by Stephanie Manning
Of all of Shakespeare’s works, Midsummer Night’s Dream is perhaps the most musically influential. It inspired Felix Mendelssohn to write an overture and incidental music and Benjamin Britten to pen an entire opera.
For three Juilliard School students in 2009, it was the character of Lysander that intrigued them specifically.
“The most famous line by Lysander is, ‘The course of true love never did run smooth,’” pianist Liza Stepanova said in a recent interview. “We thought that was a really nice motto, because a chamber group is kind of like a marriage.
“You go through ups and downs, you travel together, you have different projects together. Some things are more successful than others, and so you just have to remind yourself that the course of true love never did run smooth.”
Thankfully, the Lysander Piano Trio are still playing together more than 15 years later — so one could say things have gone more smoothly than not. Stepanova, violinist Itamar Zorman, and cellist James Kim will make their Cleveland Chamber Music Society debut on November 17 at Disciples Church in Cleveland Heights. Tickets are available online. [Read more…]
In Apollo’s Fire’s latest musical production, ECHOES Across the Atlantic, Jeannette Sorrell explores the historical connections between Europe and the Caribbean colonies in the 18th century. Across the waters, tales of love, despair, and resilience emerge from the palaces of Europe and the plantations of the Caribbean — with surprising resonance for today.
After stepping down from her position as Associate Concertmaster of The Cleveland Orchestra at the end of last season in order to teach full-time at the Oberlin Conservatory, violinist Amy Lee is exploring new career directions.
Reposted and adapted with the permission of Oberlin Conservatory
Reposted with the permission of Oberlin Conservatory
“Music is something that throughout time has developed different flavors around the world,” violinist Edwin Huizinga said during a 2022 telephone conversation.
