By Daniel Buckwalter
The richly textured music of Johannes Brahms, melodic as well as contemplative and playful, is the toast of Chamber Music Amici for a final performance at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 11.
Now in its 15th year, Chamber Music Amici performs a program called Brahms 190, a tip of the cap to 190th anniversary of the composer’s birth — and based on the strong showing of the opening concert on Dec. 10, it will be a treat for patrons.
The concert opens with the four-movement Piano Trio in B Major with artistic director Eunhye Grace Choi on piano as well as guest violinist Sunmi Chang and longtime Chamber Music Amici cellist Steven Pologe.
After a brief intermission, the three are joined by guest violinist Sofie Yang (subbing for ensemble regular Sharon Schuman, who spoke at intermission sporting a red cast after breaking her wrist) and the superb guest clarinetist Wonkak Kim for Brahms’ Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in B Minor.
The four-movement quintet is intricate and quiet, a reserved piece that a listener can get lost in. Indeed, I was startled by its soft, delicate finish, yet I felt refreshed afterward, a wonderful way to end a Sunday afternoon.
I would encourage one and all to start the week off right with Chamber Music Amici’s second performance of Brahms 190. It is well worth it.
Chamber Music Amici with Brahms 190
When: 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 11; pre-concert talk at 6:45 p.m. with Terry McQuilkin
Where: Wildish Community Theater, 630 Main St., Springfield
Musicians: Sunmi Chang, violin; Eunhye Grace Choi, piano; Wonkak Kim, clarinet; Lillie Manis, viola; Steven Pologe, cello; Sofie Yang, violin
Program: Johannes Brahms, Piano Trio in B Major, Op. 8 and Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in B Minor, Op. 115
Tickets: $30/$32/$42/$45, $5 for students and their accopanying parents; available in advance online at wildishtheater.com
