A season like this needs a concluding celebration!
Midsummer’s Music is a leader among chamber music organizations in presenting works by lesser-known composers – especially woman composers and racially diverse composers – often alongside household names like Mozart and Mendelssohn. With its Celebratory Fireworks program, Midsummer’s extends an invitation to celebrate the end of an amazing season and to experience music by a more obscure woman Croatian violinist, an increasingly popular modern American classical and folk pianist, and one of the greats—a late Romantic and early modern era German composer and conductor.
The pyrotechnics begin with Dora Pejačević’s romantically sumptuous Piano Quartet in D Minor, Op. 25, for piano, violin, viola, and cello, followed by Midsummer’s most requested piece—Paul Schoenfield’s outrageous Café Music for piano, violin, and cello. The program and 2023 season conclude with the Piano Quartet in C Minor, Op. 13, for piano and strings by the superlative Richard Strauss. Coming from the same period as his tone poems Don Juan and Death and Transfiguration, it is likewise a tour de force!
On Monday, September 4, a rousing Celebratory Fireworks fundraising gala at Björklunden in Baileys Harbor supports the future of live music in Door County. The incomparable John Clare – Symphony Hall’s host on SiriusXM – is the event’s special guest emcee. Concertgoers will be treated to incredible music with world-class musicians, a scrumptious buffet from Fresh Chefs, and a selection of wines and other beverages. A fun silent auction featuring works by Door County artists and a thrilling live auction and paddle raiser offer myriad opportunities at all levels to help foster the mission of Midsummer’s Music for generations to come.
The program’s exceptional musicians are Jeannie Yu, piano; David Perry, violin; Sally Chisholm, viola; and Paula Kosower, cello.
Performances are 7:00pm, September 1, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Ephraim; 7:00pm, September 2, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Sister Bay, sponsored by Daniel and Sarah Myers; and 3:00pm, September 4, at the Labor Day Gala at Björklunden in Baileys Harbor, sponsored by Jim & Jean Berkenstock, David & Nancy Borghesi, Sandra Zingler, Fortifi Bank & Sugar Maple Asset Management, Larry & Cynthia Crock, and George & Julie Fiedler.
A complete 2023 summer brochure can be downloaded at www.midsummersmusic.com.
Tickets are $38 for adults, $17 for students, and children 12 and under are free with an adult. Premium prices apply for the Labor Day Gala. Flex-packs of six tickets for the price of five tickets are also available and can be used at regularly priced concerts. Tickets can be ordered at www.midsummersmusic.com or by phone at 920-854-7088.
Midsummer’s Music was co-founded in 1990 by Jim and Jean Berkenstock, long-time Door County summer residents and principal orchestral players with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. What began as two concerts among friends has become one of the Midwest’s most anticipated chamber music series, bringing thousands of chamber music enthusiasts from around the globe to the magical Door County Peninsula.
For more information visit www.midsummersmusic.com.
High-resolution photos can be downloaded at https://www.midsummersmusic.com/photos/.
Jeannie Yu (credit Heidi Hodges): https://midsummersmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Jeannie-Yu-Piano.jpg
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For Calendar Listings:
19th Century French Rapture
Quintet in C Minor, Op. 42 Louis Vierne
Quintet No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 7 Charles-Marie Widor
August 25, 7:00 pm: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Ephraim
August 26, 7:00 pm: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Sister Bay
Splendid Stories
Four Two-Bit Contraptions Jan Bach
En Saga, Op. 9 (Gregory Barrett arr.) Jean Sibelius
Quintet in G Major, Op. 77 Antonín Dvořák
August 27, 5:00 pm: Woodwalk Gallery, Egg Harbor
August 29, 7:00 pm: Björklunden, Baileys Harbor
August 30, 7:00 pm: Mutchler Residence Salon Concert, Sturgeon Bay
August 31, 7:00 pm: Donald & Carol Kress Pavilion, Egg Harbor
September 3, 3:00 pm: The Clearing Folk School, Ellison Bay
Celebratory Fireworks!
Piano Quartet in D Minor, Op. 25 Dora Pejacevic
Café Music Paul Schoenfeld
Piano Quartet in C Minor, Op. 13 Richard Strauss
September 1, 7:00 pm: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Ephraim
September 2, 7:00 pm: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Sister Bay
September 4, 3:00 pm: Labor Day Gala, Björklunden, Baileys Harbor
Gather with the Griffon
A free midday miniconcert that is part of the Griffon String Quartet’s B Double Sharp programming designed for seniors to engage the mind and spirit through music and conversation.
September 7, 12:00pm: First Presbyterian Church, Green Bay
Beneath the Waves CD Release Concert and Reception
Eric Lewis and the Griffon String Quartet
September 9, 7:00pm: Gould Theater at Northern Sky Theater, Fish Creek