Be a part of Opening Night of the 2012 Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival Series at the acoustically magnificent Power House Theatre. The program will begin with the World Premiere of New Zealand composer, Christopher Gendall's, "Reckless Abandon" for Piano, Soprano Saxophone, and Violin. This work was specially commissioned for the 2012 Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival.

The Power House Theatre was conceived as copy of Shakespeare's own theater in London. It seems appropriate that we honor that legacy by including some work inspired by the Bard. Gordon Jacob's Six Shakespearean Sketches consists of six movements for string trio inspired by passages from Shakespeare. WWCMF is delighted to collaborate with Shakespeare Walla Walla on this performance. The six brief movements draw on The Merchant of Venice, The Tempest, Twelfth Night, and A Midsummer Night's Dream among others. Jacob's miniature masterpieces are the perfect intersection between Shakespeare and chamber music.

The program concludes with the autumnal Quintet in B minor for Clarinet and Strings, Op. 115 by Johannes Brahms. Brahms had decided to retire from composition. He composed his Op. 111 String Quintet in 1890, and intended it to be his final composition. Roughly a century in advance of Michael Corleone, however, Brahms was heard to utter, "Just when I think I'm out, the pull me back in!" "They", in this case, were the clarinetist Richard Mühlfeld. Brahms heard Mühlfeld perform, and the experience stirred Brahms' creative impulses. The result? This Quintet, plus a Trio and two Sonatas for Clarinet and Piano. Together, these pieces represent Brahms' final works in the medium of chamber music. The Quintet gives us a view into Brahms at the height of his musical powers, and at the end of his life.

Performers: Timothy Christie, Andrew Jennings, Norbert Lewandowski, Stephen Miahky, John Sampen, Maria Sampen, Kevin Schempf, and Cristina Valdes.

Tuesday, June 12, 7:30 p.m. — Power House Theater, Sixth & Rose — $20

    Note: Child and student tickets are $8. Family tickets are $40 for two adults and up to four children.

Festival Series II presents three distinct versions of what it means to play the fiddle.

Long before Charlie Daniels scored a hit with the song "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" Igor Stravinsky told the story of a soldier who sells both his soul and his fiddle to the Devil for wealth and power. Here, WWCMF offers Stravinsky's trio version for violin, clarinet and piano.

American composer Evan Chambers was brought up on a steady diet of folk music. His work, "Come Down Heavy!", for violin, saxophone, and piano is a testament to his roots. From the gritty "Steel Drivin' Man" (John Henry) to the tender "I Gave My Love a Cherry" this magnificent piece is uniquely American.

The program concludes with Mendelssohn at his finest. The String Quintet in B Flat will leave you glowing with uproarious joy!

Performers: Timothy Christie, Katri Ervamaa, Andrew Jennings, Norbert Lewandowski, Christina McGann, Stephen Miahky, Erik Rynearson, John Sampen, Maria Sampen, Kevin Schempf, and Cristina Valdes.

Saturday, June 16, 7:30 p.m. — Power House Theater, Sixth & Rose — $20

    Note: Child and student tickets are $8. Family tickets are $40 for two adults and up to four children.

Festival Series III walks softly, but carries a big stick. The program will open with the World Premiere of Sotto Voce for piano trio, by composer, Marilyn Shrude. In Italian, sotto voce means "under the voice." The work inhabits a quiet place, but makes a profound impact. Sotto Voce was composed for WWCMF as part of a Guggenheim Fellowship awarded to Marilyn Shrude in 2011.

Opposite this brand new trio is the B Flat Piano Trio, Op. 99, by Franz Schubert. One of two undisputed masterpieces by Schubert in this medium, the B Flat Piano Trio is a subtle work when compared to its counterpart, the magnificent E Flat Piano Trio, Op. 100. It lives "under the voice," and yet it speaks volumes. This will be a special night of chamber music.

Performers: Timothy Christie, Katri Ervamaa, Norbert Lewandowski, Christina McGann, Stephen Miahky, Philip Payton, Erik Rynearson, Maria Sampen, and Cristina Valdes and Julie Woods.

Tuesday, June 19, 7:30 p.m. — Power House Theater, Sixth & Rose — $20

    Note: Child and student tickets are $8. Family tickets are $40 for two adults and up to four children.

Festival Series IV will bring the 2012 Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival to a close in lyrical fashion. Do you think composer Alexander Borodin had any clue what a Tony Award was? I think it's safe to say he didn't. Yet, his music played a key role in earning that honor for the 1953 musical, "Kismet." Skip the awards shows, and go straight to the source. This gorgeous quartet will make you want to steal its melodies and make a great deal of money off of them... It's that good.

Closing out the 2012 Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival is the only piece composed by Schubert that the composer heard performed publicly during his lifetime, the Piano Trio in E Flat, Op. 100. Incidentally, this work figured prominently in Stanley Kubrick's film, "Barry Lyndon." It seems that popular culture looks to chamber music when it wants to get down to business... As it should!

Performers: Jennifer Caine, Timothy Christie, Oksana Ezhokina, Icicle Creek Piano Trio, Norbert Lewandowski, Christina McGann, Stephen Miahky, Philip Payton, Maria Sampen, and Sally Singer.

Friday, June 22, 7:30 p.m. — Power House Theater, Sixth & Rose — $20

    Note: Child and student tickets are $8. Family tickets are $40 for two adults and up to four children.