The Susanville Chamber Music Festival returns to Susanville with a pair of concerts lined up for August 5th and 13th. Hosted by the Susanville Symphony Society, the festival concerts will feature the talents of the Aurelia Chamber Players along with guest artists Nicholas Carthy, Pianist, Liudmila Mullin, Mezzo-Soprano, Violinist Ellen Flanagan, and Violist Anne Ristorcelli.
According to the event’s Executive Director, Johnny Lenz, “This year represents the Susanville Chamber Music Festival’s third year of existence. Each year we’ve managed to expand the event, and this year is no different. In addition to the two separate and unique concerts here in Susanville, we’re going to replicate the Susanville concerts with one performance in Reno, and another in Gardnerville, for a total of four festival events.”
What can festival patrons expect this year? According to Festival Program Manager, Lauren Lenz, “The August 5th program will consist of Beethoven’s Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major, aka “Kreuzer”, featuring Violinist Ruth Lenz and Pianist Nicholas Carthy; Earnest Chausson’s Chanson Perpétuelle for Voice, String Quartet, and Piano, which features Mezzo-Soprano Liudmila Mullin, Violinists Ruth Lenz and Ellen Flanagan, Cellists John and Johnny Lenz, Violist Anne Ristorcelli, and Pianist Nicholas Carthy; and Ernó Dohnányi’s Piano Quintet in C Minor, Opus No. 1, featuring the Aurelia Chamber Players and Pianist Nicholas Carthy.”
“The August 13th program will include Samuel Barber’s Sonata for Violoncello and Piano, Opus No. 6, featuring Cellist Johnny Lenz and Pianist Nicholas Carthy; Maurice Ravel’s Duo for Violin and Violoncello, featuring Peter and Ruth Lenz; and finally, Mozart’s Piano Quartet in G Minor [K.478], featuring Ruth and John Lenz, Anne Ristorcelli, and Nicholas Carthy.”
According to Susanville Symphony Conductor and Artistic Director, Benjamin Wade, “The Aurelia Chamber Players are the workhorses of the Susanville Chamber Music Festival. They include Cellists John, Johnny, and Peter Lenz, along with Violinist Ruth Lenz. It shouldn’t be a surprise that these names are familiar to you because, in addition to routinely performing with Susanville’s own symphony orchestra, they also all have lead roles with the Reno Philharmonic. They represent some of the most outstanding musicians in our region.”
“The Aurelia Players will be joined by internationally acclaimed accompanist and Professor of Music at the University of Colorado at Boulder, Pianist Nicholas Carthy, who, by the way, will be coming to Susanville having just completed several projects in Europe. Also included will be regional Violinist Ellen Flanagan from Truckee, California, master Violist Anne Ristorcelli, and a Lassen County favorite, Mezzo-Soprano Liudmila Mullin. This series of concerts is not to be missed!”
The concert series includes a performance of Concert #1 at the Susanville United Methodist Church on Friday, August 5th, followed by a repeat performance of Concert #1 in Reno at Lutheran Church of Good Shepherd, 501 California Ave. on Saturday, August 6th. Performances of Concert #2 will occur at Saint Gall Catholic Church in Gardnerville, NV, with a final performance in Susanville at the Susanville United Methodist Church. All concerts have a start time of 7pm.
“What the Susanville Chamber Music Festival provides to area music lovers is local access to amazing performances of chamber music in an intimate setting with fabulous natural acoustics, and ticketing costs that are far less than you would pay for a similar experience in virtually any other location. The Methodist Church seats less than 200, so I strongly urge those interested in attending the shows to get your tickets now. Tickets are first come, first served with no reserve seating,” explained Johnny Lenz.
The Susanville Chamber Music Festival is hosted by the Susanville Symphony Society. Tickets are available at Axia Home Loans, at 2940C Riverside Drive, and Margie’s Book Nook, at 722 Main Street, both in Susanville. For more information, contact the Susanville Symphony hotline at 530-310-8111.
