Ekstasis celebrates Rachmaninoff’s 150th birth year with the third movement of his grand cello and piano sonata, op. 19. Rachmaninoff is known for his piano concerti and in this masterful work, we hear orchestral writing on a smaller scale, displaying multiple emotions from quiet desperation to a great revelation of love and joy. The program also includes movements from the stirring and epic Sonata by Croatian late-Romantic composer Dora Pejačević; Ritournelle by the great female Czech composer Vítězslava Kaprálová, full of scampering mischief; and Prokofiev’s early work, Ballade, which reveals intensely dark and mysterious characters.
Click here to read the program notes.
The Ekstasis Duo performs music for cello and piano and their mission is to create compelling programming celebrating masterpieces alongside the secret jewels of lesser-known works. With a focus on storytelling that pinpoints an aspect of the human condition or creates an atmosphere through sound, their concerts offer solo and chamber music works.
Since their debut in 2018, The Ekstasis Duo has appeared on distinguished series such as New York City’s Merkin Hall and Eastman’s Morning Chamber Music Series. The duo produced their first CD, “Women’s Voices,” in fall 2021. They are currently in the finishing stages of a second CD, “… From the Shadows,” to be released in fall 2023.
The Hochstein School’s free noontime Live from Hochstein concert series will be hosted by WXXI Classical’s Mona Seghatoleslami and broadcast live. Listen to the concert on WXXI Classical at 91.5 FM, 90.3 FM, or online at https://www.wxxiclassical.org. Listen to an encore broadcast on WXXI Classical 91.5 FM at 10:00 pm the day of the concert.
Today’s concert is part of Public Radio Music Day, a nationwide celebration that recognizes public radio’s essential community service and its unique role in music discovery. WXXI Classical (FM 91.5 in Rochester and FM 90.3 in Houghton), The Route (FM 88.5 in Rochester and 90.1 in Ithaca), and WEOS-FM 89.7 (Finger Lakes region) are proud to be part of a network of stations dedicated to helping listeners discover new artists and music. The celebration continues on October 25 from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm with a special performance by Pegasus Early Music at The Little Café (Winthrop Street). To learn more, visit WXXI.org/events.
Please note that only bottled water is allowed in the newly renovated hall. PLEASE do not attend any activity at Hochstein if you are not feeling 100% healthy.
Sidney and Barbara Sobel have generously provided continuous underwriting of the Live from Hochstein Broadcast & Concert Series since 1993.
Hochstein programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature. Hochstein programs are also made possible by the Monroe County Legislature; Adam Bello, Monroe County Executive.