This sumptuous program celebrates the French musical voice, with its distinctively dazzling variety of tonal effects. First up, a sextet for winds, strings, and piano by Guillaume Connesson—one of today’s most widely performed French composers—whose music has been called “a celebration of life, filled with joyous melodies, rhythmic vitality, and a sense of wonder” (American Record Guide). An elegiac oboe sonata by Poulenc, dedicated to the memory of his close friend (and bridge partner) Prokofiev, is followed by an original arrangement of Debussy’s dreamy sunset in song. Finally, the gorgeous opulence and exuberance of Fauré’s first Piano Quartet. C’est magnifique!

​Guillaume Connesson Sextet (1998)

I. Dynamique

II. Nocturne

III. Festif

Tien-Hsin Cindy Wu, violin; Melissa Reardon, viola; Nathan Farrington, bass; Todd Palmer, clarinet; James Austin Smith, oboe; Henry Kramer, piano

Francis Poulenc Sonata for Oboe and Piano (1962)

I. Elégie (Paisiblement, sans presser)

II. Scherzo (Très animé)

III. Déploration (Très calme)

James Austin Smith, oboe; Henry Kramer, piano

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Claude Debussy (arr. Nathan Farrington) Beau Soir (1880)

Kathleen O’Mara, soprano; Tien-Hsin Cindy Wu, violin; Todd Palmer, clarinet; Brant Taylor, cello; 

Nathan Farrington, bass

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Gabriel Fauré Piano Quartet No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 15 (1876-1879)

I. Allegro molto moderato

II. Scherzo, Allegro vivo

III. Adagio

IV. Allegro molto

David McCarroll, violin; Melissa Reardon, viola; Angela Park, cello; Henry Kramer, piano

* Programs and artists subject to change

For complete program and artist information, visit the Portland Chamber Music Festival web site at pcmf.org.

RUN TIME: 90 min with an intermission