Think of composer Frederic Chopin and no doubt a keyboard comes to mind, along with lots of notes, a bit of bombast and numerous diaphanous, showy runs on which the soloist takes flight. La Jolla Music Society’s SummerFest, in progress now through Aug. 27 at Sherwood Auditorium, explores the other side of Chopin by presenting his chamber works, which are rarely performed. An all-Chopin, all-chamber works concert Saturday, Aug. 4, provided the impetus to clamor for more or fewer performances, depending on one’s point of view. Cellist Carter Brey and pianist Christopher O’Riley supplied a thoroughly enjoyable reading of “Introduction and Polonaise Brillante for Cello and Piano,” written when the Polish composer was 19. They were joined by violinist Chee-Yun in a performance of the “Piano Trio in G Minor,” written the same year. Also performed were two works arguably attributed to Chopin, variations on “Non piu Mesta” from Rossini’s “La Cenerentola” and “Grand Duo Concertante” on themes from Meyerbeer’s “Robert le diable,” which puts one in mind of Gilbert and Sullivan. And why not? Gilbert and Sullivan’s operettas spoofed Meyerbeer’s operas, among others. The evening’s most compelling performance was Brey and O’Riley’s spirited playing of “Sonata in G Minor for Cello and Piano, Opus 46,” the last published work of Chopin’s brief life. On Friday, Aug. 20, SummerFest presents “Premieres and Reprises,” performances of West Coast premieres and other commissioned works: “Night Thoughts” (2005) by well-known pipa player Wu Man, who performs her work with percussionist David Cossin; AKASA: “Formless Spiral” (2010) performed by violinist Susan Ung, Wu Man and Real Quiet; Brett Dean’s “Epitaphs for String Quintet” (2010), performed by the Orion String Quartet and the composer on viola; Dean’s “Intimate Decisions” (1997) performed by the composer on viola; and Christopher Rouse’s String Quartet No. 3 (2010), performed by the Calder Quartet. One hour prior to the 7:30 p.m. performance, ticket holders may attend a performance of Antonin Dvorak’s “String Quartet No. 14 in A-flat Major,” performed by The Hausmann Quartet, which this season becomes the Joseph Fisch/Joyce Axelrod Quartet in Residence at San Diego State University. The concert on Saturday, Aug. 21 devotes itself to “Chopin’s Paris” and presents works by Chopin as well as his contemporaries Rossini, Liszt, Schumann and Mendelssohn. In a flash of good news, Mumbai-born, San Diego-nurtured, University of California, San Diego graduate Priti Gandhi saves the day for SummerFest, performing for previously announced Charlotte Hellekant, who was unable to obtain a visa in time. Gandhi, who debuted the role of Musetta with San Diego Opera last season, performs Chopin’s Polish Songs for Voice and Piano and Robert Schumann’s Three Songs after Byron’s “Hebraic Melodies.” Pianist John Novacek and harpist Deborah Hoffmann accompany her, respectively. The program at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22 is titled “Debussy’s Paris” and features Chopin as well as music of his contemporaries Reynaldo Hahn and Maurice Ravel. For a complete list of repertoire and the additional, dazzling performers interpreting it, go to www.ljms.org or phone (858) 459-3728.
