Director’s Welcome

Welcome to another season of “Music Among Friends” at the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. Norfolk is a special place, where the beauty of the natural surroundings combines with the sounds of music to create something truly magical. I’m pleased that you are here to share in this special experience.

In addition to the concerts that we put on every summer, the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival also has an educational component, in which we train the most promising instrumentalists from around the world in the art of chamber music. Chosen by extremely competitive auditions, the group of Fellows will astound you, as they did last summer. They perform alongside their faculty mentors on Friday evening concerts, or by themselves on our Emerging Artist Showcase concerts. You have an opportunity to hear the next generation of professional chamber musicians before they grace the stages of the major halls around the world!

As has become a recent tradition, this summer has a theme: “Hidden Influences.” Many of our programs explore the ideas and people who have influenced classical music in profound ways, but that might not be obvious at first glance. From the concerts that explore different aspects of this theme, I hope that you come away intrigued, curious, and excited to learn and hear more. Professor Paul Berry returns to give his popular pre-concert lectures, where he will add depth and context to the theme of the summer and also to the specific works on each Friday evening concert.

This summer we welcome violinist Martin Beaver, pianist Gilbert Kalish, and singer Janna Baty back to Norfolk. You will enjoy our resident ensemble the Brentano Quartet in the first two weeks of July, while the Miró Quartet returns for the last two weeks in July. Familiar returning artists include Ani Kavafian, Melissa Reardon, Raman Ramakrishnan, David Shifrin, William Purvis, Allan Dean, Frank Morelli, and many others. Making their Norfolk debuts are pianist Wendy Chen and oboist James Austin Smith.

I and the Faculty, Staff, and Fellows are most grateful to Dean Blocker, the Yale School of Music, the Ellen Battell Stoeckel Trust, the donors, patrons, volunteers, and friends for their generous and committed support of this summer’s season. Without the help of so many dedicated contributors, this festival would not be possible.

Finally, thank you for being here tonight. Whether you are a regular or here for the first time, your participation in our community of music lovers is deeply appreciated. Enjoy the concert!

Melvin Chen, Director

Did You Know? Young people who participate in the arts for at least three hours on three days each week through at least one full year are: • 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement • 3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools • 4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair • 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance • 4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem