On Sunday, the Forest Hills Educational Trust and Chameleon Arts Ensemble of Boston presented a family concert in the lovely Forsyth Chapel called Tunes, Tales & Tricksters. The theme of the concert was stories, conversations, and communication through music.
Hans Indigo Spencer narrated the event by telling stories about the pieces and involving the children through questions and answers. Spencer also composed a great piece about a lonely cello looking for a friend at school. The music was interesting and accessible to children — even my 7-month old boy who was rapt in attention by the drums during “She who sleeps on a small blanket” — without being too cutesy for adults (my son did get fussy during the narration parts though).
Another example of why Forest Hills Cemetery is one of the great venues for arts and culture in Boston
The program included:
Richard Strauss
Till Eulenspiegel einmal anders! for clarinet, bassoon, French horn, violin, and double bass
Martin Rokeach
Six Questions for violin and percussion
Ned Rorem
Katherine from “After Reading Shakespeare” for solo cello
Kevin Volans
“She who sleeps on a small blanket” for solo percussion
Jean Damase
Conversation for clarinet and bassoon
Hans Indigo Spencer
“Conversations with a Cellist” for cello solo
with clarinet, bassoon, French horn, violin, double bass, & percussion
Panorama of the Mountains 