Vijay Iyer, Brentano Quartet to Open Chamber Music Society of Detroit's 2016-17 Season

Farmington Hills -- The Chamber Music Society of Detroit opens its 73rd season with a pair of concerts and its first-ever Silent Auction and Reception the weekend of September 16 and 17, 2016.

Pianist and composer Vijay Iyer opens the Midtown Series Friday, September 16, 8 PM at Wayne State University's Schaver Music Recital Hall performing his own improvisational works.

On Saturday, September 17 at 8 PM, Iyer joins the Brentano String Quartet at Seligman Performing Arts Center in Beverly Hills for the opening of the CMSD's Signature Chamber Series. The program includes music of Bach, Iyer and Dvorák.

The Chamber Music Society will host its first ever Silent Auction and Reception featuring wine and hors d'oeuvres on September 17 in the lobby of Seligman Performing Arts Center from 5:30 - 7:30 PM, sponsored by Greenleaf Trust. The auction features an exciting collection of 22 items from such premier businesses as Shinola Detroit, Bacco Ristorante, the Stratford Festival, Tapper's Jewelers, Park West Gallery, Beverly Hills Grill, the Detroit Tigers and many more. Proceeds from the auction will help support the Chamber Music Society's 2016-17 education programs and concert series.

Tickets for the reception cost $60 per person; a discounted reception and concert package is also available for $90. Tickets may be purchased by phone at 248-855-6070 or online at www.CMSDetroit.org.

About the Artists

Grammy-nominated composer-pianist Vijay Iyer has been described by Pitchfork as "one of the most interesting and vital young pianists in jazz today" and by Minnesota Public Radio as "an American treasure." He has been voted DownBeat Magazine's Artist of the Year three times - in 2016, 2015 and 2012. Iyer was named Downbeat's 2014 Pianist of the Year, a 2013 MacArthur Fellow, and a 2012 Doris Duke Performing Artist. In 2014 he began a permanent appointment as the Franklin D. and Florence Rosenblatt Professor of the Arts in the Department of Music at Harvard University. He has released over 20 critically acclaimed recordings.

The Brentano Quartet has served as Artists in Residence at Yale University since 2014. The Quartet also currently serves as the collaborative ensemble for the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Formerly, they were Artists in Residence at Princeton University for many years. The Quartet has performed in the world's most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall in New York; the Library of Congress in Washington; the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam; the Konzerthaus in Vienna; Suntory Hall in Tokyo; and the Sydney Opera House. In addition to performing the entire two-century range of the standard quartet repertoire, the Brentano Quartet is known for its adventurous programming, and has a strong interest in both very old and very new music.

Opening Weekend Concert Details:

Vijay Iyer, piano

Friday, September 16, 2016, 8 PM

Schaver Music Recital Hall

480 W. Hancock (between Cass & 2nd Avenues), Detroit

Tickets: $30, students: $15

Program:

An evening of solo jazz and improvisational works

Brentano String Quartet with Vijay Iyer, piano

Saturday, September 17, 2016, 8 PM

Seligman Performing Arts Center

22305 West 13 Mile Road (at Lahser Road), Beverly Hills

Tickets: $32 - $64, students: $16 - $32

Program:

Bach: Art of Fugue, selections

Iyer: solo piece TBD

Iyer: "Time, Place, Action" for String Quartet and Piano (Michigan premiere) - Co-commissioned by the Chamber Music Society of Detroit with support from Cecilia Benner

Dvorák: String Quartet in C major, Op. 61

The Chamber Music Society of Detroit's 2816-17 season features 20 concerts on three series in venues across metropolitan Detroit: a nine-concert Signature Chamber Series on Saturday evenings at Seligman Performing Arts Center in Beverly Hills, a six-concert Midtown Series on Friday evenings at Schaver Music Recital Hall on the WSU campus in Detroit, and a five-concert Oakland University Series at Varner Recital Hall in Rochester Hills. Subscriptions to the three series are still available, as are single tickets for all concerts. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.CMSDetroit.org or call 248-855-6070 and request a season brochure.

Opening Night Reception and Silent Auction:

Saturday, September 17, 5:30 - 7:30 pm

Seligman Performing Arts Center Lobby

Sponsored by Greenleaf Trust

Admission: $60 for reception only, $90 for reception and concert package

Premiums Available for Bidding:

Jewelry

Necklace from Grinstein's Jewelry & Design

Tapper's gift certificate

Shinola Watch

Bracelet from MB Jewelry Design

Necklace from Yanke Jewelers, Franklin

Fine Dining

Dinner for 2 at Bacco Ristorante

Gift certificate for Beverly Hills Grill

Gift certificate for The Bird and The Bread

Gift Certificate for Fleming's Steakhouse & Wine Bar

Chef-Catered Dinner party for 6

Wine & Tapas for 8 in the Wine Cellar of Roberta Viviano

Gift Certificate from Schakolad Chocolates, Birmingham

Arts & Entertainment

Village Players Season Tickets

Stratford Festival tickets

2 premium tickets to a 2017 Tiger's game

Reception & Viewing of 2016 Academy Award Nominated Short Films at the DIA

Aeolus Quartet private home concert

Cabaret Night with Steve & Michele Wogaman

And More

Vera Bradley Travel Set

10 Private piano or violin lessons at Evola Music

3 Month Jax Kar Wash Unlimited Full-Service Membership

Serigraph print from Park West Gallery, hand signed by the artist, limited edition

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