ClevelandClassical.com Header
Ad
Ad
Ad

To•Day

DIARY: Tuesday, May 19, 2026

by Daniel Hathaway

HAPPENING TODAY:

Tonight at 7:30 in Gartner Auditorium at the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Chamber Music Society will conclude its season with a performance by the Isidore String Quartet with pianist Jeremy Denk. After the Quartet plays works by Joseph Haydn and Hungarian composer György Ligeti, Denk will join the group for Johannes Brahms’ Piano Quintet in f minor.

INTERESTING READ:

Previously Unknown Vaughan Williams Piece Found in London

Titled Before the Mirror, the newly-discovered piece was found in the archives of London’s Morley College. Read the Violin Channel article here.

TODAY’S ALMANAC:

On this date in 1954, the iconoclastic American composer Charles Ives died in New York. [Read More…]

Pre•Views & Features

Tenor David Butt Philip sheds light on Cleveland Orchestra’s Fidelio

by Mike Telin

In his program note, Franz Welser-Möst writes that: “Fidelio is not only an opera; it’s a philosophical statement about courage, liberty, love, and the triumph of the human spirit. Every stage director I’ve met wrestles with the same question when putting on Fidelio: How do you make it relevant to the time we live in? Here, we present it in concert to bring attention to the extraordinary ways that Ludwig van Beethoven’s music is philosophy set to sound.”

On Saturday, May 16 at 7:00 pm in Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center, Franz Welser-Möst will lead The Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus in the first of three performances of Beethoven’s only opera as part of the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Opera & Humanities Festival.

The all-star cast includes Sara Jakubiak as Leonore, David Butt Philip as Florestan, Tomasz Konieczny as Don Pizarro, Raymond Aceto as Rocco, and Dashon Burton as Don Fernando. Click here for Festival details. The program will be repeated on Thursday, May 21 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, May 24 at 3:00 pm. Tickets are available online.

[Read on…]

A Legacy of ART: a conversation with violinist Mari Sato

by Mike Telin

Founded by Chris Haff-Paluck in 1991 with a mission to enhance the quality and diversity of life in Tremont by providing the fine arts with a greater presence in its neighborhood, Arts Renaissance Tremont has played an important role in creating community and fostering a greater appreciation for the arts through accessible artistic programs.

Since her passing on April 25, 2020, the organization has experienced some setbacks, but this season, Arts Renaissance Tremont (ART) has returned to its founding home at Pilgrim Church UCC, and launched its 34th season.

On Sunday, May 17 at 3:00 pm, Arts Renaissance Tremont will present “A Legacy of ART: Honoring Chris Haff Paluck.” Performers include the Amici String Quartet, guitarist Jason Vieaux, and The Cleveland Orchestra Bass Quartet, and violinist Jason Yu. The concert is free.

I caught up violinist Mari Sato by phone and began our conversation by asking her when she first met Chris Haff Paluck.

Mari Sato: I first met her when I was in high school at the Encore School for Strings, I believe it was 1989. I’m not sure what her role was, but it was administrative. I’d see her every time I went to pick up my mail. She helped me orient myself there. She was a really kind presence.

[Read on…]

Isidore String Quartet and Jeremy Denk collaborate for Cleveland Chamber Music Society season finale

by Stephanie Manning

When the Isidore String Quartet performed in Northeast Ohio last year, they faced some unusual circumstances. On the way to their Tuesday Musical engagement with pianist Jeremy Denk, violist Devin Moore came down with a painful case of strep throat, and the group had to find a substitute player at the last minute.

In their more than three years of touring, the Isidore have faced obstacles like flight delays and other illnesses. But “ that was actually the first time that we’ve had to call someone else in,” said violinist Phoenix Avalon. Eva Kennedy, the violist of the Callisto Quartet, drove up from Columbus in time for the day-of rehearsal and soundcheck. ” It was very last-minute, but we were glad that she could come in.”

Next Tuesday, the Isidore will return to the area — with all four members thankfully in good health — for their 7:30 pm concert at the Cleveland Museum of Art, presented by the Cleveland Chamber Music Society. The Juilliard-trained group will present quartets by Haydn and Ligeti and reunite with Jeremy Denk for Brahms’ Quintet for Piano and Strings in f minor. Tickets for the May 19 concert are available online. [Read on…]

See all previews

Follow ClevelandClassical.com

Contact us