Not far from the Berkshires, in Falls Village, CT is American’s oldest and possibly most eclectic continuing summer chamber music festival. I think of it as the festival for people who don’t like to typecast into one style of music or another. Music is a banquet and too people stick to the comforts of mac and cheese while others prefer the classic sauces and rarely venture in between. That’s why Music Mountain is good for you. It widens the possibilities with no added calories.

So be sure to bring your dancing shoes as Music Mountain continues their acclaimed summer season of chamber music. For the July 21-22 weekend, they kick off the return of their noted country music series on Saturday July 21st (6:30PM) with the acclaimed country band Gunsmoke. This will be followed by a special concert featuring a trio of superb musicians – Alexander Fiterstein, clarinet, Steven Beck, piano, and Nicholas Canellakis, cello in a Brahms, Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert program. on Sunday, July 22nd (3PM). Weekend after exciting weekend, the Music Mountain concerts in Falls Village continue to feature talent from around the globe and are slated to run through September 9th.

Dance the night away with Gunsmoke as they kick off the first Country Music concert of the summer on Saturday evening! Playing ‘America’s Music,’ this group combines classic country, rockabilly, and western swing all in one package! The Fairfield County based band has been named “New York Band of the Year” six consecutive times. If you love authentic country & western music you won’t be disappointed!

The New York Times hailed Alexander Fiterstein, clarinet, Steven Beck, piano, and Nicholas Canellakis, cello as having “a perfect symmetry of sound and sensation” and Sunday afternoon attendees will not be disappointed by their unique program featuring Music Mountain debuts and rarely played trios —- Beethoven: Clarinet Trio in B Flat Major, Opus 11 – the only clarinet trio that Beethoven ever composed, first performed at Music Mountain in 1957 by Benny Goodman; Schubert: Sonata for Arpeggione, D 821, transcribed for clarinet & piano – a rare piece that was originally written for the arpeggione, a guitar-like instrument. The piece is routinely played on cello, but for this performance will be played on clarinet – a Music Mountain debut; Beethoven: 7 Variations on bei manner, weiche liebe fuhlen from Mozart’s Magic Flute, WoO 46 – another Music Mountain debut; and Brahms: Clarinet Trio in A Minor, Opus 114 – the only clarinet trio composed by Brahms, and again first performed at Music Mountain by Benny Goodman in 1958 and again in 1967.

A special post concert discussion entitled The String Quartet Literature through The Lens of the Music Mountain Repertory will be led by Music Mountain president, Nicholas Gordon. The post-concert discussion will focus on how attendees can further explore the String Quartet lexicon as well as how Music Mountain creates their annual repertoire. All ticket holders for the concert are welcome to stay for the discussion.

Music Mountain’s 1024 square foot dance floor is available and ready for country dancing at all three country music performances. Beer and wine are also available and, as is the Music Mountain custom, audience members are invited to picnic before the concert on its scenic grounds.

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 (6:30PM) – $30 at the door/$27 in advance; Sunday (3PM) – $35 at the door/$30 in advance. Discounts available. Admission is FREE for those 18 and under when accompanied by ticket holder. 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.