STYLE AND SOUND. A group of master chamber musicians featuring Melissa Plagemann, mezzo-soprano; Maria Sampen, violin; Tim Christie, viola; Charles Jacot, cello; Steven Schermer, bass; Alan Dameron, piano (pictured above) can be heard in the intimate setting of the Second City Chamber’s Masterpiece Series Jan. 15 at Annie Wright School in Tacoma. (Photo courtesy of Svend Rønning )
For classical chamber music lovers, round two in the Second City Chamber’s Masterpiece Series should not be missed.
In its 33rd year, the chamber’s Masterpiece Series has continued to bring the best classical performers from throughout the state to deliver coveted and unlikely renditions of classical chamber music.
On Jan. 15, a group of musicians from University of Puget Sound’s music faculty, Pacific Northwest Ballet and the Seattle Opera will join together to perform “Lieder und Kammermusik,” featuring contrasting versions of Franz Schubert’s famous melody “Trout.”
“In this case we’ve taken the idea of the song ‘Trout’ by Schubert… which became one of the most famous pieces in chamber music. Rarely do you hear the two (versions) together,” said Svend Rønning, artistic director for Second City Chamber Series. “People have been asking me to play the ‘Trout’ quintet for years. I thought if I were going to do a song which everyone knows and everyone has heard, I would like to do it in a different way than everyone has heard it.”
The performance will also feature two songs written by Johannes Brahms and cabaret songs by Arnold Schönberg.
Artists performing in “Lieder und Kammermusik” include Melissa Plagemann, mezzo-soprano; Maria Sampen, violin; Tim Christie, viola; Charles Jacot, cello; Steven Schermer, bass and Alan Dameron, piano.
The goal of the Second City Chamber Series is to promote the great chamber music of the world with the best local artists.
Rønning noted that one of the draws of the Masterpiece Series is the intimacy of the performance and the chance for audiences to get to know the master musicians.
“This is probably one of the only formats in town where you can see the best musicians in the state and literally have coffee with them afterward,” Rønning said.
“They’re up close and personal with you…there’s a very personal relationship with the performers.”
Following the Jan. 15 performance, there will be two more chances to see the Second City’s Masterpiece Series in action: April 9 a performance titled “Urban Legends” will feature classical chamber with an Argentinean dance twist, and “Let’s Party” on May 14 will contrast party music of the 18th century with the jazz party tunes of the 20th century.
All performances are held at 7:30 p.m. at the Great Hall of Annie Wright School, 827 N. Tacoma Avenue.
Tickets are $35 general admission, $30 for seniors and military and $15 for students. Get tickets at (253) 572-8863 or www.scchamberseries.org.
