Harlem Quartet, Alan Ferber Nonet to perform

FALLS VILLAGE > > Music Mountain, continues its 88th season this weekend with the Alan Ferber Nonet on Saturday night, and the Grammy Award-winning Harlem Quartet performing Sunday, July 30 at 3 p.m. with guest artist FeiFei Dong, piano.

The Alan Ferber Nonet, nominated for a 2014 Grammy Award in the Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album category, The Wall Street Journal described them as “somehow both old school and cutting edge.” Trombonist-composer Alan Ferber has been recognized as one of the leading trombonists of his generation. Ferber’s music draws from a broad stylistic base informed by the array of artists with whom he has closely worked. Since 2011, he has been an adjunct professor of jazz studies at New York University’s Steinhardt School.

Keeping with long-standing tradition, the Saturday Twilight Series features preconcert dinners at the quaint Falls Village Inn.

The Harlem Quartet, with guest artist Fei-Fei Dong, piano, offers a unique program on Sunday afternoon featuring Webern: Langsamer Satz; Mozart: String Quartet in B Flat Major, K. 458 “Hunt;” Duke Ellington: Sophisticated Lady (1932) arr. Alan Broadbent (2016); William Bolcom: Three Rags for String Quartet (comp. 1970; arr. 1989): Poltergeist, Graceful Ghost, and Incineratorag; Guido López-Gavilán: Guaguancó (comp. 1998; arr. 2015); and Brahms: Piano Quartet in C Minor, Opus 60.

Since its public debut in 2006 at Carnegie Hall, the New York-based Harlem Quartet has performed throughout the U.S., as well as in France, the U.K., Belgium, Panama, Canada, and in South Africa. In addition to performing on chamber music series around the world, The Harlem Quartet has collaborated with distinguished classical performers and jazz legends, and has appeared with renowned orchestras as individual solo artists. The Harlem Quartet’s mission is to advance diversity in classical music, engaging young and new audiences through the discovery and presentation of varied repertoire that includes works by minority composers.

Praised for her passion, precision, and nuance, Chinese pianist Fei-Fei Dong continues to build a reputation for her poetic interpretations, charming audiences in the U.S. and abroad. Her burgeoning career includes a number of prominent concerto engagements, summer festival appearances, and recital performances. Deeply committed to sharing her joy for music and connecting with communities, Ms. Dong also engages students and community audiences through frequent school and outreach concerts and master classes.

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 Aeolus String Quartet with Geoffrey Burleson, Piano (August 6); St. Petersburg Piano Quartet (August 13 & August 20); and Daedalus String Quartet with Tanya Bannister, Piano (August 27).

The Saturday Evening Twilight Series continues with Ben Kono Group (Aug. 5); Ryan Keberle & Catharsis (Aug. 12); Todd Marcus Quintet (Aug. 19); and Michael Berkeley (Aug. 26).

Saturday evening pre-concert dinner at the intimate Falls Village Inn 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 schedule, ticket prices, and to download a ticket order form visit www.musicmountain.org or call 860-824-7126.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HARLEM QUARTET The Harlem Quartet with pianist Fei-Fei Dong, performs at Music Mountain on Sunday afternoon.