Gilbert Kalish, Piano

The profound influence of pianist Gilbert Kalish as an educator and pianist has established him as a major figure in American music-making, receiving the Richard J. Bogomolny National Service Award for his significant and lasting contribution to the chamber music field. He also holds the rare distinction of the longest Middlebury Performing Arts Series relationship, having first played on campus in 1966. Performing works by Crumb, Schubert, and Brahms, Kalish will be joined by soprano Lisette Oropesa, clarinetist David Shifrin, violinist Nicolas Dautricourt, violist Paul Neubauer, and cellist Torleif Thedéen. This concert is additionally made possible with generous support from Olin C. Robison.

This concert comes to us from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. CMS has developed a new digital initiative enabling local venues to present CMS: FRONT ROW, a series of exceptionally high quality, digital chamber music concerts. Middlebury is one of the national broadcast sponsors of the series, featuring beautifully shot, full-length HD performance videos from the CMS archive with remarks and Q&A sessions with the artists. Featuring multiple artists who’ve become dear to our campus audiences, the series is curated by CMS co-artistic directors and Performing Arts Series friends, cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han. This series will sustain audiences and provide a new way to experience this beautiful art form from the virtual “front row” in the comfort and safety of listeners’ homes.

Middlebury’s CMS: FRONT ROW broadcasts are part of the Nelson Fund series, and are made possible with generous support from Raphael and Jane Bernstein.