47th season of Music on the Hill in fine tune

Review by Don Fowler

The 47th season of Music on the Hill kicked off Sunday afternoon under sunny skies on the lawn of Clouds Hill Victorian House Museum in East Greenwich with a rousing concert by the Narragansett Brass Quintet.

Short pieces by Scheidt, Byrd, Ewald, LaFosse and McKee were joined by a modern piece by David Baldwin, “Music for Al’s Breakfast,” which was an audience favorite.

The concert was dedicated to Gerard Pellegrino, who passed away only days before. Gerry was a past president and board member for many years. He and his wife, Carol, hosted many of the musicians who perform in the series of Chamber concerts over the years.

The concert series continued Wednesday, June 1 at the First Baptist Church in East Greenwich with ”Moving Voices” featuring music by Wallen, Fonte, Masso, Rossini and Hill.

That concert was funded in part by Gerard and Carol Pellegrino.

The experience of the Music on the Hill concerts is enriched by the program, which is filled with information about every composer and performing artist. A unique feature includes the time of the piece, most of them between five and 20 minutes.

Tomorrow (June 3 at 7 p.m.) “Trio Time” will be presented at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in East Greenwich. The setting in churches of various denominations provides a chance to enjoy the rich architecture and the excellent acoustics.

Ermin Schulhoff’s “Concertino for Flute, Violin & Bass,” Johnathan Kolm’s “Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano” and Johannes Brahms’ “Clarinet Trio in A Minor” are featured.

Artistic Director of MOTH, John Pellegrino, born and raised in Warwick, will join other musicians who have performed with orchestras and chamber groups from around the world.

“A Great Day For Singing” is the theme of the June 4 concert at 2 p.m. St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in North Providence.Mary Phillips and Diana McVey will perform works by Sondheim, Gershwin, Cole Porter, Alan J. Lerner, Leonard Bernstein, Richard Rodgers and Rachmaninoff.

On June 7 at 7 p.m., join musicians for a concert at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Cranston for “Inspiration,” featuring pieces by Beethoven, Woods, Mellitis, and Fabregas; a unique performance by Peter Ferry on the vibraphone will be featured.

Back to Cranston’s Immaculate Conception on June 9 at 7 p.m., concert goers will be in for an evening of Rhode Island composers
Edith Hemenway and Anthony R. Green.

The series winds up at the site of the original concert 47 years ago, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in East Greenwich on June 12 at 3 p.m. for “Violin Virtuosity.” Brahms, Benito and Piazzolla will be featured, with a special performance by the Miller-Porfiris Duo.

Tickets for each concert may be purchased at the door for $25. For more information, go online to musiconthehillri.org.