classical music

The Calidore Quartet, an award-winning string quartet formed at the Colburn School in California, will perform Thursday, July 24, 2014 at the Fontana summer festival.

Cara Lieurance spoke with Jeremy Berry about the quartet's rapid rise following its gold medal performance at the 2011 Fischoff competition.   

The Axiom Brass, a featured ensemble on this year's Fontana summer festival, will perform a mixed program of early music to modern, sacred and secular works at the Holy Family Chapel at Nazareth Center.

Cellist Alicia Eppinga, principal cellist of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, is one of the featured performers at the Chamber Music Festival of Saugatuck this weekend.

Pianist Ralph Votapek returns to the Fontana summer festival this week to perform classics of the repertoire for two pianos, with his wife, pianist Albertine Votapek.

In his conversation with Cara Lieurance, Mr. Votapek recalls the early days of the festival and its founder, Neill Sanders, who started the series in 1980. He also discusses the longevity of his career. Votapek is soon to mark his 50th year of appearances in Argentina. 

Judith Vander Weg, principal cellist of the Flint Symphony, is one of the Chamber Music Festival of Saugatuck's most popular players, having appeared each season for the last sixteen years.

She spoke with Cara Lieurance about the opening program of Phantasies by Ralph Vaughan Williams and Frank Bridge, and Dvorak's Viola Quintet Op 97. 

The Chamber Music Festival of Saugatuck starts its 26th season this weekend. Concerts will continue at 7:30 pm each Thursday and Friday night until August 16th.