Most classical musicians live at the mercy of conductors. They decide what will be played, be it a Bach suite or a Beethoven symphony.
But what if they have a burning desire to present a work by an obscure French master?
That’s the idea behind the Palm Beach Chamber Music Festival, the 18-year-old summer event that offers some of our top local orchestral musicians a chance to perform the music that’s closest to their hearts.
With the festival now in full swing (it runs through Aug. 2), we decided to ask the musicians about what pieces they lobbied to have on the programs — and why.
Susan Bergeron, of Fort Lauderdale, cello player, of the Palm Beach Chamber Music Festival. Gary Coronado/The Post.
Cellist Susan Bergeron
Her piece: Brahms’ Quintet in B Minor for clarinet, two violins, viola and cello, Op. 115 (on Program 3)
Her request: I requested the Brahms because it is simply a beautiful piece of music. I’ve loved this piece since I first played it in college at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where my group worked on it for a whole semester as our chamber-music assignment. And I love that Brahms was so enchanted by the clarinet late in his life that he was inspired to write for it two sonatas, a trio (with piano and cello) and this masterpiece of a quintet (with strings). The piece is lush, poignant and romantic. And the clarinet is perfect because its warm, round sound blends well with the vibrancy of the strings.
Karen Dixon, of Fort Lauderdale, flute player, of the Palm Beach Chamber Music Festival. Gary Coronado/The Post.
Flutist (and festival founder) Karen Dixon
Her piece: Florent Schmitt’s Suite en Rocaille for flute, violin, viola, cello and harp, Op. 84 (on Program 2)
Her request: When we realized we weren’t going to be featuring a piano on any programs this summer, due to our pianist Lisa Leonard’s maternity leave, we had the idea of using harp. That opened up a whole world of possibilities, especially for me since many composers love to score flute and harp together. I have played many of the standard flute and harp works, however, and was looking for something new. This meant that it was time to turn to festival founder Michael Ellert, who has an extensive sheet music library and CD collection, plus a giant “card catalog” in his brain. He immediately gave me a CD of music by the French composer Florent Schmitt. I was unfamiliar with Schmitt’s music, but fell in love with it immediately. It is light and charming with plenty of virtuoso flourishes.
Michael Ellert, of Lantana, bassoon player, of the Palm Beach Chamber Music Festival. Gary Coronado/The Post.
Bassoonist (and festival founder) Michael Ellert
His piece: Antonín Dvorák’s Serenade in D Minor for two oboes, two clarinets, three horns, two bassoons, contrabassoon, cello and bass, Op. 44 (Program 1)
His request: For a long time, I have put the Dvorak Serenade for winds on my festival request list and I am finally getting my wish fulfilled. This piece is a masterpiece of wind writing in the tradition of the great Mozart and Beethoven serenades, but in this case with the addition of an extra horn, contrabassoon, cello and bass. Because it requires the use of many “extra” musicians, it is difficult to program because we need to make sure that all the extra forces are available to play. Dvorák puts his own stamp on this music in that it is melodic, virtuosic and clearly nationalistic in its Czech folk melodies.
Michael Forte of Lake Worth, clarinet player, of the Palm Beach Chamber Music Festival. Gary Coronado/The Post.
Clarinetist (and festival founder) Michael Forte
His piece: Bohuslav Martinu’s Serenade for two clarinets, violin, viola and cello (Program 1)
His request: I came across the Martinu Serenade for two clarinets and strings by chance. I was initially planning to request a trio for clarinet, violin and cello by Ingolf Dahl that was suggested to me by a former teacher of mine. I found the sheet music and a recording and thought it would be great to do. But the Martinu Serenade was also on that recording and when I had festival clarinetist Scott Ellington listen to it, we agreed the Martinu would be fun to do. And what a coincidence that festival violinist Dina Kostic had also requested the piece!
Dina Kostic, of Fort Lauderdale, violin player, of the Palm Beach Chamber Music Festival. Gary Coronado/The Post.
Violinist Dina Kostic
Her piece: Bohuslav Martinu’s Serenade for two clarinets, violin, viola and cello (program 1)
Her request: I actually requested several pieces by this Czech composer, because I was hoping to get to play anything by him. In the last few seasons, some other festival members have performed Martinu works that I really enjoyed. So I am excited to finally have my shot at the composer.
PROGRAM 1
Works by Beethoven, Bohuslav Martinu, Eugene Bozza and Dvorak
2 p.m. at Crest Theatre
PROGRAM 2
Works by Joseph Gabriel Rheinberger, Florent Schmitt and Beethoven
8 p.m. Friday at Persson Recital Hall
8 p.m. Saturday at Eissey
2 p.m. July 19 at Crest
PROGRAM 3
Works by Ravel, Stravinsky and Brahms
8 p.m. July 24 at Persson Recital Hall
8 p.m. July 25 at Eissey
2 p.m. July 26 at Crest
PROGRAM 4
Works by Saint-Saëns, Casella, Jan Bach and Mendelssohn.
8 p.m. July 31 at Persson Recital Hall
8 p.m. Aug. 1 at Eissey
2 p.m. Aug. 2 at Crest
Through Aug. 2
VENUES: Helen K. Persson Recital Hall, Palm Beach Atlantic University, 326 Acacia Road, West Palm Beach; Eissey Campus Theatre, Palm Beach Community College, 3160 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens; Crest Theatre, Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach
TICKETS: Single performances: $21; Subscriptions: $72
INFO: (800) 330-6874 or www.pbcmf.org
