Enjoy Chamber Music At Home

Autumn is here, and concert venues are still closed to in person programs. But that doesn't mean the Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival (BCMF) is throwing in the towel and going into hibernation. Instead, the BCMF is creating “Fall Series at Home,” a three-concert season of concerts.

Though the concerts are free, BCMF asks that patrons support the festival with a donation, not only to support the ongoing work of the festival, but also the BCMF’s Musician Fund. The pandemic has had a profound impact on the lives of musicians, and the festival feels it must support them in these difficult times.

On Saturday, October 10, from 5 to 6:15 p.m., the “Fall Series at Home” kicks off with “The Mendelssohns — Felix and Fanny” a composer portrait of the absurdly talented Mendelssohn siblings. Interviews with artists and a special guest appearance from Alan Alda round out the evening.

The program will feature Fanny Mendelssohn’s “Piano Trio in D minor” performed by violinist Angelo Yu, cellist Jakob Koranyi and pianist Jon Kimura Parker; Felix Mendelssohn’s “Piano Trio No. 1 in C minor, Op. 49” performed by violinist Tien-Hsin Cindy Wu, Koranyi and Parker.

Siblings Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn shared a bond both familial and artistic. They both died young, too, with Felix passing away at the age of 38 from both overwork and grief at the loss of his beloved sister. The first fall program features two piano trios, both brimming with a passion and virtuosity shared by these most extraordinary siblings. Interviews with Jon Kimura Parker, and Tien-Hsin Cindy Wu, as well as a special appearance by Alan Alda (who pioneered BCMF's Composer Portraits) round out the program.

Additional online concerts will include “Fauré in Focus” dedicated to the music of French master Gabriel Fauré on Saturday, November 7, 5 to 9 p.m., and “Fall Winds” on Saturday, December 5, 5 to 6:20 p.m., a blustery program of music featuring winds by Mozart, Elizabeth Brown, and Louise Farrenc. Visit bcmf.org for more information.