Cellist Michael Mermagen, violist Victoria Chang and violinist David Perry
Asheville Chamber Music Series Presents the Aspen String Trio
The Asheville Chamber Music Series (ACMS) will present the Aspen String Trio in concert for the first time on Friday, November 11, at 8 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, at 1 Edwin Place. The trio’s members, violinist David Perry, violist Victoria Chang and cellist Michael Mermagen, each have a longtime association as artist-faculty with the Aspen Music Festival, and have performed in some of the world’s most prestigious venues.
“Their visit is special in many ways,” says Day Ann Emory, ACMS co-president, “beginning with the fact that a string trio has been featured very infrequently in our long-running history.” According to Emory, the Aspen String Trio’s choice of programming departs from the standard chamber music repertoire in their presentation of J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations, Richard Strauss’s Variations on a Bavarian Folk Song and Beethoven’s String Trio in G Major.
With its three-sided viewing arrangement, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville offers an ideal setting for the group, which likes to provide insights into its performances. “It’s great to be able to share how we feel about the music to the audience,” says Chang. “A small setting allows them to see, hear and experience our communication and interpretation of the music intimately.”
As part of ACMS’s educational outreach mission, the performers will also conduct a master class for area students. “This offers young people an incomparable experience to meet, hear and learn from top professional musicians and teachers,” says Emory. “Exposure such as this can inspire and encourage student musicians in their study and interest as future concert-goers.”
Admission is free for everyone under age 25. Tickets for those 25 and up are $38 and can be purchased at ashevillechambermusic.org or by contacting Nathan Shirley at 828.575.7427 or support@ashevillechambermusic.org.
