This chamber concert features a wide array of musical works inspired by poems of the 20th century and the contemporary era. The Seattle based poet and author Patrick Milian will read the poems, including one of his original poems. Come explore the duality of light and dark, love and anguish, as we welcome the winter season.

PROGRAM

• Florence Price Song to the Dark Virgin

• Ruth Crawford Seeger White Moon

• Charles DuParc Invitation au voyage

• Samuel Barber O Boundless Evening

• Samuel Barber La nuit

• Boulanger: Three Pieces for Cello and Piano

• Amy Beach: Two Songs for Soprano, Violin, Cello, and Piano

• Jennifer Higdon Love Sweet for Soprano, Violin, Cello, and Piano

with Susan Payne O’Brien, soprano, Dawn Posey, violin, Emily Hu, cello

and Patrick Millian, poet

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Rachmaninoff Cello Sonata

with Samantha Sinai, cello

The program features three works by Russian composers, each exploring the unique expressive power of the darker end of the sonic spectrum. Shostakovich’s deeply personal swan song for viola and piano and virtuosic arrangements from Prokofiev’s iconic Romeo and Juliet are paired with contemporary composer Alexei Kurbatov’s spellbinding, unusually voiced trio—guiding listeners on an intimate journey of pathos, tenderness, and transcendence.

Selection from Romeo and Juliet for Viola and Piano

Dmitri Shostakovich Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. 147

Alexey Kurbatov Trio for Viola, Cello, and Piano, Op. 31

with Erin Wight, viola, Chris Young, cello

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Rachmaninoff Sonata for Cello and Piano

Clara Schumann Three Romances for Cello and Piano

with Samantha Sinai, cello

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Rachmaninoff Sonata for Cello and Piano

Schumann Three Romances for Cello ad Piano

with Samantha Sinai, cello

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Piano Trio in A Minor by Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnsson

Piano Trio in E Minor by Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnsson

Selected Songs by Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnsson

with Clarice Alfonso, soprano, Cecilia Archuleta, violin, Willie Braun, cello

The Father of Icelandic classical music and composer of the Icelandic National Anthem, Sveinbjörn Svenbjörnsson, was the first Icelandic composer to travel abroad to hone his craft. Although he subsequently spent most of his life off the island – in Copenhagen, Leipzig, and Edinburgh – he continued to compose with thoughts of both his surroundings and his motherland. Experience the gorgeous sounds of his two piano trios and a selection of songs.

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Piano Trio in A Minor by Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnsson

Piano Trio in E Minor by Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnsson

Selected Songs by Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnsson

with Clarice Alfonso, soprano, Cecilia Archuleta, violin, Willie Braun, cello

The Father of Icelandic classical music and composer of the Icelandic National Anthem, Sveinbjörn Svenbjörnsson, was the first Icelandic composer to travel abroad to hone his craft. Although he subsequently spent most of his life off the island – in Copenhagen, Leipzig, and Edinburgh – he continued to compose with thoughts of both his surroundings and his motherland. Experience the gorgeous sounds of his two piano trios and a selection of songs.

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Shostakovich Sonata for viola and piano
Beethoven Sonata, Op 81a "Les Adieux" for solo piano
Kurtag Signs, Games and Messages for solo viola (selections)

Kurbatov Trio for piano, viola, and cello

with Erin Wight, viola, Chris Young, cello

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Mozart Piano Trio in B-flat Major, K. 502

Kati Agócs: Queen of Hearts

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49

with Dawn Posey, violin, Sarah Rommel, cello

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