Summer Concert Series in Hudson - Ascent Music (2025)

Wednesday June 26th, 7:0pm

Antonin Dvořák was a world renowned Czech composer when Jeannetter Thurber, founder of the National Conservatory in New York City, hired him to be the school’s Director and to develop a school for American composers in 1892. Dvořák arrived by steam ship and immediately was inspired to write some of his most well known works including the New World Symphony, American String Quartet and the cello concerto. This program explores Dvořák’s nationalist influence in his native Bohemia and America.

Celebrate the trailblazing spirit of Dvořák as Ascent celebrates moving to Hudson, OH for the 225th anniversary of the town’s founding by David Hudson!

Friday June 28th, 7:00pm

“WE BELIEVE IN THE UNITY THAT CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH MUSIC AND IMAGINE OUR PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS WITH THIS IN MIND, REDEFINING AND REIMAGINING THE CLASSICAL MUSIC EXPERIENCE.”

-WE ARE THE CATALYST-

The Grammy winning Catalyst Quartetreturn to Ascent and make their Hudson debut with a French inspired program.Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges (recently the subject of a Hollywood film) was a French violinist, composer, conductor and world-class fencer who was the first composer of African descent to be acclaimed across Europe. Haydn connection to Paris was cemented with the commissioning by the Chevalier of France for him to write the Paris symphonies. Maurice Ravel’s String Quartet is the most famous French quartet.

Sunday June 30th, 5:00pm

The Black Oak Ensemble has been praised for their“insightful, committed and masterful performances” (Classics Today 10/10) and “fierce eloquence” (London Times). The trio makes their Ascent debut and will be joined by fellow Ascent faculty members for Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence, a piece inspired by his holiday travels to Italy. Join us for this special concert at Christ Church Episcopal in Hudson!

Wednesday July 3rd, 7:00pm

Polish composer Mieczysław Weinberg fled his native Poland in 1939 ahead of the Nazi invasion and arrived at the Soviet border where he became friends and neighbors with Dmitri Shostakovich. This program features Weinberg’s Sonata No. 5 for violin and piano and Shostakovich epic Piano Quintet.

Sunday July 7th, 5:00pm

Ascent returns to Christ Church Episcopal in Hudson for a concert featuring the musical couple who founded the Ascent International Chamber Music Festival and great friends. Ascent was founded by Sarah Kim and Alan Rafferty, married cellists based in Cincinnati. Joining them on this fun program featuring music of Mozart and Brahms are dear friends, Frank Rosenwein from The Cleveland Orchestra, Felicity James, Masumi Per Rostad and Paul Laraia.

Wednesday July 10th, 7:00pm

The final faculty performance of the Ascent Summer Concert Series features three important female composers and a composer inspired by his better half. The program opens with works by Rebecca Clarke, Florence Price and Amy Beach, trailblazing composers who were ahead of their time in a male dominated field. Closing out the program is Robert Schumann’s celebratory Piano Quintet was dedicated to his wife Clara, an accomplished pianist and composer.