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In April 2020, in an attempt to provide a little relief during a time of "social distancing," we began posting short pieces of music from our archives as well as videos of artists who have performed for CMS. Usually these are encores, short sections from longer works, or unusual musical performances. Musical Moments will continue to be posted here during our 2022-2023 live concert season.
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A note to our visitors: This Musical Moments series currently hosts nearly 100 audio players and several dozen video players. Depending on your internet connection speed, it may take a few moments for your audio to begin playing. We are currently retrofitting these pages to eliminate this delay.
March 19, 2022 Manuel Barrueco, guitarist On Sunday March 13th, world renowned guitarist Manuel Barrueco played a superb concert at Sunset Center in Carmel. One of the many works Manuel performed was "Cuban Dances " composed by Ignacio Cervantes. Listen to each piece below.
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February 26, 2022 Ilya Yakushev In his February 6th, 2022, Carmel concert, Russian pianist, Ilya Yakushev performed Mussourgsky's "Pictures from an Exhibition" Here is his performance of the final section of that work: "The Great Gate of Kiev." (Playing time 4:54) Ilya will return to Carmel in April 2023. |
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February 12, 2022 Ilya Yakushev Russian pianist Ilya Yakushev performed a superb concert on February 6th at Sunset Center. He began with Haydn's Sonata in D major (Playing time 11:00) He then played Beethoven's Sonata #23, Apassionata, and Mussourgsky's Pictures from an Exhibition. He followed with an encore: Chopin's Nocturne in C-sharp minor, Op. Posthumous. (Playing time 4:17) |
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January 22, 2022 The Dover Quartet The Dover Quartet played their concert on Sunday January 9th, in Sunset Center, Carmel. The concert included works by Joseph Haydn, Alexander Zemlinsky, and Felix Mendelssohn. Listen to the Dover Quartet playing in the concert, the third movement of Mendelssohn's String Quartet No. 3 Op.44 (Playing time 7:22) |
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January 1, 2022 The Dover Quartet The Dover Quartet is still scheduled to play at 3pm, on January 9th, in Sunset Center Carmel. The concert includes works by Joseph Haydn, Alexander Zemlinsky, and Felix Mendelssohn. Tickets can be purchased here. Click below to listen to the 2nd movement, Adagio, from Samuel Barber's String Quartet, Op. 11. |
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December 18, 2021 The Dover Quartet The Dover Quartet is scheduled to play at 3pm, on January 9th, in Sunset Center Carmel. The concert includes works by Haydn, Zemlinsky and Felix Mendelssohn. Tickets can be purchased here. Listen to the quartet playing the finale from Dvorak's, "American" quartet. (Playing time 5:39) |
December 4, 2021 Beethoven and the Piano Beethoven, by the age of 25, was an established piano virtuoso. To make his transition to composer he wrote three piano trios Op1, and three solo piano sonatas Op 2. In the first of these (No.1), the final movement "prestissimo", has a calm, lyrical center section with stormy impassioned writing at each end. This format predicts much of his later compositions. Here is that final section. (Playing time 7:19) |
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November 20, 2021 George Li - The Other Encore The previous 'Musical Moment' featured pianist George Li's second encore from his October 24 CMS concert. After he had performed works by Bach, Beethoven and Franz Liszt, his first encore was an étude also by Liszt: "La Campanella" This étude is famous for being one of the most difficult pieces ever written for piano. "La Campanella" from Six Études after Paganini (Playing time 4:16) |
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November 6, 2021 George Li On October 24 2021, in a Society concert, pianist George Li performed works by Bach, Beethoven and Liszt (B Minor Sonata). In response to audience standing acclaim, he then played two encores, Here is the second. "Dance of the Blessed Spirits" from the opera Orfeo ed Euridice |
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October 23, 2021 Louis Lortie In April 2014, in a Society concert, Canadian pianist Louis Lortie performed superbly, all 27 of the Chopin études. In response to great audience acclaim, he then played as encore a Chopin waltz. Waltz in G-flat Major Op.70 #1 (Playing time 2:10) |
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October 9, 2021 Domenico Scarlatti Keyboard Sonatas Italian composer Domenico Scarlatti (1685–1757) wrote 555 solo keyboard sonatas throughout his career. Circulated irregularly in his lifetime, these are now recognized as a significant contribution which pushed both the musical and technical standards of keyboard music. Here are three selections played by Dubravka Tomsic (Piano).
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September 25, 2021 Three Gymnopédies by Erik Satie Erik Satie (May 1866—July 1925) was a French composer. He is mainly remembered today for his best known musical compositions; the three piano pieces which he called Gymnopédies. A name derived from Greek athletics, (which these pieces are not.) The first of these pieces is a simple tune over a gentle accompaniment. The other two are similar, though not as well known. Satie was very important in the development of music in France in the late 19th and early 20th century. He used new ways of composing such as very chromatic music and Minimalism. These ways of writing music became more common later in the century. Listen to Trois Gymnopédies, played by Daniel Varsano. (d.1988) |
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Sept 11, 2021 Schubert Serenade Schubert's "serenades", eight pieces for solo piano, were composed in 1827. (He died November 1828) The name 'Impromptus' was given to them by the publisher. Published in two sets of four, Op. 90, (D899), and posthumously in 1839 as Op.142, (D935,) they are considered to be among the most important examples of this early 19th-century genre. Here is the third piece from Op 90, a classic example of Schubert's outstanding lyrical facility. Wonderful listening for quiet reflection. Serenade Opus 90 Nr. 3 (Playing time 6:18) |
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Also can be seen here: video from Youtube by Khatia Buniatishvili |
August 28, 2021 "Serenade" attributed to Joseph Haydn In his full career, Joseph Haydn wrote sixty-eight string quartets. His authorship of the six quartets Op.3 has been questioned, since his publisher was known to increase sales by attributing the works of others to Haydn. Here is "Serenade," the second movement of #5, played by the Budapest String Quartet. Quartet Op. 3 #5, Movement 2 (Playing time 3:47) |
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August 14, 2021 Anderson and Roe Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Roe, duo pianists, were scheduled to play for CMS audience on April 25, 2021. Their concert was cancelled as was the whole season. Here is an eclectic performance by them of the "Turkish March" Sonata No. 11 K331, Movement 3 ("Alla Turca") (Playing time 3:20) Much more music on their website here... |
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July 31, 2021 Mozart Copies Haydn The young Mozart learned of fugal composition from music by Bach and Handel. He composed String Quartets, based on works by Joseph Haydn. Example: Op 20 No. 5, Mvt. 4 Finale: Fuga a due sogetti Two of Mozart's early quartets also include a fugal section: No. 8, K168, Mvt. 4, Allegro (Playing time 2:04) No. 13, K173, Mvt. 4, Allegro moderato (Playing time 3:21) |
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July 17, 2021 The Moonlight Sonata The Piano Sonata No. 14, Op. 27, No. 2, composed by Ludwig van Beethoven, was completed in 1801 and dedicated to his pupil, Countess Giulietta Guicciardi. (The "Immortal Beloved" perhaps ?) The popular name "Moonlight Sonata " originated from a critic's remark after Beethoven's death. The movements are:
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July 3, 2021 New York Chamber Soloists In a Carmel concert given in October 2015, The New York Chamber Soloists played the Septet, Op. 20 by Beethoven, and the Octet, D.803, by Franz Schubert (pictured here just before he wrote his "Stabat Mater in G minor" on his left hand). In a live excerpt from that 2015 concert, listen here to the conclusion of the Schubert Octet. (Playing time 7:46) |
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June 19, 2021 Astrid Schween and Randall Hodgkinson In a concert given in February 2012, Astrid Schween (cello) accompanied by Randall Hodgkinson (piano) included music by Chopin, César Franck and Beethoven. Here is Beethoven's Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major, Op. 69.
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June 5, 2021 Our 60th Musical Moment Anton Hoffmeister In March 2013, the "New Esterházy Quartet" played a benefit concert for CMS. The music included works by Mozart and Anton Hoffmeister, who were both composers and friends. Hoffmeister was also a music publisher, of his own works and those of many contemporaries including Mozart, who dedicated his String Quartet K.499 to him. Here are two examples from the 2013 concert. Mozart, Quartet in D, K.499, Allegretto (Playing time 7:10) Hoffmeister, Quartet in F minor, Allegro molto (6:26) |
Franz Anton Hoffmeister |
May 29, 2021 Mozart by Liszt Like many composers of his times, Franz Liszt composed arrangements, for his own virtuoso piano performance, on themes from many operas including those of Berlioz, Donizetti, Verdi, Wagner, and others. Here, is an exemplary performance by Louis Lortie, of Liszt's interpretation of "Là ci darem la mano", the duet for the characters Don Giovanni and Zerlina in Mozart's opera 'Don Giovanni'. (Playing time 11:13) Also, Lorte's amazing playing of Listz's arrangement of Wagner's Tannhauser' overture (Playing time 15:40) |
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May 22, 2021 Finkel, Han, and Beethoven David Finkel and Wu Han have played for the Carmel Music Society on many occasions, the first in 2004. They have donated a recording (made in 1998) of their performance of all Beethoven's compositions for cello and piano. Here are two short pieces from their CD. (approx. 7 minutes each) Opus 66, Variations in F Major on the aria "Ein Mädchen oder ein Weibchen" from Mozart's The Magic Flute Opus 69, Sonata Number 3 in A Major, movement #3, Allegro Vivace |
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May 15, 2021 John Field John Field (1782 –1837) was an Irish pianist, composer and teacher. He was born in Dublin into a musical family. He studied in London under Muzio Clementi, and became a famous and sought-after concert pianist. He was very highly regarded by his contemporaries and his playing and compositions influenced many major composers, including Chopin (Rondo Opus 1), Brahms, Schumann, and Liszt. Field is best known as the inventor of the nocturne, though probably this was a posthumous accolade. He composed eighteen. The first two are here: |
Click the image to hear a movement |
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May 8, 2021 Johann Nepomuk Hummel Johann Nepomuk Hummel (1778 –1837) was a child prodigy. At age eight, he was housed and taught by Mozart. He later received lessons from Muzio Clementi and Antonio Salieri, and then from Joseph Haydn who taught both Hummel and Beethoven; at that time fellow students and friends. A later friend was Franz Schubert, who dedicated his last three piano sonatas to him. Hummel had 127 published Opus works and nine Op. posthumus. Most of his compositions related to the piano; concertos and sonatas, quintets and trios. Here are two examples of his music: |
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May 1, 2021 Tim Fain, violinist Violinist Tim Fain has played twice in Carmel. In 2009, and earlier in 2007 with Rina Dokshitsky piano accompanist. They performed works by Mozart, Bach, Mendelssohn and also Beethoven, Sonata Op. 24, No.5 (Spring Sonata). Here is the entire work.
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April 24, 2021 Edward Trybek, guitarist Edward Trybek was a prize winner in the CMS instrumental competition in 2008. He has since developed a very successful career as composer, orchestrator and conductor in the visual media industry. Edward continues to play his guitar. Here are the three movements from "La Catedral" written by virtuoso classical guitarist; Agustín Barrios. |
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April 17, 2021 Nobuyuki Tsujii, pianist Japanese pianist, Nobuyuki Tsujii, blind from birth, shared the gold medal prize in the Cliburn Piano Competition in 2009. He played for Carmel Music Society in October 2011. His concert included music by Mozart, Chopin and Liszt. He concluded with an elegy that he composed, in memory of the victims of the Japan tsunami of March 11, 2011. To hear another version, click on the photo. |
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April 10, 2021 The Bennewitz Quartet The Bennewitz Quartet, on tour from Prague, played in Carmel in 2008 and 2011. Founded in 1998 they have developed a wide repertoire beyond Czechoslovakian, composers; Smetana, Janáček and Dvořák. Here they play the Scherzo movement - allegro, from the Schubert String Quartet No.15 D887 |
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April 3, 2021 Easter Musical Moments for You 8 eggs... In his full career, Joseph Haydn wrote sixty-eight string quartets. Op.33 #2 named the "Joke" has many internal musical inconsistencies which would puzzle his contemporary audience. Haydn is supposed to have wagered that some of them would start talking before the players finish. Here is the last movement. Quartet Op. 33 #2, Presto (Playing time 3:21) |
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March 27, 2021 Janina Fialkowska, pianist In February 2011, Janina Fialkowska and the Chamber Players of Canada played a concert including two Mozart piano concertos. Mozart arranged his early concertos for string quartet and keyboard ("a quattro") as well as for larger orchestra. Here they play the last movement (Rondeau Allegretto) from Concerto #12 in A major K. 414. (Playing time 6:27) |
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March 20, 2021 Mendelssohn's Concertos for Two Pianos Early in his career Felix Mendelssohn wrote two concertos, each for two pianos and orchestra. Much of the thematic material from these he used in later compositions, and the concertos are rarely played. Here is the last movement from each concerto, performed by Anthony & Joseph Paratore with the Rias Symphony (1980). A flat Major, Allegro vivace (Playing time 7:43) E Major, Allegro (Playing time 7:11) |
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March 13, 2021 Benjamin Grosvenor, pianist Pianist Benjamin Grosvenor arrived from from London with a U.S. tour planned, and was to visit Carmel in March 2020. Concert venues became closed and the tour was cancelled. His appearance in Carmel is now scheduled for March 26, 2023. Benjamin supplied a sample CD including two Scarlatti works. (More, 555 if you need) |
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March 6, 2021 Musica Pacifica Musica Pacifica played for the Society in March 2014. The concert was devoted mostly to music of the Bach family. In J.S. Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, BWV 1050, there is a "richly textured solo cadenza" for the harpsichord. It is performed here by Charles Sherman on an instrument graciously loaned by Christine Baker from her collection. |
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Christine also wrote a full review of the concert, including details of the harpsichord construction. |
February 27, 2021 András Schiff, pianist András Schiff (now Sir, in 2014) visited Carmel in March 1998 and also in October 2005. In this concert, he played works by Haydn and Beethoven. The Beethoven included the Piano Sonata No. 4 in E-flat Major, Op. 7 Here is the first movement 'allegro con brio'. (Playing time 8:52) |
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February 20, 2021 A Cello Moment Towards the end section of the Andante movement of Mozart's String Quartet No.18, K.464, the cello plays a dominant role with a repeating staccato motif. This persists for almost the whole section except for a short violin parody, played mostly with the same motif. Listen to it here. (Playing time 3:32) |
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February 13, 2021 Garrick Ohlsson, pianist In March 2012 Garrick Ohlsson included in his Carmel concert a Liszt transposition for piano, of the organ version of Bach's Fantasy and Fugue in G minor, BWV 542. Fantasy (Playing time 5:08) Fugue (Playing time 5:02) (better known) |
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February 6, 2021 Academy of St. Martin in the Fields In their concert of October 2006, the Chamber Ensemble from the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields played octets by Felix Mendelssohn and Joachim Raff. The younger Raff greatly admired Mendelssohn, and sent him his piano composition samples. Mendelssohn, impressed, recommended him to his publisher. |
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Raff became a prolific composer with 216 opus numbers and 74 other works, now rarely heard. He modeled his own string octet on Mendelssohn's. Here is the last movement of each work: |
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January 30, 2021 at 5:00pm Pacific Time Live in Concert A live-stream co-presented by Carmel Music Society Olga Kern, Gold Medalist of the Cliburn Competition, performed in Carmel for CMS in 2006 and 2019. CMS was delighted to be a co-presenter of Ms Kern's exciting and eclectic concert livestreamed from Prague. Complete program details here. For a limited time a video of the concert can be viewed on this website. |
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January 23, 2021 The Parker Brothers, pianists In April 2015, the Parker brothers, Jackie from Austin, and Jamie from Toronto, played in Carmel a duo piano concert, with works by Ravel, Mozart, Piazzola and Rachmaninof. As encore they joined at one piano and played Dvorak's Slavonic Dance #7. Here it is. (Playing time 3:05) |
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January 16, 2021 Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra The Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra has performed for Carmel Music Society on five occasions; first in 2007, last in January 2000. Their concerts have been conducted by Nicholas McGegan, or led by Elizabeth Blumenstock. In January 2013, they played Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons", Op18. Here are the three sections of "Spring" from that concert: |
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January 9, 2021 Noël Wan, harpist Noël Wan was the Grand Prize Winner of the Society's 2014 instrumental competition. In a return engagement for a Music Society's donor event, she Included a transcription for harp of the "Italian Concerto" BWV 971 by J. S. Bach. Here are the movements, playable separately. Allegro (Playing time 4:32) Andante (Playing time 5:13) Presto (Playing time 4:34) |
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January 2, 2021 The Romeros Guitar Quartet The Romeros Guitar Quartet played for Carmel Music Society in 2014 and 2016. They performed a wide range of music and here is their rendition of the introduction to Bizet's opera Carmen. |
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December 26, 2020 Jon Kimura Parker, pianist In their concert in January 2011, cellist Lynn Harrell and pianist Jon Kimura Parker played together and also as soloists. A full review by Lyn Bronson: The solo piano piece was Beethoven Sonata #23, Op.57 "The Appassionata." Here is the first movement. (Playing time 9:34) |
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December 19, 2020 The Gryphon Trio The Toronto based Gryphon Trio have played in Carmel many times, in concert and for outreach events at schools, and in senior residences. In their 2011 concert with CMS they performed Beethoven's Piano Trio, Op 97, the "Archduke." Here is the fourth movement. (Playing time 7:12) |
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December 12, 2020 Hans Boepple, pianist Hans Boepple is Professor of Music at Santa Clara University, where he served as department chair from 1995-2007. He is also a highly skilled pianist; in his career, winner of many competitions. He is a frequent performer in the Carmel and Santa Cruz areas. In his January 2009 concert for Carmel Music Society, he played the Goldberg Variations by J. S. Bach and Chopin's Twenty-Four Preludes, Op. 28. His encore (!) was the first movement (Allegro moderato) of the Mozart Sonata in C Major, K. 330. |
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December 5, 2020 The Takács Quartet The Takács Quartet is now quartet in residence at the University of Colorado, Boulder. They play frequently on the West Coast, and at their 2014 concert for CMS, they performed works by Beethoven and Britten. Their concert started with Haydn's Op 76 #4 "The Sunrise." (pdf) Here is the first movement. (Playing time 8:34) |
Click here to visit the Takács website. |
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November 28, 2020 Liszt and Beethoven Franz Liszt was an ardent admirer of Beethoven's works, and in particular of the symphonies. Over a 30 year period, as a "conscientious translator," he re-wrote the scores of all nine for piano performance. A full description of the Liszt-Beethoven symphonies here. Listen here to his adaptation of the last movement of #,6 the "Pastoral" performed by Michel Dalberto. (Playing time 8:37) |
Franz Liszt (1811-1886) |
November 21, 2020
Anderson & Roe, duo pianists
Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Roe, duo pianists, were scheduled to play for CMS audience on April 25, 2021. Their concert was cancelled as was the whole season.
This was to be an exceptional program. See reviews here...
In this video you can enjoy a visual performance of their arrangement of Papagano's melodies, from Mozart's opera The Magic Flute.
