Music at the Mission returns on June 13, 15, and 16 with Rhapsodic Bohemians, a riveting program of chamber music for strings that takes you to the exotic and colorful Czech Republic during the 19th and 20th centuries. “The Czech Republic was very much at a crossroads in Europe, influenced by the Slavic world to the East while under the control of the Germanic world to the West for so many centuries,” says Music at the Mission’s Artistic Director Bill Everett. “It’s amazing that the culture even survived, really. The arts had a large part to do with that – so much so that when the Republic gained full independence in 1993, its first president was not a lawyer or a general, but Václav Havel, the poet!”
The first string quartet of Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884) will be performed by violinists Genie Wie and Steve Huber, violist Chad Kaltinger, and cellist Michael Graham. Born in 1824, Smetana developed a unique style born from his native land. According to Everett, “Smetana looked to folk music to create a nationalistic style that – while influenced by German composers – was very much rooted in his homeland. He joined a revolt against the Austro-Hungarian Empire at one point, and even manned a barricade on the Charles Bridge as the Austrian army approached. His music became a symbol for independence, though true independence didn’t come to fruition for the Czech Republic until the 1990’s.”
While Smetana is widely seen as the father of Czech music, the music of Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) has been described by his biographer, John Clapham, as “the fullest recreation of a national idiom with that of the symphonic tradition, absorbing folk influences and finding effective ways of using them.” For three years in New York in the 1890’s, the composer headed a music conservatory, and a number of his works from this period contain melodies inspired by African American spirituals, including the main theme from his Symphony From the New World. The String Quintet in G Major, which will include Everett as bassist, is from earlier in Dvorak’s career and exemplifies his Slavic style. “The slow movement of this work feels like a stroll through the Bohemian countryside. While it is only five players, it is a work that will sound orchestral in scale,” adds Everett.
Bohuslav Martinů (1890-1959) was also a Czech patriot, but only from afar. “He spent a great deal of time searching for his voice, leaving the Romanticism in which he had been trained and briefly trying different styles including jazz,” Everett says. “He eventually ended up in Paris, and combined elements of older classical music with elements of Czech music,” Martinu fled the Nazi invasion of France, and like many artists, ended up in the United States. He taught composition to many American musicians, including a young Burt Bacharach. In 1947, he composed Three Madrigals for violinist Joseph Fuchs and his sister, violist Lillian Fuchs. Around this time, he thought of returning to his native Czechoslovakia – but the Communists took over and labeled him a traitor – so he never returned.
Music at the Mission will present the first of three performances on Thursday, June 13 at All Saints Episcopal Church in San Leandro. “The church is a beautiful example of Carpenter Gothic Architecture and they have been so welcoming to Music at the Mission. It is a perfect space for a chamber music concert, and we are happy to branch out from Fremont and bring our music to newer audiences,” says Executive Director Aileen Chanco.
On Saturday, June 15, Music at the Mission will present Rhapsodic Bohemians as a Salon Series Concert experience, complete with wine and hors d’oeuvres. “Our host in Fremont will be Martha Mahuron, who has so generously welcomed Music at the Mission for several years! Her house was once the home of Fremont’s first mayor, Jack Stevenson.”
Finally, on Sunday, June 16, a concert will be performed in Monterey County in the city of Marina and hosted by Music at the Mission’s Board President, Larry Matteucig. This concert will also be part of the afternoon Salon Series.
For all three of these performances, guest lecturer Dr. John Prescott will give a pre-concert talk.
Advanced ticket reservations required for Saturday 6/15 and Sunday 6/16. Addresses for 6/15 and 6/16 locations will be given upon ticket purchase, online only. For more information, email [email protected]
Music at the Mission ‘Rhapsodic Bohemians’
Thursday, Jun 13
7:30 p.m.
All Saints Episcopal Church
911 Dowling Blvd., San Leandro
Saturday, Jun 15
3 p.m. with wine and hors d’oeuvres
The Mahuron Event Home, Fremont
Sunday, Jun 16
3 p.m. with wine and hors d’oeuvres
Te Matteucig Residence, Marina
www.musicatmsj.org
Tickets: $20 – $38
