Program II:
Heart Strings
Saturday, August 16, 2025 | 7:30 PM
Stevens Square Theater
Zoltán Kodály’s Serenade, a rambunctious blend of folk inspiration and modern harmonies wrapped in classical form, was written during a fraught period when he was accused of crimes against the state. Yet his close friend Bartók considered the piece a delight: "We find ourselves in a fairy world never dreamed of before." Henriette Renié was one of the foremost authorities on the harp in Edwardian England, gaining prominence as virtuoso performer and composer in an era where fame was socially unacceptable for women. Her gorgeous trio is a sensitive, heartfelt gem. Dmitri Shostakovich wrote his Piano Quintet four years after being denounced for pandering to the decadent tastes of the bourgeois West, deliberately infusing his own distinctive voice into traditional Classical forms. Combining shades of Bach and Russian circus music, the piece builds towards an ending that is at once enigmatic and bittersweet.
Zoltán Kodály Serenade, Op. 12 (1920)
Tai Murray, David Bowlin, violins; Marcus Thompson, viola
Henriette Renié Trio for Harp, Violin and Cello (1901)
Amy Schwartz Moretti, violin; Raman Ramakrishnan, cello; Charles Overton, harp
Dmitri Shostakovich Piano Quintet in G Minor, Op. 57 (1940)
David Bowlin, Tai Murray, violins; Melissa Reardon, viola; Brant Taylor, cello; Henry Kramer, piano
* Programs and artists subject to change
TICKETS
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Single tickets on sale June 2.
VENUE
Stevens Square Theater
Stevens Square Community Center
631 Stevens Ave, Portland ME
PARKING
Free parking on site, lot entrance on Walton Street between Forest and Stevens Avenues
RUN TIME
Approximately 90 minutes including intermission
Meet The Artists
David Bowlin
violin
Henry Kramer
piano
Amy Schwartz Moretti
violin
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Tai Murray
violin
Charles Overton
harp
Raman Ramakrishnan
cello
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Melissa Reardon
viola
Brant Taylor
cello
Marcus Thompson
viola
Meet The Composers
Zoltán Kodály
1882-1967
Zoltán Kodály was a Hungarian composer, ethnomusicologist, and music educator renowned for integrating Hungarian folk music into classical compositions. Collaborating with Béla Bartók, he collected and studied traditional melodies, influencing his works like Psalmus Hungaricus and Dances of Galánta. Kodály also developed a music education approach emphasizing early childhood training and singing, known as the Kodály Method, which has had a lasting global impact. His dedication to cultural preservation and education made him a pivotal figure in 20th-century music.
Kodály's Serenade, Op. 12, composed between 1919 and 1920, is a vibrant chamber work scored for two violins and viola. Structured in three movements—Allegramente, Lento ma non troppo, and Vivo—the piece blends Hungarian folk elements with modern harmonies. Its lively rhythms and expressive melodies create an engaging musical dialogue among the instruments. The Serenade showcases Kodály's mastery in crafting intimate yet spirited compositions, making it a notable contribution to early 20th-century chamber music.
Dmitri Shostakovich
1996-1975
Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich was a Russian composer and pianist whose work reflects the complexities of Soviet life. He gained early acclaim with his First Symphony at age 19 but later faced political repression, notably after his opera Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk was condemned. Despite censorship, he produced 15 symphonies, 15 string quartets, and numerous concertos, blending traditional forms with modernist elements. His music often conveys irony and deep emotion, navigating the tension between artistic expression and political constraints. Shostakovich remains a pivotal figure in 20th-century classical music.
Shostakovich's Piano Quintet in G minor, Op. 57, composed in 1940, stands as a cornerstone of 20th-century chamber music. Originally intended as a string quartet, Shostakovich expanded it to include piano at the suggestion of the Beethoven Quartet, with whom he premiered the work. Structured in five movements—Prelude, Fugue, Scherzo, Intermezzo, and Finale—the quintet showcases his mastery of form and emotional depth.
Henriette Renié
1875-1956
Henriette Renié was a pioneering French harpist, composer, and educator who elevated the harp to prominence as a solo concert instrument. A child prodigy, she earned top honors at the Paris Conservatoire and studied under Alphonse Hasselmans and Théodore Dubois. Renié composed significant works, including a harp concerto and the evocative Légende, and authored the influential Méthode complète de harpe, still used today. Despite societal barriers, she mentored generations of harpists, such as Marcel Grandjany, and left a lasting legacy through her performances, compositions, and pedagogy.
Renié's Trio for Violin, Cello, and Harp in B-flat major, composed around 1901 and published circa 1910, exemplifies her innovative chamber music writing. Structured in four movements and lasting approximately 30 minutes, the piece blends Romantic expressiveness with Impressionistic nuances, drawing comparisons to composers like Saint-Saëns and Fauré. Renié's composition showcases the harp's potential beyond its traditional role, engaging in intricate dialogues with the violin and cello. This trio stands as a testament to Renié's artistry and her contribution to expanding the harp repertoire.