Arts & Entertainment
Heights Arts Launches Its Sixth Season of Chamber Music Concerts
Series features Cleveland Orchestra musicians playing in unique, intimate settings
Attending a concert by the Cleveland Orchestra is always a notable event. But when some of those exceptional musicians play music of their own selection in a more intimate and casual environment, the experience can be engaging in an entirely different way.
This is what attendees to the ’ chamber music concert series have discovered in past years. And the group’s new four-concert series, its sixth season, is slated to begin this Sunday, Oct. 2, with a performance titled “Welcome Bach Tudor Arms” in the Crystal Room of the recently renovated Doubletree Tudor Arms Hotel on Carnegie.
Peggy Spaeth, executive director of Heights Arts, notes that these chamber music concerts have a unique twist.
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“The artistic director of the series, Isabel Trautwein, is a violinist with the orchestra. She brings together her fellow musicians who decide on the music they want to play, making it a very personal musical experience,” Spaeth said.
Because the audience sits close to the musicians, there’s a different level of intimacy with the music.
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“The musicians introduce the pieces they play and give some background about the compositions," she said. "They love the whole event, as does the audience.”
Spaeth is pleased with the response the concert series has generated.
“Our series almost always sells out, since only 60 to 80 people can usually be accommodated in the grand homes that serve as our venues.”
The one exception to that rule is the opening concert this year, because the Tudor Arms can hold up to 200 patrons.
The concerts, which last approximately an hour, also feature an after-concert reception with desserts, wine and soft drinks, giving the audience an opportunity to converse with the musicians.
In addition to the concert on Oct. 2, the 2011-2012 season includes: “El Gar!” on Sunday, Feb. 5; “3Bs: Beethoven, Brahms & Bartok” on Sunday, May 6; and “Americana” on Tuesday, July 3.
“Welcome Bach Tudor Arms,” 3 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Doubletree Tudor Arms Hotel, 10660 Carnegie Ave. Price for individual concerts: $40 for Heights Arts members, $50 for others. Subscription for all four concerts: $140. Advance reservations strongly suggested. Call Heights Arts at 216-371-3457 and visit www.heightsarts.org for more information.