Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center returns for concert at St. Cecilia
Music Center
The Ann Arbor News (Michigan)
MLive.com
February 1, 2013
By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk | [email protected]
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – When Ani Kavafian became a resident artist of the
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, she was one of a kind.
Not because she was the only violinist with prestigious chamber music
organization in New York City.
`For a while, I was the only female in the group,’ she recalled. `We
had this picture taken out on the plaza. I’m in the middle, with all
these men all around.’
Now a professor of music at Yale University, Kavafian earned her
invitation to become a member under founding artistic director Charles
Wadsworth after several appearances as a guest or a substitute.
`You had to prove yourself, and up until that time, I had only played
second violin,’ she recalled. `I’ve been there ever since.’
She wasn’t the only woman forever, and eventually her sister,
violinist Ida Kavafian, would follow.
Both will be in Grand Rapids next week for St. Cecilia Music Center’s
Chamber Music Series featuring musicians of the
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in Grand Rapids.
Ida Kavafian teaches at The Curtis Institute in Philadelphia and the
Bard College Conservatory in Annandale-on Hudson, New York, and she
was a member of the celebrated Beaux Arts Trio for six years.
But both native Michiganders have maintained their association with
the premiere repertory company for chamber music.
`I think it’s one of the real pinnacles of chamber music playing, very
well respected, representing Lincoln Center and New York City,’ Ida
Kavafian said.
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center returns on Thursday
Feb. 7, 2013 for its second concert in its first season as partners
with St. Cecilia Chamber Music Series, directed by David Finckel and
Wu Han, co-artistic directors of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln
Center.
Seven musicians will be in St. Cecilia Music Center’s Royce Auditorium
to play music by Cesar Franck, Richard Strauss and Ned Rorem in a
program the ensemble also will perform in Chicago’s Harris Theater the
following day and in Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in New York
City afterwards.
The program includes Strauss’ Violin Sonata in E-flat major, Op. 18;
Franck’s Quintet in F minor for Piano, Two Violins and Cello; and
Rorem’s `Aftermath’ A Song Cycle for Voice, Piano, Violin and Cello.
`There’s a good amount of romanticism and lyricism with Ned’s piece,’
Ida said. `There will be a little something for everyone.
Pianists Gil Kalish and Anne-Marie McDermott, baritone Randall
Scarlata, violist Richard O’Neill and cellist Mihai Marica will join
the Kavafians for the program.
`Many of us play together and have for many years,’ said Ida Kavafian.
Perhaps none more than Ani Kavafian. She’s in her 34th season with the
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
`Somebody told me the number of concerts and the number of pieces I’ve
played, and it was staggering. It was many, many, many hundreds, she
said.’
Ani Kavafian plans on adding many more to that list.
`I’m as much in love with the position as I’ve ever been,’ she said.