Byron Schenkman Friends
apr Beethoven & 25 the Schumanns
Ingrid Matthews u violin Amber Archibald u viola Byron Schenkman u piano
Robert Schumann u 1810 – 1856 Fairy Tale Pictures, op. 113, for viola and piano Not Fast Lively Quick Slowly, with Melancholic Expression
Clara Schumann u 1819 - 1896 Nocturne in F Major, op. 6, no. 2, for piano
Maria Szymanowska u 1789 – 1831 Nocturne in B-flat for piano
Ludwig van Beethoven u 1770 - 1827 Sonata in F Major, op, 24, for violin and piano Allegro Adagio molto espressivo Scherzo: Allegro molto Rondo: Allegro ma non troppo
Robert Schumann u 1810 – 1856 Evening Song, op.85, no. 12, for viola and piano
Byron Schenkman Friends 8th Season u 6th Concert u Beethoven & the Schumanns www.byronandfriends.org notes on the program By Byron Schenkman
Robert and Clara Schumann were two of the Clara Schumann was known first as a child prodigy, most influential musicians in 19th-century Europe. then as one of her century’s greatest pianists and Through Robert’s work as a music critic and Clara’s an outstanding teacher, and finally as the wife of as a pianist and teacher, they had a major impact the composer Robert Schumann whose music she on the development of a canon of standard concert tirelessly championed. Her genius as a composer repertoire which has remained largely intact to this has only recently begun to be fully acknowledged. day. Central to that canon is the music of Ludwig van Her Nocturne in F is an early work which shows Beethoven, including his ten sonatas for violin and the influence of Frederic Chopin. Chopin, in turn, piano which Clara often performed on concert tours had been influenced by the work of the great Polish with the violinist Joseph Joachim. pianist Maria Szymanowska, represented on our program by her Nocturne in B-flat. The famous story of the love between Robert and Clara Schumann reads like the synopsis to a The Sonata in F for violin and piano by Ludwig Romantic operatic tragedy. They fell in love while van Beethoven is one of his most popular chamber piano students of Clara’s tyrannical father and works. It has become known as his “Spring” Sonata, eventually married against his wishes. His retaliation although that nickname was not given by the included withholding all of Clara’s assets, including composer. In any case it is a remarkably sunny and money she had earned on concert tours and even cheerful work by a composer experiencing hearing her own piano. loss and profound despair.
Meanwhile, Robert was struggling increasingly with Robert Schumann’s “Evening Song” was originally mental illness, attempted suicide, and eventually intended as a duet for piano, three hands. One had himself committed to an insane asylum. The pianist is assigned the melody; the other accompanies. authorities at the asylum decided that he should This beautiful melody has been transcribed for not be allowed to see Clara, and only relented at various other instruments and is especially well suited the very end of his life, by which time he may not to the viola. have been able to recognize her. A theme of longing for the innocence of childhood recurs throughout Robert’s work, and can be heard in his late “Fairy Tale Pictures” for viola and piano.
Byron Schenkman Friends 8th Season u 6th Concert u Beethoven & the Schumanns www.byronandfriends.org musicians
Byron Schenkman Houston, Texas native Amber believes in the power of music to Archibald-Sešek has bring people together for healing been praised for her bold and and joy. By the time they went vivacious playing that matches to their first music camp at the her personality. Prior to the age of eleven, Byron knew that pandemic, Amber enjoyed solo playing chamber music would engagements in Seattle and with be an important part of their the Association of Dominican life’s work. They have since been Musicians in New York City. a founding member of several As a chamber musician, she ensembles, including the Seattle has appeared with the Seattle Baroque Orchestra which they Russian Chamber Music Society, Arizona Bach Society, Caroga Lake codirected until 2013. In addition to performing live on piano, Music Festival, and the Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival harpsichord, and fortepiano, Byron can be heard on more than in Winthrop, WA. Since 2016, you can regularly catch Amber on forty CDs, including recordings on historical instruments from the stage or in the pit with Seattle Symphony and the Seattle Opera as a National Music Museum, Vermillion, and the Museum of Fine Arts, substitute musician. Boston. A recipient of the Erwin Bodky Award from the Cambridge Teaching has always been a passion and at the forefront of Amber’s Society for Early Music “for outstanding achievement in the field of career. Her prior teaching posts include professorships at Seattle early music,” Byron was voted “Best Classical Instrumentalist” by the University and Seattle Pacific University In 2018, was the youth viola readers of Seattle Weekly, and their piano playing has been described coach in the inaugural Los Angeles Philharmonic’s YOLA Summer in The New York Times as “sparkling,” “elegant,” and “insightful.” A Festival (NTASF). Currently, Amber and her husband, violinist graduate of the New England Conservatory and Indiana University, Ervin Luka Sešek, are the proud founders of the Sešek String Studio. Byron currently teaches music history at Seattle University, and has With over 40 students, Amber and Luka stay in demand as their been a guest lecturer in harpsichord and fortepiano at the Indiana instruction over the years has allowed several of their students to University Jacobs School of Music. pursue music at the collegiate and professional level. Outside of music making, Amber enjoys cooking, reading and playing with her Ingrid Matthews, Music Standard Poodle, Fanny. Director Emeritus of Seattle Baroque Orchestra (1994-2013), won first prize in the Erwin Bodky International Competition for Early Music in 1989, and was a member of Toronto’s Announcing our Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra before founding SBO with Byron Schenkman in 1994. She has Ninth Season performed around the world as a soloist, chamber musician and guest director with groups including the New York Collegium, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, the Fall Series Bach Sinfonia (Washington DC), Ars Lyrica (Houston), and many others, and is currently a member of the esteemed Bay Area group Online Concerts Musica Pacifica. She has won high critical acclaim for her extensive discography; her recording of the Sonatas and Partitas of J.S. Bach is the top recommendation for this music by both American Record Guide and Third Ear’s Classical Music Listening Companion. See concert details at Matthews has taught at Indiana University, the University of byronandfriends.org Toronto, Oberlin College, the University of Southern California/ Los Angeles, and the Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. She also plays jazz and swing styles and is active as a visual artist.
Byron Schenkman Friends 8th Season u 6th Concert u Beethoven & the Schumanns www.byronandfriends.org Byron Schenkman Friends
Byron Schenkman & Friends Black Lives Matter 2020-2021 Byron Schenkman & Friends’ vision is “to build a diverse and Artistic Director inclusive community through historically informed chamber music performances that welcome, engage and inspire.” We Byron Schenkman are committed to fostering a stage where artistry from all General Manager backgrounds is nurtured, shared, and valued. Margy Crosby Marketing & Operations Etta Lilienthal Our Mission Graphic Design Byron Schenkman & Friends presents artistically excellent Baroque Rebecca Richards-Diop and Classical chamber music to audiences in Seattle and beyond Jessica Stone-Weaver through lively and engaging concerts and recordings. RRD Design Co Web Development Our Vision Lisette Ausin Byron Schenkman & Friends builds a diverse and inclusive Austin Creative Inc community through historically informed chamber music performances that welcome, engage and inspire. Board of Directors Robert DeLine Our Values Statements President u Through music we bring people together and foster an inclusive Tom Lewandowski and diverse community. Vice President u We perform at the highest levels of artistic expression and support Zhenyu Zhao our musicians accordingly. Treasurer u Our audiences are enriched by understanding the historical Fox Spears background and context of the music. Secretary
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Byron Schenkman Friends 8th Season u 6th Concert u Beethoven & the Schumanns www.byronandfriends.org