We are delighted to announce our 2022-2023 season of in-person performances. An impressive array of players—old FLCE friends as well as new faces—will present three exciting and diverse programs, plus a special event concert.
We look forward to sharing them with you!
In Appreciation — Michael Salmirs
As we look ahead, we bid a bittersweet farewell to pianist Michael Salmirs. Michael will be leaving FLCE to devote more time and energy to exploring the solo piano repertoire and other musical projects. Co-director since 1990 and a founding member, Michael has presented an impressive number of outstanding performances as well as many captivating and often amusing Salon lectures. He worked tirelessly behind the scenes at tasks great and small to help keep the FLCE moving forward. Without his dedication and artistry, establishing the Finger Lakes Chamber Ensemble would not have been possible. We are deeply grateful to him and wish him all the best on his new path.
New Faces — Old Friends
This season, we welcome two gifted pianists, Susan Sobolewski and Molly Morkowski. Both enjoy successful, wide-ranging careers as soloists and chamber artists. This season will be a homecoming of sorts for Sue, who received degrees in performance at Ithaca College and the Eastman School of Music, and spent a number of years in this area. We look forward to renewing our musical friendship! Molly is a long-time colleague of resident artist Barry Crawford. They have collaborated on numerous projects over the years, and we are privileged to be part of their musical reunion in March.
Also returning ‘home’ to Ithaca is violinist Fritz Gearhart, who spent most of his formative years here, and once again joins us for a spirited, exciting performance!
Returning to the FLCE stage are core ensemble members Janet Sung, Stefan Reuss and myself, resident artists Richard MacDowell and Barry Crawford, and guest artists Heidi Hoffman and Jessica Tong.
Our upcoming season promises many gems
We begin with the September 25th concert where, joined by Fritz Gearhart, we will feature a set of the energetic, folk-inspired Violin Duos of Bartok, Beethoven’s fiery C minor Violin Sonata, and the ever-popular Quintet in A Major by Dvořák .
Our March 12th concert will showcase several works by women composers. Violinist Janet Sung will perform Clara Schumann’s Romances; Barry Crawford and Molly Morkowski will discuss and perform Suenos de Chambi: Snapshots for an Andean Album, written by award-winning composer Gabriela Lena Frank, and I will present the world premiere of Snow Kim’s Monologue for Viola. We finish this concert with the ebullient Piano Quartet in E-flat by Robert Schumann.
We’re happy to be re-establishing our traditional Mother’s Day Concert on May 14th with a program that will include the much-loved Clarinet Quintet of Mozart and Brahms’ epic Piano Quintet.
And, don’t miss our special event concert on October 30th at Red Newt Winery! Richard MacDowell, Susan Sobolewski and I will discuss and present works by Frederic Chopin and Robert Schumann. More details will be available soon on our website.
We will be carefully monitoring the situation with COVID and implementing safety protocols for each concert to maximize the health and safety of our audience members and performers. Video performances of each program will also be available for those who may not feel comfortable attending in person.
As always, we are extremely grateful to the many people who, through their generous contributions of time, energy and resources, help make these performances possible.
See you at the concert!
Roberta
for the Finger Lakes Chamber Ensemble
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