Past Season: 2008-2009

The Amelia Piano Trio is among the most exciting young chamber ensembles to appear in the last decade. Making their mark by commissioning new works, such as Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Harbison's new piano trio, as well as by performing vivid interpretations of traditional chamber fare, the Amelia Piano Trio have quickly become one of the world's most sought-after ensembles. Called "remarkable" by Strings and "exemplary" by The Strad, in its short history the Amelia has been Grand Prize-winner at the Yellow Springs National Competition and recipient of the prestigious ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming. In 2003 the Trio was asked by National Public Radio to be the Young Ensemble-in-Residence.

We celebrate the opening of the Series' 25th season with our old friends, the Aulos Ensemble, presented first in Boise in 1997, and still including Christopher Krueger, flute; Marc Schachman, oboe; Linda Quan, violin; Myron Lutzke, cello; and Arthur Haas, harpsichord; all playing period instruments with their special historical performance practices. Formed in 1973 by five graduates of the Juilliard School, the Aulos Ensemble was at the forefront of a movement that has captured the imagination of the American listening public.

The group's artistic intelligence, based on informed scholarly insight, along with an uncompromising standard of excellence, has resulted in invitations from virtually all of America's major chamber music presenters. Its performances have helped to create a new appreciation of the rich rewards of original instrument performance and have earned admiration from America's most respected critics, who call Aulos concerts "scintillating," "virtuosic," "rare and delightful," and "authentic baroque performance at its best."

This special concert is made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, which has also assisted the Boise State Department of Music in refurbishing its double-manual Flemish-style harpsichord, made in 1986 by Peter Fisk.

Last season's concert by the Talich Quartet was a highlight of a strong year. Their Mozart, Janacek, and Mendelssohn were full of the passion and elegance that characterize the best of that very musical Czech Republic. For several decades, the Talich Quartet has been recognized internationally as one of Europe's finest chamber ensembles, and as the embodiment of the great Czech musical tradition.