BRATTLEBORO — The Grenser Trio, which explores classical and early-romantic chamber music on historical instruments, will perform a program entitled “Border Crossings,” Sunday, March 20.
The 4 p.m. concert will include Haydn's Trio in A, HOB XV:18; Mozart's Twelve Variations on “Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman,” K. 265/300e; Beethoven's Duo No. 3, WoO 27; Vanhal's Adagio Cantabile from Sonata No. 1 in B flat major; Haydn's Two Scottish Songs; and Beethoven's Trio, Op. 11.
Performers include Ed Matthew, classical clarinet; Carlene Stober, cello; and Dongsok Shin, fortepiano. Their instruments, with less string tension, lighter woods, and different mechanisms, “offer a more intimate sound than their descendants today,” according to a news release.
“Border Crossings” the release continues, refers to “musicians traveling for inspiration, by invitation, or with the assumption that the grass is greener […] somewhere else. Franz Joseph Haydn, an Austrian, enjoyed success in London, where he composed his Trio in A.
“Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart searched Europe for work, including Paris, where he heard a popular song that he brought to Vienna in an adorable set of variations. Johann Vanhal dared to leave Bohemia for Vienna, where his music's popularity allowed him to live without the need of a patron.
“Compared to his contemporaries, Beethoven's travels were limited, yet his Trio, Op. 11, concludes with a set of variations from an Italian opera (written by a fellow Austrian).”
Tickets are $20 general admission, and are available by visiting the BMC website at bmcvt.org, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 802-257-4523.