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Musical Masterworks features Schubert classic and more

02/09/20

Published February 5, 2020 by Rick Koster, Day Staff Writer

I wonder if Schubert had a fish tank or a koi pond or even possibly visited the Vienna Aquarium with some regularity. The reason I ask is that he has a composition — a somewhat famous one, in fact — known familiarly as “The Trout Quintet.”

It’s a refreshing change from the usual dry classical tradition of naming pieces. I would never suggest rock or soul music is in any way comparable to the complexity and sculptured nuances of classical music. But you certainly know what you’re getting with “Let There Be Rock!” or “Bad Mamma Jamma” as opposed to one of those “Symphony No. 6 in e-flat minor, Op. 22 for French horn, oboe and tenor saxophone” thingies.

Let’s not get sidetracked, though. Musical Masterworks presents the next concerts in their 2019-20 season on Saturday and Sunday in Old Lyme’s First Congregational Church, and fans of this excellent series get a bit of everything in terms of nomenclature. The program features J.S. Bach’s Trio in g minor for Violin, Cello and Bass (arranged from Sonata BWV 1029); original compositions by Tessa Lark and Michael Thurber; Turina’s Piano Quartet in a minor, Opus 67; and Schubert’s Quintet in A Major for Piano and Strings, D. 667 — which, yes, is Trout!

Performing these works will be cellist/MM music director Edward Arron, violinist Lark, pianist Jeewon Park, double bassist Thurber, and violist Ettore Causa. Once again, Arron has sculpted a creative an empathetic collection of music and the usual coterie of superb musicians.