Culture

Mozart-Inspired Music Series Returns to Athens

Posted on: Wednesday, June 10, 2015

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For six nights in June, music lovers looking to complement their warm weather activities will have the option of taking in classical music at a variety of venues around Athens.

The Mozart on the Green festival, which gets under way Monday, June 15, is a week-long series of chamber music concerts, all of which are free and open to the public.

Featuring the music of students, faculty and acclaimed guest artists, the casual, hour-long concerts will take place in the evenings at Ohio University’s Glidden Hall, on the College Green and at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.

“It’s kind of like a moveable feast,” said Steven Huang, director of orchestral activities at Ohio University.

Now in its fifth year, the event—which is hosted by OU’s School of Music—also includes an academic component. Guest artists, along with OU faculty, provide instruction during the day, while a mix of high school and college students engage in rehearsal and classroom activities. The series will culminate with a student chamber performance on June 20 at Glidden Hall.

Although the Mozart on the Green series typically has taken place in August, this year will mark the first time the concerts will happen in June, to coincide with the OU Summer Music Camp. Students attending the camp will have the opportunity to participate in the festival.

Huang, who founded the festival, emphasized the community aspect to the event, which will include local musicians including organist Marsha Reilly, music director at the Church of the Good Shepherd, and violinist Liviu Dobrota, of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Special guests this year also will include renowned pianist Alan Chow.

The term “chamber music” comes from the fact that it was originally intended to be played in a room, or chamber, as opposed to a large concert hall, Huang said. With the exception of the “Under the Elms” performance on June 17, the concerts are, by design, much smaller compared with a traditional orchestral performance.

“While an orchestra is like a large, unified display,” said Huang, “chamber music is like an intimate conversation—between the musicians, and between the musicians and the audience.”

Set lists will include at least one work written (or inspired) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart each night. Other musicians to be highlighted include Debussy, Beethoven, and Strauss.

Although all Mozart on the Green performances will be free of charge, donations—all of which go toward funding the festival—will be welcomed.

IF YOU GO:

June 15 – Glidden Recital Hall, 7 p.m.

June 16-17 – Wilhelm Amphitheater, 7-8 p.m.

June 18 – Church of the Good Shepherd, 7 p.m.

June 19 – Glidden Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m.

June 20 – Glidden Hall, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.