Summer of Concerts: Week of August 18

August 18: Staunton Music Festival

Great Britten

Britten | Canticle V: The Death of Saint Narcissus, for voice and harp
Britten | Three Metamorphoses After Ovid, for solo oboe
Britten | Four folksongs arr. for voice and guitar
Britten | String Quartet No. 3 in G Major

Virginia Soundscape 1

Virginia composers have always had a strong presence at Staunton Music Festival. This season we celebrate those diverse voices with music, of course, as well as conversation. In the first of two "Virginia Soundscape" programs, three composers will share thoughts about their stylistic evolution and the current state of art music in the Commonwealth and beyond. Event includes a performance of Judith Shatin's "Mariola" for viola and marimba.

Eric Guinivan (James Madison University)
Jason Haney (James Madison University)
Judith Shatin (University of Virginia)
Zachary Wadsworth, moderator

A Night at the Movies

Step back in time to cinema’s Golden Era. Live musicians accompany two silent films: Buster Keaton’s "Sherlock Jr." and Joris Ivens’ "14 Ways to Describe Rain." As a tasty refreshment, guests can enjoy a 1920’s signature cocktail at the event. 

August 19: Staunton Music Festival

Schola Cantorum

Tallis | Motet: O sacrum convivium
Shatin | Kassia, for clarinet, harp, and string quintet
Mozart | Ave Verum Corpus, for voices and strings
Hailstork | The Lamb for chorus (after Blake)
Blank | I am Rose, for high voices
Bach | Chorus: “Wachet auf,” from Cantata 140

Early Keyboard Extravaganza

Handel | Organ Concerto in G Minor, Op. 3/4
French melange, for three harpsichords
Mozart | Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, K493
Haney | Mareas, for cello and harpsichord
Schumann | Two Songs for voice and fortepiano
Schumann | Piano Concerto in A Minor (first mvmt), for fortepiano and orchestra

August 20: Staunton Music Festival

Bohemian Rhapsodies

Zelenka | Concerto in G Major, for oboe, bassoon, strings, and continuo
Schulhoff | Concertino for flute, viola, and bass
Dvorák | Zigeunerlieder ("Gypsy Songs"), for piano and voice

Virginia Soundscapes 2

Virginia composers have always had a strong presence at Staunton Music Festival. This season we celebrate those diverse voices with music, of course, as well as conversation. In the second of two "Virginia Soundscape" programs, three composers will share thoughts about their stylistic evolution and the current state of art music in the Commonwealth and beyond. Event includes a performance of music for solo percussion by Casey Cangelosi.

Matthew Burtner (University of Virginia)
Casey Cangelosi (James Madison University)
Nicole Mitchell (University of Virginia)
Zachary Wadsworth, moderator

All Creatures Great & Small

Gershwin | Preludes Nos. 1 and 3 for solo piano
Kurtág | Three Kafka Fragments, for voice and violin
Debussy | Two Préludes (Bruyères, Ondine), arr. for solo harp
Biber | Sonata for Two Trumpets
Rameau | L’entretriens des muses, for harpsichord
Schubert | Symphony No. 9 in C Major (”The Great”)

August 21: Staunton Music Festival

Musica Notturna

Biber | Serenade for Strings (“Nightwatchman”)
Currier | Dusk and Starlight, for violin and harp
Wilbye | Draw On, Sweet Night, for voices
Schoenberg | Verklärte Nacht, for string sextet

Musica Intima

In this one-hour concert, audiences can enjoy a Haydn piano trio, Spanish music for solo guitar, and more. Music up close and personal for serious music lovers! Limited to 120 guests and held at the historic American Hotel, opposite Staunton's train station.

Haydn | Piano Trio in D Minor
Torroba | Suite Castellana, for guitar
Mozart | Songs for voice and fortepiano

Who's Afraid of New Music?

St. Kassia | Now Isaiah the Prophet
Scriabin | Piano Sonata No. 7 (”White Mass”)
Caccini | Queste lagrim’amare
Reid | Apple, for four sopranos
Gabrieli | Hodie completi sunt, from Symphoniae Sacrae
Heucke | The Glory of Life (world premiere)
Vivaldi | Concerto “La Notte,” for recorder, strings, and continuo
Burtner | Auroras, for orchestra and electronics
Beethoven | Egmont-Overture, Op. 84, for orchestra

August 22: Garth Newel - Daniel Hope & GNPQ

Followed by optional buffet dinner

Piano Quartet (Movement) in A minor Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)
Nicht zu schnell

Solstice - David Biedenbender

Duo for violin and cello Erwin Schulhoff (1894-1942)

intermission

Sonata in A Major César Franck
for violin and piano 1822-1890
Allegretto ben moderato
Allegro
Ben moderato: Recitativo-Fantasia
Allegretto poco mosso

Daniel Hope, violin

Garth Newel Piano Quartet

Teresa Ling - violin
Fitz Gary - viola
Isaac Melamed - cello
Jeannette Fang - piano

MENU

Sesame Salmon on Bok Choy with Hawaian BBQ Sauce and Cucumber Cilantro Salsa

Panko Fried Prawns with Jalapeno Lime Cabbage Slaw, Sweet and Sour Sauce, Avocado Wasabi Aioli and Wonton Chips

Shiitake Mushrooms, Broccolini, Scallions Stir Fry on Somen Noodles and Ginger Teriyaki Chilli Sauce

Gruyere, Potato, Scallion Casserole with Creme Fraiche

August 22: Staunton Music Festival

Autumn Leaves

Brahms | Two songs for voice, viola, and piano
Elgar | Piano Quintet in A Minor, Op. 84

Baroque Inside/Out: Italian Import-Export

An evening devoted to treasures from the Italian Baroque, culminating with Vivaldi’s brilliant Gloria RV 589 for chorus & orchestra. Program also features music by Gletle, madrigals by DeWert & Luzzaschi, an aria from Handel’s Semele, & more. PLUS: during the extended intermission, enjoy contrasting musical surprises in the churchyard.

Caldara | Te Deum for voices and orchestra
Schütz | Saul, warum folgst Du mir, for voices, violins, and continuo
Castello | Sonata seconda, for recorder and harpsichord
DeWert | Con voi gioconda amor, for voices
Luzzaschi | Dolci Aspiri, for voices
De Medici | Passacaglia in G Minor, for three harpsichords
Gletle | OJesu rex noster, for alto, strings, and continuo
Gletle | Triumphale canticum, for alto, brass, strings, and continuo
Handel | "Hence, Iris, hence away," from Semele
Handel | Concerto Grosso in F Major, Op. 6/9
Vivaldi | Gloria in D Major for chorus and orchestra

Nightcap: Baroque Jam

Baroque performers gather for a spirited short program. Planned works include a new version of Biber’s Passacaglia for recorder by Nine Stern and more. Admission available for concert only ($22) or concert plus a drink from the bull bar ($30). Additional drinks available for purchase that night.

August 23: Garth Newel - Daniel Hope & GNPQ

Followed by optional four course dinner

Sonatina (for violin and piano) in G major, Op. 100, B. 183, Indian Lament - Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)

Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 81 Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
Allegro, ma non tanto
Dumka: Andante con moto
Scherzo (Furiant): Molto vivace
Finale: Allegro

Daniel Hope, violin

Garth Newel Piano Quartet

Teresa Ling - violin
Fitz Gary - viola
Isaac Melamed - cello
Jeannette Fang - piano

MENU

Caramelized Onion and Fig Tart, Gorgonzola, Arugula, Honey and Pine Nuts

Cucumber and Tomato Salad with Grilled Leeks, Crumbled Feta, Green Olives, Flat leaf Parsley and Avocado Vinaigrette

Rack of Lamb with Parsnip Potatoes, Balsamic Lacinato Kale Salad, Blackberry Reduction, Fried Brussel Sprout and Sweet Potato Hash and Mint Pesto

Pistachio and Hazelnut Tart with Vanilla Honey and Rosemary Ice Cream and Pomegranate Coulis

August 23: Staunton Music Festival

Serenades at Noon

Piazzolla | “Café 1930,” from Histoires du Tango, for flute and guitar
Work for solo harp TBA
Heucke | Sextet for winds and piano (world premiere)

Baroque Lovers' Afternoon

This audience favorite will feature two concertos by the prolific G. P. Telemann, as well as vocal music by the French master Michael Lambert.

Telemann | Concerto in A Minor for recorder, viola, strings, and continuo, TWV 52:a1
Lambert | Airs for voices and continuo
Telemann | Overture-Suite in D Major for trumpet, violin, strings, and continuo, TWV 55:D7

Rule, Britannia!

Vaughan Williams | Fantasia on Greensleeves, for flute, harp and strings
Gilbert & Sullivan | “Three Little Maids,” from The Mikado
Beethoven | Variations on “Rule, Britannia!” for fortepiano
Dunstable | O quam pulchra est
The Beatles | Suite for voice and chamber ensemble, arr. by Berio
Handel | Zadok the Priest for chorus and orchestra
Maxwell Davies | Eight Songs for a Mad King

August 24: Staunton Music Festival

Let the Sun Be Our Guide

The second Sunday morning concert at Blackfriars features both old and very new music, combining the peak of Viennese classicism with contemporary jazz composed and performed by Nicole Mitchell.

Haydn | String Quartet in B-flat Major, Op. 76 No. 4 (”Sunrise”)
Mitchell | Three movements from Decolonizing Beauty, for flute and percussion

Finale: Mozart's Magic Flute

The 2025 Summer Festival concludes with a concert version of Mozart’s incredible last opera,
Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute). Vocal soloists, chorus, and period orchestra perform. In German
with projected English translations.