The Sherman Chamber Ensemble’s 2008 summer series draws to a close on Friday, August 29th in Kent and Saturday, August 30th in Sherman with an evening of showcasing pianist Jon Klibonoff and baritone Nathaniel Watson. “We’re going fishing,” quips SCE Artistic Director Eliot Bailen, with a program featuring Schubert’s beloved “Trout” Quintet, performed by Mr. Klibonoff with SCE regulars Jill Levy and Paul Woodiel on violin, Sarah Adams on viola, Eliot Bailen on cello and Peter Weitzner on bass. Baritone Nathaniel Watson joins the group for “Dover Beach,” a moving work for vocalist and string quartet by Samuel Barber. Rounding out the program will be a sonata for flute and piano by Prokovieff featuring SCE co-founder, flutist Susan Rotholz.
Returning for his second season with SCE, pianist Jon Klibonoff has appeared as orchestra soloist, solo recitalist and chamber musician throughout the U.S. and abroad. His numerous awards include the Silver Medal of the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, the Affiliate Artists Xerox Pianists Award, the Pro Musicis Foundation Award, First Prize at the Kosciuszko Chopin Competition, The Concert Artists Guild Competition, and a Solo Recitalists Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. Mr. Klibonoff has performed as guest artist with numerous chamber groups, including the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the Shanghai, Miami and Lark String Quartets. For three seasons he was artist-in-residence for the “On Air” radio series produced by WQXR classical radio in New York City. Mr. Klibonoff has been heard in recital at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, the 92nd Street Y, and the National Gallery and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. He has collaborated with many instrumentalists including flutist Carol Wincenc, clarinetist David Shifrin and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. His many orchestral engagements include the Baltimore, Utah, Buffalo, Denver and North Carolina Symphonies. A graduate of the Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music, Mr. Klibonoff has been on the faculty of Hunter College and Concordia College and is currently on the faculty of SUNY Purchase College.
Baritone Nathaniel Watson is making his SCE debut with this concert. His impressive credentials include appearances with the New York Philharmonic and the symphony orchestras of Houston, Minnesota, Montreal, Baltimore, San Francisco and Boston. A graduate of the Eastman School and the Yale School of Music, he is an accomplished soloist and recitalist in both traditional and contemporary idioms, specializing in the music of JS Bach as well as the likes of Samuel Barber and Philip Glass.
Sherman Chamber Ensemble concerts are performed Friday evenings in the intimate and acoustically excellent St. Andrew’s Church on Main Street in Kent, CT. Saturday evening performances take place in the rustic charm of the lakeside Mauweehoo Clubhouse in Sherman, CT. All performances start at 8:00 PM and are followed by a reception offering light refreshments and an opportunity to meet the performers.
Admission is $25 at the door ($20 for students and seniors). For Sherman concerts only, lawn tickets may be purchased the night of the concert for $10. There is no charge for lawn tickets for children under 12, so bring your blankets and beach chairs and enjoy an evening of music under the stars with the entire family. For reservations and information, call the Sherman Chamber Ensemble at 860-355-5930, write to P.O. Box 578, Sherman, CT 06784 or visit SCE's website at www.shermanchamberensemble.com.