Dan's Papers - July 27, 2007 - preview: chamber... by jan silver

"Fusion" has been a buzzword in music for at least ten years. Pop musicians have been borrowing classical themes and transforming them into pop hits for more than 100 years. Many jazz musicians with classical training, use those techniques in their improvisations. Lately, classical musicians are borrowing from rock, jazz, R&B, soul, gospel and even electronic music to create new work.

Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival, the longest running East End classical music series, introduced American popular music into its programming many years ago. BCMF, now in its 24th season, endures and prospers despite all the development and changes on the East End. Why? Thanks to the innovative programming and musical connections of artistic director Marya Martin. BCMF even added an edgy fusion component, called "BCMF (offbeat)," to its concerts last summer.

There are two "(offbeat)" programs this season. The first is the debut of Real Quiet, a trio featuring classically trained pianist Andrew Russo, cellist Felix Fan and drummer David Cossin. Andy Russo is a former participant and instructor in the outstanding concert pianist program Pianofest. He now has a successful solo career, has recorded several CDs including one nominated for a Grammy Award, is a music producer and loves to explore cutting-edge music.

Cellist Felix Fan founded San Diego's Muzik3 festival in 1998 and is a frequent guest artist with orchestras and major music festivals around the world. Drummer Dave Cossin is a specialist in new and experimental music. He has played and recorded with such diverse artists as Bang On A Can All-stars, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Yo-Yo Ma and Bo Didley.

This new trio will perform five pieces on August 3 including Frederic Rzewski's Les Moutons de Panurge, a mostly improvised piece requiring audience participation (7:30 p.m., in the outdoor Alda Amphitheater at the Children's Museum of the East End in Bridgehampton). The second "(offbeat)" concert is August 8 at 7 p.m., also at CMEE. Three of the four pieces on that program feature an electronic component as a player in the ensemble, including the human voice. (Robert Wilson pioneered this technique decades ago.)

Director and flutist Marya Martin always invites a wide range of musicians to explore new and classic repertoire at BCMF each summer. This year's artists include several concert pianists. Listeners can look forward to hearing the multiple-piano repertory. Some of the highlights are Schubert's Piano Trio in B-flat ("Music Masters 1," Sunday, July 29, 6:30 p.m.), Bartok's Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion ("Piano4Hands" program on August 5, 6:30 p.m.), Beethoven's Piano Quartet in E-Flat Major ("Music Masters II," August 12, 6:30 p.m.) and Schnittke's 1972 Piano Quintet ("Music Masters IV," August 19).

BCMF opened the season with an outdoor concert (gratis) at the Bridgehampton Historical Society this past Wednesday and programs continue through August 19. There is an elegant benefit concert and dinner at the Atlantic Golf Club on Saturday evening. Regular concerts begin early this Sunday evening when compositions by Schoenfield, Debussy, Ravel and Schubert will be performed. There is an informal program of American composers' music (Gershwin, Copland, MacDowell, spirituals and more) at Channing Daughters Winery on August 10, and a delightful family concert at CMEE on August 6 to introduce Wolfgang Amadeus Schmutzinberry.

Tickets start at $10 for the family concert and range from $20 to $40 for the Music Master programs; "(offbeat)" concerts are $25 and the Wm. Brian Little benefit program at Channing Daughters Winery is a $75 donation (includes refreshments). Program and ticket information are available at the BCMF summer office in the parish house of the Presbyterian Church, 2429 Montauk Highway (Main St.), Bridgehampton, by telephoning (631) 537-6368 or online at www.bcmf.org. The main concert venue is the classic Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church, right in the center of town, with central air conditioning - a blessing for both performers and listeners!