by Karen Wolitzer
"I chose Eli Wallach to narrate due to his proficiency at storytelling," says Caroline Stoessinger who came up with the idea for the series fourteen years ago and has been producing it ever since.Wallach's films include "The Magnificent Seven," "The Misfits," "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly," "The Godfather: Part III," and many, many more memorable movies and television appearances. "The Music at Hillwood Series is very exciting and I hope it's going to be moving and memorable for the audience," adds Caroline. "We have these great actors who will help to create the atmosphere and the time frame in which the music was written." In addition to Eli Wallach, Frances Sternhagen and Kate Burton will be narrating. "They help add a little bit of literature, of art and color of the period of the music. "I always say that I may be living in 2002, but my heart and my mind and my soul are in the 19th century," says Caroline. "And I think it's a pity that so many people have lost those values. I was brought up with 19th century values to care most about love and friendship, nature, and beauty...to care about aesthetic values and how you live and how you treat your friends and just sharing the good things of life. And that's what the music represents... "I choose the music for each concert...and I have a principal ...that when you're presenting music for the public and they're going to take their time and effort to come out, and they want to have an uplifting experience, there's only one consideration...like they say in real estate...it's audience, audience, audience. I try to think of a balanced program that will move and excite the audience."Caroline is a famed pianist. She's performed all over the United States, South Africa, Japan...all over the world. "During the last 15 years I've concentrated most on chamber music," she remarks.For those unsure of what chamber music is, Chamber Music America defines it as music written for small ensembles whose members generally perform without a conductor.At the heart of chamber music lies the spirit of collaboration. It places the highest order of responsibility upon the individual to engage in a close musical dialogue with the other performers in the ensemble. As a collaborative expression, chamber music relies upon the collective musical instincts, experience, knowledge, and talents of its participants to guide the process of interpreting, rehearsing, and performing a composer's creation.Caroline is thrilled with all the programs and narrators this season. "We chose the narrators to go with the material...and the material to go with the narrators."On March 9, you can see Frances Sternhagen (Bunny, "Sex in the City") narrate: A Love Triangle: Robert, Clara, Johannes, featuring music by Clara Schumann, Johannes Brahms and Robert Schumann.Ms. Sternhagen is a six-time Tony Award nominee, and has won twice, for "The Good Doctor," and "The Heiress." On screen, she appeared in "Outland" "Misery," and "Raising Cain." And who can forget her as Esther Clavin, Cliff's mom on "Cheers." The final concert of the series will take place on Sunday, May 4 at 3 p. m. It's entitled: Musical Friendships and will be narrated by Kate Burton (Richard Burton's daughter), who was recently nominated for two Tonys: one for "Hedda Gabler" and the other for "The Elephant Man." If you missed the first concert, don't miss the rest!
Tilles Center for the Performing Arts
Hillwood Recital Hall
Long Island University
C.W. Post Campus
299-3100
Each concert is $30
