Friends of Music Concerts’ 72nd season resumes this spring, highlighting the world of stringed instruments with the renowned Calidore String Quartet, brilliant young cellist Benett Tsai (with pianist Noreen Polera) and acclaimed violinist Stefan Jackiw (with pianist Kevin Ahfat).
“Our ‘Masters and Trailblazers’ season presents the world’s finest chamber music artists for Westchester County audiences. Our Sunday afternoon concerts provide a respite from a hectic world for music lovers of all ages. In addition, audience members are invited to to meet these stellar artists at our post-concert receptions,” said FOMC President Susan Harris.
Photo: Marco Borggreve
The spring season begins on Sunday, March 22, 3 p.m., with the Calidore String Quartet.
The location of the concert has been changed to Ossining High School, Ossining, N.Y., due to a conflict with the original venue. The entrance to the auditorium is off Wolden Road.
The quartet is recognized as one of the world’s foremost interpreters of a vast repertory, building on more than a decade of performances and residencies in the world’s most esteemed venues and festivals. The members are: Jeffrey Myers and Ryan Meehan, violins; Jeremy Berry, viola and Estelle Choi, cello.
Their recent recording of Beethoven’s string quartets drew this praise: “A standout young chamber group, Calidore meets the challenge of preserving yet reinterpreting the massive Beethoven legacy with a new album of both charm and profundity.” (ConcertoNet.com)
Their program will include: String Quartet No. 64 in D Major, Op. 76, No. 5 by Haydn, String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op.110 by Shostakovich and String Quartet, No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op.131 by Beethoven.
Benett Tsai and Noreen Polera arrive on Sunday, April 12, 3 p.m. A recipient of FOMC’s YCA Performance Award, the young Australian cellist was a winner of the Young Concert Artists Susan Wadsworth International Auditions in 2023. He is currently part of the Lausanne-based Classeek Ambassador Program for the 2025-26 season, a one-year career enhancement experience for nominated young artists.
Polera ranks among the most highly-regarded chamber artists performing today, and maintains a career that has taken her to every major American music center and abroad.
Their concert program includes works by Boulanger, Barber, Penderecki, Shchedrin, Bloch, Fauré and Shostakovich. This concert takes place at Sleepy Hollow High School’s Kusel Auditorium, Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
Stefan Jackiw and Kevin Ahfat wrap up the season on Sunday, April 26, 3 p.m. This season, Jackiw is appearing with orchestras in Des Moines, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Seoul, Vanouver and Pittsburgh. His active chamber music career encompasses performances with the Junction Trio, which includes pianist Conrad Tao and cellist Jay Campbell.
Ahfat is also Artistic Director of OPUS Chamber Music in Toronto. He performs and records as a core member of the ARC Ensemble, one of Canada’s preeminent chamber ensembles.
A review last December of Jackiw and Ahfat’s performance of a Prokofiev sonata noted that “Jackiw amazed us at how beautifully his tone could sing in every range, tempo and dynamic. Ahfat shied not a wit from the drama, nailing the cascades of fast notes.” (Boston Musical Intelligencer)
Their program will include: Fratres by Arvo Pärt; Affetuoso and Allegro from Sonata in D Major, HWV 371, by Handel; Violin Sonata No. 2 in D Major, Op. 94a by Prokofiev; “All I had forgotten or tried to,” by Conrad Tao and Sonata No. 3 in D minor, Op. 108 by Brahms. This concert takes place at Sleepy Hollow High School’s Kusel Auditorium, Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
Subscriptions and tickets
For the spring season, Friends of Music Concerts patrons may buy a FlexSub of four or more admissions for $35 each and use them as tickets in any combination at any concert. Single tickets are $40 for adults and free for those aged 18 and under. Go to www.friendsofmusicconcerts.org to purchase tickets.
