Cape Cod residents and vacationers had two opportunities last summer to hear Donald Enos and his chamber music ensemble—the first and longest-running such festival in the region. For the convenience of mid-Cape residents and vacationers, the Festival's founder and artistic director added the Cotuit Center for the Arts in Cotuit, MA, to its customary venue of Church of the Holy Spirit in Orleans, MA.
The centerpiece of the concert was Schumann’s exuberant piano quintet, composed in 1842 as chamber music was beginning its move into public concert halls. Combining the intimacy and expressiveness of the string quartet with the power and dynamic range of the piano, the piece was regarded as revolutionary in its day and is prized today as one of the great works of the Romantic period.
This exciting concert also included compositions by Astor Piazzolla, an Argentine tango composer who transformed the genre by incorporating elements of jazz and classical music; the versatile Norman Weiss whose credits also include serving as assistant conductor of The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway; and more!
The ensemble included Joyce Hammann – violin; Heather Goodchild Wade – violin; Laura Manko – viola; Bo Ericsson – cello; Donald Enos – piano.
Joyce Hammann's distinctive versatility and virtuosity have won her praise and a loyal following whether appearing on the concert stage, in a jazz club, or before 17,000 screaming, rock concert fans. Hailed for "splendid soloing" and a "sweet, rich tone" by The New York Times, she has performed and recorded with such artists as Paul McCartney, Sting, Michael Jackson and Bruce Springsteen. Joyce is currently Concertmaster for Broadway's longest running show, The Phantom of the Opera as she continues to tour and perform with various ensembles.
Heather Goodchild Wade holds the position of principal second violin with the Cape Symphony Orchestra. Heather has performed in Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York, Jordan Hall in Massachusetts, and other major venues. This past spring, Heather premiered a double concerto for violin and viola with violist Laura Manko and the Cape Symphony.
Violist Laura Manko has won various solo competitions and performed as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player throughout the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. Formerly the principal violist of the Cape Symphony Orchestra and violist of the Boston Harp Trio, Laura is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey, and playing with the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra.
Bo Ericsson is principal cellist with the Cape Symphony Orchestra, an active chamber musician and
teacher of cello, and a member of the Schultze-Ericsson Cello Duo. He has been principal cellist with the Bergen (Norway) Philharmonic Orchestra and the Upsala (Sweden) Chamber Orchestra, and has toured extensively throughout Europe.
The Meeting House Chamber Music Festival is the longest-running chamber music festival on Cape Cod, founded in 1973 by Donald Enos, the distinguished musician who also holds the position of Wesley DeLacy Chair in Perpetuity with the Cape Symphony Orchestra. In a region rich with musical offerings, the Meeting House Chamber Music Festival is a standout with creative programming and top-flight musicianship that has touched and delighted audiences for more than forty years.
For information on the upcoming 2016 season, please visit: Meeting House Chamber Music Festival