The TownMusic schedule

"This season is taking a big step towards 'Now' in music," says Joshua Roman, music director of TownMusic's 2008-09 chamber series. "We're mixing up some of the real giants of the 20th century while pushing forward into music that has yet to be written."

Here's the schedule:

The Biava Quartet, Nov. 19

The program includes Mozart's Quartet in B Flat Major ("Hunt"), Quartet No. 1 by Leos Janacek, and Grieg's Quartet in G Minor Op. 27.

"I am completely stoked that the Biava Quartet will be here," says Roman. "Their program combines several great works, all giants in the repertoire. This is the most 'standard' program in the series, but will make a very exciting evening. These players are really making a name for themselves. They're a great group and have always worked hard, even when I knew them as students in Cleveland."

Seattle Chamber Players, "From Moscow to the Silk Road," Jan. 24-25, 2009

The Seattle chamber ensemble will play a two-day festival of folk-inspired, contemporary music principally from Russia and the Caucasus, including newly commissioned works.

Roman calls Seattle Chamber Players "one of the key new-music groups in the city." The second evening, the ensemble will be joined by two Russian ensembles, the Dmitri Pokrovsky Russian Folk Music Ensemble and the Opus Posth string orchestra, led by violinist Tatiana Grindenko.

Joshua Roman in Recital,

April 23, 2009

Roman will perform with pianist Eri Hayashi and Hisaya Dogin, a cellist with the NHK Orchestra. The program of rarely heard works includes Handel's Trio Sonata for two Cellos, Gian Carlo Menotti's Suite for Two Cellos and Piano and others.

"The recital will be a lot of fun," says Roman. "I play with Eri very often in Japan, and the three of us have performed in Tokyo together. They are wonderful players and the Menotti trio in particular is a piece that really deserves to be heard. It is a beautiful and sensible mix of popular and operatic culture with chamber music."

All Premieres, June 25, 2009

The final concert focuses entirely on new work. The ensemble will feature Roman on cello; Bill Kalinkos on clarinet; Vancouver-born Yuki Numata on violin and percussionist Jason Treuting.

"The last concert will also be very special," says Roman. "We have commissioned several pieces by young composers in America today, and the ensemble of violin, clarinet, cello and drums promises to engage their creative side."

Tom Keogh,

Special to The Seattle Times