Oakwood Chamber Players

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Now in its 35th season, the classical ensemble performs works both familiar and not, by Mozart, Stravinsky and lesser known composers from England (Cecilia McDowall), France (Jean Françaix) and America (Kenji Bunch). The sextet’s current lineup includes Anne Aley, horn; Nancy Mackenzie, clarinet; Elspeth Stalter-Clouse, violin; Maggie Darby Townsend, cello; Marilyn Chohany, flute; and Amanda King Szczys, bassoon.

press release: Oakwood Chamber Players’ first concerts for the new year will be offered Saturday, Jan. 11, at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 12, at 2:00 p.m., at the Oakwood Village University Woods Center for Arts and Education at 6209 Mineral Point Road in Madison. 

The program begins with a witty opener, “L’Heure de Berger” by French composer Jean Francaix for woodwind quintet and piano. The piece’s three movements cleverly depict the quirky personalities of patrons observed at a Parisian restaurant.

Award-winning British composer Cecilia McDowall’s shimmering “Y Deryn Pur” for oboe, violin, viola and cello is based on an expressive Welsh folk tune, “The Gentle Dove.”

Written early in his career, Igor Stravinsky’s “Pastorale” is a soothing song without words for a mixed quintet of winds and strings.  It is a delicate piece originally written for voice and piano, then re-orchestrated for the sustained sonorities of a chamber ensemble.

The perennial simplicity, beauty and warmth of Mozart are showcased in his “Adagio in F,” performed by bassoon and string trio.

The program concludes with “Ralph’s Old Records” by Kenji Bunch – a fresh and humorous composition for flute, clarinet, violin, viola, cello and piano that takes listeners through a series of brief movements inspired by an old family record collection.

Tickets are available at the door and are priced at $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $5 for students, or at oakwoodchamberplayers.com.