16th Season 2025-2026

Sunday, September 28th at 3pm

Van Buren Hall, 6 Chatham Street (US Route 9) Kinderhook, NY

Goldberg Variations

Sonata for Solo Violin No. 1

Sophia Zhou, Piano
Elizabeth Silver, Violin

Contribution $25. Students and children free. Lift available.

Concerts in the Village opens its 16th Season 2025-2026 on September 28th with important solo works of J. S. Bach: the Goldberg Variations, a true milestone in the history of music, and the translucent Sonata for Solo Violin No. 1. For these two journeys CITV welcomes pianist Sophia Zhou, and Broad Street Orchestra Concertmaster Elizabeth Silver.

Of all his brilliant compositions for keyboard, none presents Bach’s emotional power and the creative genius of his writing more completely than the Goldberg Variations. An opening theme of striking simplicity, although uncertain origin, is subjected to 30 reworkings, no two of which are alike. The demands upon the player, including exceptional virtuosity and relentless concentration, are legendary in the annals of keyboard performance. And in the end, when all comes magically together with the haunting return of the opening, the listener fully understands the very special journey he has taken.

Bach’s deservedly well-known first sonata for solo violin is equally fascinating for the listener. As with the Goldberg Variations, attention is immediately drawn both to the technical demands made upon the performer and to the elegance of the entire work. Throughout the sonata’s four movements Bach ingeniously balances both the vertical and horizontal dimensions of his writing, an essential feature found in each of his six sonatas and partitas for violin. Beauty dominates, with neither harmony nor counterpoint taking precedence. When performed with clarity and directness – no modest achievement – the listening experience is not to be forgotten.

For CITV, pianist Sophia Zhou (www.sophiazhoupiano.com) is a returning artist. Her widely recognized talent has taken her throughout the world, including Europe, Asia, and the major concert halls of America. Violinist Elizabeth Silver is well-known to regional audiences, as a regularly performing soloist, chamber musician and member of the Albany Symphony and Glimmerglass Orchestras.

CITV Artistic Director David Smith comments, “I am especially pleased that for our 62nd concert we offer these important solo works by Bach – performed by two such sensitive and experienced artists in the ideal acoustics of Kinderhook’s Van Buren Hall. What a memorable afternoon it will be!”