RACHMANINOFF CELEBRATION
Erika Baikoff, soprano | Gilles Vonsattel, piano | Benjamin Beilman, violin | Clive Greensmith, cello
A supreme virtuoso pianist and composer, Sergei Rachmaninov stole the hearts of listeners worldwide with achingly beautiful melodies and alluring harmonies. This concert brings Rockport favorite—pianist Gilles Vonsattel—to the stage with a star-studded ensemble.
The year 2023 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of composer-pianist Sergei Rachmaninov, a great figure of the Romantic era who gave the world of orchestral, chamber, and piano composition some of its most monumental and beloved works. In tribute to his legacy, this program highlights the personal inspirations that directly influenced Rachmaninov, tracing the lineage of his particular style of piano-forward composition, as well as highlighting his musical heritage and appreciation for his teachers Anton Arensky and Sergei Taneyev, along with fellow composer-pianist Anton Rubinstein. In 1893, along with much of the music world, a 20-year-old Rachmaninov was shaken by the sudden death of his close mentor Pyotr Tchaikovsky; ending this program is Rachmaninov’s three-movement Trio in D minor, written not only in the style of Tchaikovsky’s famous Piano Trio, but also in his memory.
PROGRAM:
RUBINSTEIN: “Romance” from Soirées à Saint-Petersburg, Op. 44, No. 1 (arr. for piano, violin and cello)
TCHAIKOVSKY: Souvenir d’un lieu cher for violin and piano, Op. 42
BALAKIREV: “The Goldfish’s Song”
RACHMANINOV: “Arion” Op. 34, No. 5
GLINKA: “The Lark”
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: “Does Not the Wind Blow” Op. 43, No. 2
RACHMANINOV: “These Summer Nights” Op. 14, No. 5
RACHMANINOV: Trio élégiaque in D minor for piano, violin and cello, Op. 9 – in memory of Tchaikovsky
ABOUT CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, (CMS) is one of eleven constituents of the largest performing arts complex in the world, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, which includes the New York Philharmonic, New York City Ballet, Lincoln Center Theater, and The Metropolitan Opera. CMS has its home in Lincoln Center’s magnificent Alice Tully Hall. Through its many performance, education, recording and broadcast activities, it brings the exhilarating experience of great chamber music to more people than any other organization of its kind. Under the inspired leadership of Artistic Directors David Finckel and Wu Han, CMS presents a wide variety of concert series and educational events for listeners of all ages, appealing to both connoisseurs and newcomers. The performing artists constitute a revolving multi-generational and international roster of the world’s finest chamber musicians, enabling CMS to present chamber music of every instrumentation, style, and historical period.
Thank you to our Classical 2023-24 Season Corporate Partner!
