September 15, 2025

Sarasota’s 30th anniversary season: The classical party started with Bartók’s music

Forget the balloons and cake, Sarasota’s Artist Series Concerts is marking its 30th birthday with Schubert, Dvořák, and a bit of Bartók. On October 12, violinist Nicholas Eanet (who, yes, has a Grammy, so your cousin’s garage band doesn’t count) will team up with pianist Jungeun Kim, cellist Natalie Helm, and clarinettist Bharat Chandra.

The program’s centerpiece is Bartók’s Contrasts, a piece so groundbreaking it was commissioned by Benny Goodman, back when swing and modernism actually shook hands.

Béla Viktor János Bartók

Béla Viktor János Bartók, born on March 25, 1881 and passed away on September 26, 1945, was a renowned Hungarian composer, pianist, and ethnomusicologist. He is widely known as one of the most important composers of the 20th century. He is also celebrated as one of Hungary's most respected composers, along with Franz Liszt.

The 4 Horsemen

Dmitry Kabalevsky, Sergei Prokofiev, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Dmitri Shostakovich were all prominent Russian and Soviet composers of the 20th century, known for their contributions to classical music, particularly in piano, symphonic, and ballet genres. They represent a significant era of Russian musical history, though their individual styles and experiences varied, from Kabalevsky's Classical-era inspired pedagogical works to Prokofiev's innovative neoclassical approach, Rachmaninoff's late-Romanticism, and Shostakovich's post-Romanticism marked by sharp contrasts and grotesque elements.

A soirée with Soviet seasoning

By October 20, the music gets darker, with Dr. Joseph Holt inviting Sarasota Orchestra’s Daniel Jordan and Christopher Schnell for a private soirée. The theme? Soviet-era Russian composers who somehow managed to make beauty while dodging political landmines.

Kabalevsky, Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, and Shostakovich all cut, proving once again that great art thrives even when governments wish it wouldn’t. Think of it as a cultural dinner party with ghosts of the Kremlin looming over the wine glasses.

Royal singers crash the party

On October 28, The Queen’s Six will sweep in from Windsor Castle, robes probably left at home, to serenade Sarasota with chants, Renaissance harmonies, and a dash of jazz and pop. These guys have performed at royal weddings and funerals, so a Florida church should be a walk in the park. Just don’t expect them to take requests for Jimmy Buffett.

The Queen’s Six

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The Queen's Six

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The Queen's Six is a vocal sextet made up of lay clerks from St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Formed in 2008, the group's name refers to the six monarchs they have served. They perform a diverse repertoire, from medieval to contemporary, and have toured internationally. The group is known for their exquisite blend and pristine sound.

Four competition winners share their stories of success and appreciation for Artist Series Concerts support.

The price of culture

Tickets run $50 for general admission and $70 if you crave the VIP life, which includes post-concert mingling and a glass of something fizzy. For bargain hunters, a 10% discount is available if you purchase an entire series before the deadline. It’s a rare case where classical music offers a discount.

Here's where and when it all began. Artist Series of Sarasota co-founders Jerry Ross and Lee Dougherty Ross presented their ...

Why it matters

Thirty seasons is no small feat for a chamber music series in a city better known for beaches and golf carts. Artist Series Concerts has managed to lure Grammy winners, Windsor Castle crooners, and Soviet-era ghosts all under one calendar. The result? A cultural cocktail that proves Sarasota’s idea of a party involves more strings and clarinets than confetti cannons.

Wikipedia

Sarasota Music Festival

Sarasota Music Festival is an American classical music festival held annually during the month of June in Sarasota, Florida, under the sponsorship of the Sarasota Orchestra.