The 36th International Festival of Chamber Music season concludes Sunday, April 27 at 3 p.m. in Memorial Chapel with the Emerson String Quartet performing “All-Brahms Part II” and a recognition for Daniel Berkenblit, series director since 1979.
Berkenblit, who has programmed nearly 500 concerts in the acclaimed series, will receive the Founders Medal from Union College President Stephen C. Ainlay for his distinctive contribution to the College.
Thanks to Berkenblit’s passion and generosity, the Union College Chamber Concert Series has developed a large and devoted following. It has made Memorial Chapel an essential stop for the world’s most renowned soloists and ensembles, including the Emerson String Quartet.
A Brooklyn native, Berkenblit retired in 2001 as chief pathologist at St. Mary’s Hospital in Troy. He and his wife, Phillipine, live in Schenectady and Stratton, Vt.
The Emerson returns for an unprecedented 25th Concert Series performance featuring chamber musicians Philip Setzer and Eugene Drucker, violins; Lawrence Dutton, viola; and David Finckel, cello.
The full afternoon of music from Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) includes String Quartet in A minor, Op. 51, No. 2 and String Quartet in B-Flat Major, Op. 67 with Philip Setzer, first violin. Following intermission the ensemble will perform String Quartet in C Minor, Op. 51, No. 1 with Eugene Drucker, first violin.
This concert is free for the Union community, $25 for general admission and $10 for area students. For more information, call 372-3651; for ticket information, visit http://www.union.edu/ConcertSeries.