A Night of Schubert in Sleepy Hollow

During Austrian composer Franz Schubert's short lifetime (1792-1828), evenings sponsored by his friends during which nothing but his music was performed became known as Schubertiaden. Th e "Schubertiade" tradition is alive to this day. On Saturday, April 26, at 8 pm, Friends of Music Concerts will continue the celebration of its 60th anniversary year by presenting one of these grand, all-Schubert musical events in the Kusel Auditorium of Sleepy Hollow High School in Sleepy Hollow, NY.

The evening will begin with three pieces for solo piano, played by Michael Brown: Impromptu No. 3 in G-flat Major, Op. 90 (D.899), Moment Musicaux No. 2 in A-flat Major, Op. 94 (D.780) and the fourth movement (rondo: allegro moderato) from the Sonata No. 17 in D Major, Op. 53 (D.850).

Then come four lieder, sung by baritone Mischa Bouvier, with Yegor Shevstov at the piano: Rastlose Liebe, D.138; An die Laute, D.905; Im Abendrot, D. 799; and Willkommen und Abschied, D. 767. Next is the Sonatina No. 1 in D Major, Op. 137 (D. 384) for violin and piano, with Brown and violinist Katie Hyun, the latter from the Amphion String Quartet.

After intermission, there will be two more lieder: Auf der Bruck, D. 853, and Die Forelle, D. 550. The evening concludes with the Quintet in A Major, Op. 114 (Trout) for piano and strings, D. 667. String players are violinist David Southorn, violist Wei-Hang Andy Lin, and cellist Michai Marica, all from the Amphion; bassist Paul Kowert; and Brown again at the piano.

Schubert was a prolific composer, writing some 600 Lieder, ten complete or nearly complete symphonies, liturgical music, operas, incidental music and a large body of chamber and solo piano music. Appreciation of his music while he was alive was limited to a relatively small circle of admirers in Vienna, but interest in his work increased significantly in the decades immediately after his death. Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann, Franz Liszt, Johannes Brahms and other 19th-century composers discovered and championed his works. Today, Schubert is ranked among the greatest composers of the early Romantic era; as such, his work is among the most freq uently performed of the early nineteenth century.

Tickets for individual concerts are $30 for adults and $15 for students. Order forms may be downloaded from www.friendsofmusicconcerts.org and then mailed with a check to Friends of Music Concerts, P.O. Box 675, Millwood, NY 10546. Information about ticket availability may be obtained by calling 914-861-5080.

Friends of Music Concerts, Inc. is a non-profit organization that showcases a wide range of musicians who demonstrate the diversity and fine quality of chamber music today. Concerts are made possible, in part, by a Basic Program Support Grant of ArtsWestchester (with funds from Westchester County), by a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and by generous support from private individuals and businesses.