Matinee Musicale Concert Offers Chamber Music

Cleveland was recently the featured soloist for the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra's "Heroes" concert, in which she played Strauss's Don Quixote. For this concert dessert is served at 1:30 pm followed at 2:00 pm by a one-hour concert. Single tickets are available at the door for $7.

The Matinee Musicale Series is a concert recital series of classical music offered through the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and the Jewish Community Center of Washtenaw County. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity for citizens to enjoy top-quality professional music at an affordable price, midday time and convenient location. These non-denominational concerts are supported by the J.F. Ervin Foundation, Rosebud Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs.

Of the dramatic and expressive Brahms Cello Sonata in F, Cleveland says, "This is one of my favorite pieces to play because it's so passionate and full of expressive highs and lows." The Gamba Sonata in D major by Bach is brilliantly constructed part of a three sonata set which explored German Baroque genre, form and style, and which has enjoyed a lot of play time from classical music lovers.

Sarah Cleveland has been principal cellist of the Ann Arbor Symphony since 1996, and sits in the Sundelson Endowed Principal Cello Chair. She has served as principal of the Flint and Toledo Symphonies and the Toledo Opera Orchestra, and appears regularly with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings. Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Principal cellist, Cleveland is the founder and artistic director of SCStrings, an ensemble of string players that performs for concerts and events.

Partner to many distinguished musicians, pianist Michele Cooker has performed on concert series and participated in festivals throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. She has appeared on PBS and has performed programs broadcast live for WFMT-radio in Chicago and the CBC in Canada. Michele Cooker teaches piano privately at the Kerrytown Concert House and is a member of the Board of Directors. -- www.a2so.com