On Saturday night, May 12, The Great Hall Performance Foundation will welcome the Boston Symphony Orchestra Chamber Players to Needham. One of the world’s most distinguished chamber music ensembles sponsored by a major symphony orchestra and made up of principal players from that orchestra, the Boston Symphony Chamber Players include first-chair string and wind players from the Boston Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1964 during Erich Leinsdorf’s tenure as BSO music director, the Chamber Players can perform virtually any work within the vast chamber music literature, expanding their range of repertoire by calling upon other BSO members or enlisting the services of such distinguished artists as pianists Leif Ove Andsnes, Emanuel Ax, and André Previn. The Chamber Players’ activities include an annual four-concert series in Boston’s Jordan Hall at the New England Conservatory, regular appearances at Tanglewood, and a busy touring schedule. In addition to their appearances throughout the United States, they have performed in Europe, Japan, South America, and the Soviet Union. In September 2008, the Boston Symphony Chamber Players performed on the Queen Mary 2‘s transatlantic crossing from New York to Southampton, England.
The Great Hall Performance program will include: Mozart - Oboe Quartet, k 370’, Paul Taffanel - Wind Quintet in G minor, Nielsen Serenata in Vano, Mozart - String Quintet No. 3 in C, K. 515.
In Mozart’s String Quartet in C Major, K 515, which will close the program, the Chamber Players will engage in a supple music dialogue. The audience will be observing the repeat of the exposition, which will stretch the movement to 25 minutes, the musicians find mystery in the development of this section, in which Mozart’s chromatic inner voice will shade the music with a hint of darkness.
“We are thrilled by the support and response of our sponsors,” said Michael Greis, Co- President of the Great Hall Performance Foundation. “Thanks to our sponsors and our loyal season-ticket holders, we are able to bring these terrific acts to Needham at a reasonable price.”
The goal of the Needham Bank Great Hall Concert Series is to provide great professional concerts close to home, while promoting the preservation of a cherished Needham landmark, driving economic growth in Needham, and elevating the stature and awareness of the Needham High School music program. Students are involved in all facets of concert series planning, production and performance; Needham High School musicians open for the featured performers. For tickets, visit www.greathallperformance.org.
