Besides Grieg and Sibelius, how many Scandinavian composers do you know?
If you are like the rest of us, you are probably scratching your head right now. It’s hard to come up with a name, right? But help in on the way in the form of “Scandinavian Landscapes,” a chamber music concert by the Olmos Ensemble scheduled for Monday, Oct. 23, at the Laurel Heights United Methodist Church (227 W. Woodlawn, 78212). The highly regarded group will perform three pieces, two of which are by less known names such as Swedish composer Franz Berwald and Danish national icon Carl Nielsen. The third piece is Edvard Grieg’s Violin Sonata No. 3.
Berwald, who spent most of his life in Stockholm, was not a big musical star in his lifetime. Though he did achieve some recognition, it wasn’t until years after his death, that the world of music acknowledged his style and originality. Today, the Encyclopedia Britannica refers to him as “the most important Swedish composer of the 19th century.” The Olmos will perform Berwald’s Quartet in Eb major for Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn and Piano.
Nielsen will be represented by his Quintet for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon and Horn, probably the composer’s most frequently performed work, and the one played at his funeral in 1931.
The six-member Olmos Ensemble consists of: artistic director and violinist Eric Gratz, flutist Mark Teplitsky, oboist Paul Lueders, clarinetist Ilya Shterenberg, bassoonist Sharon Kuster and horn player Jeff Garza. They will be joined for the occasion by pianist Jeffrey Sykes.
Admission is by donation and the suggested donation is $10-$15. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
