Happy 250th Birthday, USA 

Former Cavani Quartet members Mari Sato and Kirsten Docter join violinist Isabel Trautwein of The Cleveland Orchestra and CIM graduate cellist Nora Willauer for Dvořák’s beloved “American Quartet”. Vocalist Michael Ward sings the African-American Spirituals that inspired Dvořák to greatness, and works by Florence Price and late celebrity composer Dolores White demonstrate what Dvořák’s encouragement meant to generations of talented composers—a celebration of our nation’s rich musical past and present.

This concert will take place in the Community Mausoleum, just inside the Mayfield Road Gate, and will last roughly 90 minutes.

Program

Florence B. Price (1887-1953) from String Quartet No. 2 in A minor,
edited by A.R. Green
Mvt. 3: JUBA - Allegro

Three African-American Spirituals:

I.Down by the Riverside, arranged by Randa Kirschbaum

Lyrics:
Gonna lay down my sword and shield,
Refrain: down by the Riverside…I ain’t gonna study war no more.
Gonna walk with the Prince of Peace,....
Gonna put on my starry crown,....
Gonna put on my golden shoes,....
Gonna lay down my burden,....

II. All My Trials, from: “Hymns”

Lyrics:
If religion was a thing that money could buy, the rich would live and the poor would die.
Refrain: All my trials, Lord, will soon be over. Too late, my brothers, too late but never mind. All my trials will soon be over. Over.
Go to sleep, my little baby, and don’t you cry, your dad was born just to live and die.
Oh, I have a little book that sets me free, my Bible, it spells “Liberty.”
Yes, a man was born to suffer agony, his will to love spells “Victory.”

III. I Know De Lords Laid His Hands On Me, Spiritual arr. By Harry T. Burleigh

Lyrics:
Refrain: Oh, I know de Lord, I know de Lord, I know de Lord’s laid his hand on me.
Did ever you see de likes before?....I know de Lord….
King Jesus preachin’ to de poor……I know de Lord….
O wasn’t that a happy day,.....I know de Lord….
When Jesus wiped my sins away…..I know de Lord.

Dolores White (1932-2023) from String Quartet No. 1,
Mvt 3: “with a bounce”

Antonîn Dvořák (1841-1904) “American” String Quartet, in F-major, Op. 96, composed in 1893 in Spillville, Iowa

I. Allegro ma non troppo
II. Lento
III. Molto Vivace
IV. Vivace ma non troppo

Musicians:

• Mari Sato, Isabel Trautwein, violins
• Kirsten Docter, viola
• Nora Willauer, D.M.A., cello
• Michael Ward, vocalist

Mari Soto (violin) has enjoyed a rich and varied career as a solo, orchestra and chamber musician based in Cleveland. Mari was the second violinist of the award-winning Cavani String Quartet for twenty-four years. She enjoys performing as a substitute in The Cleveland Orchestra and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Chamber music collaborations continue with her colleagues in the Pantheon Ensemble (City Music Cleveland), No Exit New Music Ensemble and The Cleveland Orchestra.

Kirsten Docter (viola) is associate professor of viola and chamber music at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. First-prize wins at the Primrose International and American String Teachers Association Viola Competitions launched her on a career that includes a 23-year tenure with the Cavani Quartet and concerts on major series and festivals. Formerly a faculty member of the Cleveland Institute of Music and the University of Michigan, she has been a jury member of the Primrose International Viola, Fischoff National Chamber Music, and Sphinx competitions. In the summer, she serves on the viola faculty of the Perlman Music Program.

Isabel Trautwein (violin), joined the first violin section of The Cleveland Orchestra in 2002 after serving as principal second violinist of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, a concertmaster of the New World Symphony Miami, a member of the Houston Symphony and of the Pacifica String Quartet, which held a residency at the University of Chicago. Ms. Trautwein has served as an adjunct at Oberlin Conservatory of Music and coaches frequently at the New World Symphony in Miami. Isabel is in her second year as Artistic Director for Lake View Cemetery’s Classically Lake View chamber music series.

Nora Willauer, D.M.A. (cello) is a freelance cellist and educator. She earned her doctorate from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where her research on groove and cello pedagogy received the Kaplow Prize for uncommon creativity. She performs throughout the Midwest and New England with the Bernhardt-Kowal-Willauer Trio and the interactive recital series, “Strings Attached”. She is the founder of Willauer Cello Studios, a competitive Suzuki cello program, and Resonance Coaching, a virtual community for advanced cellists seeking a health-focused musical reset.

Michael Ward is a classically trained tenor with a rich performance background. He has been a member of the Singers Club of Cleveland, the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, the Cleveland Chamber Choir, and the COTS Chamber Choir. In addition to his musical endeavors, Michael works as a talent advisor in the healthcare technology industry and serves as the worship leader at First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland. With a deep appreciation for both classical music and community involvement, Michael is thrilled to share his voice and passion with the audience.

No physical tickets will be issued. Your name will be added to the event registration list for check-in on the day of the event. Proceeds benefit the Lake View Cemetery Foundation’s mission to preserve our arboretum and historic landscape and to fund educational programs. All sales are final. Tours and programs will go on regardless of rain, with refunds only if canceled and not rescheduled. If the event is sold out and you would like to be added to the wait list, please contact Kim Bihler, Director of Donor Services at kbihler@lakeviewcemetery.com.