The Chamber Players Celebrate Beethoven and Female Composers

The All Seasons Chamber Players performed together once again on March 10 as part of their 2018-2019 tour. People gathered in the basement of the Fort Lee Public Library to listen to the music of Johannes Brahms and Ludwig Van Beethoven.

Another artist featured was Louise Farrenc, whose music was performed first. She was born in 1804, a time when Beethoven was an active composer. As she began to compose music herself, Farrenc had to contend with established male artists like him.

“It’s a kind of equivalent in music of Lady Butler’s war paintings in the later 19th century in Britain: Farrenc is asking to be taken seriously as a symphonist in a genre in which there were no significant precedents for a woman competing on her own terms with any of the Great Men of the past or the present,” Tom Service wrote in The Guardian.

Flutist Lisa Hansen also spoke of this when she referenced one of composer Hector Berlioz remarks about an early work of Farrenc’s, “that it was orchestrated with a talent rare among women.” There is an insinuation that not many women have such talent to compose that seems difficult to miss.

Farrenc was the first artist featured in the concert, fitting since Women's History Month was in full swing. The chamber players performed selected Trio In E Flat For Piano, Flute and Cello. Flute music was prominent in one such piece, along with the piano and cello. The music from each flowed together and made cohesive and lovely selections.

Selections from Johann Brahms’ Waltzes for Piano Duet, Op.39 were performed next. Brahms compositions weren’t like those of his time. “It is Brahms’s supple and masterful control of rhythm and movement that distinguishes him from all his contemporaries,” according to Britannica.

After a brief intermission, the Chamber Players performed Ludwig van Beethoven’s Sonata No.10 in G Minor, Op.96 for Piano and Violin. One such selection, Adagio Expressivo, was a calming combination of piano and violin.

The last selections performed were composed by Horatio Parker, the most current of the four artists. The first song was the prelude, expressive but moderate. The next selection, Tempo di Minuetto, had shorter notes and string plucking. It was also more dramatic sounding than the first song, but had its moments of sweet sounding string music. Romance was the third selection and featured the string instruments prominently. The two played off of each other, with the piano as the undercurrent, escalating the sound to build into a softer one. The Suite for Piano Trio ended with Finale. The three instruments play the same notes at the same time, then separate into lively directions. The sounds do not grate against each other, they are cohesive, make for a full sound and a magnificent finale to the program.

To Bob Lawrence, a violinist in the Chamber Players and the co-director of the group, performing music about making a connection to the audience. “Playing music is about communicating with each and every member of an audience. I love conveying the impact of a given piece of music to them,” he said.

E.Zoe Hassman, a cellist, also echoed that by saying that playing an instrument was a “special way to share with others.”

As for pianist Jean Strickholm, performing music is an outlet that keep her sharp. “Playing music keeps me active physically, mentally, and emotionally,” said Strickholm. “I am happy that our music is shared with other people and enjoy working with my fellow musicians.”

Strickholm also had advice for those who wanted to play a musical instrument for themselves. “I would encourage them to play an instrument and listen to music on WQXR and other radio stations,” she said. “I would tell them that they will be happier and richer with music in their lives.”

Lawrence stressed the effort that it takes for a person to commit to an instrument. “If you love the sound of a particular instrument, and want to learn how to play it, go for it!,” he said. “Be aware that to do it well, you have to be highly motivated and willing to put in serious practice time. But the effort is well worth it!”

After the applause faded, the audience went their separate ways. Even though many members of it won’t see each other again, they were all connected for a short time. Connected by notes from a violin, a piano, a cello, and a flute that combined into beautiful music.

The effort by The All Seasons Chamber Players was well worth it.

More information about The All Seasons Chamber Players can be found at https://www.allseasonschamberplayers.org