Voxare String Quartet left to right: Adrian Daurov, cello; Emily Ondracek-Peterson, violin; Erik Peterson, viola; Galnia Zhdanova, violin. Photo credit: Greg Kessler

Falls Village, CT: America’s favorite summer chamber music festival, Music Mountain continues their 83rd anniversary season celebration with a weekend of chamber music from the acclaimed Voxare String Quartet on Saturday, August 11th (6:30PM) and Avalon String Quartet on Sunday, August 12th (3PM).

Music Mountain’s Gordon Hall. Photo credit: Joan Walden

The audience will hear works of Haydn, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Mozart and Brahms in these two concerts, This weekend’s concerts are just a sampling of the world class musical artists who have been included in Music Mountain’s 2012 summer weekend concerts in Falls Village scheduled through September 9th.

The program on Saturday evening will feature three works rarely performed at Music Mountain. The Voxare String Quartet will present Haydn: String Quartet in C Major, Opus 20 #2; Mendelssohn: String Quartet in A Minor, Opus 13; and a selection of the Beethoven Scotch, Irish and Welsh Songs.

Tenor William Compton will join the first violinist and cellist of the Quartet in his Music Mountain debut joined by Pianist Victoria Schwartzman in a return Music Mountain appearance to present the Beethoven songs.

Special Concert: Wed. August 8, 2012 (7:30 PM) Oboist/soprano Kristin Leitterman will present a concert in collaboration with John Tu on piano, Alex Kollias on clarinet and Evan Runyon on string bass. Sponsored by The Lucarelli Oboe Master Class, (in residence at Music Mountain that week) the program consists of Lyle Davidson’s “Homage a Charles V. Stanford,” Francis Poulenc’s “Sonata for Oboe and Piano,” Francis Schubert’s “Shepherd on the Rock,” Vincent Persichetti’s “Parable for Solo Oboe,” Andrea Clearfield’s “Three Songs for Oboe and Bass” and the world premiere performance of Jason Coleman’s “Sonata No. 1 for Oboe/Soprano, Clarinet, String Bass and Piano” written for Leitterman in 2009. Tickets at the door at $10. Kids under 5 free!

Avalon String Quartet L to R: Anthony DeVroye, viola; Blaise Magnière, violin; Cheng-Hou Lee, cello; Marie Wang, violin. Photo credit: Merri St. Cyr

Audiences will delight in the rhapsodic harmonies of the Avalon String Quartet. Their Sunday afternoon offering will include Mozart: String Quartet in C Major, K. 465; Beethoven: String Quartet in F Major, Opus 135; and Brahms: Piano Quartet in C Minor, Opus 60. Pianist Jonathan Yates will join the Quartet for the final Brahms piece.

The spirited and vivid playing of the Voxare String Quartet will once again grace the stage of Gordon Hall. Formed in 2008, this young quartet of Julliard graduates has received critical praise since their inception. The Voxare String Quartet’s repertoire spans four centuries, including the finest works of the most lauded composers up thru current day contemporary music; they are adept at transcribing popular and rock music and presenting unique and innovative concerts, making chamber music accessible to newer audiences. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, pianist Victoria Schwartzman has performed all over the world as a soloist and a chamber musician. Ms. Schwartzman recently became a member of the Brahms Piano Quartet. American tenor William Compton specializing in the works of Rossini, Handel, and Mozart. He has appeared in Turandot, La Triviata, and L’Elisir d’Amore, among others. Mr. Compton is currently finishing his doctoral studies at the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music.

Formed in 1995, Avalon String Quartet has established itself as one of the country’s leading ensembles performing throughout the US. Dedicated to outreach in various communities, the quartet has worked with school districts in Los Angeles, Chicago, the Center for Abused Children in Hartford, and the Music for Youth Organization in Connecticut. They are currently in residence at Northern Illinois University. Jonathan Yates has earned high praise as a solo pianist and conductor. A graduate of The Juilliard School, he made his Carnegie Hall debut at age 24 as a pianist in the Isaac Stern Chamber Music Concerts. Mr. Yates currently serves as Music Director of the Camerata Notturna, one of New York City’s most exciting young chamber orchestras, and as conductor of the Sarah Lawrence College Orchestra.

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) – $35 at the door/$30 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.