- (718) 261-2900
With our own Ari Evan and his lineup of internationally recognized musicians, we are delighted to present the series in our sanctuary with its outstanding acoustics.
The repertoire of each concert features an acclaimed work by a Jewish composer.
Join us for three Sundays at 2:00 pm.
Members $18; $50 for subscription to all three concerts
Non-members $25; $65 for subscription to all three concerts
$36 at the door
Free for students with ID and those under 18
Or mail your check to RTFH, 71-11 112 Street, Forest Hills, NY 11375
This dynamic season-opening program highlights the versatility of the string trio and the three distinct duo combinations it offers. The first half, though (mostly) modern, explores a breadth of styles and inspirations, ranging from traditional American fiddling to the late Romantic Germanic style. The Beethoven Serenade, an early work and timeless classic, shows a lighter side of the often serious composer.
PROGRAM
Mark O’Connor: “F.C’s Jig” for Violin and Viola (1991)
Paul Wiancko: “American Haiku” for Viola and Cello (2014)
Zoltan Kodaly: Duo, for Violin and Cello (1914)
I. Allegro serioso, non troppo
Gideon Klein: String Trio (1944)
–Intermission–
Beethoven: Serenade for string trio in D major, Op. 8 (1797)
New York-based cellist Ari Evan maintains an active performing career throughout North America and Europe. From 2020-2023 he lived in Belgium, where he completed his Artist Diploma at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapelle under the tutelage of Gary Hoffman. Solo highlights from this time include a performance of Schumann’s Cello Concerto with the Lviv Philharmonic Orchestra, Haydn D with Royal Chamber Orchestra of Wallonia, Beethoven Triple Concerto with the Vienna Concert Orchestra, and a solo recital at Flagey.
A versatile chamber musician, Ari has performed with Itzhak Perlman, Shumel Ashkenasi, Corina Belcea, Colin Carr, Miriam Fried, Gary Hoffman, Hsin-Yun Huang, Ani Kavafian, Robert McDonald, Carol Wincenc, and has toured internationally with the Rolston String Quartet and Quatuor MONA. He has world-premiered works by Augusta Reed Thomas, Aaron J Kernis, Philip Lasser, and Pieter Schuermans. As a chamber musician, he is featured on the Alpha Classics, DUX, MSR Classics, and Sono Luminus labels. Ari has also played with many of New York’s premiere ensembles, working with Orpheus, ECCO, Music from Copland House, NOVUS, Metropolis Ensemble, New York Classical Players, Frisson Ensemble, and Exponential Ensemble. He has also served as guest principal of the St Paul Chamber Orchestra. Additionally, he serves as the co-founder and artistic director of the Forest Hills Chamber Music Series.
Two-time GRAMMY nominee and Avery Fisher career grant recipient violinist Jennifer Frautschi has appeared as soloist with innumerable orchestras such as the Cincinnati Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Milwaukee Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, and St Paul Chamber Orchestra. She is an artist-member of the Boston Chamber Music Society and has appeared as chamber musician at Chamber Music Northwest, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, La Jolla Summerfest, Music@Menlo, Tippet Rise Art Center, Toronto Summer Music, and the Bridgehampton, Cape Cod, Charlottesville, Great Lakes, Lake Champlain, Moab, Ojai, Salt Bay, Santa Fe, Seattle, and Spoleto Festivals. Her extensive discography for the Albany, Artek, and Naxos labels includes the Stravinsky Violin Concerto with the Philharmonia Orchestra and Prokofiev’s Violin Concerti with the Seattle Symphony. Born in Pasadena, California, Jennifer attended the Colburn School, Harvard, the New England Conservatory, and the Juilliard School. She performs on a 1722 Antonio Stradivarius violin known as the “ex-Cadiz,” on generous loan from a private American foundation with support from Rare Violins In Consortium. She teaches in the graduate program at Stony Brook University.
“I’ll be thinking about my one-to-one concert with Mario Gotoh for a long time to come.” (NPR, All Things Considered)
Born in Japan, Dr. Mario Gotoh is a Grammy Award-winner, sought for multiple, distinguished roles as an innovative, creative violinist, violist, passionate educator and composer with a remarkably unique style in all genres, performing worldwide. In addition to chamber music, Mario is an avid interdisciplinary collaborator in theater, dance, visual arts, Mario is also featured actor and soloist in William Kentridge’s “The Head and The Load.” Characterized by Time Out NY as “stunning, magical, unique,” Mario regularly performs on numerous albums and soundtracks with a diverse array of artists, including: Stevie Wonder, Brian Wilson, Roger Waters, Sting, Katy Perry. She has performed live on The Grammys, SNL, MTV VMAs, Colbert, Letterman, at The White House, Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, Elbphilharmonie, Vienna Musikverein, Newport Folk Festival, Beijing Egg, Sydney Opera House, Tanglewood, Ravinia, Aspen, Banff and many major venues worldwide. She was the original violinist-violist on the Broadway hit show, film and cast recording of “Hamilton: An American Musical.” She performs as a member of Silkroad Ensemble, started by Yo-Yo Ma and led by Rhiannon Giddens, as well as of The Knights chamber ensemble.
