Classical Music In The Catskills & Hudson Valley | Celebrate September

Posted by Coldwell Banker Village Green Realty on Monday, September 5th, 2022 at 9:15am


Albert Einstein said, “I know that the most joy in my life has come to me from my violin.” September is Classical Music Month, and if the arguably greatest mind of the last century found his greatest joy in making music, even with all his storied accomplishments, who are we to not take advantage of this month with the goal of discerning if it will bring us equal joy, either through listening or playing.

 


 

Maverick Concerts


Coldwell Banker Village Green Realty’s first office was in the Catskills town of Woodstock – famous, even before the 1969 festival that bore its name, for rock music. But Woodstock was a home for music long before Elvis brought rock and roll to most people’s attention (argue among yourselves about that if you must), long before the festival, and it’s still home to Maverick Concerts, the longest running continuous chamber music festival in the country! Perhaps some of the festival’s longevity is due to the woodland barn where the concerts take place. Maverick’s venue is magical. MAGICAL! It’s charming! It’s wholly unique! It’s totally “Woodstockie”! It looks like it grew right out of the rocky Catskills soil! It didn’t. Build as part of the Maverick Arts colony at the turn of the 20th century it’s a hand-built, low-tech acoustical wonder!


Not everyone is a baseball fan (bear with me, I promise this is not a nonsequiter). But I’ve got friends who will go to a baseball game with me because, even though they don’t particularly enjoy baseball, they enjoy the ballpark. I know more than one person who likes to allow the patterns the groundskeepers mow in the grass coupled with the fresh air mesmerize them, another who loves throwing peanut shells all over the place, and another who loves the antics minor-league teams come up with to make (what she considers) a boring game a night of entertainment. My point here is that even if you don’t think you enjoy classical music, you might enjoy attending a concert at Maverick Concerts very much. And who knows, you might find in the process that you also enjoy chamber music! For those of you who know you do enjoy it, but haven’t been to a Maverick Concert yet, they have an exciting schedule this September including pianist Roman Rabinovich.

 


Date:
Sunday, September 11th, 2022

Time: 4:00 PM-6:00 PM

More Information

 


 

 

Bard College’s Fischer Center

 

The Fischer Center at Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson is equally notable as a music venue and a destination for collectors of interesting architecture. The Fischer Center is known for presenting new, rare and undiscovered works at the highest production level. It is an artist’s art venue and as such a great place to not only enjoy incredible classical music but also enjoy the talk of the true classical music aficionados who come from far and wide for the concerts. You can be entertained on the way in by the architecture, then by the music, then by your fellow concert goers! Plato said that, “Rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul.” I find it endlessly interesting to learn how differently other human beings experience a piece of music from the way I experience it. Unique souls experiencing art uniquely together is what live performance is all about! Oh how we missed it these last few years! Get in line at the Fischer Center and prepare to be fascinated by your fellow humans (and hear some beautiful music). Your next opportunity is Mahler’s 5th – you cannot go wrong:

 

Date: Saturday, September 10th, 2022

Time 7:00 PM


Date:
Sunday, September 11th, 2022

Time: 2:00 PM

View The Schedule

Bard also has many concert offerings beyond the Fischer Center. Pianist Wayman Chin will be visiting in September, performing classic work by all the big names: Mozart, Bach, Schubert, and Schumann.

 

Date: Sunday, September 18th, 2022

Time: 3:00PM - 5:00PM

View The Schedule

 


 

More Performances

Here are a few more performances coming up in September across the region…

 

Verona Quartet with JIJI

Where: Howland Chamber Music Circle - Beacon, New York

Date: Sunday, September 11th, 2022

Time: 4:00PM

More Information

 

Sylvan Wind Ensemble

Where: Doctorow Center For The Arts - Hunter, New York

Date: Sunday, September 11th, 2022

Time: 3:00PM

More Information

 

Harlem Quartet

Where: St. George's Church - Newburgh, New York

Date: Sunday, September 25th, 2022

Time: 3:00PM - 5:00PM

More Information

 


 

On The Airwaves

Growing up there were enough classical music stations on the dial to always be able to find something you recognized. My friend and I would drive around in her Saab, whistling in harmony along with Beethoven’s 5th and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons which we could always seem to find. She’d pump the brakes and the gas whenever the music warranted. Oh yes, we were shameless music dorks. It was pretty fun. These days Classical music stations are becoming more and more rare. You might have to let your scan feature go through the spectrum several times before you find something. We’re fortunate to have WMHT out of the Capital Region. It’s available in two spots on the dial 89.1 | 88.7. Visit their website for a preview of their diverse playlists – everything from Rossini to modern composers like Douglas Lilburn.

 


 

On Vinyl

I don’t think there’s anything more enjoyable than making a pot of soup on a slightly chilly day (hello September) to the accompaniment of a classical record. Picking out the records, taking them out of their covers, flipping them when side A is finished, and then tucking them away is completely meditative. Vinyl is revered for its warmth and the full analogue detail contained in the records (digital recordings lose some detail) making it perfect for comparing recordings of the same pieces by different performers and conductors. The differences are sometimes so profound that one piece, in different hands, can create a completely different experience. The record shops of the Hudson Valley provide an opportunity to build your classical collection to the point where you can begin to have multiple recordings of your favorite pieces from different sources. Here are the shops I frequent – if you have other favorites, please feel free to fill me in!

Spikes Record Rack records shine like new. Really. I’ve never seen second-hand records so sparkly clean and in good condition. They’ve got a little of everything including the collection of 1960’s holiday classics I stopped in for last November. I described the box set cover as I remembered it from childhood (not that accurately) and the nice guy helping me was able to walk over to a bin and pluck it out. I love Spikes!

The Bruised Apple is a regular haunt of mine. They have bins and bins and bins of records. For a huge collection of classical, look on the floor. Jackpot!

Rhino Records in Uptown Kingston is cozy enough to spend a whole afternoon in. Plus, they’re clairvoyant. One day I went in for a particular album and they were actually playing it. The guy at the counter said he’d actually never listened to it before. I was thrilled because I got to listen while I browsed and then buy it. Make it a stop whenever you’re in Kingston.

 


 

Lessons

Now, if you are interested in studying classical music there are infinite resources in the Catskills and Hudson Valley. The region is home to so many professional musicians and many of them offer instruction when they are not performing. Whether you’re an advanced flautist, or a beginner at the double bass, or one of those rare and interesting creatures who wants to study musical theory just for an academic thrill you’ll be able to find an expert you’ll get along with.

 Here are two directories of musicians taking students, but if you want a personal recommendation, let me know in the comments – with 150 agents, we collectively know just about everyone in the area.

 

HV Music Collective       HV Music

 


 

No matter how you decide to celebrate classical music in September I hope it brings you joy!

 

 


 

Coldwell Banker Village Green Realty

Leave A Comment

Format example: yourwebsitename.com