Music serves as a unifying force across cultures and eras, cultivates connections, promotes empathy, and provides relief from life’s stressors. Ben Dorfan extends a hand of friendship and support to the citizens of Ukraine under siege by Russia with his new piano trio. Tina Davidson started composing LEAP in January of 2020, but amid the COVID lockdown felt compelled to completely reimagine the music. Frank Bridge blends French impressionism and German romanticism in his Phantasy for piano quartet creating his own style described as “Brahms happily tempered with Faure.” Dvorak’s Piano Quintet No. 2 concludes the program. It began as a revision of his first quintet, but evolved into a completely new creation, now considered one of the greatest pieces of chamber music ever written.

Program

Performers

Kristin Garbeff, concert director & cello

Cynthia Baehr-Williams, violin

Samantha Bounkeua, violin

Chad Kaltinger, viola

Kumiko Uyeda, piano