Salina Journal

Every so often, violist Paul Neubauer joins a group of other like-minded musicians to play chamber music concerts throughout the world.

These are no ordinary musicians, either. Neubauer and the others are members of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, a constituent of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, the largest performing arts complex in the world.

The center also houses the New York Philharmonic, New York City Ballet, Lincoln Center Theater and the Metropolitan Opera.

Many of the multi-generational pianists, violinists, cellists and violists who belong to the Chamber Music Society also perform with these world-renowned organizations, as well as with orchestras throughout the world.

"There's a core ensemble of about 20 of us who come here from all over the world and tour as trios, quartets and quintets," said Neubauer, who also is the principal violist of the New York Philharmonic. "Some of us have never played together before. That makes it interesting."

Neubauer will be joining five other chamber members for a tour that focuses on two centuries of American chamber music composers.

"American Voices" will be performed April 4 at the Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts, 151 S. Santa Fe.

Scheduled for the program are chamber works by 17th century composer John Antes ("Trio in D minor for Two Violins"), 18th century composer Charles Ives ("Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello"), early 20th century composer George Gershwin ("Lullaby for String Quartet"), and "Quintet in F-sharp minor for Piano" by Amy Cheney Beach.

Beach was an early 20th century avant-garde composer who was the most prominent female composer of her day, Neubauer said.

"There weren't many female composers at that time, so she was breaking new ground," he said. "It's really a romantic, gorgeous piece."

Musicians on this tour include Neubauer, viola; Alan Feinberg and Anne-Marie McDermott, piano; Lily Francis and Ani Kavafian, violin; and Priscilla Lee, cello.

Started in 1969

The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center was founded in 1969 to educate listeners in the art of chamber music and to perform a repertoire compiled from more than three centuries of European and American composers.

A repertory company of expert musicians from throughout the world are selected by audition and professional recommendation to tour with chamber music pieces of every instrumentation, style and historical period, Neubauer said.

The society's annual activities include a full season of concerts, national and international tours, and nationally televised broadcasts on the public television series "Live from Lincoln Center."

Neubauer has been a member of the chamber society since 1989.

"I guess that makes me one of the core members," he said.

In addition to his chamber music tours, Neubauer has performed with orchestras in Los Angeles, San Francisco, St. Louis, Helsinki and Liverpool, England. He also is a faculty member of New York City's famed Julliard School.

Neubauer said playing with a five- or six-member chamber ensemble often is a greater challenge than playing in a full orchestra.

In a large orchestra, Neubauer said, there may be several violists. In a chamber group, he's likely to be the only one.

"In that case, I have to represent my instrument well," he said.

nReporter Gary Demuth can be reached at 822-1405 or by e-mail at gdemuth@salina.com.

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