Musings

Transplanted to a different continent, these sold-out concerts feel like a vindication of the vision I call “community-oriented” chamber music.

‍Musicians are modern-day itinerant minstrels. Stephanie, one of our festival artists this summer (violin) and I have been trying to find a time to record a conversation.

When rural Americans finally got electricity in the 1930’s and 40’s, decades after the cities, many went outside just to look back at their illuminated houses.

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you already know that for NCMF this summer, Alfred Nicol has written a poem about local birds

Hungarian composer György Ligeti was born into a Jewish family in 1923 and grew up under the vile reigns of both the Nazi and Soviet regimes.

He then had the idea of adding to the four instruments a piano part for his wife Clara, and the resulting piano quintet was written in less than three weeks.

This summer marks another joyful collaboration with the actor, director, impresario, and his band of merry puppeteers. 

Long-time NCMF audience members are aware that I am an ardent fan of 98-year-old composer György Kurtág

Composers are a curious lot, interested in everything and anything. 

This was decided upon in a highly scientific manner. Take a look and let me know which favorite bird I left out...

Sometimes I’d buy a book, often I’d just browse, open up a volume, read the first paragraph. 

Twelve iconic birds of Newburyport for string quartet and...theremin? 

Ravel was an ardent collector of Art Nouveau and Art Deco with its stylized and stylish ideals

This summer, we’ll be performing piano quintets by Schumann (happy!) and Schnittke (maybe not so happy…).

Brahms, Schumann, Kurtag, Schnittke, Ligeti, Liszt, a world premiere by Castillo with theremin, puppet shows, oh my!

Haydn's music reflects a time of great political and social upheaval.

This summer we’ll feature two piano quintets that are a study in contrast.

Our roster of artists for this summer along with some of their favorite meals. Is there a better way to get to know someone?

Some of you may know that I took a gap year after graduating from high school in 2022.

I’ve said about all I can about the Mozart and Schoenberg trios and how great they are.

A thoughtful reader challenged my observation that the Mozart is more difficult than the Schoenberg.

Most of us have had kind and generous teachers that left a lasting impression.

On Tuesday, I had the privilege to discuss the composer Arnold Schoenberg with his son, Larry.

Buckle your seat belts! The program consists of the Schoenberg String Trio and Mozart’s Divertimento in Eb.

Sometimes the process of figuring out the right question is as important as the answer.