News

The First Congregational Church of Stockbridge Hosts Music on Main Series

Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 3pm

Violinist Muneko Otani – Cellist Ronald Feldman – Pianist Hui-Mei Lin

featuring works by Boulanger, Beethoven, and Brahms

The Music on Main series, hosted by The First Congregational Church of Stockbridge, is pleased to present violinist Muneko Otani, cellist Ronald Feldman, and pianist Hui-Mei Lin in an afternoon concert on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 3pm. The performance will feature works by Lili Boulanger, Beethoven, and Brahms.

As first violinist of the Cassatt String Quartet, Muneko Otani has appeared at major venues in the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Asia – – including Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, and Library of Congress. She serves on the faculties of Columbia University, Williams College, and Mannes College and has taught at the Mozarteum in Salzburg.  Ms. Otani has held fellowships at the Tanglewood Music Center, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, and Yale University as assistant to the Tokyo Quartet.  She received her Bachelor of Music degree in Performance and Education from the Toho Academy of Music in Japan and continued her training at the New England Conservatory of Music.
Ronald Feldman has achieved critical acclaim as both a cellist and conductor.  He has appeared as guest conductor with the London Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, and the Quebec Symphony, as well as the Albany and Springfield Symphonies.  He was guest conductor for three consecutive seasons at Symphony Hall and at Tanglewood.  Mr. Feldman joined the Boston Symphony at age 19 and has appeared as cello soloist with many orchestras.  His chamber music affiliations have included the BSO Chamber Players, Boston University, and Williams College Chamber Players. His performances include collaborations with Emmanuel Ax, Garrick Ohlsson, Gil Shaham, and YoYo Ma. Mr. Feldman has been on the faculties of the New England Conservatory of Music and Boston Conservatory.  He currently directs the award-winning Berkshire Symphony in residence at Williams College, where he is Artist in Residence, Lecturer, and Chamber Music Coordinator.
Pianist Hui-Mei Lin, a native of Taiwan, made her New York solo debut at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall as winner of the Artists International Audition.  Concert tours have taken her to Italy, Canada, France, Taiwan, and throughout the US.  Her media broadcasts include solo performances at PBS in Maryland, WQXR in New York, Taiwan Television, and China Broadcasting Co.  She has appeared in recital at Music at Caramoor in NY, Friends of Music in Stamford, and at colleges throughout the US and Taiwan.  As a chamber musician Hui-Mei has performed with cellist Carter Brey of the NY Philharmonic, flutist Robert Stallman, soprano Berenice Bramson at Weill Recital Hall, and the Cassatt String Quartet in NY.  She has appeared frequently with her cello partner, Peter Seidenberg – – touring throughout the East Coast, New Mexico, Chicago, and Taiwan.  Hui-Mei collaborated with pianist Bari Mort performing in many universities throughout the US and Taiwan.  She received her Bachelor of Music degree from the Hartt School of Music in CT and went on to Juilliard, where she was awarded a  full scholarship to the Master’s program.  In 2002 she received a Doctoral of Musical Arts degree from the Graduate School of the City University of NY.  Dr. Lin has served on the faculty of Sacred Heart University in CT and has been Artist in Residence at Kings College, NY.
The program for this November 4th concert is:
    Lili Boulanger — Deux Morceaux pour Violin et Piano
    Beethoven — Cello Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 5 for piano and cello
    Brahms — Trio in B Major, Op. 8 for piano, violin and cello

The Music on Main series, which is presented by The First Congregational Church in Stockbridge, is a popular series bringing quality music programming to the wider community, with performances of voice, piano, and other instruments. Past performers include Jonathan Bass of the Boston Conservatory; BSO violinist Tatiana Dimitriades; BSO conductor and cellist Ronald Feldman; principal harpist Elizabeth Morse; Metropolitan Opera mezzo-soprano Marjorie Elinor Dix, pianists YeeJin Yuk and Paul Celebi; and vocalists Jack Brown and Andrea Bargabos.

There is a suggested donation of $25 at the door, or you can reserve your seat(s) here:

 Proceeds of this concert series help support the music ministry of the church, which included a 2015 refurbishment of our rare and historic 1908 Steinway B piano.

The First Congregational Church of Stockbridge is located at 4 Main Street in Stockbridge, MA. Additional information can be found at www.StockbridgeUCC.org/events or by calling the church office at 413-298-3137 x1.