ROCKPORT –- Entering into its third week, the Bay Chamber's Summer Concert Series presents several timeless and well-loved pieces that promise to amaze. Thursday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Rockport Opera House violinist Elissa Koljonen and the faculty of the prestigious Curtis Institute will present a remarkable evening. The program opens with Antonio Vivaldi's best known work Le Quattro Stagioni (The Four Seasons) wonderfully performed by the Curtis Institute. Following this masterpiece is Piazzolla's Estaciones Porteñas, also known as The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires. Their differing styles and tones will create an intricate and intoxicating juxtaposition.

The following night, Friday, July 25 Union Hall will feature another remarkable concert, featuring several pieces by Robert Schumann. Returning to perform are the students and faculty of the Curtis Institute. The intimate setting of Union Hall and the formidable talent of the artists will provide the makings for a truly stunning evening.

Recognized as one of the most celebrated violinists of her generation, Elissa Lee Koljonen has thrilled audiences and critics in over one hundred cities throughout the world. Ms. Koljonen initially received international acclaim when she became the first recipient of the prestigious Henryk Szeryng Foundation award and silver medalist of the Carl Flesch International Violin Competition. Her playing has been lauded by the Helsingin Sanomat (Helsinki) as "sparkling, sensual, and personal." Dan Tucker of the Chicago Tribune writes, "She displayed boundless technique and musicianship."  Ms. Koljonen is a protégé of the great Aaron Rosand at the Curtis Institute of Music. Through his influence, she continues the legacy and tradition of Leopold Auer and his legendary school of violin playing.

The Curtis Institute of Music educates and trains exceptionally gifted young musicians for careers as performing artists on the highest professional level. One of the world's leading conservatories, Curtis is highly selective, with an enrollment of about 165. In this intimate environment, students receive personalized attention from a celebrated faculty. A busy schedule of performances is at the heart of Curtis's distinctive "learn by doing" approach, which has produced an impressive number of notable artists since the schools founding in Philadelphia in 1924.Grounded in this rich heritage, Curtis is looking to the future in a flexible and forward-thinking way, evolving strategically to serve its time-honored mission.
Thursday night begins with one of Vivaldi's best known works, The Four Seasons, which consists of four concertos for solo violin, accompanying strings.   Each concerto is subtitled a season of the year, the varying musical texture depicting the changing weather. "Winter" is seasoned with silvery pizzicato notes from the high strings suggesting icy rain, while "Summer" evokes a thunderstorm in its final movement.

The music details both the natural world filled with murmuring streams and summer heat, as well as the more human markers of time, such as the fall harvest.  Astor Pizzolla's  Estaciones Porteñas  provides sharp contrast for Vivaldi's work. The Argentine tango is a style of song and dance music rather than a specific dance step or dance rhythm.  It originated in the poor slum areas outside Buenos Aires in the late 19th century and has remained the most popular Argentine song and dance style of the 20th century. In recent years, the leading figure in the composition of tangos has been Piazzolla, who was born in Mar del Plata, not far from Buenos Aires, but brought up in New York City. Inspired by The Four Seasons of Vivaldi, Piazzolla composed four tangos and published them as The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires.   Each tango is a unique blending of the syncopations of the dance, Bach-like counterpoint, touches of Romantic and Impressionistic music, and jazz.

The Friday night program at 9 p.m. at Union Hall, in Rockport, features the work of composer Robert Schumann. Beginning with Violin Sonata No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 105, though tender and beautiful , it is rarely heard in the concert hall. The sonata is followed by Five Pieces in Folk Style for Piano and Cello, Op. 102 . The piece was written as a cello piece for a close friend, Andreas Grabau.  The pieces make use of irregular rhythms, off-beat accents and singing melodies -- all characteristics of folk music. The evening's program concludes with Schumann's beloved Piano Quartet in E Flat Major.

Tickets for these concerts can be purchased in advance by calling (207) 236-2823 or by stopping by Bay Chamber Concerts and Music School at 18 Central St. Rockport Tickets are also available in limited quantities at the door prior to concerts. To avoid the five dollar order fee that applies, tickets are available online at www.baychamberconcerts.org.

Based in Rockport, Bay Chamber is dedicated to transforming lives through high-quality concert programs, music education and community outreach.  Bay Chamber acknowledges the importance of all musical languages and encourages people of all ages and abilities to explore them both in concerts and in the classroom.
Bay Chamber Concerts presents music year-round at a variety of venues in Midcoast Maine.  The annual Summer Music Festival in July and August and Performing Arts Series from October to May both showcase a variety of classical, jazz, world music, dance and film events.  Pre-concert talks and post-concert receptions provide audiences unique opportunities that enhance the concert experience through interaction with the musicians and insights about each performance.
A 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, for over 50 years, Bay Chamber also awards annual prizes to young Maine Musicians.  Bay Chamber Music School offers private instruction, group classes, orchestral opportunities and other music education to local musicians and community members of all ages and abilities.  Bay Chamber's Music School located in downtown Rockport and houses state-of-the-art facilities for 16 professional faculty members.