The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Twilight Series begins with Gilbert & Sullivan Players
FALLS VILLAGE » The weekend at Music Mountain begins with the first Twilight Series concert of the summer featuring the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players on Saturday, June 17.
Music Mountain’s Chamber Music Festival, continues its 88th Season on Sunday, June 18 with Alexander Fiterstein, Clarinet, Michael Brown, Piano, and Nicholas Canellakis, Cello performing Beethoven, Debussy, and Brahms.
The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players return for another summer to open the Twilight Series on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Acclaimed quintet of “Wand’ring Minstrels” present a delightful staged concert version of The Pirates of Penzance in one act. Act two features the Company’s favorite selections from the rest of the Gilbert & Sullivan repertoire, topped off with the ever popular NYGASP tour-de-force challenge: impromptu renditions of audience requests by the cast and Artistic Director Albert Bergeret.
Keeping with long-standing tradition, the Saturday Twilight Series features pre-concert dinners at the quaint Falls Village Inn. Experience a piece of history in this 175-year-old Inn before enjoying the living legacy of Gilbert & Sullivan.
On Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. Alexander Fiterstein, clarinet, Michael Brown, piano, and Nicholas Canellakis, cello, collaborate to present Beethoven: Clarinet Trio in B Flat Major, Opus 11; Two Klezmer Works for Clarinet Trio: Joachim Stutschewsky: Hasidic Fantasy and Lev Zhurbin (Ljova): Klezmer Hora; Debussy: Premiere Rhapsody for Clarinet & Piano; and Brahms: Clarinet Trio in A Minor, Opus 114.
Fiterstein is considered one of today’s most exceptional clarinet players. He has performed in recital and with prestigious orchestras and chamber music ensembles throughout the world. Fiterstein has been praised by The New York Times and The Washington Post and is recognized for playing that combines flawless technique and consummate musicianship. Fiterstein is the founder of The Zimro Project and The Alexander Fiterstein Trio. He is the clarinet professor at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
Brown has been described by The New York Times as a “young piano visionary” and “one of the leading figures in the current renaissance of performer-composers.” He is equally committed as a pianist and composer regularly performing concerto and solo recitals. Brown recently made debut solo recitals in Berlin, Milan, Florence, and Zurich. He joined the roster of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s CMS Two in 2015 and performs with the Society in Alice Tully Hall.
Canellakis has become one of the most sought-after and innovative cellists of his generation, captivating audiences throughout the United States and abroad. In addition to concerto appearances and numerous recitals each season, he is a regular guest artist at many of the world’s leading music festivals. Canellakis recently made his Carnegie Hall concerto debut, performing with the American Symphony Orchestra in Isaac Stern Auditorium. He is an artist of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, with which he performs regularly in Alice Tully Hall and on tour. Canellakis is on the faculty of the Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music.
Music Mountain is located in Falls Village, Connecticut on Music Mountain Road, where a short scenic drive will bring you to Gordon Hall atop Music Mountain. Free parking and picnic facilities are available.
Music Mountain is supported, in part, by the Connecticut Commission On Culture & Tourism and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Chamber music concerts continue with Cassatt String Quartet with Mihae Lee, Piano (June 25); Peter Serkin & Anna Polonsky Piano 4 Hands (July 2); Arianna String Quartet with Victoria Schwartzman, Piano (July 9); and Penderecki String Quartet with Leopoldo Erice, Piano (July 16).
The Saturday Evening Twilight Series continues with The New Black Eagle Jazz Band (June 24); Swingtime Big Band (July 1); The Peter & Will Anderson Trio (July 8); and Alexis Cuadrado Group (July 15).
Saturday evening preconcert dinner at the intimate Falls Village In at 5 p.m. is $70. Ticket includes dinner and the concert. Seating is limited; reservations must be made 24 hours prior to concert date.
For a complete summer schedule, special ticket prices, and to download a ticket order form visit www. musicmountain.org or call 860-824-7126.