Schedule:

June 9, 2024

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Opening Night: The Creative Essence

Seligman Performing Arts Center

Artists - Leila Josefowicz, Paul Watkins

Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings

Hai Xin Wu, violin | Mingzhao Zhuo, violin | Matt Albert, viola | David Ledoux, cello
Kevin Brown, bass | Nancy Stagnitta, flute | Merideth Hite Estevez, oboe | Georgiy Borisov, clarinet | Jack Walters, clarinet  Cornelia Sommer, bassoon | Kristi Crago, horn | Johanna Yarbrough, horn | Robert White, trumpet

WAGNER Siegfried Idyll, WWV 103
BRITTEN Sinfonietta, Op.1
BARTO?K Violin Concerto No. 2, BB117, Sz.112

This is not just a performance but a journey through the intimate moments and creative dreams of legendary composers like Wagner, Britten, and Bartók. Each piece serves as a portal into the composers' deepest aspirations and personal narratives, offering a unique glimpse into their lives through the music they composed. Wagner's "Siegfried Idyll" celebrates a private moment of love, originally intended only for his wife's ears, while Britten's "Sinfonietta" reflects his youthful rebellion against traditional symphonic forms. Bartók's concerto, crafted with clever nuances, showcases his genius in balancing classical structures with inventive brilliance. Join us to explore these musical thresholds where the echoes of the past meet the promise of the future, in a concert that promises to be stimulating and emotionally moving.

June 10, 2024

11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Artistic Encounters: Tai Murray

Bloomfield Township Public Library

Artists - Tai Murray, Dillon Scott, Amnis Piano Quartet, The Dolphins Quartet, Hesper Quartet, Trio Gaia

A tradition of the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, Artistic Encounters are public coachings for emerging professional ensembles in a setting similar to a masterclass. You are invited to attend these Artistic Encounters to get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to be a professional musician. The featured artists are part of the Catherine Filene Shouse Chamber Music Institute, led by director Philip Setzer. This Artistic Encounter will be led by Tai Murray.

Admission is free – registration is required.

Click Here For Registration

June 11, 2024

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Conversations Across Centuries

Temple Beth El

Artists - Andrew Litton, Leila Josefowicz, Tai Murray, Philip Setzer, Yvonne Lam, Katharina Kang Litton, Peter Wiley, Alexander Kinmonth

NEIKRUG Oboe Quartet in Ten Parts (2022)
Commissioned by Great Lakes Chamber Music
Festival, Chamber Music Northwest and Music from Angel Fire

BRAHMS Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34

Chamber music is like a family conversation, full of intimate exchanges and evolving relationships. Historically performed in small, private settings, it captures the essence of close interactions. Marc Neikrug's oboe quartet illustrates this with variations that mimic family dynamics, deepening connections through repeated interactions. Brahms' Piano Quintet, which started as different compositions before merging, shows how diverse backgrounds can create a rich, unified dialogue. Both pieces highlight the compassion and trust that define chamber music, where independent voices come together in harmony.

June 12, 2024

11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Artistic Encounters: Peter Wiley

Bloomfield Township Public Library

Artists - Peter Wiley, Dillon Scott, Amnis Piano Quartet, The Dolphins Quartet, Hesper Quartet, Trio Gaia

Artistic Encounters are public coachings for Shouse Institute fellows in a setting similar to a master class. You are invited to attend these Artistic Encounters to get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to be a professional musician.

Admission is free – registration is required.

Click Here For Registration

June 12, 2024

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Tasting Notes: Flavors of Europe

Monger's Provisions – Berkley

Artists - Leila Josefowicz, Paul Watkins

H. WATKINS Sonata for Solo Cello (2022)
PINTSCHER La Linea Evocativa (2020)
KODA?LY Duo for Violin and Cello, Op.7

June 13, 2024

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Crossing Borders

Kirk in the Hills

Artists - Andrew Litton, Alvin Waddles, Katharina Kang Litton, Paul Watkins, Marion Hayden, David Taylor,Trio Gaia

HAYDN Piano Trio in A major, Hob.XV:18
BRAHMS Viola Sonata No.2, Op.120, No.2
BOLLING Suite for Cello and Jazz Piano Trio

The concert's theme, "that which connects," explores the concept of borders through music. Each piece blurs perceived boundaries—national, physical, intellectual, and generic—creating a fluid and permeable transition, akin to chemical reactions' states of change. Haydn's move to London in 1791 transformed his music, breaking traditional limits and blending chamber music with concertos. Brahms' Opus 120, his last instrumental work, reflects a poignant threshold of life and death, crossing from clarinet to viola with delicate transformation. Bolling's Suite for Cello and Jazz Trio merges jazz and classical music seamlessly, embodying fidelity and hybrid vigor. Together, these works navigate the liminal spaces of imagination, pushing beyond social delineations towards a utopian vision.

June 14, 2024

11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Youthful Inspirations

Kirk in the Hills

Lunch is included with the concert ticket.

Artists - Philip Setzer, Katharina Kang Litton, Dillon Scott, Peter Wiley, Amnis Piano Quartet

BRIDGE Lament for Two Violas
BACH Six Preludes and Fugues, K.404a arr. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
WALTON Piano Quartet in D minor

Followed by a Lunch and Learn with oboist and author Merideth Hite Estevez about Finding Joy Through Creativity.

Spark your creativity and rediscover the joy of self-expression! This talk will equip you with a toolbox of practical ideas to unleash your creativity, regardless of experience or skill level.

June 14, 2024

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Festival in Residence: DIA

Detroit Institute of Arts

Artists - Andrew Litton, Shai Wosner, Christa Grix, Amnis Piano Quartet

BRIDGE Phantasy for Piano Quartet, H.94
LASH Stalk
BRUBECK Points on Jazz

Event is free with museum admission.

June 15, 2024

11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Children’s Concert: Accent Pontiac Bucket Band

Bloomfield Township Public Library

Join accent Pontiac for a children’s music workshop. Their instruction includes percussion lessons using drumsticks and buckets. These “bucket bands” learn rhythmic skills and percussion techniques. More importantly, participants experience what it is like to be part of an ensemble, sharing responsibility and pride with each other.

Admission is free, all ages are welcome.

Click Here For Registration

June 15, 2024

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Creative Connections

Seligman Performing Arts Center

Artists - Andrew Litton, Shai Wosner, Tai Murray, Philip Setzer, Katharina Kang Litton, Peter Wiley, Han Lash, Kevin Brown, The Dolphins Quartet, Hesper Quartet

LASH Excerpts from A Journey Through the Underworld: Counterpoint
SCHUBERT Impromptu in G-flat major, D. 899
GERSHWIN Impromptu in Two Keys
GERSHWIN Rhapsody in Blue
RAVEL String Quartet in F major
MUSTONEN Nonetto II (2000)

Tonight's concert explores the theme of this year's Festival, Creative Connections, focusing on how different musical elements coexist and interact. We start with Han Lash's "Excerpts from A Journey Through the Underworld," where old and new melodies intertwine. Schubert's Impromptu in G-flat major follows, showcasing the interplay between melody and accompaniment. Gershwin's Impromptu in Two Keys and "Rhapsody in Blue" merge jazz with classical styles. Ravel's String Quartet in F contrasts rhythm and technique, and Olli Mustonen's Nonetto II blends past and present musical forms. Each piece highlights the dynamic relationship between opposing forces in music.

June 16, 2024

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Pride at the DIA

Detroit Institute of Arts – Rivera Court

Artists - The Dolphins Quartet, Hesper Quartet

SINGLETON glint, gleam, glow WORLD PREMIERE
LASH String Quartet No. 2 (2022)
ENESCU String Octet in C major, Op. 7

Event is free with museum admission.

June 17, 2024

11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Artistic Encounters: Hsin-Yun Huang

Bloomfield Township Public Library

Artists - Hsin-Yun Huang, Dillon Scott, Amnis Piano Quartet, The Dolphins Quartet, Hesper Quartet, Trio Gaia

Artistic Encounters are public coachings for Shouse Institute fellows in a setting similar to a master class. You are invited to attend these Artistic Encounters to get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to be a professional musician.

Click Here For Registration

June 18, 2024

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Written for the Stars

St. Hugo of the Hills

Artists - Alessio Bax, Shai Wosner, Robyn Bollinger, Tessa Lark, Hsin-Yun Huang, Paul Watkins, Michael Collins

BEETHOVEN Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 2 in G minor, Op. 5, No. 2
BARTO?K Contrasts, BB 116, Sz. 111
BRAHMS Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115

Written for the Stars unveils a spectral presence lingering within each musical piece performed. While the compositions bear the unmistakable signature of their respective creators – Beethoven, Bartók, and Brahms – they are imbued with the ethereal essence of historical virtuosos who shaped them through their technical mastery and expressive artistry. From Beethoven's revolutionary cello sonatas, influenced by the groundbreaking techniques of Jean-Louis Duport, to Bartók's "Contrasts," sparked by Benny Goodman's jazz prowess, and Brahms' clarinet quintet, crafted as a tribute to Richard Mühlfeld's exceptional skill, each work serves as a conduit to the past, summoning the spirits of these legendary performers whose influence echoes through the ages.

June 19, 2024

11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Musical Chairs with Philip Setzer

Bloomfield Township Public Library

Artists - Philip Setzer, Dillon Scott, Amnis Piano Quartet, The Dolphins Quartet, Hesper Quartet, Trio Gaia

Click Here For Registration

June 19, 2024

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Tasting Notes: Jazz on Juneteenth

Monger's Provisions – Berkley

Relaxed concert format includes a companion tasting of wine and cheese.

Artists - Alvin Waddles, Marion Hayden

In commemoration of Juneteenth National Independence Day, pianist Alvin Waddles and bassist Marion Hayden will perform a concert exploring themes of freedom, activism, community and resistance through the lens of jazz, blues, civil rights anthems and gospel music. The concert features works by James Weldon Johnson, Donny Hathaway, Nina Simone and other artists, reflecting our shared humanity, and the meaning of Juneteenth Day.

June 20, 2024

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Beyond The Notes: Music Meets Mindfulness

Temple Beth El

Artists - Amnis Piano Quartet

Enjoy a 60-minute yoga class for every body with yoga maestra Gail Mondry, accompanied by the Amnis Piano Quartet.

June 20, 2024

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Shouse: Price and Mozart

St. Matthew's and St. Joseph's Episcopal Church

Artists - Yvonne Lam, Dillon Scott, Trio Gaia, The Dolphins Quartet

PRICE Piano Quintet in A minor
MOZART String Quintet No. 4 in G minor, K.516

June 20, 2024

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Revolution and Romanticism

St. Hugo of the Hills

Artists - Alessio Bax, Paul Watkins, Michael Collins, Hesper Quartet

BEETHOVEN Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 4 in C major, Op. 102, No. 1
BEETHOVEN Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 5 in D major, Op. 102, No. 2
COLERIDGE-TAYLOR Quintet in F-sharp minor for Clarinet and Strings, Op. 10

This concert titled Revolution and Romanticism explores the interconnected themes of societal change and personal expression through a selection of Beethoven's cello sonatas and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's clarinet quintet. The program highlights Beethoven's experimental late period, marked by emotional depth and introspection, alongside Coleridge-Taylor's departure from Brahms' influence. Through this musical journey, the concert offers insights into the complex relationship between revolution, romanticism, and individual creativity.

June 21, 2024

11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Groundbreaking Originals

Temple Beth El
Artists - Alessio Bax, Paul Watkins, Amnis Piano Quartet, Hesper Quartet

HAYDN String Quartet in A major, Op. 20, No. 6
RIVERA Grimoire: Laplace's Demon (WORLD PREMIERE)
Co-commissioned by Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, Chamber Music Northwest and the Seattle Chamber Music Society
BEETHOVEN Sonata for Cello and Piano No.1 in F major, Op.5, No.1

Followed by a Lunch and Learn with visual artist Sabrina Nelson. (Included with concert ticket)

Breaking ground in music, much like in the construction of art, requires different approaches for each unique situation, as seen in the diverse methods of Haydn, Beethoven, and Kyle Rivera. Haydn's Opus 20 revolutionized the string quartet by playing within and subtly altering established forms, introducing intellectual play and harmonic fluidity. In contrast, Beethoven's Opus 5 cello sonatas disrupted traditional roles, creating a balanced partnership between instruments and redefining sonata form. Contemporary composer Kyle Rivera, inspired by visual art and scientific determinism, creates music that transcends traditional structures, embodying cultural and philosophical explorations. Each of these artists exemplifies how innovation emerges from the mastery and transformation of existing forms, emphasizing individuality and the breaking of conventions to forge new creative paths.
Following the concert, artist Sabrina Nelson offers a complementary perspective on innovation in art. Her work explores the connection between spirit, motion, and intimacy in healing, influenced by Yoruba religion and Eastern and African philosophies. Nelson uses painting, sculpture, performance, and installations to transcend traditional boundaries. With over 35 years of experience, she teaches at the Detroit Institute of Arts and the College for Creative Studies, emphasizing that art is a tool for healing and transformation. Her artwork "Sound Medicine" is the focal art for this year's Festival.  The cello, covered in Nelson's marks, invites viewers to reflect on their power and community's strength for healing, similar to how each musical note or artistic stroke fosters connections and change. Nelson's art, like groundbreaking music, shows that true innovation and healing come from within.

June 21, 2024

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Audio/Visual with Tessa Lark

Wasserman Projects, Detroit

Artists | Tessa Lark, Justin Snyder, Hesper Quartet

Concert curated by Tessa Lark! Highlights include:

TELEMANN and LARK Telemann Medley
YSAY?E Sonata No. 4 in E minor – Finale
MARSALIS At the Octoroon Balls – Hellhound
CORIGLIANO STOMP

June 22, 2024

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Creative Perfection

Seligman Performing Arts Center

Artists - Alessio Bax, Tessa Lark, Philip Setzer, Hsin-Yun Huang, Paul Watkins, Michael Collins

SCHUMANN Ma?rchenerza?hlungen, Op.132
BEETHOVEN Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 3 in A major, Op. 69
MOZART Clarinet Quintet in A major, K.581

Closing Night Reception
GLCMF invites you to meet the artists at a special reception in the Seligman lobby.
Call 248-559-2097 for more information. Donation to attend is $50 per person.

For the closing night of the festival, we explore the paradox of artistic perfection through three celebrated classical works by Mozart, Beethoven, and Schumann. These pieces, spanning a century from the late 18th to mid-19th century, invite us to reconsider their "perfection" not as a static, unimpeachable quality but as a dynamic interaction with the listener. Schumann's Märchenerzählungen, Beethoven's middle cello sonata, and Mozart's clarinet quintet reveal that their enduring significance lies in their ability to adapt and resonate differently over time. This fluidity, allowing for new interpretations and emotional engagement, is what makes them truly whole and perpetually relevant.

Date: June 8-22, 2024

Location: Various Towns in MI

Click Here For More Information