By Joe Salas
Greenwich House Music School has announced a new partnership with the chamber music ensemble Vista Lirica. As Greenwich House’s newest artist-in-residence group, Vista Lirica will perform three concerts a year as well as provide mentorship for the Music School’s classical chamber music students.
Vista Lirica is a New York City-based chamber music ensemble with a special purpose. According to the group’s founder, Neil Rynston, Vista Lirica’s mission is to “strengthen the link between music and awe for the native planet.” In the works of the great 19th century Romantic composers, the chamber group discovers a full range of expression in which nature’s power and emotions take center stage. The artists of Vista Lirica comprise a collective whose core members have garnered recognition as soloists and seasoned chamber musicians in the United States and abroad.
Music School Director Rachel Black expressed excitement at having the accomplished group available to help students in the growing chamber music program develop their skills and understanding of the genre. “They are not only dynamic performers but have a wealth of knowledge on the history, technique, and cultural cues of chamber music.”
“In chamber music, a mentor can be unbelievably useful…as it can be especially challenging to navigate playing as an individual while also playing as part of an ensemble,” continued Black. “This really strengthens our program.”
Greenwich House Music School’s adult chamber music program is performance-based for pianists as well as string and wind players. Students learn a wide range of the chamber music repertory from standards including Beethoven piano trios. A perk of being in the Greenwich Village is that contemporary composers often visit classes at Greenwich House to coach their music.
Vista Lirica joins a long tradition of accomplished musicians calling Greenwich House Music School home, from alumni, including the artists of Eroica Trio and Broadway’s Bobby Lopez, to its “Uncharted” spring concert series, which has included performances by the likes of Marc Ribot, Steve Bernstein, and Bria Skonberg.
“The 220th Schubertiade,” Vista Lirica’s debut performance as artists-in-residence, will take place on Saturday, January 28th, in Greenwich House Music School’s Renee Weiler Concert Hall at 46 Barrow Street (near Bedford Street). The four-piece program is inspired by the music of 19th century Austrian composer Franz Schubert.
Of Vista Lirica’s three performances, one will be free to the public and two will be ticketed. For the upcoming performance on January 28th, ticket prices are as follows:
General reserved tickets: $15
Tickets at the door: $20
Greenwich House students: $5
Greenwich House faculty/seniors: $10
To order advance tickets, or for more information, call Greenwich House at (212) 242-4770, or visit greenwichhouse.org/music.
