
Maverick Concerts have been bringing world-renowned chamber ensembles to the rustic music hall on the outskirts of Woodstock for a full century now. But it wasn’t until 2003 that newly appointed music director Alexander Platt initiated the annual Chamber Orchestra Concert, which joins the “house band,” the Maverick Chamber Players, with a roster of stellar guest artists to form a larger combo. This centennial year’s Chamber Orchestra Concert, the 13th annual, takes place this Saturday, August 20 at 6 p.m.
For this concert, the Maverick Chamber Players will showcase the talents of Katherine Winterstein (first violin), concertmaster of the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, and Charles Dimmick (second violin), concertmaster of the Portland Symphony. In the spotlight will be trailblazing pianist Adam Tendler, cello master Emmanuel Feldman and the Aurea Ensemble, with Platt himself conducting. The program will include J. S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 and Piano Concerto No. 4 in A Major, BWV 1055; Aaron Copland’s Nonet for Strings and Piano Fantasy; and the Puneña No. 2 for Solo Cello, Op. 45 by Alberto Ginastera, who’s also celebrating a centenary this year.
Tickets for Saturday’s Chamber Orchestra Concert cost $55, $25 and $5; admission to a Post-Concert Celebration & Supper with the musicians in a private home costs an additional $40.
Then, on Sunday afternoon, August 21 at 4 p.m., another special event is happening at the Maverick: the world premiere of a new composition by the conductor’s twin brother, Russell Platt, commissioned in honor of the institution’s 100th anniversary. The piece, titled Mountain Interval, will be performed by the Borromeo String Quartet. Also on the program will be Haydn’s String Quartet No. 65 in E-Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 6 and Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 12 in E-Flat Major, Op. 127. Tickets for that show cost $45, $25 and $5.
Music in the Woods’ summer 2016 season continues the following weekend with concerts by the St. Lawrence String Quartet at 8 p.m. on Friday, August 26, violinist Lara St. John and pianist Matt Herskowitz at 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 27 and the Enso String Quartet
Sunday at 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 28. For more information and to order tickets, call (800) 595-4849 or visit www.maverickconcerts.org. The Maverick is located at 120 Maverick Road, about halfway between Route 375 and Route 28 in Woodstock.