Press Releases and Photos

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate releaseMay 12, 2008
Contacts:
Melanie McMillan (860) 618-3261
Nicholas Gordon (860) 364-2080

Chorus Angelicus set to open the 79th festival on June 14
Distinctive Music Mountain Season “Borrows” Melodies

Falls Village, Conn.—A musically-magical season is in store for visitors to the Music Mountain Summer Music Festival, June 14 through Sept. 7.  Music Mountain is the oldest and most distinguished continuing summer chamber music festival in the country.

This year’s schedule includes 16 string quartet concerts, two choral concerts and 8 jazz concerts—with many of the performances reflecting the festival’s unusual theme.
“As far as we know, no one else is doing a series like this,” says Nicholas Gordon, president of Music Mountain, in reference to “Borrowed Melodies,” the theme for Music Mountain’s 79th season.  

“In the world of classical music,” Gordon explains, “certainly from Bach on into the present day, composers adapted themes of their own or of others all the time.” However, far from being a crime, “borrowing” music from oneself or from another composer’s work was viewed as a perfectly acceptable thing to do.

While not all performances will feature music in which the composer has used pre-existing compositions, it is a common thread throughout Music Mountain’s season.

Premiere Weekend
The internationally-acclaimed children’s choir, Chorus Angelicus, will open the season Saturday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m. A highlight of the performance is the Connecticut premiere of “The Aim Was Song,” a cantata for eight solo voices, treble choir, French horn and piano, by Nicholas White, Chorus Angelicus Artistic Director.

“What a wonderful way to open Music Mountain’s 79th season,” says Gordon. “What a beautiful sight, and a beautiful sound.”

The following day, Sunday, June 15 at 3 p.m., the great pianist Charles Rosen and the St. Petersburg String Quartet will play the first of three special benefits for Music Mountain’s operating fund. The concert will conclude with Charles Rosen joining the St. Petersburg Quartet to perform the Schumann Piano Quintet in E Flat Major, Opus 44.

The breadth of Charles Rosen’s endeavors reflects a remarkable synthesis of performing musician, scholar, writer and lecturer.

The St. Petersburg Quartet first played at Music Mountain in 1995, and they have returned every season since—except for one.  "The St. Petersburg is one of the most popular groups to play at Music Mountain,” says Nicholas Gordon, Music Mountain’s President. “They pack Gordon Hall and give remarkable concerts of beauty and passion.  They, with Charles Rosen will start the 79th chamber music season off with a great big celebration." 

Tickets for the season’s three special concerts to benefit the operating fund are $50 each. Tickets for all other concerts are $30 at the door, $27 in advance and $17 for students. Children (ages 18 and under) are admitted free when accompanied by a ticket holder. Group rates are available.

First-ever Appearance at Music Mountain
Debuts this season include:

Benefit Concerts and a Special Family Event
In addition to the opening weekend concert, two other special performances will directly benefit Music Mountain’s operating fund:

Also, the 3rd Annual Music Mountain Free Family Festival is Saturday, August 16 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The fun-filled day features performing arts in Gordon Hall and on the surrounding grounds, with the highlight of the event being the Bergonzi Quartet’s performance of a new, unique string quartet version of a classic children’s work. This event is free and open to the public.

Tickets for the three concerts to benefit Music Mountain’s operating fund are $50 each. All other concerts are $30 at the door, $27 in advance and $17 for students. Children (ages 18 and under) are admitted free when accompanied by a ticket holder. Group rates are available.  For a complete season’s schedule and more information on ticket sales, visit www.MusicMountain.org, or call (860) 824-7126.

Music Mountain, located in Falls Village in Connecticut’s northwest corner, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. A not-for-profit organization, it was founded in 1930 by the late Jacques Gordon with a primary mission of education through the performance of chamber music literature. Music Mountain’s mission is enhanced through radio broadcasts of its chamber concerts throughout the U.S. and abroad through the European Broadcast Union, made possible by the support of Edward R. Hamilton, Bookseller, Falls Village, CT.  

Music Mountain concerts are available 52 weeks a year on the Internet. Go to www.musicmountain.org, click on “Listen on Line” and go to the Music Mountain site on www.InstantEncore.com. Each concert will be on the site for seven days; the 2008 season starts on the Internet on Monday, July 9.

Music Mountain concerts and coaching programs are supported in part by a generous grant from the Connecticut Commission on the Arts, a state agency whose funds are recommended by the Governor and appropriated by the State Legislature.
Steinway Piano is the official piano of Music Mountain.

 

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Download a Contribution form and mail your check to:
Music Mountain, PO Box 738, Lakeville, CT 06039.
Box Office Telephone: 860-824-7126