Music among friends

MIDDLETOWN — Much of the classical music (or art music in the western tradition) played by orchestras and smaller ensembles was written before today’s musicians were born.

Yet, when Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin, for examples, were composing, performing musicians were their contemporaries. Their compositions have continued to be played, and today’s musicians must study and interpret what the composers intended.

This Sunday, Feb. 9, a rare opportunity awaits. At 3 p.m., Laurie Carney, violinist in the American String Quartet, and her colleague, pianist David Friend, are performing on the stage of Orange Hall Theatre.

Accompanying them will be Robert Sirota, who composed "Sonata #2: Farewell, for Violin and Piano," specifically for Laurie Carney.

They have known each other for several years since he was president of the Manhattan School of Music where she and the Quartet have been the quartet in residence since 1984.

Before playing the piece, Carney and Friend will have an open conversation with Sirota about the writing of the composition, the process of working on it and the experience of musicians interacting with a living composer.

So, come and partake of this enriching musical event that also includes "Sonata #2 in A major" by Brahms and "Theme and Variations" by Messiaen.

Essential information
Admission is $15 adults; $10 senior citizens, SUNY Orange alumni, faculty, staff; and free for all students from any educational institution.

Tickets will be on sale at the Orange Hall box office starting at 2 p.m. the afternoon of the performance, plus online anytime at www.sunyorange.edu/arts_comm/ticketing.shtml.

Orange Hall is located at the corner of Wawayanda and Grandview avenues in Middletown.

For additional information, contact the college's Cultural Affairs office at 845-341 4891; email cultural@sunyorange.edu; or online at www.sunyorange.edu/culturalaffairs.