Mozart, Bach and the innovative works of contemporary composers return to The Grey Eagle this month for another laid-back summer evening of chamber music.
Forgoing the traditional, grandiose venues for a locale that matches the local lifestyle, Summer RADiance invites concertgoers to grab tacos, order a drink and settle in for an eclectic program that spans more than three centuries of music, featuring performances by the internationally acclaimed Jasper String Quartet and Asheville’s own Opal String Quartet.
Presented by Asheville Chamber Music Series and Chamber Music Society of the Carolinas, the annual event, held on Wednesday, July 22, brings together the two quartets for a relaxed performance designed to welcome longtime classical music lovers and first-time listeners alike.
"We're really trying to create shared experiences where the audience is close and attention is really rapt, and artists and listeners are sharing the same space," said J Freivogel, violinist of the internationally acclaimed Jasper String Quartet and co-artistic director of Chamber Music Society of the Carolinas. "The Grey Eagle is a really wonderful place to do that."
Unlike a traditional concert hall, he said, the River Arts District venue creates a more approachable atmosphere without sacrificing the artistry. The evening opens with separate performances by Opal and Jasper before the two ensembles unite for a collaborative finale.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this season, the Jasper String Quartet will perform a trio of contemporary works, including Caroline Shaw's “Entr'acte” and two anniversary commissions written especially for the ensemble by Michelle Barzel Ross and Reinaldo Moya.
"We're very passionate about championing works written by composers today, keeping the art form alive and well and vigorous," Freivogel said. "We're always looking to find windows into newer repertoire.”
Shaw's “Entr'acte,” he noted, is particularly well suited to The Grey Eagle's intimate setting, incorporating theatrical moments that are best appreciated from just a few feet away. Ross’s piece, “Little Bells,” is short and sweet, “but it takes you through this wonderful emotional journey. It's just very evocative writing,” he continued. “Then, Reinaldo Moya’s piece, ‘Yara,’ is based on the folklore behind the origin story of Venezuela — with this vivid imagery of its topography and its rivers. It’s just a beautiful and interesting piece from an amazing living composer and friend."
Meanwhile, Asheville's Opal String Quartet will offer a program that ranges from Beethoven and Bartók to “Cendra Wasih” by contemporary Balinese composer I Nyoman Windha, reflecting the ensemble's longstanding commitment to pairing beloved repertoire with music audiences may be hearing for the first time.
The evening concludes with the two quartets joining forces for Mozart's beloved “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik,” a pair of cello duets featuring Rachel Henderson Freivogel and Franklin Keel, and Bach's jubilant “Brandenburg Concerto No. 3,” joined by guest musicians Edith Gettes and Jason Thomas.
The evening’s contrast between centuries-old masterworks and brand-new commissions isn't accidental.
"All music at one point was new music," Freivogel said. "’Brandenburg’ and ‘Eine Kleine’ have stood the test of time, and we're delighted to bring them to life. We're just as excited to present these newer pieces because we have deep belief that they have the same staying power."
And for anyone who's never attended a chamber music concert, Freivogel hopes Summer RADiance serves as an invitation rather than an introduction.
"It's a completely welcoming environment," he said. "You're going to be thrilled by amazing music, new and old, and it's going to be done in a comfortable environment where you can be sitting around with friends, learning the stories behind the music, chatting in between the sets and enjoying some food and drink.”
Whether listeners arrive as devoted chamber music fans or are simply curious about what’s playing at The Grey Eagle, he hopes they'll leave eager to continue the journey.
“I would love for people to come on this journey through chamber music with us,” Freivogel continued. “It’s going to be a wonderful evening with so much variety, from the pieces that even experienced listeners have never heard before — the pieces that were written for us — to the music they know and love.”
IF YOU GO
What: Summer RADiance, presented by Asheville Chamber Music Series and Chamber Music Society of the Carolinas
Who: Jasper String Quartet and Opal String Quartet
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 22
Where: The Grey Eagle Music Hall, 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville
Tickets/Info: ashevillechambermusic.org; $40 at thegreyeagle.com