Romantic Reflections

Ridout, Franch-Ballester, and Chien open the season with Horovitz, Schubert's beloved Arpeggione Sonata, and Bruch's Eight Pieces — an intimate tapestry of Romantic lyricism.

In our Season Eighteen opener, violist Timothy Ridout, clarinetist José Franch-Ballester, and pianist Gloria Chien come together for a program that explores lyricism and intimacy through three distinct musical voices. Horovitz’s Sonatina for clarinet and piano opens the evening with wit and charm, moving fluidly from a playful sonata movement to a lyrical song and a spirited rondo finale.

Schubert’s beloved Arpeggione Sonata follows with soaring melodies. Originally written for the arpeggione – a bowed guitar-like instrument that had been invented only a year earlier – the work has found enduring life in other configurations, including this viola arrangement. The program concludes with all three performers joining for selections from Bruch’s Eight Pieces. Deeply expressive and intimate in scale, these works reveal Bruch’s gift for melody through a series of richly textured musical conversations.

Plan your evening

5:00 PM — Bar opens
5:45 PM — “Pregame with Bob” (pre-concert talk with Bob Bernhardt)
6:30 PM — Concert begins