Spotlight on Opening Chamber Music Concert

The opening performance of the 2010 Mozart In The South Festival brings together some of Charleston's finest professional musicians for an evening of exceptional chamber music.

The program opens with the delightful Quartet for Oboe and Strings, a work Mozart composed in 1781 for his friend and virtuoso oboist Freidrich Ramm.  Considered one of the most challenging works composed for oboe, Chamber Music Charleston core oboist Mark Gainer plays the work with complete skill and ease.

The concert continues with Debussy's Dances Sacree et Profane for harp and string quartet.  Originally composed for harp and string orchestra, this work explores the full range of colors, sonorities and dynamics possible on the harp.  We are delighted to welcome guest harpist Marguerite Lynn Williams for this performance.  Ms. Williams has performed throughout the United States, Europe and Asia as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestra member.  From performing as soloist with the New World Symphony, Colorado Music Festival and International Chamber Artists to garnering awards from the American Harp Society, National Federation of Music Clubs and American Opera Society, Ms. Williams has gained well-deserved praise for her technical prowess and well-honed musicality.

The evening concludes with Mendelssohn's glorious Octet in E Flat Major, composed for double string quartet.  This crowd-pleasing work is the perfect finale for the opening concert of the 2010 Mozart In The South Festival!