our 29th season
CONTEXT’S Twenty-ninth Season is an exalting tour of some of music’s most astounding and influential compositions! Each program features a history-changing work of musical art, illuminated anew by our brilliant musicians and fabulous instruments, and accompanied by delicious lesser-known compositions.
THE KREUTZER SONATA
September 22, 2024
Ludwig van Beethoven:
Sonata Op. 47 for Violin and Piano
‘Kreutzer’;
Trio for Violin, Cello, and Piano Op. 70 #2
Beethoven’s grandest sonata for Violin and Piano, of extraordinary emotional scope and technical challenge, along with our favorite Beethoven Trio, the rarely-heard Op. 70 #2. Performed on original string instruments and our peerless authentic Viennese Graf piano from 1824.
Stephanie Chase, violin; Norman Fischer, cello; Brian Connelly, Graf fortepiano.
THE RAVEL TRIO
October 27, 2024
Nadia Boulanger:
Three Pieces for Cello and Piano
Maurice Ravel:
Sonate in one Movement for Violin and Piano;
Selections from Le Tombeau de Couperin for Piano;
Trio for Violin, Cello, and Piano
One of the greatest Trios ever composed, Ravel’s Impressionist masterpiece exploded the genre in an unprecented range of affect, sensuality, and virtuosity. With little-known gems for strings and piano.
Maureen Nelson, violin; Richard Belcher, cello; Brian Connelly, steinway piano
THE LIZST B-MINOR SONATA
November 24, 2024
Robert Schumann: Spanish Love Songs, Op. 138 for Four Voices and Piano Four-hands
Clara Schumann: Three Romances for Piano
Franz Liszt: Piano Sonata
Jason Hardink returns (remember his dazzling Transcendental Etudes?!) to play Liszt’s path-breaking solo Sonata in B Minor. One of the most-played ‘warhorses’ of the piano literature, you’ll be astonished to hear what it sounds like on an instrument from the Liszt’s time: our authentic 1852 Bösendorfer. Gifted Shepherd School voice students sing Robert Schumann’s gorgeous Love Songs, accompanied by piano duet.
Jason Hardink, Alex Munger, Brian Connelly, bösendorfer piano; Shepherd School Voice Students
THE WANDERER FANTASIE
January 26, 2025
Franz Schubert:
Fantasie in C ‘Wanderer’;
Sonata in B-flat Major
Jason Hardink returns (remember his dazzling Transcendental Etudes?!) to play Liszt’s path-breaking solo Sonata in B Minor. One of the most-played ‘warhorses’ of the piano literature, you’ll be astonished to hear what it sounds like on an instrument from the Liszt’s time: our authentic 1852 Bösendorfer. Gifted Shepherd School voice students sing Robert Schumann’s gorgeous Love Songs, accompanied by piano duet.
Brian Connelly, graf fortepiano
THE LATE HAYDN TRIOS
February 23, 2025
Franz Haydn:
Trios for Violin, Cello, and
Piano in E Minor,
E-flat Major,
F-sharp Minor, and
G Major ‘Gypsy’
Haydn is the most famous and accomplished master composer—who unfortunately gets played the least! His top-tier contributions to the symphony, string quartet, oratorio, piano—and piano trio—deserve far more frequent presentation. Hear some of his most intimate, imaginative, and exciting Trios on the beautiful original instruments they were designed for!
Stephanie Chase, violin; Jean-Michel Fonteneau, cello; Brian Connelly, 1810 rosenberger fortepiano
THE SHOSTAKOVICH TRIO
March 23, 2025
Sergei Rachmaninoff:
Elegiac Trio in G Minor for Violin, Cello, and Piano
Sergey Prokofiev:
Sonata in D Major for Flute and Piano
Dimitri Shostakovich:
Trio in E Minor for Violin, Cello, and Piano
Context’s season closes with thrilling masterworks by iconic Russian composers. Shostakovich’s folk-inspired E Minor Trio is one of chamber-music’s most powerful and moving pieces; beloved compositions by Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev round out the celebration.
Alexander Woods, violin; Michael Kannen, cello, TBA flute; Brian Connelly, steinway piano
PROGRAMS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
“Music-making at its most captivating”
The Houston Chronicle
Support and Major Funding Provided by:
The Brown Foundation
The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts
The Wortham Foundation