‘Bach at New Year’s’ at the Mahaiwe
Great Barrington – On Thursday, December 31, Berkshire Bach Society will present “Bach at New Year’s,” a celebration of 25 years of Baroque music in the Berkshires, at 6 p.m. in the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. The program will feature Vivaldi’s Concerto in C for two trumpets, Corelli’s Concerto Opus 6 No. 8 Composed for Christmas Eve, and Bach’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor and Brandenburg Concerti Nos. 2 and 3. While the “Bach at New Year’s” series most often includes all six of the Brandenburg Concerti, this year’s concert will be a departure from that programming.
The featured soloists in this year’s silver anniversary program will include violinist Eugene Drucker in Bach’s Violin Concerto No.1, trumpeter Jerry Serfass in Bach’s Brandenburg No. 2, trumpeters Allan Dean and Neil Mueller in Vivaldi’s Concerto in C for 2 Trumpets, and baritone Benjamin Luxon narrating in Corelli’s Christmas Concerto. Oboist Meg Owens, violinists Joel Pitchon and Ronald Gorevic, and flutist Judith Mendenhall will complete the roster of soloists, and Kenneth Cooper will direct the ensemble of 20 from his harpsichord. Dr. Cooper has added new trumpet ornaments in the Vivaldi Double Concerto, his own adaptation of the famous lines in Corelli’s Christmas Concerto, and a little fun with the Adagio for the third Brandenburg Concerto, making for a truly celebratory affair.
The eminent violinist and conductor Joseph Silverstein was to have been the featured soloist in Bach’s Brandenburg No. 3 and in Beethoven’s Romanze in F, but he passed away suddenly in November. He. In deference to his passing, the Romanze has been removed from the program. Mr. Silverstein was a great supporter and member of the Berkshire Bach Society, performing pro bono as a soloist at several Berkshire Bach fundraising concerts, and this year’s “Bach at New Year’s” concerts will be dedicated to his memory.
Tickets to “Bach at New Year’s” are $40, $65, and $85. Berkshire Bach Society members will receive a discount. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call the Mahaiwe box office at (413) 528-0100.
–E.E.
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BTCF mourns death of Ellsworth Kelly
Sheffield – Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF) has issued a statement regarding the recent passing of artist and longtime BTCF donor Ellsworth Kelly:
“Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation is deeply saddened to learn of the death of artist Ellsworth Kelly. We are so grateful for our partnership with him and his foundation to create permanent sources of support for arts and humanities programming for the 7,800 students in Columbia County’s public schools. In the last 15 years, the Ellsworth Kelly Foundation has contributed nearly $2 million to six Berkshire Taconic education enrichment funds that enhance teaching and learning through hands-on projects in theater, literature, music, fine arts, history and more. Encouraged by a public school teacher to pursue his passion for art, Ellsworth Kelly in turn has helped inspire hundreds of local students through life-changing experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. This tremendous legacy of generosity will continue for decades to come and transform the lives of young people in Columbia County.”
–E.E.
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‘Adieu, Downton!’ event at Ventfort Hall
Lenox — Ventfort Hall Mansion & Gilded Age Museum will mark the beginning of the final season of the award-winning, internationally acclaimed television series “Downton Abbey” with a lavish (and proper) “Adieu Downton!” tea on Sunday, January 3 at 4 p.m.
Guests are invited to dress as their favorite “Downton Abbey” characters to mark the last season of the British soap opera on PBS. Guests will also compete in a “Downton Abbey” trivia contest, and still have time enough to get home before the first episode of the final season begins.
Tickets for the tea are $30 for advance reservations and $35 day of the event. Reservations are recommended as seating is limited. For information or reservations, call Ventfort Hall at (413) 637-3206 or email info@gildedage.org.
–E.E.
