A full chamber feast in Seattle

By Thomas May, 10 July 2014

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Reviewed at Benaroya Hall: Nordstrom Recital Hall, Seattle on 9 July 2014

Stravinsky, Octet for winds

Mendelssohn, Piano Trio no. 1 in D minor, Op.49

Beethoven, String Quartet no. 7 in F major, "Razumovsky", Op.59 no.1

Lorna McGhee, Flute

Anthony McGill, Clarinet

Jens Lindemann, Trumpet

David Gordon, Trumpet

Stéphane Lévesque, Bassoon

Seth Krimsky, Bassoon

Ko-ichiro Yamamoto, Trombone

Carson Keeble, Trombone

Ehnes Quartet

Augustin Hadelich, Violin

Efe Baltacigil, Cello

Jon Kimura Parker, Piano

Seattle Chamber Music Society launches its 2025 summer festival

Thomas May, 6th July

The Seattle Chamber Music Society opens its 2025 summer festival with a program of striking emotional depth, musical refinement and rapturous ensemble connection.

****1

Strong yet Soft: The Versatile James Ehnes

Sarah Brown, 28th May

Violin virtuoso James Ehnes gave a concert of works by Béla Bartók on May 28th at the Montreal Chamber Music Festival. Just the day before, Ehnes had performed an equally challenging program of completely different repertoire - works by Ravel (the duo, the trio, and the quartet). Both performances were of the highest quality, and showcased a performer with unparalleled command of his instrument.

****1

Minnesota Orchestra offers up a musical potpourri

Phillip Nones, 16th April

In something of a surprise, the standout item on this Minnesota Orchestra concert program turned out to be a short chamber piece by Miguel del Águila.

***11

Intriguing Voyage Out anchored by 19th-century delights in Seattle

Thomas May, 15th July

Seattle's 2019 Chamber Music Summer Festival premiered Sebastian Currier's Voyage Out, which uses the piano quintet to reimagine the metaphor of musical journeys, on a program framed by passionate 19th-century chamber compositions.

****1

Made in the USA: Gershwin and beyond

Hilary Stroh, 24th November

There was lots to like in the Philadelphia Orchestra's All-American Celebration for Thanksgiving.

***11

Alsop scores an auspicious debut with the CSO

Sam Jacobson, 29th November

Marin Alsop made belated subscription debut with the CSO Thanksgiving weekend with a varied program contrasting 20th and 21st century British and American works with Dvořák's tragic Seventh Symphony.

***11

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Thomas May

Thomas May is a writer and translator based in Seattle. His books include Decoding Wagner and The John Adams Reader, and he blogs about the arts at memeteria.com. He has written for The Washington Post, Gramophone, Listen, Symphony magazine, OPERA America, crosscut.com, and many other publications.