LIVE FROM NEW YORK: Chamber Music Society to perform at Three Rivers

POPLAR BLUFF - New York City's Lincoln Center is world-famous for excellent music performances. On March 4, that excellence can be heard at Three Rivers Community College when the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center performs at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center.

The Chamber Music Society will arrive directly from New York City for the 7 p.m. concert, which is part of the ensemble's 2008-2009 National Tour. In addition to the concert in Poplar Bluff, the Chamber Music Society's tour includes stops in San Francisco, Kansas City, Houston and Sarasota, Fla.

"We are proud that a music ensemble of this caliber from the center of music and entertainment - New York City - is coming to Three Rivers Community College and to Southeast Missouri," said Judith W. Scott, Vice President of College Advancement at the college. "This is the first time a music organization from Lincoln Center in New York has performed in Southeast Missouri, and we are honored to host this evening of fine music."

The Chamber Music Society concert at Three Rivers is sponsored by Patrons of the Arts members Pauline Hearne and Freda Wangelin. Mrs. Hearne and Mrs. Wangelin are both charter members of the Three Rivers Patrons of the Arts Society. Because of their generous donations, tickets to this concert are just $10 each. A concert of this caliber in a larger city would cost at least twice that ticket price.

The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center was founded in 1969 and is one of 12 music organizations of New York's Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, the largest performing arts complex in the world. In addition to the Chamber Music Society, Lincoln Center is the home of the internationally acclaimed New York Philharmonic, New York City Ballet, Lincoln Center Theater and the Metropolitan Opera Company.

Through its performance, education, recording and broadcast activities, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center draws more people to chamber music than any other organization of its kind.

"The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center is deeply committed to bringing the highest level of performance to the widest possible audience," said Wu Han, Co-Artistic Director of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. "The vitality and musicianship that our ensemble will bring to this performance should appeal to everyone, whether or not they are familiar with chamber music."

The program at Three Rivers, titled Folk Traditions: Dvorak and Bartok, will

feature the emotion-filled works of 19th century Romantic composer Antonin Dvorak and of Bela Bartok, considered to be one of the greatest composers of the 20th century.

Performing with the Lincoln Center Chamber Society at the 7 p.m. March 4 concert will be Wu Han, piano; Erin Keefe, violin; Arnaud Sussmann, violin; Beth Guterman, viola; Fred Sherry, cello; and Jose Franch-Ballester, clarinet. All are influential classical musicians who have performed around the world, been featured on prestigious recordings and earned prizes at international music competitions.

Tickets for the March 4 concert featuring New York's Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center are $10 each and may be purchased in advance by calling Barbara in the Three Rivers Office of College Advancement at (573) 840-9170. Tickets will also be available at the door the evening of the concert.