MUSIC

Da Camera of Houston presents Folk Songs Transformed: Old Into New, Saturday, May 7, 2011; at 8:00 PM,  in the Cullen Theater, Wortham Theater Center.

Featuring:  Jean Stilwell, (pictured) mezzo-soprano; John Thorne, flute; Laura Flax, clarinet; Abhijit Sengupta, viola; Amit Peled, cello; Mollie Marcuson, harp; Brian Del Signore, percussion; Craig Hauschildt, percussion; Sarah Rothenberg, piano; Brett Mitchell, conductor.

Da Camera’s celebration of old and new culminates in a program of much-loved pieces of chamber music inspired by folk songs. Luciano Berio’s imaginative and colorful arrangements of songs from around the world, from the Appalachians to Azerbaijan, are a tour de force for acclaimed mezzo-soprano and cabaret performer Jean Stilwell. Evocative of klezmer music, Prokofiev’s delightful Overture was inspired by Jewish folk music. Rising-star Israeli cellist Amit Peled joins pianist Sarah Rothenberg and an outstanding ensemble of guest musicians.

“Stilwell fully inhabited each song right down to the tilt of her spiky haired head.”
– Toronto Star

“[Amit Peled] has the flair of the young Rostropovich” – American Record Guide

Scheduled Program:
Prokofiev Overture on Hebrew Themes
Brahms Trio in A Minor, Op. 114
Berio Folk Songs for mezzo-soprano and seven instruments