Column 7, July 30, 2024 by Jim Berkenstock The day following our recent “Grieg Piano Concerto with Jeannie Yu” program, I ran into one of the audience members who had been there. Harry (not his real name) said to me with a very serious look, “I’ve attended my last Midsummer’s Music concert!” I was too stunned […]

Column 6, July 10, 2024 by Jim Berkenstock We have just finished four wonderful programs (15 performances in all), and most of the music has been from the German/Austrian tradition. While we included a splendid work by the Englishwoman, Alice Verne Bredt, and an under-appreciated masterpiece by Dvořák, the meat of these programs was music […]

Monday, July 8, 2024 by Jim Berkenstock “Fairy Tales and Ghosts.” Our upcoming program that includes music of Beethoven, Schumann, and Haydn seems pregnant with story lines. This is true but maybe with more wrinkles than meet the eye. The Fairy Tales part comes from a work by the same title (Märchenerzählungen) by Robert Schumann […]

Wed, June 26, 2024 by Jim Berkenstock When you attend a Midsummer’s Music concert you know to expect a surprise or two. Sure, you’ll probably hear a tried and true, well-known masterpiece like the Brahms Piano Quintet that’s on our next program—one of the great masterpieces of chamber music. But you will also probably hear a fascinating […]

Wed, June 12, 2024 by Jim Berkenstock “The sap is rising!” Few people remember that quote or its disastrous results. Adlai Stevenson III was running for Governor of Illinois a long time ago. He made that statement shortly after he announced his candidacy comparing his elation at running with early spring when the sugar maples come to […]

Midsummer’s Music has developed a solid reputation for giving concerts that create a very powerful impression among audience members. We have even taken to saying that these events are “Not just a concert, it’s an experience.” But I have puzzled over just what is at the heart of that special experience and especially how to […]