Kevin Rhodes to perform with Longmeadow Chamber Music Society

Rhodes will perform at the First Church of Christ in Longmeadow on Friday night.

SSOSpringfield Symphony Orchestra maestro Kevin Rhodes at the piano.

By JUSTIN MORALES

Maestro Kevin Rhodes will be behind the keyboards rather than in front of an orchestra when the Springfield Symphony Orchestra conductor performs on Friday with the Longmeadow Chamber Music Society.

Rhodes will perform at the First Church of Christ at 763 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow, at 8 p.m. The cost for non-members is $15 at the door.

“He usually conducts at the Springfield Symphony and so it’s not very often he performs.” said Marsha Harbison, one of the founders of the Longmeadow Chamber Music Society.

Rhodes will be performing on piano along with Joel Pitchon and Harbison on violins, Ronald Gorevic on viola, and Boris Kogan, on cello.

Pitchson is associate professor of violin and chamber music at Smith College. The other musicians are all members of the SSO, and teach and perform in numerous schools, colleges and, chamber music concerts.

“Most of us are in the symphony and are very excited to be playing with such an excellent pianist and wonderful musician” Harbison said. “It’s a wonderful collaboration.”

The program, which will last about 90 minutes, will include Beethoven’s Piano Trio Op. 11, Bruch’s Romance for Viola and Piano, Prokofiev’s Violin Sonata in D Major, and one of the great masterpieces of chamber music: Dvorak’s Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 81 all chosen by the maestro himself.

Rhodes will introduce each work with words about the composers and the music

A reception will immediately follow the concert.

The Longmeadow Chamber Music Society, now in its 29th season. Is a volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to presenting great masterpieces of chamber of music from all periods of music featuring professional musicians who resides in the Pioneer Valley.

Sponsors include United Bank, Baystate Medical Center, St. Germain Investments, Longmeadow Cultural Council, and several area businesses. For more information, call (413) 567-8213 or visit www.longmeadowcms.org