June Encore Recital at Ingleside at Rock Creek

Because AMSF is incorporated in Washington, DC, we present at least one Encore Recital in the city each year. On Sunday, June 29th, we were delighted to return — for the first time in several years — to the beautiful Ingleside at Rock Creek senior living community.

This year’s DC recital took place in Ingleside’s “Cultural Arts Center,” a 100-seat venue in their newest building, complete with a low stage, a lovely Steinway grand at the front, and another Steinway at the back. The concert drew our largest Encore Recital audience of the year so far — 50 attendees, including our seven performers.

The afternoon opened with Jack Stabile’s elegant performance of Haydn’s Sonata in Eb Major, Hob. XVI/52. Allan Wang followed with two tenderly played Brahms Intermezzi — Op. 117, No. 2, and Op. 118, No. 2. 

Mark Ross closed the first half with Debussy’s La plus que lente, polished to perfection under Brian Ganz’s guidance at AMSF’s recent Master Class.

The second half took on a distinctly Latin flavor. I began with Cécile Chaminade’s Guitare, a work evoking the Spanish guitar through rhythmic drive, rolled chords and staccato passages. 

Simon Finlow then (authentically) transported the audience to Spain with a lovely performance of Granados’s “The Maiden and the Nightingale” from Goyescas, a suite for piano by Enrique Granados inspired by several paintings by Francisco Goya. Simon continued with three spirited Argentinian Dances by Ginastera — who, interestingly, was born the same year Granados died. 

The grand finale was Gershwin’s Cuban Overture for one piano, four hands, performed with verve by Louis Reichwein and Kuo-Wei Wang in the composer’s own arrangement. It brought the audience to a rousing ovation.

After the music, residents mingled with our performers over a generous spread of snacks and drinks provided by AMSF, with refreshments courtesy of Ingleside. We were warmly invited to return next year — and fully intend to.

The next Encore Recital will be held on Sunday, November 16th at the Hollywood Ballroom in Silver Spring, MD. Please reach out to Stuart at srosenthal@amsfperform.org to perform or attend.

Program