Germany had the Bach family. But France had the Couperins, one of the most prolific musical families in history. Carsten Schmidt brings his golden harpsichord to CMSCVA for an intimate afternoon of fabulous Baroque music by Louis, François and Armand-Louis Couperin, the musical kings of France. With: Carsten Schmidt, harpsichord

The “Red Priest” Antonio Vivaldi is famous for his “Four Seasons” concertos. This concert goes beyond the four seasons to explore the beauty and spectacular virtuosity of Vivaldi’s other concertos, plus the world premiere of a piece commissioned for Baroque strings from American composer Kenyon Duncan. Program: Antonio Vivaldi, Concerto in D minor from “L’Estro Harmonico,” RV 565 Vivaldi, Concerto in A major (“Echo”), RV 552 Vivaldi, Concerto in D minor for Lute and Viola d’Amore, RV 540 Vivaldi, Violin Concerto in E-flat major (“La Tempesta di Mare”), RV 253 Kenyon Duncan, New Work Vivaldi, Concerto No. 10 in B-flat major (“The Hunt”), RV 362  

Several concerts in CMSCVA’s 19th season explore the passing of time. This free event combines poems and readings with the first half of Peter Tchaikovsky’s romantic suite of short pieces named “The Seasons.” Experience the calendar journey from January to June in words and the intimate, tuneful music of one of history’s most emotional musicians.  You can also stream the concert live from the Richmond Public Library at this page. Program: Pyotr Tchaikovsky, “The Seasons” Op. 37a, no 1-6           January: By the Hearth – Moderato semplice, ma espressivo           February: The Carnival – Allegro giusto           March: Song of the Lark – Andantino espressivo           April: Snowdrop – Allegretto con moto e un poco rubato           May: White Nights – Andante           June: Barcarolle – Andante cantabile With: Brendon Elliott, Violin Ingrid Keller, Piano James Wilson, Cello

The magical qualities of light formed the inspiration for this program for strings, winds, and harp. Haydn’s famous “Sunrise” quartet and Ravel’s impressionist “Introduction and Allegro” pair with Gilad Cohen’s “Firefly Elegy” – a musical portrait of the life of a lightning bug – and a premiere by Richmond’s own Zachary Wadsworth. Program:  Joseph Haydn,  Quartet in B-flat major, op. 76 No. 4 (“Sunrise”)  Zachary Wadsworth, New work Gilad Cohen, “Firefly Elegy” Maurice Ravel,  “Introduction and Allegro” With: Grant Houston, Violin Abi Fayette, Violin Caleb Georges, Viola James Wilson, Cello Mary Boodell, Flute David Lemelin, Clarinet Charles Overton, Harp

Experience 500 years of music from the British Isles in one time traveling concert, from a Purcell fantasy to the epic piano quintet by Edward Elgar, to a work by Hannah Kendall inspired by the art of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Program: Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, “Petite Suite de Concert,” Op. 77 Musical Time Machine Inspired by H. G. Wells           2020 – Hannah Kendall , Tuxedo: Hot Summer No Water           1977 – Richard Rodney Bennett, Eustace and Hilda           1924 – Ethyl Smythe, Excerpt from Variations on Bonny Sweet Robin           1884 – Hubert Parry, Divertimento           1820 – John Field, Nocturne in C minor           1680 – Henry Purcell, Fantasia a 4 Benjamin Britten, “Fantasy Quartet,” Op. 2 Edward Elgar, Piano Quintet in A minor, Op. 84 With: Brendon Elliott, Violin Maxim Lando, Piano Mari Lee, violin Lauren Williams, Oboe James Wilson, Cello

This free event continues CMSCVA’s  two-concert cycle combining poems and readings about the seasons with music from Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s romantic suite of short pieces named “The Seasons.” Experience the passing of time from July to December in words and the intimate, tuneful music of one of history’s most emotional musicians.  You can also stream the concert live from the Richmond Public Library at this page. Program: Pyotr Tchaikovsky, “The Seasons” Op. 37a, no 7-12           July: Reaper’s Song – Allegro moderato con moto           August: The Harvest – Allegro vivace           September: The Hunt – Allegro non troppo           October: Autumn Song – Andante doloroso e molto cantabile           November: On the Troika – Allegro moderato           December: Christmas – Tempo di Valse With: Mary Boodell, Flute Ingrid Keller, Piano James Wilson, Cello