara Joy makes her case to join the likes of Sarah, Ella, and Billie as the next jazz singing sensation. The New York Times praised the “silky-voiced rising star” for “helping jazz take a youthful turn” while NPR All Things Considered named her a “classic jazz singer from a new generation.” In February 2023, Samara Joy took home two GRAMMYs - Best Jazz Vocal Album and the auspicious Best New Artist award.

The deeply human voices of violins, violas, and cellos have inspired much of the greatest music ever composed. From Beethoven’s earliest all-string work to Francaix’s effervescent trio, this program offers a rich feast of string sonorities from the 18th century to the modern age. Featuring violinists Chad Hoopes and Bella Hristova; violists Matthew Lipman and Timothy Ridout and cellist Sihao He.