Melding Music & Wine
HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT about what red Bordeaux sounds like? Did you know that Madeira was Thomas Jefferson’s favorite wine, or that it was used to toast the signing of The Declaration of Independence? How about a Charleston Madeira party with 6 men and 6 bottles? Ever been to one of those? And speaking of parties, what could be a better wine for one than the lighthearted (and very affordable) Tempranillo from Spain?
Well, that’s just part of what makes this not your ordinary wine tasting. Or your traditional chamber concert. It’s even better — a Charleston composer’s love of wine expressed musically and interactively. Taste three wines, talk about them, and listen to 3 movements composed specifically for each wine while enjoying superbly paired cheeses from Avondale Wine and Cheese. (What else do you need?)
The idea, initially conceived for Piccolo Spoleto, comes from Dr. Edward Hart, Associate Professor of Music at the College of Charleston, who will host the event at Kiawah on Thursday, Feb 18 at 5:00 PM.
The venue is appropriately titled, Amori Vini — “for the love of wine.” As Edward says, “To my knowledge, this is the only interactive string quartet/wine tasting in existence. Each of the three movements represents a distinct wine and will be preceded by an on-stage and off-stage wine tasting by the musicians and the audience. During the three mini-tastings, everyone will be asked to reflect upon the taste and types of wine. It will be an open, non-scripted dialogue.”
The music will be performed by four of Charleston’s finest musicians from the Charleston Symphony Orchestra: concertmaster Yuriy Bekker, violinist Alan Molina, violist Jan-Marie Joyce, and cellist Natalia Khoma. The movements, named for the wines they reflect, are Bordeaux, Madeira, and Tempranillo.
Edward explains: “I’ve written music that expresses my personal opinion of and experience with these wines. For example, the Madeira movement is slow, sweet, and melodic representing not only the taste of the wine but a recollection of the circumstances around which I have enjoyed this drink.” What does he expect? “I hope the audience will be intrigued and use their imagination, without being too distracted from the music” — a small likelihood considering the caliber of the musicians.
To reserve your tickets (highly recommended), call Stephanie at the Kiawah Town Hall. Dress will be semi-formal-casual.
