On the left, the St. Petersburg Quartet – (l. – r.) Leonid Shukayev, cello; Alla Aranovskaya, violin; Boris Vayner, viola; Evgeny Zvonnikov, violin. (Photo credit: Greg Grudt/Mathew Imaging.) On the right the South Shore Syncopators.

(Falls Village, CT) America’s oldest continuing summer chamber music festival, Music Mountain launches a musical fireworks weekend with two acclaimed groups — The South Shore Syncopators on Saturday, June 30th (6:30PM), kicking off the summer’s popular and crowd-pleasing Jazz Series, with a prohibition themed pre-concert dinner at the Falls Village Inn (5PM); plus the return of the St. Petersburg String Quartet slated for Sunday, July 1st (3PM) performing an all Schubert program. The weekend concerts are just a sampling of the numerous chamber, jazz and country groups that will grace Music Mountain’s summer concert stage performing weekend concerts in Falls Village thru September 9th.

The South Shore Syncopators return for a second summer to launch the 19th season of the Music Mountain Jazz Series! Long Island’s premiere dance orchestra brings the 1920s and ‘30s back to life with accurate renditions of great music from the pre-swing decade for the Saturday evening concert. Ten instrumentalists and six vocalists will display their flair for projecting the original and invigorating spirit of music from the era of Harlem cabaret, the Ziegfeld Follies and Vaudeville to the Art Deco world of Busby Berkeley film musicals – guaranteed to have concert-goers dancing all evening! As an added treat, go back in time to the jazz age and sip a gin fizz or French 75 with a 1920s pre-concert prohibition themed dinner – speakeasy food and prohibition era cocktails will be served! ($60 price includes the special dinner at the Falls Village Inn and concert. Reservations must be made by June 29th (860-824-7126).

The first Sunday of July welcomes back the St. Petersburg String Quartet performing an all Schubert program that will include Schubert: String Quartet in A Minor, Opus 29, D. 804 “Rosamunde”; Schubert: String Quartet in G Major, Opus 161, D 887; and in a Music Mountain premiere — Schubert-Stallman: Piano Sonata #13 in A Minor, D. 664, Opus 120 transcribed for flute and strings by Robert Stallman. Performing with the St. Petersburg Quartet will be guest artist Robert Stallman, flute. A special post concert discussion will be led by long-time Music Mountain president, Nicholas Gordon: The String Quartet Literature through The Lens of the Music Mountain Repertory.

Formed in 1985, the St. Petersburg String Quartet has steadily risen to fame performing all over the world, including Spain, Germany, Denmark, Israel and the U.K. In addition to being a highly respected flutist, critically acclaimed Robert Stallman is a recording artist and master teacher collaborating with chamber ensembles all over the world. Critics have called his Schubert “elegant” and superb.”

Located in Falls Village, Connecticut, Music Mountain is located on Music Mountain Road, where a short scenic drive will bring music lovers to Gordon Hall with ample & free parking. Beer and wine are available and, as is the Music Mountain custom, audience members are invited to picnic before the concerts on the scenic grounds.

Tickets: Saturday: Dinner & Concert: $60; Concert Only: $30 at the door, $27 in advance. Sunday: $35 at the door, $30 in advance. (Admission is FREE for those 18 and under when accompanied by ticket holder). All concerts begin at 6:30pm on Saturday evenings and 3pm on Sunday afternoons. Group rates and pre season ticket vouchers are available. Discounts apply through participating organizations. For a complete summer schedule, special ticket prices, and to download a ticket order form visit www.musicmountain.org or call 860-824-7126.