Winstead Chamber Series

Stravinsky’s lively Octet, a work that showcases both winds and brass, blends Classical and 21^st century styles, highlighting playful and intricate exchanges between performers. In contrast, Klughardt’s Five Fantasy Pieces are imbued with lyrical beauty and expressive melodies, with each movement painting a vivid scene of diverse moods and colors. Closing the program is Bolling’s Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio, a work that brilliantly fuses classical music and jazz for vibrant and innovative blend of genres.

Each of Ligeti’s Six Bagatelles offers a brief but intense exploration of contrasting moods, from the whimsical to the deeply introspective, making for an exhilarating introduction. Prokofiev’s Quintet draws listeners into a world of playful melodies, unexpected harmonic shifts and vividly theatrical orchestration. Finally, Schubert’s String Quartet is a testament to his lyrical genius and ability to convey profound emotion. Its delicate interplay of voices provides a soulful and resonant conclusion.

All three composers on this program took inspiration from folk music traditions. Eastern European Chassidic melodies inspired Schoenfeld’s Trio for Clarinet, Violin and Piano, highlighting the popular dance rhythms of klezmer music, while Babajanian’s dramatic and moody Piano Trio is rooted in the folk music of his native Armenia. The theme of Grieg’s astonishingly rich, and almost orchestral String Quartet, takes its inspiration from Norwegian folk tales and Hardanger fiddle music.

Rossini always had a flair for the dramatic and his Duetto for Cello and Double Bass is no exception. The piece delights in depth of color, tone and richness, revealing witty melodies and soulful virtuosity. Fauré’s Piano Quartet is a passionate personal statement of the composer, evoking a more somber and serious mood throughout. Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 9, the third in his series of <Razumovsky/> quartets, oscillates between darkness and light while churning with emotional depth and innovative plays on harmony.