"Mike Block is my definition of the ideal musician for the 21st cetury." -Yo-Yo Ma "A virtuoso soloist and rhythm monster." -Darol Anger

This evening explores the rich folk and ethnic influences on composers from France, Eastern Europe, and America. Maurice Ravel’s lush String Quartet highlights this French composer’s fascination with the “exotic,” including motifs from the Orient and rhythms from Spanish Flamenco style. Filled with nostalgic Slavoic Folk melodies, Antonin Dvorak’s exuberant Sextet conjures up a trip to the Czech countryside.

And, you’ll find yourself humming favorite American and Appalachian tunes when cellist Mike Block and friends take the stage in a musical melting-pot jam session that is sure to blow you away!

Maurice Ravel: Quartet in F
Tessera Quartet

Antonin Dvorak: Sextet in A major, Op. 48
Kevin Kumar and Cordelia Paw, violins 
Edward Klorman and Emily Daggett Smith, violas
Amy Sue Barston and Mike Block, cellos

Mike Bloch: original compositions and fiddling selections (to be announced from the stage)
Mike Block, cello 
with Kevin Kumar, violin; and Amy Sue Barston, cello

Tickets: $60 Patron | $35 General | $10 Student

FESTIVAL SERIES #1 Fantasy in Folk Style

Patron $60.00 Adult $35.00 Student $10.00

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"Katz played with assertive and at times explosive energy." -The New York Times

Enjoy a breath of fresh air, courtesy of Moran Katz, the internationally renowned Israeli clarinet and recorder soloist! Ms. Katz performs Brahms’s beloved Clarinet Quintet, and you’ll “get your groove on”as she performs Guillaume Connesson’s vibrant Disco Toccata.

As a musical appetizer, you’ll enjoy Beethoven’s rustic Country Dances, performed by Ms. Katz on sopranino recorder. To round off the program, the Tessera Quartet performs Schubert’s lyrical Rosamunde Quartet.

Ludwig van Beethoven: Country Dances
Moran Katz, sopranino recorder
Cordelia Paw, violin
Amy Sue Barston, cello

Guillaume Connesson: Disco Toccata
Moran Katz, clarinet 
Amy Sue Barston, cello

Franz Schubert: Quartet in A minor (“Rosamunde”), D. 804
Tessera Quartet

Johannes Brahms: Quintet in B minor for Clarinet and Strings, Op. 115
Moran Katz, clarinet
Kevin Kumar, violin
Emily Smith, violin
Edward Klorman, viola
Amy Sue Barston, cello

Tickets: $60 Patron | $35 General | $10 Student

FESTIVAL SERIES #2 – A Breath of Fresh Air

Patron $60.00 Adult $35.00 Student $10.00

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Could a violin sonata drive a man to commit murder? Tolstoy’s gripping novella The Kreutzer Sonata recounts the tale of a husband driven to a jealous rage after hearing a passionate performance of Beethoven’s Kreutzer Sonata played by his wife and another man.

This memorable evening begins with the Beethoven sonata (performed by violinist Nurit Pacht and pianist Lowell Liebermann), followed by a dramatic reading from the Tolstoy by David Rakoff, the award-winning actor, noted author, and radio personality. The concert closes with Czech composer Leos Janacek’s String Quartet No. 1, which is a romantic musical reflection on the Tolstoy story.

To learn more about this program, click here.

Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata in A minor (“Kreutzer”), Op. 47
Nurit Pacht, violin
Lowell Liebermann, piano

Leo Tolstoy: excerpts from The Kreutzer Sonata
David Rakoff, narrator

Leos Janacek: String Quartet No. 1 (“The Kreutzer Sonata”)
Elisa Barston, violin
Nurit Pacht, violin
Edward Klorman, viola
Amy Sue Barston, cello

Tickets: $60 Patron | $35 General | $10 Student

FESTIVAL SERIES #3 – A Crime of Passion

Patron $60.00 Adult $35.00 Student $10.00

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A distinctive voice." -The New York Times "For all of Mr. Liebermann's obvious technical gifts, he has something far more valuable: emotional honesty. There is rich sentiment and genuine feeling to his music." -Greenville News

Celebrating the 50th birthday season of the celebrated American composer Lowell Liebermann, the season is capped with a performance of Mr. Liebermann’s powerful Piano Quintet, with the composer performing at the piano. In a special collaboration with violist Edward Klorman, Mr. Liebermann also performs Schumann’s dreamy Fairy Tale Pictures.

Back by popular demand, violinist Elisa Barston returns to perform a virtuosic solo sonata by the Belgian composer-violinist Eugene Ysaye, widely hailed as the “king of the violin.”

Robert Schumann: Fairy Tale Pictures, Op. 113
Lowell Liebermann, piano
Edward Klorman, viola

Eugene Ysaye: Solo Sonata No. 4 in E minor (“Fritz Kreisler”)
Elisa Barston, violin

Lowell Liebermann: Piano Quintet in E-flat, Op. 34
Lowell Liebermann, piano
Nurit Pacht and Elisa Barston, violins
Edward Klorman, viola
Amy Sue Barston, cello

Tickets: $60 Patron | $35 General | $10 Student

FESTIVAL SERIES #4 – Season Finale

Patron $60.00 Adult $35.00 Student $10.00

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Each Classical Blue Jeans concert offers a lively musical show in the relaxed setting of the Wegmans Market Cafe, plus a barbecue dinner with the musicians (dinner included in ticket price). Availability is extremely limited, so make your reservation today. To request a vegetarian meal, please email info@LakeMusicFestival.org.

"Mike Block's witty songs, entertaining cello accompaniment and delicious arco solos are absolutely engaging." -Mark O'Connor

CLASSICAL BLUE JEANS #1: Marvelous Mayhem with Mike Block and Friends
Wednesday, August 17 at 6 PM
Wegmans Market Cafe (345 Eastern Blvd, Canandaigua, NY)

What happens when you put four fantastic musicians in a room with no rules? Come and find out! Hailed by Yo-Yo Ma as the “ideal musician of the 21st century,” pioneering multi-genre cellist and vocalist Mike Block will lead a band of your favorite musicians in improvised musican adventures spanning fiddling to bluegrass to rock to classical. Music will be newly arranged especially for this one-time gather in Canandaigua, and the group will include celebrated violinist and R&B singer Kevin Kumar, plus Canandaigua favorites cellist Amy Sue Barston and violist Edward Klorman.

Limited Seating! Tickets: $50 General | $25 Children (under 12)

Classical Blue Jeans Wednesday, August 17 at 6pm

Adult $50.00 Children (12 and under) $25.00

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