Our Gift to you:
Enjoy "Spring is Here!"
A Virtual Concert from March 20, 2021

The first Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Music Society concert of 2021 was pre-recorded and received its virtual premiere on Saturday March 20th. We are happy to now offer this concert via virtual video ‘replay’ for your enjoyment.
Playing the concert is the Artists of MVCMS String Quartet, an astounding group of young virtuosi based in Boston that possess a unique combination of panache and tight ensemble playing, combined with an eclectic range of repertoire. The Artists of MVCMS are Geneva Lewis, Zenas Hsu (violins), Zhanbo Zheng (viola) and Eunghee Cho (cello).
The program starts off with a piece by the Serbian composer Aleksandra Vrebalov called Pannonia Boundless – a fascinating opener that draws you into the sound and emotions of the Balkans – it will surely be replayed many times (one of the many advantages of a “cyber” concert).
Then follows a classical masterpiece – Haydn’s Emperor Quartet with its famous slow movement which is a set of variations on a tune now most recognizable as the German national anthem (also the hymn tune Austria). A unifying link throughout some of this year’s events is the rich topic of "Theme and Variations" – an exploration of how musicians take an idea and vary it in different ways.
Two pieces from Florence Price’s Negro Folksongs in Counterpoint are next – one commentator suggested this music should be America’s default Thanksgiving anthem. Price was an African American composer whose music is currently undergoing a well-deserved revival. The two pieces the Quartet will play are Drink to Me With Thine Own Eyes and Shortenin’ Bread.
Then follows the moving Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber. Many people will know the music from movies and memorial events – a recent performance was for the victims of Coronavirus.
Completing the program is a rousing set of Sonnets et Rondeaux by the Sicilian composer, Giovanni Sollima. This music is a fascinating minimalist fusion of atmospheric music and complex rhythmic folk dances: another candidate for replaying!
Playing the concert is the Artists of MVCMS String Quartet, an astounding group of young virtuosi based in Boston that possess a unique combination of panache and tight ensemble playing, combined with an eclectic range of repertoire. The Artists of MVCMS are Geneva Lewis, Zenas Hsu (violins), Zhanbo Zheng (viola) and Eunghee Cho (cello).
The program starts off with a piece by the Serbian composer Aleksandra Vrebalov called Pannonia Boundless – a fascinating opener that draws you into the sound and emotions of the Balkans – it will surely be replayed many times (one of the many advantages of a “cyber” concert).
Then follows a classical masterpiece – Haydn’s Emperor Quartet with its famous slow movement which is a set of variations on a tune now most recognizable as the German national anthem (also the hymn tune Austria). A unifying link throughout some of this year’s events is the rich topic of "Theme and Variations" – an exploration of how musicians take an idea and vary it in different ways.
Two pieces from Florence Price’s Negro Folksongs in Counterpoint are next – one commentator suggested this music should be America’s default Thanksgiving anthem. Price was an African American composer whose music is currently undergoing a well-deserved revival. The two pieces the Quartet will play are Drink to Me With Thine Own Eyes and Shortenin’ Bread.
Then follows the moving Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber. Many people will know the music from movies and memorial events – a recent performance was for the victims of Coronavirus.
Completing the program is a rousing set of Sonnets et Rondeaux by the Sicilian composer, Giovanni Sollima. This music is a fascinating minimalist fusion of atmospheric music and complex rhythmic folk dances: another candidate for replaying!
Zhanbo Zheng's photo credit: Steve Riskind
Eunghee Cho's photo credit: Chris Kitchen (Used with permission of the Heifetz International Music Institute)
We are happy to broadcast this concert free. If you can, please help us continue our mission by donating now.
Eunghee Cho's photo credit: Chris Kitchen (Used with permission of the Heifetz International Music Institute)
We are happy to broadcast this concert free. If you can, please help us continue our mission by donating now.
CELEBRATE MUSIC
The Martha's Vineyard Chamber Music Society produces chamber music concerts and promotes an appreciation of classical and contemporary music on the island of Martha's Vineyard. The Summer Evening Concerts and our Education Programs including Instrument Loans, Lesson Scholarships, Artist in Residence, and Project Cello, all depend on generous donors and grant funders. Your donation is greatly appreciated and will help us fulfill our mission. |