Concert Programs: Classical Music
MusicTalks offers a welcoming and engaging environment
in which to experience classical music for new audiences and seasoned concert goers alike
Tribute to African-American Composers
Diverse Concert Artists in an inspiring tribute to African-American composers. Discover Chevalier Saint-Georges (the “Black Mozart”), Florence Price, Jazzy string quartet music, and songs by Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson.
The concert will honor the incredible life and music of these composers and highlight the stories of heritage, friendships, and social justice behind the music.
Love is Love
Countless composers and musicians, past and present, have struggled to express their personal identities, often finding outlets for social affirmation and freedom in their art when other avenues were closed. MusicTalks celebrates the inspiring stories of gay composers throughout history — their successes, their setbacks, their struggles, and their achievements during times of staggering inequality, as they brought millions together with their music.
Cello x 4 – Bach in Brazil
The passion of tango meets the formal intricacies of Bach in this memorable concert. An ensemble of cellos joins soprano Larisa Martinez to make a cross-cultural celebration of musical possibility– of passion, of intellect, of collaboration, of difference– that will include a world premier of De Falla’s fiery ‘Suite Populaire Espagnol’ arranged for 4 cellos and soprano, and will culminate in masterpiece “Bachianas Brasileras” by Brazilian composer Heitor Villa Lobos.
The Life and Music of the Great Female Composers
Debussy and the Moon
Discover the Rich world of Claude Debussy’s Impressionism with Metropolitan Opera singer Maya Lahyani, Cellist Elad Kabilio and Pianist Ben Laude performing Debussy’s Piano solo works, “Chansons de Bilitis”, and culminating with a first of its kind portrayal of “Pierrot in love with the moon” performed by Actor Ido Rozenberg and set to Debussy’s Sonata for cello and piano.
Psycho
Discover the horrifying stories behind the iconic music that has earned a cult following. Our string quartet and guest star Aaron Blake of the Metropolitan Opera will take you behind the scenes of these spine chilling favorites including the “Psycho” suite, Grieg’s String Quartet, Schubert’s Death and the maiden and much more.
Guitar Stories
Guitar Virtuoso Colin Davin in an evening celebrating 300 years of Guitar music. This program unveils the story of the Classical Guitar from the Baroque to our times, With music from Spain, Austria, Argentina and the US.
Also available – Guitar Stories: Spain, Italy, Latin America
From Russia With Love
What makes Russian music “Russian”? Metropolitan Opera Mezzo Soprano Maya Lahyani along with Pianist Ben Laude and Cellist Elad Kabilio leads us through the Romantic harmonies, lush phrasing, and beguiling rhythm of Glazunov, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Stravinsky, all in search of the unmistakable– yet elusive– Russian character that has intrigued composers, performers, and listeners for over a century.
Inspired by Bach
Music for unaccompanied cello, from Bach to our time.
Program A: Bach’s masterful First Cello Suite juxtaposed with its contemporary counterpart of Britten’s First Cello Suite.
Program B: Bach’s dark Second Cello suite paired with Spanish Composer Gaspar Cassado’s exploration of Spanish music.
Program C: Bach in America – This program features Bach’s brilliant Third Cello suite along with Solo Cello works by renowned American Composers Geroge Crumb and John Corigliano.
Also available – Music for Solo Cello: From Bach to Jazz: This program features Bach’s work along with Philip Glass, flamenco music, and Jazz.
Fiesta for 4 Cellos and a Soprano
Join MusicTalks for the season opening concert full of latin flare and Spanish fire! The program will include music from Spain, Brazil, Cuba and Argentina, showcasing a rare collaboration of a single instrument times four and featuring soprano Larisa Martinez. The evening will culminate in a premier of Manuel De Falla’s “7 Canciones populares Españolas” arranged for four cellos and a soprano.
The String Trio
The special chamber form of the string trio best represents the participatory character of musical performance, with each part – violin, viola, and cello – contributing equally to the whole (“one instrument, one vote”) . With selections from Beethoven to the twentieth century, this program will showcase the wide range of sound and spirit captured by this uniquely democratic ensemble.
Cellox4 Bach in Brazil II
Following Last Season’s Sold Out Concert, MusicTalks is proud to present a brand new Bach in Brazil program.
An ensemble of cellos joins Soprano Larisa Martínez to make a cross-cultural celebration of musical possibility– of passion, of intellect, of difference– that will include selections from Bach’s “The Art of Fugue”, Piazzola’s “Fuga y Misterio” and will culminate in the masterpiece “Bachianas Brasileras” by Brazilian composer Heitor Villa Lobos.
Guitar Stories: Italy
Guitarist Colin Davin is back by popular demand, showcasing the virtuosic abilities of the guitar in the music of the Italian Baroque. Joined by a string quartet, Colin will explore Italian tradition with Baroque Jewels such as Vivaldi’s Concerto for Guitar, Boccherini’s Quintet and other Baroque Marvels.
Into the WoodWinds
More than any other part of the orchestra, woodwinds bring a barrage of magical colors and special effects to the modern symphony. In this concert, we let them shine front and center. Featuring a wide range of music, from Bach to Brazil, this concert evokes an unforgettable palette of sound, focusing on each instrument individually and then combining them for an unforgettable ensemble finale.
Cellox4
An evening showcasing a single instrument, times four.
In a rare collaboration between four reputed cellists, this concert program explores original music composed for the ensemble as well as a premiere of a cello quartet arrangement of Bach’s The Art of Fugue as part of Music Talks’ Bach330 celebration.
Majestic Harp
A magical evening shining a spotlight on an instrument that is most often found in the shadows of a full symphonic orchestra. Experience the versatility of this angelic instrument featuring special guest Emmanuel Ceysson, Principal Harpist of the Metropolitan opera.
Cello and Piano Encounters
This program showcases Luigi Boccherini’s virtuoso cello writing in his classical sonata in A Major along with Frederic Chopin’s unique pianism in his romantic Sonata in G Minor.
Recorders – Not just for kids
A unique concert experience shining a spotlight on the recorder, an ancient instrument with a rich history and surprising versatility. Recorder Virtuoso Tali Rubinstein is joined by a five piece band to present a wide range of music spanning from the recorder’s golden age in the Baroque era to modern times bending the limits of this antique wooden flute in jazz, soul, and world music.
Italian Opera Scenes
Passion, intrigue, emotion, and drama heightened by the most exquisite music ever composed for the stage–is it any wonder that opera has been called the most irrational entertainment? Bare Opera in collaboration with MusicTalks presents semi-staged excerpts from favorite Italian operas by Mozart, Rossini, and Donizetti in an intimate Salon setting. Discover with our fantastic cast the beauty behind the madness.
French Impressionist Music
An in depth look to the fantastic colors and textures of the great Impressionist composers Debussy and Ravel. This concert and conversation puts a spotlight on the depiction of water in impressionist works and its sheer beauty.
Guitar Stories – Spain
Guitarist Colin Davin will tell the story of the guitar in Spain from the Baroque to today, showcasing the extraordinary colors of Spanish folk music. For the finale, soprano Larissa Martinez will join for a performance of Manuel de Falla’s masterpiece Suite popular Española.
German Fantasies
From sonic depictions of macabre fairy tales to astonishing flights of melodic ingenuity, MusicTalks presents a concert of musical fantasies. Join us for a concert of works by Beethoven and Schumann for cello, piano, and clarinet that encourage the musical imagination to run wild.
D’ellArte Opera – The World of the Demimonde
An evening devoted to the culture that inspired artists of all kinds: composers, painters, poets and opera librettists. In an intimate salon with a glass of wine in hand, you’ll meet the intriguing characters of the Demimonde and the artists who were enthralled by them.
Music for New Ballet
The story of the musical pieces and their role in ballet creation. With music from the Baroque period to the 20th century, the musicians demonstrate both in talk and in performance the fruits of the unique, creative collaboration of the ballet repertoire.