Music Mountain to Present Shanghai String Quartet in Labor Day Concerts, 9/5-6

America's Oldest Continuing Summer Chamber Music Festival, Music Mountain, continues its 86th season with a special Labor Day Benefit Concert and Reception on Sunday, September 6 (3PM) featuring the Shanghai String Quartet with guest artists Gilbert Kalish, piano and Music Mountain's Musical Director Jonathan Yates, piano performing the music of Brahms and Beethoven. Saturday evening, September 5 (6:30pm), the Shanghai String Quartet will play the music of Beethoven and Haydn. This weekend's benefit concert creates the opportunity for Music Mountain to do what it prides itself on - bringing live music to listeners of all ages. This year, an unprecedented number of chamber musicians, jazz, and country bands have come to Gordon Hall to delight audiences and expose them to an array of music genres. There is still more music to hear! Concerts will continue thru September 27.

The Shanghai String Quartet kicks off the holiday weekend with an exceptional program on Saturday evening. The evening's program will include Haydn: String Quartet in D Major, Opus 20, No. 4; Beethoven: String Quartet in F Minor, Opus 95 "Serioso;" Penderecki: String Quartet No. 3 "Leaves from an unwritten diary;" and Beethoven: String Quartet in B Flat Major, Opus 18, No. 6.

The music continues on Sunday afternoon with Music Mountain's Labor Day Benefit Concert and Reception. The Shanghai String Quartet returns with another distinguished program: Brahms: Selected Waltzes for Piano, 4 Hands, Opus 39. performed by Gilbert Kalish and Jonathan Yates - a Music Mountain premiere!; Beethoven: String Quartet in C Major, Op. 59, No. 3; and Brahms: Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34.with Gilbert Kalish, Piano.

Renowned for its passionate musicality, impressive technique and multicultural innovations, the Shanghai String Quartet has become one of the world's foremost chamber ensembles. The Quartet has a long history of championing new music and juxtaposing traditions of Eastern and Western music. They regularly tour the major music centers around Europe, North America, and Asia travelling to Poland, France, Colombia, and Seoul. The Shanghai Quartet currently serves as Quartet-in-Residence at the John J. Cali School of Music, Montclair State University, New Jersey, Ensemble-in-Residence with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, and visiting guest professors of the Shanghai Conservatory and the Central Conservatory in Beijing.

Pianist Gilbert Kalish has become a major figure in American music making through his activities as performer and educator. He is a frequent guest artist with many of the world's most distinguished chamber ensembles and was a founding member of the Contemporary Chamber Ensemble, a pioneering new music group that flourished during the 1960's and '70's. As educator he is Leading Professor and Head of Performance Activities at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Jonathan Yates has earned high praise as a conductor, solo pianist and collaborative artist for his musicianship, intellect and the remarkable variety of his musical endeavors. As a chamber musician Mr. Yates has performed at the 92nd Street Y, Bargemusic and Merkin Hall. His solo concerts have brought him throughout North America, Europe and Asia. He currently serves as conductor of the the Norwalk symphony and the Norwalk Youth Synmphony and is also now the Musical Director of Music Mountain.

Music Mountain is located in Falls Village, Connecticut on Music Mountain Road, where a short scenic drive will bring you to Gordon Hall atop Music Mountain. Free parking and picnic facilities are available. Food, locally baked cookies, coffee, and spring water are available for purchase.

Upcoming quartets scheduled to perform include Cassatt String Quartet with Ursula Oppens, piano (September 13); Borromeo String Quartet (September 20); Amernet String Quartet (September 27).

The Saturday Evening Twilight Series will continue with Spuyten Duyvil (September 12); Jive By Five (September 19).

Chamber Music Concerts are $35 at the door/$30 in advance. Twilight Series Concerts are $30 at the door/$27 in advance. All tickets for The Labor Day Benefit Concert & Reception on Sunday, September 6 (3PM) are $75 and include a voucher for one future regularly priced concert. Children ages 5-18 are admitted FREE for ALL CONCERTS when accompanied by a ticket holder. Saturday Twilight Concerts are at 6:30pm. Chamber Music concerts are at 3pm on Sundays, unless otherwise noted. Group rates and pre season ticket vouchers are available. Discounts apply through participating organizations. For a complete summer schedule, special ticket prices, and to download a ticket order form visit www.musicmountain.org or call 860-824-7126.

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