Music Mountain Presents Shanghai String Quartet And New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players

America's longest running summer chamber music festival, Music Mountain, continues its 89th season with the return of the Shanghai String Quartet performing Beethoven Quartet Cycle Program #3 on Sunday, June 24 (3PM). The weekend begins on Saturday, June 23 with the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players (6:30PM)! Concerts are scheduled through September 23.

The incomparable Shanghai String Quartet returns to Music Mountain on Sunday afternoon to perform the third of six Beethoven Cycle Programs. Beethoven Quartet Cycle Program #3: String Quartet in C Minor, Op. 18 #4; String Quartet in F Major, Op. 18 #1; and String Quartet in C Sharp Minor, Op. 131. The Quartet in C Sharp Minor, Op. 131 was Beethoven's own favorite quartet, a captivating work in seven linked movements that bring to the fore Beethoven's late-period formal innovations, including his lively theatrical interaction between parts and the inclusion of new sounds, such as the metallic sul ponticello (on the bridge) which occurs only in Op. 131, in one occasion. Not in vain this was the quartet that Schubert requested to hear in his deathbed in 1828.

Renowned for its passionate musicality, impressive technique and multicultural innovations, the Shanghai Quartet has become one of the world's foremost chamber ensembles. Its elegant style melds the delicacy of Eastern music with the emotional breadth of Western repertoire, allowing it to traverse musical genres including traditional Chinese folk music, masterpieces of Western music and cutting-edge contemporary works. Formed at the Shanghai Conservatory in 1983, the Quartet has worked with the world's most distinguished artists and regularly tours the major music centers of Europe, North America and Asia. The Quartet has a long history of championing new music and juxtaposing traditions of Eastern and Western music.

New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, America's preeminent professional Gilbert & Sullivan repertory company comes to Music Mountain on Saturday with an evening of music and merriment! I've Got a Little Twist is an award winning, NYGASP original production that highlights the timelessness of Gilbert & Sullivan and its relevance in today's world. The show simultaneously speaks to audiences who are new to Gilbert & Sullivan as well as die-hard aficionados. Audiences are treated to song and dance, beautiful ensemble singing, and laugh out loud comedy. Life is a cabaret and so is this show-and as we all know, it's always more entertaining when you add a little twist!

The Saturday Evening Twilight Series features pre-concert dinners at the charming Falls Village Inn. Experience a piece of history built over 175 years ago that helped shape the history of Falls Village.

Music Mountain is located in Falls Village, Connecticut on Music Mountain Road, where a short scenic drive will bring you to Gordon Hall atop Music Mountain. Free parking and picnic facilities are available. Music Mountain is supported, in part, by the Connecticut Commission On Culture & Tourism and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Shanghai Quartet continues the Beethoven Quartet Cycle on Sunday, July 1 and Sunday, July 8. The music continues with Escher String Quartet with 2017 Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Yekwon Sunwoo, piano (July 15); and Penderecki String Quartet with Victoria Schwartzman, piano (July 22).

The Saturday Evening Twilight Series continues with Michael Berkeley: No Tune Like a Show Tune (June 30); Jive By Five (July 7); Helen Sung Quartet (July 14); and Peter & Will Anderson Quartet (July 21).

Specially Priced Packages include: the Music Mountain Gold Pass, including admission to all concerts and receptions with the artists, priority reserved seating and one $20 guest ticket available for any regularly priced concert, for $780 individual and $1,500 pair, transferable.

Specially Priced Concerts include: Labor Day Benefit Concert & Reception on Sunday, September 2. All tickets $75. Special Concert & Wine Reception to Celebrate the Completion of the Beethoven Quartet Cycle on Sunday, September 9. All tickets: $60.

Regularly scheduled Chamber Music Concerts are $35. Twilight Series Concerts are $30. Concert & Dinner Passes are available for all Twilight Series Concerts for $70; includes Pre-Concert Dinner (5pm) at The Falls Village Inn, a Litchfield County landmark - Classic American comfort fare, seasonal - and 6:30pm Twilight Concert at Music Mountain. Dinner reservations must be made no later than the Friday prior to concert date by calling the Music Mountain box office at 860-824-7126.

Children ages 5-18 are admitted FREE to ALL CONCERTS when accompanied by a ticket holder. Saturday evening Twilight Concerts are at 6:30 pm. Sunday afternoon Chamber Music concerts are at 3 pm. Discounts apply through participating organizations. For a complete summer schedule, special ticket prices, and to download a ticket order form visit musicmountain.org or call (860) 824-7126.

To post a comment, you must register and login.