Palaver Strings Beehive Chamber Series: “Beyond the Offbeats”

Lizzy and Lysander – Viola Duo (35 Miniute Concert)

You know what they say – two violas are better than one. As violists, we’ve dealt with our fair share of boring orchestra parts and viola-themed jokes. Join us for a program exploring the many colors the viola has to offer, from the baroque era to the twentieth century.

Frank Bridge: Lament for Two Violas (1912)

Jose Elizondo: Otoño en Buenos Aires (2017)

Jean de Saint-Colombe (1640-1700): Concerto No. 1 for 2 Equal Bass Viols, ‘Le Retrouve’

About the Artists

Elizabeth Moore / Viola Co-Artistic Director & Programming Director

Growing up in midcoast Maine, I was surrounded by music at an early age. I began studying violin at six, but have earlier memories of hanging out in guitar cases along the back of the stage as my father played and called for contra dances. Whether playing folk music, participating in ensembles through Bay Chamber Concerts, or singing every chance I got, I developed my musical interests in a small yet supportive community. After discovering the beautiful resonance of the viola, I went on to study at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts with Sheila Browne, and at Boston University College of Fine Arts with Karen Ritscher. As Palaver evolves, I am constantly inspired by my colleagues; we push each other to perform at a higher level, and to continually reexamine the ways in which we approach music itself and our role as musicians in the world. As Programming Director for the ensemble, I am thrilled by the range of ideas we collectively bring. It’s so fulfilling to develop these into concrete programs, partnerships, and collaborations. In addition to my work with Palaver, I teach privately in Portland, ME as well as at the Portland Conservatory of Music, Bay Chamber Music School, and Palaver Music Center. When not making music or teaching, I am usually chilling with my cats Benji and Billie, gradually turning my apartment into a houseplant jungle, and diving into the world or Sichuan cooking.

Lysander Jaffe / Viola Co-Artistic Director, Communications Coordinator & Evaluations Committee

I grew up in rural western Massachusetts, where my parents, both jazz musicians, raised my siblings and I in a rich musical environment. I started Suzuki violin at the age of five and in high school I fell in love with the deep, introspective character of the viola, not to mention the viola jokes. Over the years I studied with Michelle Liechti, Delores Thayer, and Ahling Neu, and am deeply indebted to their wisdom and patience. Thanks to Penny Schultz and Village Harmony, I also discovered a love of East European folk music and singing in general. After living abroad in Russia and England, I transferred to Williams College, where I continued my viola studies and graduated with a BA in Russian in 2014. Since then, I’ve traveled to the Balkans, Corsica, and the Republic of Georgia to study traditional music styles with amazing singers and players. These experiences cemented for me a commitment to folk traditions as nuanced, transcendent, and deeply alive in ways that we in the “classical” world can learn from. In 2020, I completed my Masters in Contemporary Improvisation at New England Conservatory, where I had the opportunity to study all kinds of improvised music with Joe Morris, Warren Senders, and too many others to name. I joined Palaver Strings in 2015 and I am grateful every day for this family of supportive friends and collaborators. Lots of musicians talk about transforming the role of classical music, but my Palaver colleagues really do the work to build a new culture of deep listening, good humor, and trust. In addition to Palaver, I perform and teach with Village Harmony/Northern Harmony, Jamaica Plain’s community choir SingPositive, and the genre-defying vocal quintet Culomba. I also love running, creative writing, Russian literature, and quality time with my gecko, Milo.

About Palaver Strings

Palaver Strings is a musician-led string ensemble and nonprofit organization based in Portland, ME. Founded in 2014, Palaver has established itself as a forward-thinking ensemble whose mission is rooted in community and creative programming. Palaver has toured widely throughout the United States, performing at the Kennedy Center and a celebration of the Lullaby Project at Carnegie Hall. The ensemble currently enjoys a residency at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport, MA, served as Ensemble in Residence at the Boston Center for the Arts from 2017-2019, and continues a longstanding residency at Bay Chamber Concerts in Rockport, ME. Since 2019, Palaver’s musicians have been proud to call Portland home, producing over 20 concerts a year in the Portland area and offering quality music education through the Palaver Music Center.

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ- The performance will be filmed live at Johnson Hall and broadcast over the internet to all who have the ticket link.

Each unique link will be sent out through e-mail by 5:00 on the day of the show to ticket holders. The Link will be sent to the email associated with your ticket purchase. Make sure you have access to that address on the day of the show.

Each ticket purchased covers your household.

FAQs

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

Parking is available on Water Street, Machanic Street and in the Arcade Parking Lot off Main Street.  Look for parking signs and follow walking signs to get to Johnson Hall.

Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Contact our box office at 207-582-7144 Monday through Wednesday noon to 3:00 pm, Friday noon to 3:00 pm and day of show from 5:00 pm on.