Muzzy Ridge Concerts: Laurie Carney and David Friend

Composer Robert Sirota hosts the second performance of his new series, Muzzy Ridge Concerts, in his studio in Searsmont, Maine. Violinist Laurie Carney and pianist David Friend perform Messiaen’s Thème et variations, Prokoviev’s Five Melodies, Op. 35, Kodály’s Adagio, and Sirota’s Summermusic from 2000. A founding member of the American String Quartet, Laurie Carney holds the distinction of performing quartets longer than any other woman in this elite field. A fearless performer, critics have described David Friend’s performances as “astonishingly compelling” (The Washington Post).

Robert writes of the new series:

Since 1986, we have owned a home on a 10–acre property in the town of Searsmont in central coastal Maine: a landscape of small farms, low-bush blueberry fields, and woodlots inhabited by deer, wild turkeys, numerous species of birds, and the occasional moose, black bear, and coyote. Our home sits on a gently sloping parcel on the eastern side of Muzzy Ridge. It is in this setting that I have composed many works in the past 35 years.

About ten years ago, we built an 800-square-foot studio onto our house: the perfect intimate venue for chamber music. You are invited to join us for two special events inaugurating Muzzy Ridge Concerts. We hope that these two Sunday afternoons in August will be the start of annual celebrations of chamber music in this place we love.

Concerts are approximately 60 minutes, without intermission. Indoor seating is limited to 40 vaccinated patrons, with some additional outdoor seating. Concerts take place at Robert Sirota's studio in Searsmont, Maine. The address and directions will be supplied to ticket buyers.