Arizona Friends of Chamber Music likes to build up some suspense and intrigue in its programming, especially for its crown jewel, the annual Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival.
So imagine the intrigue in store for this, the group’s 25th anniversary festival, being held through Sunday, March 11. How’s this for a cliffhanger: The festival finale this weekend will include two premieres of works commissioned by the Friends.
They could have programmed it so that one of those works was performed when the festival kicked off on Sunday, March 4, or even placed it on deck for concerts Tuesday and Wednesday.
But, no, they waited until the last minute, slating the first premiere — a trio by Pennsylvania composer David Ludwig — for Friday, March 9, and the second — a quartet from Minnesota composer Michael Djupstrom — for the closing concert on Sunday, March 11.
Reminds us of our childhood when mom wouldn’t let us eat sweets until we downed the spinach.
Of course, the Friends are serving up something far more savory and appetizing than spinach with this year’s festival, which continues with concerts Friday, March 9, and runs through Sunday’s matinee finale. They have brought three amazing ensembles — Germany’s Morgenstern Trio, the young Chicago-based Dover Quartet and Spain’s renowned Romero Guitar Quartet — to co-headline the festival. And at Sunday’s finale, all three return to share the stage as they did when the festival opened.
In addition to the concerts, held at Leo Rich Theater, 260 S. Church Ave., a highlight of the festival is the Festival Gala Dinner & Concert with the festival artists at Arizona Inn, 2200 E. Elm St. It starts at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 10 with an open wine bar. Tickets are $160 per person.
Friday’s concert at 7:30 p.m. features classical guitarist Celino Romero performing Vivaldi’s Guitar Concerto in D and clarinetist Romie de Guise-Langlois performing Brahms Clarinet Quintet in B minor. The festival finale at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 11, includes works by Stravinski, Chausson and guitarist Pepe Romero.
Concert tickets are $30 for adults, $10 for students with ID. Details: arizonachambermusic.org
