The traditional folk music of Bohemia influenced the work of Antonin Dvořák, Bedřich Smetana, Leoš Janáček, and Bohuslav Martinů. The great achievement of these composers was to join the warmth, joy and optimism of native Czech music to the great classical forms developed by Bach, Mozart and Beethoven. Please join us as we explore Bohemian composers and their extraordinary contribution to our musical traditions and culture.
These concerts are made possible by the generosity of Terri and Jerry Kohl.
June 27th - June 30th,2024
The New Hollywood String Quartet and
The Da Camera Society present:
The Summer of Bohemia Chamber Music Festival
You are cordially invited to come join us for the upcoming Summer of Bohemia Chamber Music Festival at the stunning Pompeian Room of the Doheny Mansion. These four concerts will feature 13 works that showcase the extraordinary music of Antonin Dvořák, Leoš Janáček, Ernst von Dohnányi, Josef Suk, Bedřich Smetana and Bohuslav Martinů. All of these composers were influenced by Bohemian folk music. The great achievement of these composers was to join the warmth, joy and optimism of Native Czech music to the great classical forms developed by Bach, Mozart and Beethoven. Not unlike Johannes Brahms, these composers used their cultural heritage to guide and infuse their compositions with the unique melodies and harmonies of their countrymen. (Brahms was a dear friend, supporter and mentor to Dvořák. Bohemian music was also influenced by the New World. Both Dvořák and Martinů traveled to the United States to share their prodigious musical talents. Their exposure to our musical traditions inspired them to compose some of their most famous works.
Joining the New Hollywood String Quartet- violinists Tereza Stanislav and Rafael Rishik, violist Robert Brophy and cellist Andrew Shulman are some of the most accomplished chamber musicians from around the world. The guest artists are- violinist Margaret Batjer, pianist Rohan De Silva, pianist Rodolfo Leone, clarinetist Boris Allakhverdyan, violinist Roger Wilkie, violinist Jessica Guideri, violinist Susan Rishik, cellist Eric Byers, pianist Alin Allakhverdyan, and mezzo-soprano Jessie Shulman.
The Summer of Bohemia Festival brings together the Quartet’s esteemed friends and colleagues from around the world to perform the music that inspired them all as young musicians.
The Summer of Bohemia is the fifth chamber music festival since the New Hollywood String Quartet’s 2019 Summer of Brahms Festival, which featured performances of all 25 instrumental chamber works of Brahms in a series of eight consecutive sold out concerts. The LA Times praised the “enthusiastic robustness” and “sheer liquidity,” of the performances. In December of 2021, the NHSQ presented the Vienna Holiday Concerts which celebrated the chamber music of Schubert and Mozart. Classical Voice noted, “At the Huntington, the NHSQ exuded a refined and luminous presence in keeping with its growing reputation, 20 years into its history.” The 2022 Summer of Beethoven Festival presented some of the best of Beethoven’s vast chamber music output, showcasing repertoire from each of his compositional periods, to convey the arc of his evolution as a composer. The 2023 Summer of Paris featured the impressionist music of Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. Their stunning legacy transformed musical expression at the early part of the 20th century and continues to shape our musical landscape to this very day.
SUMMER OF BOHEMIA CONCERT #1- June 27th, 2024 - 8 PM
Leoš Janáček - Sonata for Violin and Piano
Ernst von Dohnányi - Serenade in C Major for String Trio
Intermission
Antonin Dvořák - String Quartet in F Major Op.96 “American”
Featuring:
Tereza Stanislav - Violin
Rohan De Silva- Piano
Roger Wilkie - Violin
Robert Brophy - Viola
Eric Byers - Cello
New Hollywood String Quartet
SUMMER OF BOHEMIA CONCERT #2 - June 28th, 2024- 8 PM
Josef Suk - ‘Piseñ’ “Love Song” for Violin and Piano
Antonin Dvořák- Piano Trio in E minor Op.90 ‘Dumky’
Intermission
Leoš Janáček - String Quartet No.1 “Kreutzer Sonata’
Featuring:
Margaret Batjer- Violin
Rohan De Silva - Piano
Andrew Shulman - Cello
Tereza Stanislav - Violin
The New Hollywood String Quartet
SUMMER OF BOHEMIA CONCERT #3 - June 29th, 2024 - 4 PM
Bohuslav Martinů - Sonata No.1 in B flat minor for Cello and Piano
Antonin Dvořàk - Piano Quartet No.2 in E Flat Major
Intermission
Bedřich Smetana - String Quartet in E minor ‘From My Life’
Featuring:
Rohan De Silva - Piano
Andrew Shulman - Cello
Rodolfo Leone - Piano
Rafael Rishik - Violin
Eric Byers - Cello
Robert Brophy - Viola
New Hollywood String Quartet
SUMMER OF BOHEMIA CONCERT #4 - June 30th, 2024 - 4 PM
Bohuslav Martinů - Eight Czech Folk Songs for Mezzo Soprano and Piano
1. Bohatá milá (The Rich Sweetheart)
2. Opuštěný milý (The Abandoned Lover)
3. Touha (Yearning)
4. Zvědavá dievča (The Inquisitive Girl)
5. Veselá dievča (The Happy Girl)
6. Smutný milý (The Mournful Lover)
7. Prosba (Prayer)
8. Vysoká veža (The High Tower)
Antonin Dvořák - Terzetto in C Major Op.74 for Two Violins and Viola
Bohuslav Martinů - Sonatina for Clarinet and Piano H. 356
Intermission
Antonin Dvořák - Piano Quintet in A Major Op.81
Featuring:
Boris Allakhverdyan - Clarinet
Alin Melik-Adamyan Allakhverdyan - Piano
Rohan De Silva - Piano
Jessie Shulman - Mezzo Soprano
Jesica Guideri - Violin
Susan Rishik - Violin
New Hollywood String Quartet
These Concerts are made possible by your generous support! Please consider making a donation.
PARKING & DIRECTIONS :
Parking is free at all concerts held in the Pompeian Room of the Doheny Mansion.
Doheny Mansion
Mount Saint Mary’s University, Doheny Campus
10 Chester Place Los Angeles, CA 90007
Use the entrance gate on St. James Park W to access the Doheny Campus.
Park in the AAA parking lot adjacent to the entrance gate.
Contact us at dacamera@msmu.edu should you need to park closer to the Mansion.
Lynn Harrell
January 30, 1944- April 27, 2020
This festival is dedicated to the memory of our dear friend and colleague Lynn Harrell. His Artistry, friendship and humanity graced our Summer of Brahms Festival, and for that we are eternally grateful.