The Perlman Music Program Prepares To Perform “Classical Collaborations” In The Hamptons

Merry Peckham, the director of the Perlman Music Program’s, or PMP’s, Chamber Music Workshop, likens the program’s upcoming “Classical Collaborations” chamber performances to dining at a fine gourmet restaurant and ordering the Chef’s Choice. There is a little bit everything.

“You’re not necessarily getting the full course but you’re getting fantastic samplings of different courses,” Peckham said. “It stimulates different aspects of different parts of your palate. There’s a piano trio up there- mmm yummy.”

“Classical Collaborations,” which used to be called “Tutti Suonare ”or“ everybody plays together,” brings together students of the PMP’s Chamber Music Workshop with the faculty for two performances at the Southampton Cultural Center and The Jewish Center of the Hamptons.

The night will include an introduction, chamber music performances of varying sizes of groups and even some singing.

The annual summer performance used to be strictly professionals. PMP decided to add their rising talents to add new flair. In addition, Peckham realized that her students enjoyed getting together with their instruments and just start playing whatever is in front of them, sometimes with staff.

“Educationally, that could be really valuable,” Peckham said. “The faculty get an inside perspective of what it is like to work with the new artist.”

Peckham said that the audience can expect a small introduction. She will explain how the students received the names of the music selections in late May and how the entire ensemble has been working together for the past five or six days.

The performance will range from trios to octets. Peckham said that there will definitely be some Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Shubert, Shaspakovich and a piano trio. The faculty tends to choose the same composers but change around their actual selection choice. The faculty consists of Peckham, Itzchak Perlman, Paul Katz, Roger Tapping, Don Weilerstein and Vivian Hornik Weilerstein.

Roger Taping teaches a master class at The Perlman Music Program. (Photo: Perlman Music Program)

“We chose works that people in general relate to easily,” Peckham said. “There is nothing on this program that we know that people don’t already love.”

In addition, the faculty tries to choose a piece where they will feel comfortable as a mentor and a fellow performer that complement what the young artists have played in the past.

Some of the evenings’ pieces will involve the performers delving even greater into team playing. Chamber pieces sometimes lack a conductor, forcing the players to listen to each other even more than they normally would with a leader.

“It develops a musician’s listening in a very intense way,” Peckham said. “It develops how one gives information rhythmically and how you see the information.”

Otherwise, Patrick Romano will be directing certain elements of the evening.

At the end of each program, the musicians also sing.“There are usually one or two fantastic singers,” Peckham said. “Singing all together is therapeutic. Singing is good for the soul… We’re learning to listen to each other.”

Overall, Peckham is incredibly enthusiastic for the program.

“There is going to be something for everyone,” Peckham said. “If you even kind of like music… there’s something you’ll enjoy at the program.”

Upcoming performances include The Perlman Music Program Presents “Classical Collaborations” at Southampton Cultural Center on Friday, June 7, and The Jewish Center of the Hamptons on Saturday, June 8. For more information on The Perlman Music Program visit perlmanmusicprogram.org.