On May 4th at The PAC, The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will be performing Deeply Inspired. This music comes from a composer’s most personal space creating an emotional packed night of classical music. In preparation for such a night, we asked David Finckel and Wu Han questions about the program and chamber music in general. Here’s what they had to say!
Q: This program includes emotionally-charged work by four composers from four eras. How did you go about choosing what to include in the program?
A: Composers often write for the highly intimate chamber music genre with their most passionate and private musical thoughts. Though Schubert, Barber, Arensky, and Bloch certainly came from very different historical periods, cultures, and nationalities (Austria, the United States, Russia, and Switzerland), each and every piece on the program exudes a very intense yet deeply personal emotional character. We put this program together in order to illustrate the indescribable power of chamber music composition.
Q: What do you hope to communicate with this program?
A: We hope that the “Deeply Inspired” program will touch our audience members’ hearts, fill their souls, and stir their imaginations through the palpable emotional expression of each piece.
Q: Chamber music is usually performed without a conductor. How does performing without a conductor shape the group dynamics?
A: Chamber music is a very democratic art form: each individual in an ensemble has equal rights, and without a conductor, each individual becomes both a leader and a supporter. Of all of the musical art forms, chamber music certainly requires the most sophisticated teamwork and nuanced interpersonal communication.
Q: What are some of your favorite things about performing chamber music?
A: It is profoundly enjoyable for us to communicate with our colleagues through making beautiful music together. The mutual respect, deep friendships, and trust that we have developed with our colleagues through our collaborations brings out the very best of our human qualities. When everything goes well in performance, it is an incredibly inspiring and rewarding experience for both audience members and performers alike.
Q: What is one piece of advice that would be most helpful to someone interested in being a performer in the chamber music world?
A: The most fundamental advice we could offer is to be as kind as you can to everyone around you, including your colleagues, friends, audiences, and family. No one will want to perform chamber music with you if you are not a nice person!
Tickets to see CMS of Lincoln Center are available by clicking here, or calling The Performing Arts Center box office at 914-251-6200 Wednesday – Friday from 12 – 6 pm.
