Summer of Concerts: Week of August 11

August 12: Appalachian Chamber Music Festival - History in Town: Pop-up Concert

Echoing the somber refrain "John Brown's Body lies a-mouldering in the grave...", composer Ailbhe McDonagh's powerful string quartet, "Appalachian," was originally commissioned for ACMF's inaugural season in 2021. Its evocative final movement directly incorporates the iconic Civil War Union anthem. Experience this compelling 20-minute work in a unique pop-up performance presented in collaboration with the National Park Service, held outdoors at John Brown’s fort – the very site where John Brown made his defiant stand during the pivotal slave revolt that ignited the Civil War. This evocative event is free and open to all.

Program

Quartet No. 1 “Appalachian” by Ailbhe McDonagh

August 13: Appalachian Chamber Music Festival - “Love Comes in at the Eye”

"Wine comes in at the mouth, And love comes in at the eye." - William Butler Yeats

Raise a glass to an enchanting mid-week escape inspired by the words of the Irish poet W.B. Yeats. This delightful concert features the exceptional talents of our two Irish ACMF artists, Sinéad Farrell and Sinéad Frost, alongside the rich baritone sounds of Thomas Coltman.

Immerse yourself in a refreshing 90-minute program of exquisite classical and romantic works for woodwinds, strings, and piano. Prepare for pure musical bliss with Amy Beach's stunning short but sweet Piano Trio. This beautiful selection of music is the perfect way to unwind and break up your week, concluding at a comfortable hour for a restful night. The evening culminates with Kevin Puts’ evocative "In at the eye," directly inspired by the Yeats poem and featuring the captivating voices of baritone Thomas Coltman and pianist Lana Bode.

Program

Devienne - Bassoon Quartet in F major, Op.73 No. 2
    Allegro
    Adagio
    Grazioso con Variazioni

Farrenc - Trio for Flute, Cello and Piano, Op. 45
    Allegro deciso
    Andante
    Scherzo
    Presto

Beach - Piano Trio, Op. 150
    Allegro
    Lento espressivo
    Allegro con brio

-intermission-

Schulhoff - Concertino for Flute, Viola and Double Bass
    Andante con moto
    Furiant. Allegro furioso
    Andante
    Rondino. Allegro gaio

Kevin Puts - In at the Eye

August 15: Appalachian Chamber Music Festival  - Nature and Music: Appalachian Spring

This extra-special concert is a tour-de-force of what ACMF is all about: great music in community spaces. Come for a magical evening of music that takes nature as inspiration and is designed to transport the audience to a special time and place in each piece.

Program

Schoenberg - Verklärte Nacht

– Intermission –

Kenji Bunch - String Circle 
    Lowdown
    Shuffle Step
    Ballad
    Porch Picking
    Overdrive

Copland - Appalachian Spring Suite, version for 13 instruments

August 15: Wolf Trap Opera - Carmen

Step into the sultry streets of Seville, where desire and danger intertwine in Bizet’s timeless masterpiece. At its heart is the fiery Carmen, whose seductive charm ensnares the heart of a young soldier, only to lead them both toward an inevitable clash of honor, love, and tragedy. With its electrifying drama and iconic score, featuring unforgettable melodies like the “Habanera” and the “Toreador Song,” Carmen is a celebration of freedom, passion, and fate. A must-see for seasoned opera lovers and first-time attendees.

Before the performance, join Wolf Trap Opera’s Arianna Zukerman and Carmen conductor José Luis Gómez on the Terrace Pavilion at 7 PM for a pre-performance discussion about conducting opera, collaborating with Wolf Trap’s young singers, and what makes Carmen’s role both iconic and demanding.

August 15: Staunton - Handel's Messiah

The 2025 Summer Festival opens with a rare opportunity to experience Handel’s complete Messiah as a staged performance directed by Timothy Nelson. Regarded today as one of Handel's unparalleled masterworks, Messiah came together in fits and starts and never enjoyed widespread popularity during the composer's lifetime. Since then, however, it has become a globel icon of musical grandeur and - for many - a traditional signpost in the liturgical year. Few listeners have experienced Messiah as a staged "opera," complete with props and costumes, though there is a great deal of spectacle inherent in the story.

Vocal soloists, chorus, and Baroque period-instrument ensemble under the direction of Carsten Schmidt. Stage director Timothy Nelson serves as Artistic Director of the acclaimed InSeries company in Washington DC.

August 16: Castleton - The Bard and His Ballads

The University of South Carolina School of Music returns to Castleton presenting 'The Bard and his Ballads': an exploration of Shakespeare's texts in music intertwined with sonnets and monologues. 

August 16: Garth Newel - Keyboard Friends

Pianists Jeannette Fang, Brian Hsu, Genevieve Fei-Wen Lee, and Jeremy Thompson

Saturday, August 16: “Send in the Clowns”

5pm concert
Followed by optional four course dinner

Scaramouche Op.165b for two pianos - Darius Milhaud (1892-1974)

Vif
Modéré
Brazileira (Mouvement de samba)

Garden of Eden: Four Rags for 2 Pianos - William Bolcom (b. 1938)

Old Adam
The Eternal Feminine
The Serpent's Kiss
Through Eden's Gates

Máncora to Huaraz - Gabriella Smith (b.1991)
for piano four-hands

"Petroushka" for two pianos four hands - Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)

Overture to "A Midsummer Night's Dream" Op. 21 - Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
for two Pianos eight hands

Menu

Seared Scallop on Cauliflower Puree, Citrus and Green Pea Beurre Blanc, Apple Jicama Slaw, Black Pepper and Thyme Oil

Kale, Roasted Butternut, Carrot and Cabbage with Goat Cheese, Sun Dried Cranberries, Pomegranate, Cashews and Maple Pear Vinaigrette

Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Horseradish Whipped Potatoes, Spinach, Artichoke, Sundried Tomato Pesto, Grilled Leeks and Whole Grain Mustard Sauce

Banana Bread Pudding with Maple Pecan Ice Cream, Candied Pecans, Caramel Sauce and Mint Syrup

August 16: Staunton Music Festival

Heaven and Earth

Silcher | Songs on melodies from Beethoven’s Sonatas and Symphonies
Beethoven | Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, arr. for piano and string sextet

Midday Baroque Escape

Beat the midday heat of August and escape to another time and place. This all-Baroque program features Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 and works by Rossi, Caccini, and Quantz. Plus all guests receive a serving of gelato as they exit, courtesy of The Split Banana!

Quantz | Sonata in E Minor, for two unaccompanied flutes
Rossi | Sonata for two violins and continuo
Caccini | Airs for voice and continuo
Bach | Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 for two horns, three oboes, bassoon, violino piccolo, and strings

I Could Have Danced All Night

Strauss | Vienna Blood, for voice and chamber ensemble, arr. by Wadsworth
Guinivan | Ritual Dance No. 1, for percussion quartet
Chopin | Polonaise-Fantasie, Op. 61
Van Eyck | Pavane Lachrymae, for recorder
Schoenberg | Tanzschritte: Moderato, from Suite Op. 29 for chamber ensemble
Loewe | "I Could Have Danced All Night," from My Fair Lady, for voice and chamber ensemble, arr. Wadsworth
Milhaud | Scaramouche, Op. 165b, for two pianos
Wadsworth | Walzer einer neuen Liebe, for vocal quartet and piano four hands
Dvořák | Allegretto grazioso, from Symphony No 8 for orchestra
Brahms | Hungarian Dance No. 1, for orchestra

August 16: Appalachian Chamber Music Festival

Bach and Friends, featuring ACMF solo voices | Coffee Concert Series

Grab some coffee and a donut and sit back and take in the one-hour program formt which is a regular sell-out event at ACMF since year one. You’ll get to hear some music that Bach might have heard in his day, as well as some duos that take inspiration from the great German master.

Right across the street from the beloved Shepherdstown Train station, the former Christ Reformed Church on German Street offers an exquisite and unique acoustic perfect for solo Bach performances… as well as a little more space. See you there!

Festival Highlights

Come experience some musical highlights of the festival in Historic Harpers ferry! This celebratory program is a real tour-de force of chamber music repertoire, starting off with the virtuosic double bass and baritone showcase by Mozart, “Per questa Bella” featuring Sam Suggs and Thomas Coltman.

Prepare to be swept away by the monumental beauty of Schoenberg’s “Transfigured Night”, and the delightful brilliance of Beethoven’s Quartet No. 6 in B-flat.

This concert is the perfect way to end an eventful day of sightseeing and exploring in and around Harpers Ferry- not to be missed!

Program

Mozart - Per questa Bella mano (By This Fair Hand)

Beethoven - String Quartet No. 6 in B-flat major, Op. 18, No. 6
    Allegro con brio
    Adagio ma non troppo
    Scherzo: Allegro - Trio
    La Malinconia

-intermission-

Schoenberg - Verklärte Nacht

August 17: Garth Newel - Keyboard Friends

Pianists Jeannette Fang, Brian Hsu, Genevieve Fei-Wen Lee, and Jeremy Thompson

Sunday, August 17: “Rhapsodic”

3pm concert
Followed by optional picnic

Rapsodie espagnole M.54 for two pianos - Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)

Rhapsodie espagnole S.254 - Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
arr.Ferruccio Busoni (1866-1924)

Trois Rapsodies Op. 53 - Florent Schmitt (1870-1958)

Polonaise
Viennoise

Hungarian Rhapsody no.2 for two pianos eight hands Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
arr. by Richard Kleinmichel (1846-1901)

MENU

Chicken Caesar Salad Sandwich on Toasted Sourdough with Sundried Tomatoes and Shaved Parmesan

Cheese Raviolis on Arugula, Roasted Portobellos and Pesto

Various Sides,Salads and Desserts

August 17: Staunton Music Festival

Summer Sounds

Monteverdi | Two Madrigals from Book IV
Heucke | Quintet for harp, flute, and string trio (world premiere)
Dowland | Pavane for lute
Beethoven | Wind Octet in E-flat Major, Op. 103

Espirit de France

Offenbach | “Can-Can,” from Orpheus in the Underworld, for orchestra
Grisey | Stèle, for two bass drums
Dufay | Motet: Ave maris stella
D’Indy | Suite for flute, harp and strings, Op. 91
Boulez | Improvisation sur Mallarmé No. 1, for voice, percussion, and harp
Ravel | Pavane for a Dead Princess, for chamber ensemble
Poulenc | Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra

August 17: Appalachian Chamber Music Festival - Festival Finale: History, Nature, Culture

Spread out your picnic blankets, grab your lawn chairs, and get ready for an afternoon filled with uplifting music. The program is a joyful culmination of the ACMF season, featuring a mix of highlights from our 5th season from Beethoven to Kenji Bunch as well as the only performance at ACMF of Thomas’ Coltman’s take on traditional Welsh folk melodies.