Williams Chamber Players

Ronald Feldman, cello; Joana Genova, violin; Joanna Kurkowicz, violin; Susan Martula, clarinet; Ed Lawrence, piano; Stephen Walt, bassoon; Scott Woolweaver, viola; and Elizabeth Wright, piano

This free event is open to the public.

Returning from a summer of fruitful musical endeavor, the musicians of the Williams Chamber Players take the stage re-energized, presenting a new season of chamber music. Providing classical music lovers with a chance to indulge, the group offers a program with the eastern European accents of Glinka, Janacek, and Dvorak in a Bohemian Adventure.

Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904), a born Bohemian and accomplished composer of the Romantic era, took much inspiration from folk music, especially that of his native Czech lands. His Piano Quintet in A Major, op. 81 (for string quartet and piano) features Joanna Kurkowicz and Joana Genova, violins; Scott Woolweaver, viola; Ronald Feldman, cello; and Elizabeth Wright, piano. A piece in four movements, Dvorak’s themes are highly influenced by popular forms and dance music of the age and region.

Dvorak’s countryman, Janacek, was also fascinated by the folk music of Moravia and in Slavic music in general. Sonata for Violin and Piano by Janacek is composition firmly in the tradition of the nineteenth century, though it was finished in 1914. The virtuoso musicians Joanna Kurkowicz and Elizabeth Wright present the audience a chance to experience this treasure of the chamber music repertoire.

Though not technically a Bohemian, Mikhail Glinka (1804-57) was a groundbreaking Russian composer who inspired others, such as Janacek and Dvorak, to listen closely to the music around them and not just the music presented in the concert hall. His conscious interweaving of folk impressions and inspirations into the fabric of his own compositions opened possibilities for those to follow. This sourcing at the root of folk music was an important ingredient making these “Bohemians” so accessible and unforgettable. Pathetique in D Minor by Glinka is written for clarinet, bassoon, and piano and features three veteran performers and faculty members: Susan Martula, clarinet; Stephen Walt, bassoon; and Ed Lawrence piano, in their interpretation of this spirited work.

It is worth repeating to anyone who might have missed it: these adventures, Bohemian or otherwise, are free of charge. Be on time to insure a spot.

The Williams Chamber Players is a resident chamber ensemble, founded at Williams College in 1999. It’s purpose is to present concerts for the college and community throughout the academic year. Antecedents of the Williams Chamber Players are The Williams Trio, founded in 1970, and the Group for 20th Century Music, founded in 1989. Repertoire for concerts is drawn from the standard chamber music repertoire with special attention to music of the 20th and 21st centuries, and to music by Williams composers. Musicians are normally drawn from the ranks of Artists-in-Residence, Studio Instructors, and other faculty, as well as occasional visiting artists.

Event Program