The South Haven Performance Series will present The Poulenc Trio in concert on Friday, August 15, at the First United Methodist Church, 429 Michigan Ave. beginning at 7 p.m.
The Poulenc Trio is the most active touring piano-wind chamber music ensemble in the world. Having recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, the trio has performed in 46 U.S. states and at music festivals around the world, including the Ravello Festival in Italy, the San Miguel de Allende Festival in Mexico, and the Newport Music Festival.
The New York Times praised the trio for its “elegant rendition” of Piazzolla’s Tangos. The Washington Post said the trio “does its namesake proud” in “an intriguing and beautifully played program” with “convincing elegance, near effortless lightness and grace.” A performance in Florida–for which the Palm Beach Post praised the group’s “polished loveliness” and the Palm Beach Daily News said the “potent combination” of oboe, bassoon and piano had “captured the magic of chamber music”—was rebroadcast on American Public Media’s nationally syndicated radio program, Performance Today. The trio has garnered positive attention in full-length profiles in Chamber Music magazine and the Double Reed Journal. The group has been called “virtuosos of classical and contemporary chamber music” in one profile for Russian television.
The Poulenc Trio has a strong commitment to commissioning, performing and recording new works from living composers. Since its founding, the trio has greatly expanded the repertoire available for the oboe, bassoon and piano, with no fewer than 22 new works written for and premiered by the group, including three triple concertos for the trio and full orchestra. They premiered two works with the renowned violinist Hilary Hahn.
The Poulenc Trio launched a pioneering concert series called Music at the Museum, in which musical performances are paired with museum exhibitions, with special appearances from guest artists and curators. As part of the series, the trio has collaborated with the National Gallery in Washington DC, the Walters Art Museum, the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Hermitage State Museum in Russia.
The trio is deeply engaged in musical and educational outreach programs, including “Pizza and Poulenc,” an informal performance and residency series for younger audiences. The trio regularly conducts masterclasses, including at the University of Ohio, San Francisco State University, Florida State University and the University of Colima in Mexico.
Founded in 2010, the South Haven Performance Series is an all-volunteer community-based organization committed to providing a rich mixture of musical arts for area residents and visitors. Most concerts are held during the summer months with an additional holiday concert presented in December.
Performances are provided thanks to the generous support of the South Haven Community Foundation, corporate sponsors, and individual donors. A modest $15 admission fee is charged for the summer concerts while the holiday concert is presented free of charge as a gift to the community. Students are always admitted free. Tickets are sold on the evening of the concert.
