L to R: Jaime Laredo, Richard Waller, Sharon Robinson
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Artistic director/co-founder Richard Waller, former principal clarinetist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, has cultivated and nurtured that, stressing the Linton mantra, “music making among friends” and inviting Linton audiences to become part of it.
Guest artists are often guests with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, who extend their stay in Cincinnati to play chamber music with CSO colleagues and friends.
There are lots of smiles at Linton concerts. Waller shares business and banter in his remarks to the audience (often sold out). Tea, coffee and cookies are served at intermission, and concerts take place in a unique environment, the sanctuary of historic First Unitarian Church at Linton and Readings Roads in Avondale.
It is a warm, intimate space. Listeners surround the players, who perform on a raised platform in the center of the room where everyone can be drawn into the music and experience the musicians’ excitement.
(The CSO should have such a space so that communication between music director Paavo Järvi and the orchestra could be shared with the audience instead of swallowed up in 3,500-seat Music Hall.)
The trademark Linton scenario was played out again Feb. 1 at the church, but this time Waller, 79, announced that he was retiring this season as artistic director.
And who will pick up the reins Waller has held so steadfastly and lovingly over the years?
Jaime Laredo
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Sharon Robinson
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It is a coup for Linton and a boon for Cincinnati to have acquired the famed duo’s services (they perform as a trio with pianist Joseph Kalichstein). In addition to their distinguished recordings and concerts, Laredo heads the prestigious 92nd Street Y chamber music series in New York, and the pair were recently named artists-in-residence at Indiana University School of Music in Bloomington.
Laredo was conductor of the CSO’s much lamented “Bach and Beyond” chamber orchestra series that was canceled in 2006 for budgetary reasons, and he and Robinson have been frequent guests on the Linton Series.
They have already planned programs for next season, including the first one on which they will perform, along with violinist Ida Kavafian, violist Steven Tenenbom and the Miami String Quartet. “They know the series as well as anybody does,” said the beaming Waller.
Sunday’s concert took on a celebratory air in light of the announcement, which was received with jubilation by the capacity crowd. The program echoed that feeling, comprising well-chosen works by Czech composer Bohuslav Martinu, Rachmaninoff and Gabriel Faure. Joining them were violinist Jennifer Koh and pianist Benjamin Hochman.
Jennifer Koh
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Benjamin Hochman
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The four artists, with Laredo on viola, joined in the Faure, a less often heard work with passion and drama to spare. Hochman shone in the second movement, a bracing scherzo showpiece for piano, Koh radiated emotion in the Adagio, and the quartet created much full-throated excitement in the Allegro Molto finale.
Next up for Linton, at 4 p.m. March 8 at First Unitarian Church, is pianist Yefim Bronfman (CSO guest artist March 5-7 at Music Hall), clarinetist Anthony McGill (seen and heard by millions at the inauguration of Barack Obama Jan. 20), Laredo, Robinson, Ida Kavafian on viola and CSO principal bassist Owen Lee. On the program are Fantasy Pieces for Clarinet and Piano by Schumann, Op. 73; Four Pieces for Clarinet and Piano by Alban Berg, Op. 5; Serenade for String Trio, Op. 10, by Erno Dohnanyi; and Schubert’s Quintet in A Major for Piano and Strings, D.667. Tickets are $30, $10 for students, at the door, or call (513) 381-6868. Information at www.lintonmusic.org.