Mentor Adventure

2022–2023 Season: Big Fish, Bigger Pond

Friday Intimate ConcertIn person at KMFA with drinks & hors d’oeuvres
Virtual AccessStreaming live Friday evening with on-demand access through May 31
Saturday Synchronism ConcertIn person at First Unitarian Church
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)Piano Trio in C Minor, Op. 1, No. 3
Aaron Copland (1900–1990)Sonata for Violin and Piano
Osvaldo Golijov (b. 1960)Omaramor for Solo Cello
Astor Piazzolla (1921–1992)Tango Set
Ruxandra Marquardtviolin
Joel Becktellcello
Michelle Schumannpiano

Main Season Page

“To study music, we must learn the rules. To create music, we must break them.” So said Nadia Boulanger, one of the greatest music teachers of all time. Sure, admire the rule-following… but, go on and cheer loud for the rule-smashing! Our featured composers Beethoven, Copland, Golijov, and Piazzolla did it all… and blazed trails only possible through the guidance and championing of their “I dare you to do it” mentors.

Subject to availability, $12 Student Rush (with student ID), $30 General Admission, and $45 Premium tickets may be purchased at the box office starting at 6:30 PM on the evening of the Saturday night concert. Friday night in-person tickets are only available in advance. If you prefer to watch the Friday night livestream, please select a virtual ticket. Virtual tickets are available on a sliding scale and include on-demand access through May.

We are closely monitoring the pandemic and its impact on in-person events. With the health and safety of our community in mind, ACMC has updated our COVID-19 guidelines in accordance with City of Austin and CDC. View all recent updates to our programming by visiting our COVID-19 Response page.

Program

Piano Trio in C Minor, Op. 1, No. 3 | Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)

  • Allegro con brio
  • Andante cantabile con 5 variazioni
  • Minuet. Quasi Allegro – Trio
  • Finale. Prestissimo

INTERMISSION

Sonata for Violin and Piano | Aaron Copland (1900–1990)

  • Andante semplice
  • Allegretto giusto

Omaramor for Solo Cello | Osvaldo Golijov (b. 1960)

Tango Set | Astor Piazzolla (1921–1992)

  • Verano Porteño
  • Oblivion
  • Primavera Porteña

Ruxandra Marquardt, violin | Joel Becktell, cello | Michelle Schumann, piano

Ruxandra Marquardt

Romanian-born violinist Ruxandra Marquardt attended the ‘George Enescu’ School of Music and Conservatory of Music in Bucharest. As a young musician, she won several prizes and medals in international competitions such as “Concertino” Prague, Henryk Wieniawski, Tibor Varga, All-Romania Prize, and the Yehudi Menuhin Competition. After immigrating to the US, she was the youngest Associate Concertmaster in the US. She was also Principal Second Violin and Concertmaster of the Jacksonville Symphony in Florida and guest Concertmaster with the New Mexico Philharmonic and the Boulder Philharmonic. Since moving to New Mexico, Ms. Marquardt has appeared as a soloist with the New Mexico Philharmonic and the Chatter Chamber Music Series. She frequently performs in the Abiquiu Music Festival, Serenata Santa Fe, and is a member of the Santa Fe Symphony.

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Joel Becktell

Joel appears on modern and baroque cello and violoncello piccolo as a soloist and with ensembles throughout the world. He has been heard as a soloist with orchestras such as the Austin Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Santa Fe Symphony, and the Santa Fe Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra. He is co-founder and cellist of the New Mexico-based concert series Movable Sol, and its period instrument companion series BWV. Joel is a member of the Columbus ProMusica Chamber Orchestra and the Santa Fe Symphony. He is the continuo cellist and frequent leader and soloist for the St. John’s Bach Project in Albuquerque. He has recorded for the Blue Griffin Records, Revel Records, Marquis Classics, and Parma labels.

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Michelle Schumann

Hailed for her “sensitive, flexible, and tempestuous dexterity” (Fanfare Magazine), pianist Michelle Schumann has built a reputation for evocative and moving performances. Since 2006, Michelle has served as Artistic Director of the Austin Chamber Music Center, where she “is fearlessly expanding our definition of chamber music.” (Austin-American Statesman). Her brand of performance includes an enthusiastic interplay with audiences, bringing diverse music together under a narrative blanket. She was named “Best Classical Musician” in the Best of Austin 2019 Readers Poll by the Austin Chronicle.

Schumann is Professor of Piano at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. She received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin and additionally holds a Performance Diploma from the Vienna Conservatory.

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