If they didn't know the difference between a violin, viola and cello at drop-off last Friday, the children of PS8 did by day's-end, thanks to the fabulous Bargemusic Trio that gave two chamber-music performances (one for K through 2nd grade, and one for 3rd grade and up) in the auditorium after the lunch recess.
Mark Peskanov, violinist and Bargemusic, Maurycy Banaszek, on viola and Edward Arron, cellist, played Beethoven's string trio opus 9 #1 in G major. K through 2nd grade also heard a Bach violin solo as an extra treat.
The musicians paused between movements for a quick Q & A with the children addressing such things as differences between a violin, viola and cello; how the instruments generate sound; what materials are used in their making ("Horse's-hair? Really? Wow. How cool!"); and how many musicians you might expect to find in a duo, trio, quartet.
These three musicians have played together at Bargemusic many times, intend to collaborate together in the future on various pieces, and have played the Beethoven piece, together and independently, many times in the past.
For those unfamiliar with Bargemusic, since 1977 it has been committed to attracting local audiences and enhancing the cultural life of New York by offering frequent, year-round performances of chamber music in an intimate if unlikely and startlingly beautiful venue--a floating barge at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge. Bargemusic presents 220 chamber music concerts annually four days a week, 52 weeks a year.
PS8's collaboration with Bargemusic is an extraordinary asset to the school. As funds from the magnet grant have diminished, so PTA budgets have been used to help support Bargemusic, and other enrichment activities.
This is just another reason why the PTA's General Appeal is so important. If you would like to know how you can contribute to PS8 fundraising please read this article or donate online by clicking here .
Finally, you should know that PS8 families are encouraged to attend Bargemusic concerts for free. If a family has interest in attending, please contact Jane Stageberg, 4th grade parent and liaison with Bargemusic,
at jane@bscarchitecture.com . Performances in the near future include:
January 31 Thursday, 8 pm
Jazz Night, Russ Kassoff, Piano
February 1 Friday, 8 pm
Here and Now: American Contemporary Music Series
Music of Lowell Liebermann
Sonata No. 3 for Cello and Piano ("Sonata Semplice"), Op. 90 (2005)
Trio No. 2 for Flute, Cello and Piano Op. 87 (2004)
8 Pieces for Flute, Op. 59 (1997)
Piano Trio No. 2, Op. 77 (2001)
Sonata for Flute and Piano, Op. 23 (1987)
Stefan Ragnar Hoskuldsson, Flute
Teresa Ling, Violin
Tobias Werner, Cello
Lowell Liebermann, Piano
February 2 Saturday, 8 pm
All Beethoven
Sonata No. 1 in F Major, Op. 5
Sonata No. 1 in C Major, Op. 102
12 Variations in F Major, Op. 66 on Mozart's "Ein Madchen oder Weibchen" from "The Magic Flute"
Sonata in A Major, Op. 69
Colin Carr, Cello
Tom Sauer, Piano
February 3 Sunday, 4 pm
All Beethoven
Sonata No. 2 in g minor, Op. 5
Variations in E-Flat Major WoO 46 on Mozart's "Bei Mannern welche Liebe fühlen" from "The Magic Flute"
12 Variations in G Major WoO 45 on a theme from Handel's "Judas Maccabeus"
Sonata No. 2 in D Major, Op. 102
Colin Carr, Cello
Tom Sauer, Piano
February 6 Wednesday, 8 pm
Schubert String Quartet No. 13 in a minor ("Rosamunde"), D. 804, Op. 29
Walton String Quartet No. 2 in a minor
Mendelssohn String Quartet No. 4 in e minor, Op. 44, No. 2
Jose-Maria Blumenschein, Violin
Johannes Dickbauer, Violin
Lily Francis, Viola
Nicholas Canellakis, Cello
February 8 Friday, 8 pm
Schubert String Quartet in a minor ("Rosamunde"), D. 804
Walton String Quartet No. 2 in a minor
Mendelssohn String Quartet No. 2 in e minor, Op. 44
Jose-Maria Blumenschein, Violin
Johannes Dickbauer, Violin
Lily Francis, Viola
Nicholas Canellakis, Cello
February 9 Saturday, 8 pm
February 10 Sunday, 4 pm
Tickets are $40 ($25 students)
Schoenberg String Trio, Op. 45 (1946)
Brahms String Quintet No. 1 in F Major, Op. 88
Mozart String Quintet No. 3 in C Major, K. 515
Johannes Dickbauer, Violin
Mark Peskanov, Violin
Lily Francis, Viola
Mark Holloway, Viola
Nicholas Canellakis, Cello
February 14 Thursday, 8 pm
Tickets are $50
Valentine's Day: An Evening of Romantic Music
Chopin
Impromptu No. 1 in A-Flat Major, Op. 29
Nocturne in D-Flat Major, Op. 27, No. 2
Fantaisie-Impromptu in c-sharp minor, Op. Posth. 66
Ballade No. 1 in g minor, Op. 23
Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 14 in c-sharp minor ("Moonlight"), Op. 27, No. 2
Scriabin
Etude in c-sharp minor, Op. 2, No. 1
Etude in d-sharp minor, Op. 8, No. 12
Kreisler-Rachmaninoff Liebesleid
Complimentary glass of champagne and chocolates
February 15 Friday, 8 pm
February 16 Saturday, 8 pm
February 17 Sunday, 4 pm
Tickets are $40 ($25 students)
Strauss Capriccio String Sextet from "Capriccio," Op. 85
Platt String Sextet with Voice (Transport to Summer), Op. 26 (World Premiere), Commissioned by Bargemusic (2007)*
Brahms Sextet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 36
Nancy Allen Lundy, Soprano
Johnny Gandelsman, Violin
Colin Jacobsen, Violin
Nicholas Cords, Viola
Max Mandel, Viola
Edward Arron, Cello
Eric Jacobsen, Cello
*This is the fourth of six commissioned works awarded to us by the New York State Music Fund
February 21 Thursday, 8 pm
Jazz Night with Jesse Elder's Quintet
Tatum Greenblatt, Trumpet
Jeremy Viner, Tenor Sax
Jesse Elder, Piano and Composition
Adam Jackson, Drums
Chris Tordini, Bass
February 22 Friday, 8 pm
Luis Prado Suite for Violin and Piano
Justin Messina Tango Music
Janácek Sonata for Violin and Piano
Prokofiev Violin Sonata No. 1 in f minor, Op. 80
Johnny Gandelsman, Violin
Francesco Schlimé, Piano
February 23 Saturday, 8 pm
February 24 Sunday, 4 pm
Martinu Cello Sonata No. 2, H. 286
Zyman Suite for Cello Solo (2007) (U.S. Premiere)
Dvorák Four Romantic Pieces for Violin and Piano, B. 150, Op. 75
Smetana Piano Trio in g minor, Op. 15
Mark Peskanov, Violin
Carlos Prieto, Cello
Doris Stevenson, Piano
February 28 Thursday, 8 pm
Jazz Night
Jeff Newell, Saxophone
Tricia Woods, Piano
Marcus Rojas, Tuba
February 29 Friday, 8 pm
All Prokofiev
Sonata No. 5 in C Major, Op. 38/135
Scherzino and Rondo from Six Pieces, Op. 52
Pieces from Romeo and Juliet
Scherzo from Symphony No. 5 (arranged by A. Vedernikov)
Sonatina in e minor, Op. 54, No. 1
Sarcasms--Five Pieces for Piano, Op. 17
Piano Sonata No. 7 in B-Flat Major, ("Stalingrad"), Op. 83
