In Good Company: George Meyer, Annaliese & Paul Kowert and Friends

We are delighted to present a chamber music concert featuring George Meyer, Paul Kowert, Annaliese Kowert, and MaryGrace Bender—musicians connected by long-standing collaborations, shared musical curiosity, and a deep love for chamber music as a living, evolving art form.

The program traces a thoughtful arc between past and present, opening with J.S. Bach’s Sonata in G Major, BWV 1027, music originally conceived for viola da gamba and harpsichord. Here, the performers embrace both historical roots and modern flexibility, reimagining Bach’s contrapuntal elegance through a contemporary chamber setting.

At the heart of the evening are several works by George Meyer. His Duo for Violin and Viola (2020) and a set of short solo and duo pieces highlight clarity of line, rhythmic vitality, and a close musical dialogue between players. The Trio for Two Violins and Cello (Bass) (2021) continues this exploration, focusing on color, balance, and the distinctive voices of each instrument.

After intermission, the program continues with Anton Arensky’s Quartet No. 2. The work’s warm sonorities and lyrical writing offer a different sound world from the Bach heard earlier and from the contemporary works in the first half.

The evening concludes with Meyer’s Encore for String Quartet (2018), a playful and flexible work that reflects the ensemble’s openness and collaborative spirit—inviting listeners to experience familiar instruments in unexpected ways and closing the concert with a sense of curiosity and joy.