This event has been made possible by the generosity of David Meeker in memory of Dallas Eugene Meeker.

Alexandre Tansman (1897-1986)

Deux Mouvements

for cello quartet

I. Adagio cantabile

II. Allegro molto risoluto

Richard Wagner (1813-1883)

Feierliches Stück from “Lohengrin”

for cello quartet, arr. Friedrich Grützmacher (1832-1903)

J. S. Bach (1685-1750)

Partita No. 2 in D minor for solo violin (BWV. 1004)

for cello duo, arr. Requiro/Weiss

V. Chaconne

Intermission

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Piano Quartet in G minor, Op. 25

I. Allegro

II. Intermezzo. Allegro ma non troppo — Trio. Animato

III. Andante con moto

IV. Rondo all Zingarese. Presto

Artists: Timothy Christie, viola; Norbert Lewandowski, cello; David Requiro, cello; Ronaldo Rolim, cello; David Sabee, cello; Maria Sampen, violin; Meta Weiss, cello

This event has been made possible by the generosity of Elizabeth Carr in memory of Rosalie Chantiny, chamber music mentor.

Cellist David Requiro has played at WWCMF for many years. He gave a Portrait of an Artist recital back in the days before the Walla Walla Piano Group provided a beautiful Steinway and the means to transport it around the valley.

In fact, a lot of things were different last time David played on the PoA series. He wasn’t married then, for example. He wasn’t a dad. Therefore, we are overdue for a check-in. We will find out what new musical revelations have shaped this, his middle period.

One thing is for sure. When David plays, it will a be heel-stomping good time. WWCMF Founder and Artistic Director Timothy Christie moderates the conversation.

Artists: Timothy Christie, moderator; David Requiro, cello; Ronaldo Rolim, piano

This event has been made possible by the generosity of John Sampen & Marilyn Shrude.

A WWCMF first, tonight’s event explores heavy metal music. The string quartet Seven)Suns provides the perfect introduction if you’re new to the genre, or the perfect fix if you are already a disciple. Much of the harmonic language of heavy metal is informed by baroque music, as are the florid individually virtuosic instrumental lines.

An example of early heavy metal, for example, is the harpsichord cadenza from Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5. It is, for lack of a better word, extreme. And that is what is at the core— the hardcore as it were— of heavy metal music. Enjoy wines by appropriately named House of Bones.

Artists: Seven)Suns: Jennifer DeVore, cello; Fung Chern Hwei, viola; Adda Kridler, violin; Earl Maneein, violin

This event has been made possible by the generosity of Brad Anderson & Kay Mead.

When the four members of Seven)Suns play together, they explore dystopian music rooted in the language of avant-metal and hardcore. You’ll find out what that means on Thursday, June 22. But what happens when you take the quartet apart and hear each musician individually? Metal or Mendelssohn? Hardcore or Handel? Dystopia or Debussy? Each musician brings a unique perspective, and hopefully rejects the concept of alliteration.

The members of Seven)Suns, Jennifer DeVore, Fung Chern Hwei, Adda Kridler, and Earl Maneein are joined by pianist Ronaldo Rolim for this recital. WWCMF Founder & Artistic Director Timothy Christie moderates.

Artists: Jennifer DeVore, cello; Fung Chern Hwei, viola; Adda Kridler, violin; Earl Maneein, violin; Ronaldo Rolim, piano

This event has been made possible by the generosity of Kris & Tim Barry.

Eric Ewazen (b. 1954)

Trio in E Flat for Trumpet, Violin and Piano (1992)

I. Andante

II. Allegro Molto

III. Adagio

IV. Allegro Molto

Intermission

Ernő Dohnányi (1877-1960)

Serenade in C (1902)

for string trio

I. Marcia (Allegro)

II. Romanza (Adagio non troppo)

III. Scherzo (Vivace)

IV. Tema con variazioni (Andante con moto)

V. Rondo

Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)

Septet for Trumpet, Strings and Piano (Op. 65)

I. Préambule

II. Menuet

III. Intermède

IV. Gavotte et Final

Artists: Timothy Christie, viola; Tom Hicks, piano; Billy Ray Hunter, trumpet; Norbert Lewandowski, cello; Christina McGann, violin; Philip Payton, violin; Joshua Skinner, double bass

This event has been made possible by the generosity of Cecile & Rick Ervin.

There is such a thing as the perfect chamber ensemble. It is balanced, unified in expression and awash in a vast array of musical colors. The string quartet? No siree! I am talking about the saxophone quartet. Only once before has the saxophone quartet made an appearance on the WWCMF stage. This is by design, an effort to mitigate jealousy among the practitioners of all the other instruments. But we must from time to time open the Pulp Fiction briefcase and gaze at the beauty within.

masso, the Chicago-based saxophone quartet, make their WWCMF debut as the 2nd annual Emerging Artist Quartet Fellows. During their residency in Walla Walla, masso has been hard at work presenting community outreach performances in English and Spanish around the Walla Walla Valley.

Their work in the community during the festival has been made possible by a generous grant from the Wildhorse Foundation.

Artists: masso: Sam Alvarez, tenor saxophone; Isaac Boone, baritone saxophone; Kurt Cox, soprano saxophone; Ila Gupta, alto saxophone

This event has been made possible by the generosity of Margo & Tom Scribner.

Christina McGann first visited Walla Walla in 2008, violin in hand. She recruited board members to WWCMF just by practicing with the window open. The sound of Bartok and Tchaikovsky floating out over Palouse and Catherine Streets was both an invitation and a call to action.

Christina returns to WWCMF this season with not just her violin, but also her viola. Her recruiting efforts are going into overdrive. Who can resist the siren song of a viola played well? Christina is joined by Whitman College Visiting Assistant Professor of Music and Piano Tom Hicks, making his WWCMF debut.

WWCMF Founder & Artistic Director Timothy Christie moderates the conversation. Music by Schubert, Vieuxtemps and Wieniawski.

Artists: Timothy Christie, moderator; Tom Hicks, piano; Christina McGann, violin/viola

Collage has been made possible by the generosity of Darcie Furlan.

It takes two to tango goes the expression. But that’s a minimum, right? We have many more than two, and tango we will. There will be other dances, too, unfolding in the continuous do-si-do we call Collage. Collage is a style of programming and performing where there are no breaks between selections— the end of one piece is the beginning of the next. What’s more, there is not one stage, but many stages. In front of, to the side, behind, above, and even among the audience. And the music itself comes from many different eras and styles. It is a pageant celebrating the depth, wit and fearlessness of the WWCMF roster of artists.

The grounds of the Inn at Abeja open at 5:30 PM. Abeja’s chef Jake Crenshaw has prepared a menu of wood-fired pizzas, salads and other delicious bites to pair with Abeja’s exquisite wines. Food will be available by prior reservation. Tickets to the performance do not include food or wine.

Grounds open at 5:30 pm.

Artists: Timothy Christie, viola; Rowena Hammill, cello; Billy Ray Hunter, trumpet; Norbert Lewandowski, cello; Christina McGann, violin; Stephen Miahky, violin; Philip Payton, violin; Thomas Rosenkranz, piano

Pacific MusicWorks: Tekla Cunningham, baroque violin; Henry Lebedinsky, harpsichord; Adaiha MacAdam-Somer, viola da gamba/baroque cello

Lighting Design & Engineering: Patty Mathieu; Kurt Walls

Collage has been made possible by the generosity of Darcie Furlan.

It takes two to tango goes the expression. But that’s a minimum, right? We have many more than two, and tango we will. There will be other dances, too, unfolding in the continuous do-si-do we call Collage. Collage is a style of programming and performing where there are no breaks between selections— the end of one piece is the beginning of the next. What’s more, there is not one stage, but many stages. In front of, to the side, behind, above, and even among the audience. And the music itself comes from many different eras and styles. It is a pageant celebrating the depth, wit and fearlessness of the WWCMF roster of artists.

The grounds of the Inn at Abeja open at 5:30 PM. Abeja’s chef Jake Crenshaw has prepared a menu of wood-fired pizzas, salads and other delicious bites to pair with Abeja’s exquisite wines. Food will be available by prior reservation. Tickets to the performance do not include food or wine.

Grounds open at 5:30 pm.

Artists: Timothy Christie, viola; Rowena Hammill, cello; Billy Ray Hunter, trumpet; Norbert Lewandowski, cello; Christina McGann, violin; Stephen Miahky, violin; Philip Payton, violin; Thomas Rosenkranz, piano

Pacific MusicWorks: Tekla Cunningham, baroque violin; Henry Lebedinsky, harpsichord; Adaiha MacAdam-Somer, viola da gamba/baroque cello

Lighting Design & Engineering: Patty Mathieu; Kurt Walls

This event is made possible by the generosity of John Jamison & Kathy Wildermuth.

Please note the venue has changed to Yellowhawk Resort.

WWCMF visits the Yellowhawk Resort for an evening of baroque music performed on period instruments by Pacific MusicWorks (Tekla Cunningham, baroque violin; Henry Lebedinsky, harpsichord; Adaiha MacAdam-Somer, viola da gamba/baroque cello).

Johann Georg Pisendel (1688-1755)

Sonata in E minor for violin and continuo

I. Largo

II. Moderato

III. Scherzando

Georg Böhm (1661-1773)

Suite for harpsichord

I. Allemande

II. Courante

III. Sarabande

IV. Gigue

François Couperin (1668-1733)

Troisième Concert Royaux in A major

I. Prélude

II. Allemande

III. Courante

IV. Sarabande

V. Gavotte

VI. Muzette

VII. Chaconne

Georg P. Telemann (1681-1767)

Fantasia for solo violin in E flat major, TWV 40:20   

I. Dolce

II. Allegro

III. Largo

IV. Presto

J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

Sonata in A major sonata for violin and obbligato harpsichord, BWV 1015

I. [Andante]

II. Allegro

III. Andante un poco

IV. Presto

Artists: Pacific MusicWorks: Tekla Cunningham, baroque violin; Henry Lebedinsky, harpsichord; Adaiha MacAdam-Somer, viola da gamba/baroque cello

This event is made possible by the generosity of Susan Monahan & Mark Brucks.

Anton Arensky (1861-1906)

String Quartet No. 2 in A minor (1894)

I. Moderato

II. Variations sur un thême de P. Tschaikowsky. Moderato

III. Finale. Andante sostenuto

Intermission

Florence Price (1887-1953)

Piano Quintet in A minor

I. Allegro moderato

II. Andante con moto

III. Juba: Allegro

IV. Scherzo: Allegro

Artists: Timothy Christie, viola; Rowena Hammill, cello; Norbert Lewandowski, cello; Christina McGann, violin; Stephen Miahky, violin; Thomas Rosenkranz, piano; Maria Sampen, violin

This event is made possible by the generosity of Iain & Stephanida Christie.

The greats don’t ask permission. Sure, a string quartet has and will always have two violins, a viola and a cello— it’s the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup of chamber groups, perfectly balanced. But when the musical idea is clearly formed, the great artist breaks rules with abandon. Hence, Anton Arensky, protégé of Tchaikovsky, decided to turn the string quartet upside down using the formation of one violin, one viola and two cellos. Yup, dark chocolate. (To spend a moment longer with this analogy, viola is therefore the peanut butter, which feels right.)

The Quartet in A minor is a tribute to Tchaikovsky, composed in memoriam. Russian Orthodox plainchant informs the sound world, the richness of two cellos providing gravitas. However, there are fireworks galore, and ultimately this work is more an uplifting celebration of life rather than a lamentation of life lost.

Anton Arensky (1861-1906)

String Quartet No. 2 in A minor (1894)

I. Moderato

II. Variations sur un thême de P. Tschaikowsky. Moderato

III. Finale. Andante sostenuto

Artists: Timothy Christie, viola; Rowena Hammill, cello; Norbert Lewandowski, cello; Stephen Miahky, violin

This event is made possible by the generosity of Michael Haight & Cathy Lee-Haight.

Cellist Rowena Hammill enjoys a varied career between Southern California and the Pacific Northwest. A year-round resident of Vashon Island, WA, naturally Rowena is Assistant Principal Cello of LA Opera.

She is an avid horseback rider, teaches cello at Pacific Lutheran University in Parkland, WA, and has appeared at WWCMF numerous times as cellist of the Girsky Quartet.

Just to put a finer point on the sheer variety of her life in music, Rowena coached actress Michelle Pfeiffer on how to play cello for her role as Claire Spencer in the film What Lies Beneath. With that title as directive, WWCMF Founder & Artistic Director Timothy Christie will ask the probing questions.

Artists: Timothy Christie, moderator; Rowena Hammill, cello; Thomas Rosenkranz, piano

This event is made possible by the generosity of Mike & Sue Gillespie.

Jessie Montgomery (b. 1981)

Duo for Violin and Cello (2015)

I. Meandering

II. Dirge

III. Presto

Bohuslav Martinů (1890-1959)

Variations on a Slovakian Theme, H. 378 (1959)

for cello and piano

Claude Debussy (1862-1918)

Sonata in G minor for Violin and Piano (1917)

I. Allegro vivo

II. Intermède: fantasque et léger

III. Finale: très animé

Intermission

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Piano Trio No. 2 in C, Op. 87

I. Allegro

II. Andante con moto

III. Scherzo. Presto — Poco meno presto

IV. Finale. Allegro giocoso

Artists: Timothy Christie, violin; Norbert Lewandowski, cello; Volta Piano Trio: Jennifer Caine Provine, violin; Oksana Ejokina, piano; Sally Singer Tuttle, cello

This event is made possible by the generosity of Jim & Jo Ann Clapp.

When Brahms composed his Piano Trio No. 1 in B (Op. 8) in 1854, he was a clean-shaven, dashing young Romantic of 21. He completed his Piano Trio No. 2 in C (Op. 87) in 1882 sporting a 10” beard and a certain gravitas, aged 49. The two trios are a half-step and a world apart. B major’s key signature has 5 sharps. C major’s has 0 sharps (or flats). B major uses all of the black keys on a piano, C major only the white ones. One can infer, therefore, an inverse relationship between beard length and number of black piano keys used. What a difference a half-step makes. Like a good story, only some of this is true. Join the Volta Piano Trio and WWCMF Founder & Artistic Director Timothy Christie to separate fact from fiction, good information from bad, and discover the treasures within this extraordinary work by Brahms.

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Piano Trio No. 2 in C, Op. 87

I. Allegro

II. Andante con moto

III. Scherzo. Presto — Poco meno presto

IV. Finale. Allegro giocoso

Artists: Volta Piano Trio: Jennifer Caine Provine, violin; Oksana Ejokina, piano; Sally Singer Tuttle, cello; Timothy Christie, moderator

This event is made possible by the generosity of Jim Johnson.

Violinist Jennifer Caine Provine performed in the inaugural season of WWCMF back in 2008 (and many times since). Fully 15 years later she now makes her PoA debut! Jennifer is violinist of the Volta Piano Trio (formerly Icicle Creek Piano Trio) and Associate Concertmaster of the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra. Add to that degrees in Slavic Languages and Literature from Harvard and Oxford Universities, and you begin to get the sense we have an iceberg on our hands.

WWCMF Founder & Artistic Director Timothy Christie, more of an Ice-Burg kind of guy, will join pianist Oksana Ejokina for an entertaining deep dive into what makes Jennifer tick, the mountain below the waterline.

Artists: Jennifer Caine Provine, violin; Timothy Christie, moderator; Oksana Ejokina, piano