Rembrandt Chamber Musicians presents: Pallavi Mahidhara plays Dohnanyi

Rembrandt Chamber Musicians welcomes acclaimed pianist Pallavi Mahidhara for an evening of chamber music masterpieces spanning the Classical, Romantic, and early twentieth-century eras. Joining Mahidhara are violinists Michael Gurevich and John Macfarlane, violist Carol Cook, and cellist Calum Cook in a program that showcases the remarkable versatility and expressive power of the piano in collaboration with strings. The concert opens with Beethoven’s beloved “Gassenhauer” Trio, a work filled with charm, humor, and dazzling interplay among the performers, followed by Frank Bridge’s richly expressive Phantasy for Piano Quartet, a compact masterpiece of lyrical beauty and dramatic intensity.

After intermission, the full ensemble comes together for Ernő Dohnányi’s Piano Quintet No. 1 in C Minor, a youthful work of extraordinary ambition and craftsmanship. Written when the composer was just seventeen years old, the quintet combines sweeping Romantic melodies, virtuosic writing, and symphonic grandeur, revealing a composer of remarkable maturity. Together, these three works trace a compelling path through more than a century of chamber music, highlighting both intimate musical conversation and powerful ensemble brilliance.

PROGRAM

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Trio in B-flat Major, Op. 11, “Gassenhauer”

Frank Bridge (1879–1941)
Phantasy for Piano Quartet, H. 94

Intermission

Ernő Dohnányi (1877–1960)
Piano Quintet No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 1

ARTISTS

Pallavi Mahidhara, piano
Michael Gurevich, violin
John Macfarlane, violin
Carol Cook, viola
Calum Cook, cello

REMBRANDT CHAMBER MUSICIANS
Now entering its 36th season, Rembrandt Chamber Musicians continues to build upon its distinguished legacy while expanding its artistic vision for the future. The ensemble will broaden its programming to include not only classical chamber music, but also jazz and improvised music, as well as contemporary classical works presented at a variety of venues throughout the Chicago-land area. This evolution reflects the organization’s longstanding commitment to innovation, collaboration, and artistic exploration while remaining rooted in the ensemble’s core mission of presenting engaging, accessible, and deeply personal musical experiences. Praised by Chicago Tribune critic John von Rhein as “one of the more notable success stories in Chicago chamber music,” Rembrandt continues to be recognized for performances filled with “infectious verve, spontaneity, and abundance of feeling,” with concerts regularly featured on WFMT and highlighted among Chicago’s top classical music events.