“The sap is rising!” Few people remember that quote or its disastrous results. Adlai Stevenson III was running for Governor of Illinois a long time ago. He made that statement shortly after he announced his candidacy comparing his elation at running with early spring when the sugar maples come to life. He was done for. He could never live that confession down. The “sap,” so to speak, stuck to him.
Although we are on the verge of summer, and I’ve been through this pre-season excitement 33 years already, dare I say it? I have to admit, I think I have something in common with old Adlai. In just a day or two, Midsummer’s Music will be celebrating another opening night, and I think it will be one of our very best ever. Of course, I would think that—I planned it that way. But seriously, two great works by Mozart and Mendelssohn on the same program? These two composers go so well together—like tea and crumpets, or wine and roses, or, since we’re in Wisconsin, beer and brats. First of all, they are two of the most precocious musicians who ever lived, and these are both early works. (Of course, everything they wrote is sort of early because they died so young). Also, they were both among the greatest virtuosos on their instruments (piano) and concertized widely. And, both of these works have piano parts that they fashioned to show off their own extraordinary abilities as they performed around Europe.
However, as wonderful as the music is, I am also very much looking forward to our superb group of musicians who will be performing. It just doesn’t get any better. Jeannie Yu is back to mesmerize us with her flawless and beautiful piano artistry. And David Perry will be leaving us breathless with his gorgeous violin playing and leadership qualities among the strings. And, he will be joined by his colleague from the Pro Arte Quartet in Madison on viola, Sally Chisholm. She is much in demand, and we have to share her with the Marlboro Festival in Vermont, but she will be with us for this program and then come back in August. We are also delighted to welcome a new cellist for this program, Ana Kim, who fairly recently became the Assistant Principal Cellist of Lyric Opera in Chicago. She is a fine talent and comes so highly recommended that I can’t wait to hear her and the resulting chemistry with our other musicians.
I particularly like the instrumentation of the Mendelssohn because it uses two violas. This means that Sally will be joined by our own Allyson Fleck, who will be playing a good deal during the season as well as fulfilling her ongoing duties as Executive Director. Many of you may not know that Allyson is a former student of Sally’s at UW–Madison, getting both her Masters and Doctorate under Sally’s tutelage. They continue as close friends and colleagues and are like twins in the ensemble. This reunion always has special meaning. But one of the real surprises in this piece is the use of double bass. Mendelssohn obviously wanted a big string sound – somewhat orchestral in nature – so he added bass. That, with the two violas, provides a warm and full sound. Kris Saebo from Madison is back with us for this program providing that foundational bass support. Kris leads a very active and varied career as a performer and teacher including being a founder of the Decoda Chamber Music Festival in New York where he continues as Co-Director. By the way, Kris’s wife, Alicia Lee, will be with us in early July to play Clarinet in Robert Schumann’s Fairy Tales. Alicia is Professor of Clarinet at UW–Madison.
However, there is more to this program than the magic of Mozart and Mendelssohn. Concerts will begin with a very special piece by Alice Verne-Bredt, a 19th and early 20th century composer who has been much neglected. Her one-movement Phantasie for Piano Trio from 1908 is a fine way to be introduced to her music. It is passionate, wistful, and energetic at times—a wonderful opening for our 34th season. Incidentally, Verne-Bredt studied piano with Marie Schumann, the daughter of Clara and Robert. I predict you will hear great chemistry when Jeannie Yu, David Perry, and Ana Kim engage in this work. The subtitle of this work is “Under the Light, There Is Darkness.” Moody and probing indeed.
Our Opening Night Gala at the Kress Pavilion in Egg Harbor is a very special way to experience this program. It is such a festive event with an Island Orchard Cider toast to start and a sumptuous reception following. Commentary that evening will be by Wisconsin Public Radio Host Norman Gilliland. But you can also hear it on Saturday, June 15, at St. Luke’s Church in Sister Bay, where it will be performed in memory of Lori Holton, or Sunday, June 16, at Hope Church in Sturgeon Bay, and Tuesday, June 18th, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Ephraim. I hope your sap is stirring, too, and that you will give our office a call at (920) 854-7088 or visit www.midsummersmusic.com for tickets or more information. I am confident Opening Night will sell out and some other venues may as well, so reserve your tickets now to save your spot.
Jim Berkenstock, Artistic Director