The Mill Valley Chamber Music Society continues its 49th season of concerts this month from world-renowned musicians in an intimate setting at an affordable ticket price. Under the artistic direction of longtime board member and classical music enthusiast Bill Horn, on Sunday, Feb. 27, MVCMS welcomes renowned trio ensemble The Horszowski Trio, which The New Yorker has called “The most compelling American group to come on the scene.”
Founded in 2011 and based in New York City, the Horszowski Trio – featuring Jesse Mills on violin, Ole Akahoshi on cello and Rieko Aizawa on piano – is widely known as one of the pre-eminent piano trio ensembles and has quickly become a vital force in the international chamber music world. Since their debut performance in New York City in 2011, they have toured extensively throughout North America, Europe, the Far East, and India, traversing the extensive oeuvre of traditional piano trio repertoire and introducing audiences to new music that they have commissioned and premiered.
The Trio takes its inspiration from the musicianship, integrity, and humanity of the pre-eminent pianist Mieczysław Horszowski (1892–1993). The ensemble’s pianist, Rieko Aizawa, was Horszowski’s last pupil at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. The program, “Crisis, Creativity, & Culture,” includes Bedřich Smetana – Piano Trio in G minor, op. 15; Rebecca Clarke – Piano Trio in E-flat minor; and Arno Babajanian – Piano Trio in F-sharp minor.
The MVCMS series consists of five shows in a season spanning seven months, all at 5pm – and features local and internationally known classical musicians. Each group performs without a conductor, which Horne says makes MVCMS different from other chamber music organizations.
“I think it’s exciting for musicians to play chamber music without a conductor because every musician can interpret the music differently and in their own unique way,” he says. “This shared experience with your fellow musicians is so important and when it all comes together it is simply incredible.”
GO HERE to buy tickets or email mvchambermusicsociety@gmail.com. NOTE: MVCMS policy requires ticketholders to wear masks during the entire concert and to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Patrons will be asked for proof of vaccination to enter the church. Unvaccinated adults and unvaccinated children 12 and under will not be admitted. Visit the Covid updates page on the MVCMS website for full details.