Triune Concert Series
ST. JOHN’S CHURCH, 59 E. MOUND ST.
614-224-8634, www. stjohnschurchcolumbus.org
The series will conclude with a program focusing on the music of Mozart. Soprano Kimberly Monzon will perform the solo motet “Exsultate, Jubilate” and pianist Per Enflo will play “Piano Concerto No. 23.” 7:30 p.m. Friday donations accepted
For most of its concerts, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra follows the lead of Music Director David Danzmayr.
Several times each season, however, orchestra members become their own bosses.
In small-scale chambermusic concerts, Danzmayr and Executive Director Janet Chen select which musicians to feature, then step aside.
“We approach the musicians who we think would be a great fit,” Chen said, “then we really turn over the baton . . . for them to devise a program that inspires them.”
On Saturday, “An Evening of Bassoon & Strings” will showcase five members of ProMusica: bassoonist Ellen Connors and a string quartet comprised of violinists Heather Kufchak and Will Manley, violist Brett Allen and cellist Cora Kuyvenhoven.
Connors appreciates the opportunity for her and her fellow musicians to take charge of their music-making.
“It’s a different kind of collaborative experience, where you and your colleagues share ideas, and it’s usually very lively,” Connors said.
The concert will take place at Worthington United Methodist Church, which ProMusica has used this season as a substitute for its usual chamber-music venue — the Pontifical College Josephinum, which is undergoing renovation.
The decision was made to seek a space in the vicinity of the college, which is located near Worthington.
“Worthington is so noted, history-wise, for it’s wonderful churches, so we had plenty to look at and consider,” said Chen, who calls Worthington United Methodist Church “a lovely venue.”
The program will feature three pieces in which bassoon and strings harmonize, opening with “Quartet for Bassoon and Strings” by Francois Devienne (1759-1803).
The piece will pair Connors with a string trio: Manley, Allen and Kuyvenhoven.
In spotlighting the bassoon, Devienne inspired subsequent composers, including Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827).
“The development that (Devienne) brought to the bassoon repertoire enabled Beethoven to write beautiful bassoon solos in the slow movements of his symphonies,” Allen said.
Connors called the piece “simple, elegant, balanced classical music.”
The bassoonist will collaborate with the full quartet for “Six Studies in English Folk Song” by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958).
“It’s not a classical piece, but . . . I didn’t want too much sameness,” Connors said. “The Vaughan Williams is just a nice contrast — simple English folk songs. They’re more meditative.”
“Variations for Bassoon and String Quartet” by Anton Reicha (1770-1836) will close the concert.
“The Reicha is a little bit more of a flashy piece,” Connors said. “It’s a theme and variations.”
According to Allen, the work is something of a showpiece for Connors’ instrument.
“I would say it’s all about the bassoon,” he said.
In between the pieces for bassoon and strings, the quartet will make music on its own. On tap are selections from “String Quartet No. 7 in F major” by Beethoven and “String Quartet No. 1 in D major” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-93).