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Dear Friends of Camerata New York, I am pleased to give you an update on Camerata's exciting activities.

First, the Florence Gould Foundation has approved funding for our concerts for the 6th straight season with a grant of $25,000. We will also be receiving a generous grant from the New York State Council on the Arts for various performances in 2008. We have been invited to perform in the prestigious Kosciuszko Foundation concert series on May 18, 2008 in a program of Polish and French masterpieces (concert to be broadcast live on WQXR-NY Times classic radio). Following on our successful collaboration with film star Alec Baldwin in Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf at the Hampton's Music Festival, we will soon be recording a promotional CD with Mr. Baldwin. Thanks to support from NYSCA and the Florence Gould Foundation, we will be performing various concerts in New York celebrating Italian and French melody. In addition to the above concerts, we have been invited to return to the Danbury Concert Series (past ensembles have included the Baltimore Symphony and Orpheus) on October 12, 2008 and will continue to present our “Young Artists Showcase” concerts in St. Paul’s Chapel and Merkin Hall throughout the season.

PAWLING --Music Director Richard Owen led Camerata New York in a very satisfying performance at Trinity-Pawling School's Gardiner Theater last Friday night. In their seventh season together, Owen and the mid-sized orchestra were performing some works as originally scored, allowing listeners to get much closer to hearing each of the 30 or so musicians.

While this level of intimacy may risk exposing any musical missteps, Camerata New York didn't have much of that to be concerned about. Owen and the youthful group gave energetic and cohesive performances of popular works, lifting spirits out of late winter doldrums.

They opened with "Overture to the Marriage of Figaro" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The strings sounded crisp and clear inside the acoustic and upholstered comfort of the Gardiner Theater. The lively little overture was a joyful romp from start to finish.

Infectious gaiety continued with "Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93" by Ludwig van Beethoven. The irrepressible lightheartedness was maintained through Beethoven's use of an Allegretto scherzando in place of the customary slow movement, with the string section set against the briskness of the winds. Entrances and exits were executed with excellence. This short and sweet symphony was playful, pastoral, and forceful at the finale.

After a brief intermission, a few more horns came in from the fog and joined onstage in a rousing "Overture to the Barber of Seville" from the comic opera by Gioacchino Rossini. With familiar themes building into brilliant crescendos, this was a real toe-tapper.

The final work, "Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 56 (Scottish)" by Felix Mendelssohn, was a suitable piece to prepare everyone for the drive home through the thick fog. The somewhat somber introduction shifted tempo and color as a storm built up in intensity, painting a scene on the Scottish seacoast. In the Scherzo: Vivace non troppo, clarinets, oboes and eventually the full orchestra emulated the sounds of sailors playing a jig.

With effective control of dynamics, Camerata New York ranged from sounding like a small chamber ensemble to a full orchestra. They have captured the essence of symphonic arrangements without any frills. The tonal qualities from each of the musicians collectively create a composite richness where their individuality may still be appreciated.

Camerata New York seeks to provide talented emerging artists with regular professional performance opportunities on the highest level. The orchestra includes recent graduates of such top American conservatories as Eastman, the Manhattan School of Music and Juilliard.

It is also the aim of Camerata New York to ensure the future vitality of music by exposing and involving youth in its productions as soloists, composers, dancers, painters and visual artists. As part of its "Young Artists Program", Camerata New York regularly presents talented young artists in concerts.

Finally, in response to recent reductions in music education in New York, Camerata New York now provides school children free admission to concerts and rehearsals as well as outreach programming.

WQXR Broadcast Response to the WQXR airing of Camerata NY's live CD performance with Nathaniel Rosen of Saint-Saens' 1st Cello concerto on the "Nimet at Night" broadcast by Nimet Habachy (WQXR announcer):

"Camerata New York is a great little company! What you are doing/have done is fantastic. May you go a long way! What a gorgeous recording!"


Camerata New York welcomes your help in support of its programs.
Tax-deductible contributions are gratefully appreciated.

Media Manager Camerata NY: Theresa Sauer
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