After an almost two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 shutdown, the Mill Valley Chamber Music Society returned in 2021-22 to their annual Chamber Music Concert Series under the artistic direction of longtime board member and classical music enthusiast Bill Horne. They did so with resounding success and their unwavering commitment to present an all-new season of world-renowned musicians in an intimate setting at an affordable ticket price.
The organization returns for its 2022-23 season with momentum fueled by a fantastic lineup up performances and a new, shorter moniker that broadens its horizons: Chamber Music Marin.
“As we prepare for the next fifty years, we decided to adjust the name to better reflect our mission and the broader audience we actually serve,” Board President Jane Rogers says.
Longtime Artistic Director Bill Horne, who celebrates his 25th year with the organization, feels the experience of an intimate chamber concert in a smaller venue, versus an orchestra concert in a larger venue, is part of the organization’s long running success and why many musicians are also attracted to performing with the organization.
“Chamber music is about one musician playing one part so you really hear every instrument,” says Horne, who was recently the subject of a piece in the Marin Independent Journal. “It’s much different than with an orchestra where there are multiple musicians to a part. Performers have an immediate personal connection with the audience and it’s a thrilling experience for both. Our mission has always been about providing quality classical music to the public at an affordable price, and the way we accomplish this is with the help of our incredible volunteers and supporters who all share a common interest in our mission.”
The 2022-23 series consists of six shows spanning eight months – Sundays, November 14th through May 15th, 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.
Ticket prices are $40 GA, $105 for 3 concert subscription (any 3 concerts), or $145 for the entire season subscription ( 5 concerts at $29 each). Youths 18 and under are always free. Subscribers receive a free ticket to any concert and another to the Young Artists’ Concert of the Marin Music Chest. To purchase tickets, visit www.chambermusicmarin.org
Here’s the 2022-23 lineup:
KEYBOARD CONCERTI, JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH – 50TH ANNIVERSARY GALA CONCERT | OCTOBER 2, 5PM
To open its Golden Anniversary Season, the organization is featuring Bay Area harpsichordists Janine Johnson and Yuko Tanaka to lead a string ensemble in five Bach keyboard concerti for one and two harpsichords. Elizabeth Blumenstock and Kati Kyme, principal violinists with Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, will lead an ensemble of five string players with one instrument per part.
Program: For harpsichord(s) and string ensemble; Concerto in D major, BWV 1054: Yuko Tanaka; Concerto in D minor, BWV 1052: Janine Johnson; Double Concerto in C major, BWV 1061; Double Concerto in C minor, BWV 1060
CASTALIAN STRING QUARTET – NOVEMBER 6, 2022 | 5PM
Formed in 2011 and featuring Sini Simonen and Daniel Roberts on violin, Ruth Gibson on viola and Christopher Graves on violoncello, the Castalian String Quartet has rocketed to the top ranks of string quartets. In just a few seasons, it has made critically-acclaimed debuts at New York’s Lincoln Center, Banff International String Quartet Festival, and The Philips Collection in Washington D.C. In 2016, the Quartet were selected by the Young Classical Artists Trust. In 2019 the Castalian was named the String Quartet in Residence at the University of Oxford and also Royal Philharmonic Society Young Artist of the Year. We are thrilled to have them in our 50th anniversary year.
Program: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: String Quartet No. 15 in D minor K.421; Jean Sibelius: String Quartet in D Minor ‘Voces Intimae’, Op. 56; Franz Schubert: String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, D810 (“Death and the Maiden”)
TRIO CON BRIO COPENHAGEN – FEBRUARY 12, 2023 | 5PM
Trio Con Brio Copenhagen was founded in Vienna in 1999 by two South Korean sisters, violinist Soo-Jin Hong, and cellist, Soo-Kyung Hong, who is married to Jens Elvekjaer, pianist. Attendees can expect a powerful program of two of the most famous trios, and a new work by a living Danish composer, Per Nǿrgård.
Program: Per Nǿrgård: “Spell,” Ravel: Piano Trio; Brahms: Trio in B, op. 8
SAKURA (5 CELLOS) – BAMC CONCERT, MARCH 12, 2023 | 5PM – BAY AREA MUSIC CONSORTIUM CONCERT
This performance features Stella Cho Michael Kaufman, Benjamin Lash, Yoshika Masuda and Petter Myers under the auspices of the Bay Area Music Consortium. Now in its fourth season, BAMC is a partnership between three distinct organizations dedicated to presenting the finest in chamber music experiences: Berkeley Chamber Performances, Gold Coast Chamber Players (Lafayette), and Chamber Music Marin. BAMC members all bring their own unique presence to provide invigorating concert experiences to a wider audience. With the synergy of combined resources, collective planning and a shared artistic vision, the Bay Area Music Consortium is uniquely positioned to present outstanding performing ensembles, enriching the Bay Area’s cultural life.
The Sakura Cello Quintet’s name honors the great Ralph Kirshbaum, with whom all five members studied: sakura (桜) (Japanese) and Kirschbaum (German) have the same meaning: “cherry tree”, an organism whose flowers have five petals. Playing by memory, this group has a very expressive sonority and an eclectic mix of repertoire from classical to modern, from Dowland and Boccherini to Brahms to Bernstein and Star Wars.
Program: Britten; Dvorak; Faurė; Schubert; de Falla; Myers; Debussy
TELEGRAPH QUARTET AND SAN FRANCISCO CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC GRADUATE STUDENTS – April 2, 2023 | 5PM
For the finale of our Golden Anniversary Season, the Telegraph Quartet will play two string quartets and will then be joined by advanced students from the SF Conservatory of Music in Mendelssohn’s glorious String Octet in Eb. The group features violinists Eric Chin and Joseph Maile, Pei-Ling Lin, viola and Jeremiah Shaw on violoncello.
MARIN MUSIC CHEST YOUNG ARTISTS’ CONCERT – MAY 21, 2023 | 5PM
Subscribers receive a free ticket to the Young Artists’ Concert of the Marin Music Chest with their subscription. Chamber Music Marin supports the goals of the Marin Music Chest and hopes that subscribers will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to hear talented young musicians. Each year the quality of the winners is very impressive making this concert an inspiring event for all who attend. We encourage you to bring your friends and family, the concert is free to all comers.
All performances are set for Sundays, November 14th through May 15th at 5pm at Mt. Tamalpais United Methodist Church, 410 Sycamore Ave. Tickets are $40 general admission, $105 for three-concert subscription (any 3 concerts), or $145 for the entire season subscription (five concerts). Youths 18 and under are free. Subscribers receive a free ticket to the Young Artists’ Concert of the Marin Music Chest.
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 at this time. Visit the Covid updates page on the MVCMS website for full details.
