Chamber music as it’s meant to be heard

Charlotte’s own impresario, Mel Kaplan, has proven to be just as indefatigable as ever. Once again he has put together a series of music jewels for the summer. It was almost 45 years ago when he founded the original Vermont Mozart Festival, and, after it ceased eight years ago, he formulated a new way of providing high-quality musical events every summer. This summer is no different, as he has assembled three chamber concerts presenting works spanning Mozart’s creative years of 1756-1791.    

In past summers he has concentrated on presenting chamber works in intimate settings more appropriate to the venues for which they were written. Chamber music is frequently referred to as “the music of friends,” as musicians have often gathered to play these pieces socially. This year the chosen venues will include the Shelburne Vineyard’s music space and the living rooms in two homes in Charlotte.  Each of these programs will feature Mozart quartets or quintets played by artists drawn from Kaplan’s extensive list of world-class artists. 

The first of the concerts will be two piano quartets at Fox Horn Farms, the Kaplan home, on Friday July 6. This is followed on Friday, August 3, by a concert of three flute quartets played principally by a crowd favorite, Jennifer Grim, professor of music at the University of Las Vegas. And the last concert will be held at the Shelburne Vineyards on Friday, August 10. This concert consists of three quintets, one each for clarinet, oboe and French horn. All musicians are members of the Mozart Orchestra of New York.  

Tickets for each of the three concerts are $50, or $100 for the whole series. For information and tickets, contact the Kaplans at (802) 425-2209 or send an email. Persons interested in seeing the August 19 concert are urged to contact Mel Kaplan at the above email address or phone number by July 7.