This fall, the acclaimed Boston-based cellist Rhonda Rider is performing a series of concerts with pianist Judith Gordon, a longtime recital partner who will be visiting the east coast from her home in New Mexico. With their friend and colleague Judith Eissenberg, violinist, Gordon and Rider were co-founders of the annual Harvard Music Festival, which celebrated its 7th successful season in 2024.
In the intimate setting of Fivesparks, this program will feature Maurice Ravel’s luminous Sonatine for piano and Arthur Berger’s effervescent neo-classical Duo, as well as works inspired by and adapted from both Spanish and Hindustani folk songs, Manuel de Falla’s Suite Populaire Espagnole and Reena Esmail’s evocative Jhula Jhule.
Rhonda Rider
For over two decades, cellist Rhonda Rider was a member of the Naumburg Award-winning Lydian Quartet and Triple Helix Piano Trio. She has adjudicated at Fischoff, Stulberg and Concert Artist Guild Competitions and teaches the most creative and inventive students imaginable at Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Rider is heard on over thirty chamber music and solo recordings. www.rhondarider.com.
Judith Gordon
New Mexico-based pianist Judith Gordon explores diverse repertoire in collaboration with a wide range of artists and ensembles, has been featured at festivals and with groups including the Boston Pops Orchestra, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Chatter, Essential Music, and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and from 2006-2020 was associate professor of music at Smith College. Longtime collaborators Rider and Gordon have recorded Lee Hyla’s Dream of Innocent III and the late Cello and Piano Sonatas of Gabriel Fauré. Each summer they direct The Cello Seminar, a week long contemporary cello music intensive. Along with violinist Judith Eissenberg, they are co-founders of the annual Harvard Music Festival.
Reservations required. $25 suggested donation at the door.