Sherman Chamber Ensemble to give 2nd performance of Summer series

SHERMAN, KENT — Following on the heels of July’s sold-out seasonopening performance, the Sherman Chamber Ensemble, under the artistic direction of Eliot Bailen, will present the second concert of its Summer Masterpiece Series, featuring works by Ludwig von Beethoven, Shulamit Ran and Franz Joseph Hayden. Concerts continue Saturday at 8 p.m. The first cocnert was held Friday.

The programs include: Eyeglass duo for viola and cello, Ludwig van Beethoven; East Wind — flute solo, Shulamit Ran; Quartet arr. For flute and strings, Op. 77, No. 1, Franz Joseph Haydn; and String Quartet, Op. 132, Ludwig van Beethoven.

Saturday’s concert will be dedicated to the memory of Mary Rindfleisch, longtime Sherman Chamber Ensemble volunteer and executive director.

Susan Rotholz (flute), Jill Levy (violin), Doori Na (violin), Michael Roth (viola) and Eliot Bailen (cello) will perform.

According to Bailen, “The String Quartet, Op. 132 stands out as one of Beethoven’s deepest and most complex compositions.”

The ensemble will present a free special open rehearsal, “An inside Look at Beethoven’s Opus 132,” at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Sherman Library.

“This special discussion and open rehearsal will help the audience to gain a richer understanding that will enhance their enjoyment of this piece,” Bailen said.

The program is sponsored by the Sherman Library and the Sherman Chamber Ensemble’s Kemp Mandeville Education Fund.

On Saturday, the ensemble will perform at 8 p.m. at the Lake Mauweehoo Club in Sherman. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. A meet and greet the artists reception will follow the performances.

Tickets are $30, $25 for seniors and students, free for age 15 and under when accompanied by an adult purchasing a ticket. Lawn seating tickets at the Sherman concert are $10 at the door; bring a chair or blanket. For tickets, go to ShermanChamberEnsemble.org or call 860-355-5930. Tickets may also be purchased at the door subject to availability.

The ensemble’s summer season ends on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, when Israeliborn pianist Benjamin Hochman joins the ensemble for “Ode to Bernstein with a Dvorak Nightcap.” . He’ll be joined by Susan Rotholz (flute), Jill Levy (violin), Doori Na (violin), Michael Roth (viola) and Eliot Bailen (cello).

The program includes: Piano Trio (Bernstein), Duo for Flute and Piano (Copland), West Side Story Medley Arr. Moss (Bernstein) and Piano Quartet No. 2 in Eb Major, Op. 87, (Dvorak).

Also on Labor Day weekend, the SCE Blue Grass Band will present its annual free Bluegrass Jamboree featuring Paul Woodiel (fiddle) and Gary DiGiovanni (banjo) on Sept. 1 at 2 p.m. at the Lake Mauweehoo Clubhouse, Sherman, and on Sept. 2 at 1 p.m. at the Kent Village Barns.

Sherman Chamber Ensemble / Contributed photo From left are Sherman Chamber Artistic Director Eliot Bailen, Susan Rotholz and Doori Na are among those performing on Friday and Saturday in Kent and Sherman.