I just lost my father. It’s not something I’ve talked about often publicly as the circumstances around his death were quite unusual. His death has impacted me in ways that I can’t describe. I find myself reflecting on could have been and should have been in his final years quite often. After my parents separated 15 years ago, our relationship became a bit estranged, and then he got sick. In very recent years, he didn’t know who I was and our visits got harder and harder. But if I had that extra moment, or any more time with him now, I know what I’d say.

This Is Us (Music from the Series)

While listening to This Is Us (Music from the Series) album from Season 1, which is being released this Friday, I had a moment of reflection about my father, and it came in the form of a song. It’s called “We Can Always Come Back To This,” the original song composed by Khosla and Chris Pierce, performed by Brian Tyree Henry. It was played during the season’s memorable“Memphis” episode about a trip between Randall and his birth father, William. William had Stage 4 cancer, while his son just had a nervous breakdown. Together they returned to Memphis to make good with a band leader William had walked out on several decades prior, when he was going through a bad bout with drugs. They had a wonderful time – Randall met various members of his family, and he learned more about his birth mother and his father’s childhood.

The scene in which this song is presented is very personal, both in the show and to me. William hadn’t had an easy life and we are witness to a “what could have been” moment. After leaving the band that could have changed his life both financially and professionally as a young man, and eventually giving up his son out of necessity, they spent a life not knowing each other. The two men’s desire to get to know each other as adults had been so strong, hence the pride that was captured when William is on stage with the group singing “We Can Always Come Back To This” is memorable. They both know the song is one of William’s last moments on earth, and neither wants to let go. Even though the two men have known each other a short time in life, their bond will never be broken. It’s the song that really triggers the emotion – both for the characters and for the audience watching This is Us.

‘This Is Us (Music from the Series),’ a companion to the show America loves, is available September 15th via UMe. With instantly recognizable hits and classics, an original song and a compelling score, the soundtrack features 20 songs curated by “This Is Us” Creator/Executive Producer Dan Fogelman and his team, music supervisor Jennifer Pyken and composer/musician Siddhartha Khosla. (PRNewsfoto/Universal Music Enterprises)

I haven’t watched this episode since my own father died, but I remember the scene vividly. As hopeful as they are, Randall knew the trip was one of his last. When his father gets sick the morning after playing “We Can Always Come Back to This,” he learns he has hours to live. William, who had said his goodbyes to his grandchildren before they set out on their adventure, wanted their last image of him to be one of strength rather than pity, he told Randall. (“I wanted them to see me looking down at them, not up,” he said.) He wanted to die on his own terms, and the song enforces his desire.

My dad did, too, and I wish I had another chance to tell him how I feel…how I felt. He, like Randall, had a hard life and was not very well understood by many who did not fully understand mental illness, including close relations of mine. He did the best he could raising my sisters and I, but life was complicated, as it was for William. But my dad ended up dying alone. I have so many thoughts about coming back to this….

I was glued to the TV for season one of This is Us, and I expect the same when the new season starts. What moves me is not only the storytelling – the relatable characters and situations – but also the music. Some of my favorite songs from the season were  Peter Gabriel’s “Come Talk To Me” by Khosla’s critically acclaimed band Goldspot, “Willin” by Mandy Moore, and so many favorites from my childhood, which remind me of my dad, actually.  From “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)” by Stevie Wonder to “The Wind” by Cat Stevens, a lot of the show offers me a dose of nostalgia for my life long gone. I can’t wait to put it in on in my car and relive some of the best scenes.

The soundtrack also features an original song and score, with 20 songs curated by “This Is Us” Creator/Executive Producer Dan Fogelman and his team, music supervisor Jennifer Pyken and composer/musician Siddhartha Khosla. Each musical element is carefully woven throughout, with the songs clearly defining a moment or serving as a guide through the complex emotional journey. Whether there be a birth scene, a death scene, or a breakup or reunion scene, the creators have carefully picked out music to accompany the emotions.

Here is the list of songs from the This Is Us (Music from the Series):

1.  Death With Dignity – Sufjan Stevens 
2.  You Can Call Me Al – Paul Simon
3.  Willin’ – Mandy Moore – Song on YouTube here
4.  Can’t Find My Way Home – Blind Faith
5.  Uptight (Everything’s Alright) – Stevie Wonder
6.  The Calvary Cross – Richard Thompson & Linda Thompson
7.  Watch Me – Labi Siffre
8.  The Wind – Cat Stevens
9.  Come Talk To Me – Goldspot
10. Blues Run The Game – Jackson C. Frank 
11. If Only – Maria Taylor (featuring Conor Oberst)
12. Northern Sky – Nick Drake
13. If I Ever Was A Child – Wilco
14. Because Of You – Gene Clark
15. Evergreen Cassette (Tape Mix) – Goldspot
16. Without You – Badfinger
17. The World’s Smiling Now – Jim James
18. Photograph – Ringo Starr
19. We Can Always Come Back To This – Brian Tyree Henry
20. This Is Us Score Suite – Siddhartha Khosla

This Is Us (Music from the Series), Featuring Top Songs from NBC Hit Show’s First Season, Available September 15 from UMe. Preorder here:  https://UMe.lnk.to/ThisIsUs.

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Source: Digg.com

David Bowie is gone. It’s the end of an era. Of a beautiful song writer. Of a man who changed the face of music forever. It feels like a fabric from my being was removed. He was poetic. He was brave. He was a chameleon. He paved the way for so many magical talents. Without him, music would not be the same. He seemed immortal.

Remembering David Bowie

I grew up in the 1970s and 1980s, hence I lived through the peak of his career. I don’t remember the first time I heard his music, but I remember loving him at first sight. From his early appearances on MTV, with his ground-breaking videos like China Girl and Let’s Dance to watching him in fab films like The Hunger and Labyrinth to watching him perform live at the Atlanta Omni, where I grew up, I remember all of him. He appeared at the mega charity concert Live Aid in 1985, performed a duet with Mick Jagger around that time and every band I loved was influenced by him. From Duran Duran to Adam Ant, he had paved the way for new wave. He produced one iconic song after another from Heroes to Ashes to Ashes to Ziggy Stardust to Fame and just rocked our world.

Bowie is one singer my British-born husband and I have always shared in common loving, and we were so excited about his new album, BlackStar. After watching his latest video to promote a new song on that album, it’s clear that he knew the end was coming. He must have been giving a timeline and her knew when his time would be up.

David Bowie was so much more than met the eye. He married, had a daughter, and kept largely out of the limelight these past 20 years, since I became an adult. But his music was always there, and it always will be. I feel like part of my childhood was swept out from under me, but the memories he provided will always remain.

I have a childhood friend who shared my passion for Bowie. We reconnected this morning. Bowie brought us back together. I think he would have liked that. May he rest in peace.

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When my kids were small, I initiated a tradition in our house of giving eight gifts over the course of the eight days of Hanukkah. I didn’t have this tradition when I was younger, but I liked the idea of lighting a candle every night and giving my children a gift to unwrap to celebrate. It was easy to go into a toy store and pick up tchotchkes for less than $10 each, or even $1 each (at the Dollar Store). My children didn’t ask for anything much in particular and they liked whatever they got.

As the years progressed, I kept up the tradition of eight gifts for each night of Hanukkah but it started getting harder as the demands started to increase. All of a sudden, they wanted this…they wanted that…and none of seemed to fit into my perception of a holiday that was never meant to be commercialized as Christmas. I got in trouble for buying one child clothes, and the other child forbids the giving of books. Still, I had the gift buying control and even slipped in my one night of charity where I gave them money to donate to an organization of their choice.

But this year, Hanukkah became something else. My special needs son decided that he wants to build a computer, and it was up to me to buy all the parts during the eight nights of Hanukkah. When I wouldn’t agree to that, he decided he wanted a PlayStation. Then Amazon gift cards. Then money. And when it became clear that wasn’t going to happen, he got upset. Really upset.

It was hard to deflect or get him to think of anything else.

I keep telling him that Hanukkah isn’t about greed or materialism. It’s about the miracle of an oil lamp that burned for eight days without replenishing. It’s about freedom. It’s about being proud of our heritage. It’s about fitting in to a world where we are a minority.

But his demands persisted. As a mother, I’ve been wondering where I struck out, but I know deep down that his obsessions are out of his control, and definitely out of my control.

Having a special needs child is as challenging as it gets. Some days are better than others and not all holidays work out the way I hope. But despite his shenanigans and unrealistic requests, he’s an amazing child who is showing me the true meaning of life. He’s bright, he’s eccentric, he walks to his own beat.

And as we enter a new year and light the candles approaching that time, I embrace his differences as I learn how to turn negative requests into positive ones.

So, are you wondering what #HanukkahHoopla is?

In the spirit of the season, myself and 7 other bloggers are giving 8 gifts to 8 lucky commenters. Click on the menorah above to be magically transported to the schedule where you’ll find links to visit other fabulous writers and increase your chances of winning holiday cyber-swag!

Taken together, we represent a broad range of Jewish experience. Some of us are Reform. Others are Conservative. Some are Orthodox. Some of us keep kosher; others, not so much. One of us is a rabbi.

We’re offering cyberswag to people who leave fabulous comments.

That’s EIGHT chances to win!

You can comment on anyone’s blog from December 16th all the way until the end of the 2014. Winners will be posted here & on individual bloggers’ pages in the new year.

HANUKKAH HOOPLA BLOGGING SCHEDULE 2014

12/17 : Rivki Silver. “The Miracle of Marriage”

 12/18 : Miriam Hendeles.  “Eight Personal Miracles of 2014.“

12/19 : Renee A. Schuls-Jacobson. “Short on Decor, Long on Miracles.”

12/20 : Tikva Kennedy. “Hanukkah With a Christmas Tree”

12/21 : Rebecca Klempner. “Ready For a Little Hanukkah Hoopla”

12/22 : Rabbi Rebecca Einstein Schorr. This Messy Life.

12/23: Monica Gebell.  “Light.”

What are you doing to celebrate this season? Want to hear about MY giveaway?

I’m giving away a copy of Jammin’ with Jew! Vol II Holiday Xxplosion (CD) andMama Doni’s “Jewish Holiday Party” (DVD)! 

Jammin’ with Jew! Vol II Holiday Xxplosion (Jamhouse Recs, 2014) is the highly anticipated follow up to Josh and Jamtones Jammin’ with Jew Vol I (Jamhouse Recs, 2012). With over 40,000 copies of Vol I in distribution (mostly thru PJ Library!) the Jamtones have been jet setting around the country playing shows in PJ communities including NY, Texas, Fla, DC,  all over New England and the Northeast. Holiday Xxplosion! offers families a funny and ultra funky twist on holiday classics and original songs based on holidays including Chanukah, Tu b’shvat, Rosh Hashana and of course Shabbat! 

Mama Doni’s “Jewish Holiday Party” is her debut DVD with a brand new bonus soulful, acoustic CD soundtrack. From a bluegrass “”Chanukah Oh Chanukah”” medley sing-along to a fun instructional “”Making Challah with Mama Doni”” video throw-down in the kitchen, this DVD celebrates Chanukah, Passover and Shabbat like never before. Join Doni as she sings and dances through the holidays. Party along at home with helpful how-to’s for making mouth-watering matzo-pizza, sizzling latkes and other scrumptious surprises! This exciting new soundtrack features 12 original acoustic versions of classic Jewish favorites by Doni Zasloff-Thomas and guitarist Eric Lindberg. Mama Doni’s “”Jewish Holiday Party”” fills your home and holidays with a hoedown of Jewish deliciousness and delight! With a whole lot of soul and a country-lovin’ spirit, “”The Original Jewish Cowgirl”” will capture your heart & soul with a “”Bluegrass Dayeinu”” and so much more. Eric Lindberg rockin’ the guitar, dobro, banjo, mandolin and ukele, makes this DVD/CD pack a happy heimish hoedown!! It’s the perfect rollicking gift for the whole family to enjoy for many holidays to come.

You can comment on my blog or any of the Hanukkah Hooplah blog from December 16th all the way until the end of the 2014 listed here: http://rasjacobson.com/2014/12/15/time-for-hanukkah-hoopla-2015.

If you respond on my blog, answer this to win:

What is your advice for teaching kids the TRUE meaning of Hanukkah?

Winners will be selected randomly. The giveaway will end on December 31st, 2014. Winner must be U.S. based and accept the prize within 24 hours.

Disclosure: I was not compensated to participate in this campaign. I worked with my prize sponsors to provide a FABULOUS prize to celebrate #HanukkahHooplah.

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Last week we got in the car and headed north to Katonah to spend an evening with Suzanne Vega at Caramoor.  We had long talked about attending a concert there and it basically took one of my favorite artists to get us there. I’m a long time fan of hers, having loved her for the last 25-30 years or so (gulp!).

Okay that just aged me a bit.  The first time I saw her was in my birthplace, Atlanta, GA, and I have seen her perform several times since in NYC, Westchester and at the Lilith Festival several moons ago.  I love her song writing, the sound of her dreamy voice and the way she performs telling the story behind each song as she goes.  I can even feel myself as a young girl listening to her music right now as I write this post, being transported back in time. She has taken several important issues important to the human race and written songs about them to raise awareness, like child abuse (watch the video at the end of this post) and I have so much respect for her.

But seeing her at Caramoor was an experience like no other that I’ve had. The concert was literally in the most beautiful setting ever, with the moon and sun gazing over all of us. The Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is a former estate owned by Walter and Lucie Rosen (no, we’re not related).  They hold classical concerts there throughout the year, as well as educational programs. Built in the 1940s, the main house is an imitation Italian villa. The estate features a collection of Renaissance and Chinese artwork, some rare. The setting makes you feel like you are in a faraway place, certainly not in the middle of Westchester or even remotely close to NYC.

Suzanne Vega played a slew of old songs, as well as new ones, along with  Irish guitarist Gerry Leonard. I was surprised to find how many songs I was able to sing along with her: Caramel, Marlene on the Wall, The Queen and the Solder, to name a few. The evening made me feel grateful for singers like her who still choose to hit the road to join their faithful fans and drum up new ones.  My only complaint about the Caramoor is that it does draw a quiet crowd, probably one that’s used to hearing classical music, so it was hard to sing along with her. Fortunately, the couple next to us was probably the only other die-hard set of fans and the woman sang her heart out, also deeply impacted by seeing Suzanne Vega once again.  I hope to see Suzanne Vega again and again in my lifetime. She just brings me back to the center.

I leave you with this piece of nostalgia.

To end, I’ll share this tweet that Suzanne Vega topped off my weekend with:

I LOVE TWITTER.

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“This mega-production deserves only three words: Fantastic! Fantastic! Fantastic!”
—Opera Insider

I’m giving away FIVE pairs of tickets to a very special reception and screening on September 19th of Verdi’s La Traviata by Opera Australia. If you haven’t yet seen it, you must.  It’s one of the most beautiful operas in the world and this is wonderful opportunity for a truly unique NYC experience.

Verdi’s La Traviata shines in this spectacular production from Opera Australia, performed on a floating stage in the Sydney Harbor under the stars. The famous Sydney Opera House is the backdrop in this dramatic new staging, which features a nearly 30-foot chandelier suspended over the stage. Opera Insider raves:  “This mega-production deserves only three words – Fantastic ! Fantastic ! Fantastic !” Visionary director Francescsa Zambello directs, with an “electrifying” Emma Matthews as Violetta, with Jonathan Summers and Gianluca Terranova rounding out the cast. (Stage Noise)

The film is in Italian with English subtitles, 2 hrs 40 mins including one intermission.  It’s being shown as part of the Fall-Winter 2012 season of Opera in Cinema series on Wednesday, September 19th at The Bruno Walter Auditorium, 111 Amsterdam Avenue at 65th Street.  The Reception will be from seven to eight o’clock followed by “La Traviata” Handa Opera from Sydney Harbour.

To win one of FIVE PAIRS OF TICKETS to attend both the reception and screening, all you have to do is comment below.

You can get additional entries by doing one of or more of the following:

– Follow The Culture Mom on Facebook.

– Follow The Culture Mom on Twitter.

– Follow The Culture Mom on Pinterest.

This giveaway will end on Sunday, September 16th. Winners will be posted here as well and will have 24 hours to accept their prize.

Disclosure: I have partnered with the publicity firm representing Verdi’s La Traviata by Opera Australia.  to present this opportunity to my readers.  I was not compensated to write this post.

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This year the festival is bringing noted Israeli musical artists are scheduled to perform throughout the Festival. For a complete chronological listing of this summer’s festival performances, go here.

Credit: Zohar Ron Photography

Led by charismatic Israeli-Yemenite singer Ravid Kahalani and go-to jazz bassist-arranger Omer Avital, Yemen Blues is a super group of top musicians form New York, Israel and Uruguay. The group creates the ultimate high-energy multinational hybrid of North African grooves, Middle Eastern modes, and American funk by combining West African soul and American blues and jazz with the traditional music and chants of Kahalani’s Yemenite roots, fleshing out their sound with oud, gimbri, strings, and percussion. Also on the bill this evening is Khaira Arby & Her Band, performing songs in at least three languages, and uKanDanZ, playing explosive, throbbing Ethiogrooves.

Yemen Blues will be presented with support from the Office of Cultural Affairs, Consulate General of Israel in New York on Wednesday, August 1, 7:00 p.m. at the Damrosch Park Bandshell.

Making its New York debut is the ALAEV FAMILY, a Bukharin groove band from Israel with deep roots in the music of Tajikistan and Jewish Bukhara.  Allo Alaev is a master percussionist of the doyra (a frame drum with metal rings inside). Playing as many as nine drums, Allo leads the family ensemble – two sons, and four grandchildren – in blending together the sounds of Turkey, Persia, China, and Russia. The group’s latest album combines these musical styles with lyrics by Tajiki poets and was produced by Out of Doors alum Tamir Muskat, Balkan Beat Box’s drummer. This evening concludes with performances by the incredible Indian violinist Dr. L Subramaniam and guests.

The Alaev Family will be presented with support from the Office of Cultural Affairs, Consulate General of Israel in New York on Wednesday, August 8, 7:30 p.m. at the Damrosch Park Bandshell.

DIRECTIONS: 

Lincoln Center’s plazas, located between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenues from West 62^nd Street to West 65th Street.

Subway:  The IRT Broadway Local, No. 1 train to 66^th Street “Lincoln Center” station; or IRT Broadway Local, No. 1 train to 59^th Street, Columbus Circle; or A, B, C, D, or E trains to 59^th Street Columbus Circle

 Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the Office of Cultural Affairs, Consulate General of Israel in New York.

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And you know what?  I loved every minute of it.  I love going back in time to a time long gone, like, for example, that time of my life.  Jill Sobule looks the same, she sounds great and the experience made me feel young again. I listened to each song with a smile on my face and reminisced.  I even met her after the show.

I have been doing a lot of that lately.  Reminiscing.  I guess it has something to do with being over 40 and realizing that time is going faster than ever.  I don’t feel my age, I don’t look my age, and neither do any of my friends.  But we’re older, we’re nearing 50 (in eight years! I sound like Meg Ryan from “When Harry Met Sally”).  I recently met up with a bunch of old friends where I grew up and it was like time had stopped.  They looked the same, but the truth is that we all are going through mid-life changes, crises, events.  We’re dying our hair, fighting wrinkles and controlling our bulging bellies.  You can’t stop time.

But you sure can enjoy yourself in the meantime.

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Last night my daughter and I were invited to a special preview showing of Katy Perry: Part of Me, The Movie in my old neighborhood in NYC.  As we headed in right after camp and swim lessons, refreshed and ready for a night on the town, I could sense her excitement.  And I was pretty excited, too.  For me, Katy Perry is a throw back to the music I liked when I was her age – Blondie, Bananarama, even Weird Al Yancovic with all her crazy costumes and wigs.  She’s what I consider to be my guilty pleasure – music that I groove out while driving the car, music that brings a huge smile to my face no matter what.

The movie follows her 365 day 2011 tour fille with dazzling costumes, lavish sets, confetti, her beloved crew that consists of friends and family, and more.  Best of all, it’s all in 3D, so some of the concert scenes are eye-popping with bubbles and bouncing balls throwing themselves into your lap.  And the pin glasses in her honor are cosmic.

But it’s not just a film about Perry and her life and career.  It starts out and finishes with an anti-bullying message complete with short vignettes of children who are inspired by Perry.  One child says, “Katy tells us it’s okay to stand out, it’s okay to be unique.” At 18, Perry knew that she wanted to be famous, but even then she knew that it came with responsibilities  Today, with songs like “Do You Ever Feel,” she makes it clear to the younger generation that it’s okay to be different.  Kudos to the film’s production team for using the film as a forum to teach and inspire children of all ages coming to see the film about their favorite musician.

But there is also a lot to learn about Perry in this well-made film, and much of it humanizes her, like the following:

– Her parents were traveling ministers and she was only allowed to listen to Christian music until she was 18.  The only film she was ever allowed to see was “Sister Act 2″.  When she finally heard Alanis Morisette, she learned that there was another way to explore music and speak your mind, so she moved to Los Angeles to launch her career.

– Her career, with Glen Ballard as her first producer when she was signed on with Island Def Jam, took time to kick off, as the label wanted her to be the next Avirl Lavigne.  She was determined to be Katy Perry, and when she got signed by Columbia Records, that is who she finally became.  Herself and no one else.

– Perry is the first female artist to ever have five #1 singles from the same album.

– At every concert during this tour, her sister led  a”Meet & Greets” – right before every single concert, she met kids and parents backstage, many of whom were from the Make-a-Wish Foundation (children who’s last wishes are granted and meeting Perry is one for many of them), and invited many of them to come up on stage during her show.

– The film puts a big emphasis on her relationship with Russell Brand, who she married right before the tour began.  She worked really hard on making their marriage work, she was certainly wild about him.  He texted her, came on tour with her and she spent every tour break traveling to be with him (he never came to her).  He was her “one that got away” and when he breaks up with her (from a distance, the jerk), she is beside herself, crazy in love with him. Proof that even movie  It came down to a choice between her career and love, and I believe that one day she will certainly have it all.

– Perry is very close to her grandmother, who she visits on her sold-out 124 area shows across the world, in Las Vegas.  Her grandmother is a sharp lady who says exactly what she feels and grounds Perry, who shows up to visit in very glam garb.  When they talk about her upbringing and how much they traveled and the effects it has on children, Perry said point blankly, “But we turned out okay” (meaning her and her two siblings).  To that, her grandma responded, “As far as I know!” with a loving laugh.

At the end of the film, we see the last concert of the tour with her grandmother and parents on stage.  It’s been a tumultuous year full of up ups and downs.  Clearly still hung up on Brand, she still believes in fairy tale endings.  The tears shed for him are palpable, good for a 3D film (not really) as she sings “Not Like the Movies”:

Snow White said when I was young,

“One day my prince will come”

So I wait for that day

They say it’s hard to meet your match

Find my better half

So we make perfect shapes.

The dream team behind this movie includes Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz (Directors) and Brian Grazer (Producer).  The Directors covered every side of her tour, the highs and the lows, the fact and the fiction.  For that, I applaud them.  For my daughter, there’s a new kid in town in our house – Selena Gomez will no longer reign.  Looks like Katy Perry is joining the ranks.

Katy Perry: Part of Me, The Movie starts this Thursday, check out your local listings.

Check out the trailer:

Disclosure: I was provided with complimentary tickets to facilitate this review, but all opinions are my own.

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Pricing is $28.00 for adults, $20.00 for children (3-12) and there is an infant comp ticket, for children 3 and under.

The Kids Cruise is a great way for young children to discover the sights of NYC and have the chance to learn fun and exciting facts about the city. They will also have the opportunity to take a photo by the Statue of Liberty.

The Kickoff event will include a performance from special guest, Dan Zanes, as well as:

–Live interactive tour guide -Juggler -Magician -Balloon Artist -Meet and Greet with The Berenstain Bears -Food and drink available for purchase -Raffle prizes and giveaways -Complimentary giftbag

 There will also be many NYC attractions participating on Circle Line’s Pier 83 frontage. These attractions include:

-Ripley’s Believe it or Not -Bike and Roll -New York Aquarium -Yankees -Intrepid -Lucky Strike -Poll Position Raceway -New York Liberty

Broadway and Off-Broadway Show Performances included are:

-Freckleface Strawberry -Sister Act -Priscilla Queen of the Desert – One Man Two Guvnors -Ghost -Zarkana -Once -Rock of Ages -Traces -Memphis -Spiderman -Pottered Potter

 Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post.

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If you live in or near NYC, this is an incredible opportunity to take your family to both see and hear  a group of four young cellists, who happen to be siblings and travel the world making music.

They are the Werner Chamber Quartet and they’re coming to Carnegie Hall late next month. Each of the four young musicians, who range in age from 18 and 22, will perform double duty, playing solo works on the cello while taking turns accompanying each other on the piano in works by Schumann, Beethoven, Boccherini, Stravinsky, Glière and César Franck, in addition to arrangements for four celli of Bach’s Chaconne and Bizet’s Carmen Fantasy. The concert will take place as part of DCINY’s Distinguished Concerts Artist Series on Saturday, March 24 at 2:00pm at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall.

The Werner Chamber Quartet has been featured on National Public Radio’s “From the Top” and has been presented by the Music Guild Series in Los Angeles, Montana State University’s Guest Artist Series, and have been invited as soloists with the Bozeman, Billings, and Great Falls Symphony Orchestras. During the summers, the quartet studies and performs at festivals abroad, including Peter de Grote Festival, La Ferme de Villefavard, and the Congress de Luthiers in France. The quartet has had private audiences with renowned cellists Laszlo Varga, Michel Strauss of the Paris Conservatory, and Bernard Greenhouse. Members of the quartet have studied with cellist Richard Aaron and Hans Jensen, as well as with pianist Brian Johnson.

Helene, 22, is in her senior year at Yale University. Lucien, 21, is a junior at Harvard University, where he will be joined by his sister Mariel, 19, this fall, currently studying music in Chicago. Andree, the youngest cellist at 18, is a senior in high school. The Werner Quartet is well known in and around Montana for their contributions to important community organizations, including the Rescue Mission for the Homeless and the Wyoming Girls School. They share their music in support of the arts and education, and especially for organizations that encourage opportunities for young musicians.

Now in its 5th season, Distinguished Concerts International, offers spectacular opportunities to emerging and established artists, bringing them to New York’s legendary venues. The next concerts in the Distinguished Concerts Artist Series at Weill Recital Hall include will features the Pianist Program from the Orange County High School of the Arts, on May 29th.

Tickets: www.carnegiehall.org or 212-247-7800 or in person at the Carnegie Hall Box Office and cost $50 each.

Or you can enter to win a pair of  tickets to the Werner Chamber Concert Quartet concert at Carnegie Hall right here!

All you have to do to win is leave a comment below and let me know if you’ve been to Carnegie Hall before.  Please be sure to leave an email address or Twitter handle IN YOUR RESPONSE below (this is important!)

Winners will be chosen on Friday, March 12th at noon.  The winner will have 24 hours to accept the prize or it will go to the runner-up.

Disclosure: Giveaway courtesy of  DCINY.

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