PROGRAM INFO
Leo Smit – Suite for Oboe and Cello
Ellen Taaffe Zwilich – Abgang and Kaddish for Clarinet, Violin, Clarinet, and Piano
Darius Milhaud – Suite for Violin, Clarinet, and Piano
Vivian Fine – Quintet: after paintings by Edvard Munch for Oboe, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, and Piano

Led by Artistic Directors violinist Dean Stein and oboist Kathleen McNerney, VentiCordi concerts have been praised for their “…beautifully articulated, shapely playing and rock-solid ensemble”. VentiCordi combines McNerney’s and Stein’s love of chamber music with innovative programming that blends wind and string instruments. They invite musicians with the same spirit to collaborate and explore creative frontiers of chamber music. Upcoming highlights include the release of their first CD, featuring the music of Ned Rorem, Hans Gál, and Dorothy Howell, with guest artists Pamela Mia Paul and Susan Dubois. Available soon! VentiCordi also recently collaborated with the Portland Ballet, bringing live music and dance to the school children of Maine. This production of “The Emperor’s New Clothes”, is a light-hearted update of the classic tale, with new choreography and music by the American composer Peter Schickele.

Since its founding in 2009, VentiCordi has been enthusiastically received by audiences and critics. Audiences have fallen in love with their distinctive, dynamic programming and sparkling performances. As the Classical Voice of New England noted, “When music is played with enlightened soul, it speaks directly to the listener, as this did, whether or not it has been experienced previously.” While the starting point of their harmonic tapestry is oboe and violin, on any VentiCordi concert you may also hear a wide variety of wind, string, percussion, and keyboard Instruments, as well as voice. VentiCordi concerts may be heard in Portland, the Kennebunks, South Portland, Brunswick, Damariscotta and throughout the state of Maine. VentiCordi aspires to enhance the cultural life of Maine for all.

RUN TIME: 90 minutes with an intermission