When: Friday December 8th at 7:00 PM
Where: The Commons Theater
Cost: Suggested donation: $10.00
Viola da gambist Eric Miller, harpsichordist Sean Kleve, and percussionist Todd Hammes will perform the complete Couplets de folies written by viola da gamba virtuoso, Marin Marais in 1701 in his second book of pieces for the viol. “La Folia,” a melody and chord progression which invites percussion, dance, and improvisation, goes back to the 15th century and has captured the imagination of hundreds of composers since that time. The version by Marin Marais, consisting of 32 variations, stands alongside those of Corelli, Vivaldi, and Scarlatti as a masterpiece in the genre and a fine selection of Marin Marais’ vast output as a consummate composer of the high French baroque and arguably history’s finest composer for the viola da gamba.
Eric Miller
ERIC MILLER is known for his expressive, polished, and versatile playing. He performs as a viola da gambist, cellist, and occasional trumpeter around the Midwest, currently performing with the Wisconsin Baroque Ensemble, and frequent solo recitals. Previous performance credits include the Arbor Vitae String Quartet, the Madison Choral Project, the Madison Chamber Choir, Madison Youth Choirs, and American Players Theater as well as countless chamber music projects, mostly centered around historical performance. As an improviser, he is known for his skill and sensitivity in collaboration with songwriters and as an explorer in experimental music, he has recorded several hours of lo-fi electronic music with his duo, Basidium. Trained in the Suzuki method, Eric has taught cello, trumpet, and viola da gamba lessons to students all ages and abilities in Madison, Wisconsin since 2009. He has served as director of the Viola da Gamba Society of America’s Young Players’ Weekend, has taught at the Madison Early Music Festival, and has taught at the Blue Lake Family Suzuki Camp. He holds degrees from Northern Illinois University and the University of Wisconsin – Madison. www.millerstrings.com
Todd Hammes
Through the breadth of his musical endeavors and his own unique inner vision of sound and music, Todd creates meaningful connections between himself, his students, colleagues and audiences everywhere. Enraptured audiences, fellow musicians and participants in his engaging workshops experience a special connection to the raw energy and sensitivity he possesses. His work includes performances both domestically and abroad, extensive musical composition, and teaching and outreach programs to groups large and small. He has trained with some of the world’s leading percussionists and is a life-long student of the percussive arts. “Through my clinics, workshops, artist residencies and the Hand Drum Exploratorium,” says Todd, “I’ve seen thousands of students become engaged and enthralled by the sheer joy of making music.”
Residing in Madison, Todd has a thriving private teaching studio and is a Teaching Specialist at UW-Madison’s Mead Whitter School of Music
Is a disciple of the late tabla drum master Pandit Sharda Sahai. And holds a B.M. from University of Arizona (1992), and D.M.A. from UW-Madison (2010).
Learn more about Todd: www.toddhammes.com
Sean Kleve
Harpsichordist and historical performance enthusiast, Sean Kleve, is dedicated to the wide world of historical keyboard instruments and what they can tell us about the repertoire of the past. As a long-time performer of Bach on modern and non-traditional instruments, Sean recently dove into the wide world of harpsichord and historical performance. Sean’s particular interests center upon an understanding of figured bass improvisation, historical tuning, the music of J.S. Bach, and early Italian Baroque music from the 17th century.
Sean performs solo recitals and chamber works on the harpsichord. In addition to solo recitals, the 2023-24 concert season will feature the debut performances of two new baroque chamber ensembles that Sean has recently joined. Sean was a featured guest artist on the Bach Around the Clock Festival in Madison, WI and on the Sunday Afternoon Live at the Chazen Concert Series performing solo Bach on both marimba and harpsichord. He was a participant at the 2022 and 2023 Madison Bach Musicians Summer Workshops and is the owner of an Italian Cristofori/Ferrini Harpsichord built by David Sutherland in 1984. Sean’s principal harpsichord teachers are Trevor Stephenson and Jason Moy.
As a Percussionist, Composer, and Conductor, Sean Kleve founded Madison Wisconsin’s premiere experimental percussion ensemble, Clocks in Motion. The group is dedicated to performing new and classic works for percussion instruments while promoting and supporting the education and future of new music.
Clocks in Motion has toured extensively throughout the United States and has commissioned dozens of new compositions from composers such as Marc Mellits, Andrew Rindfleisch, Jennifer Bellor, John Jeffrey Gibbens, Filippo Santoro, and countless young and emerging composers. As a performer of new music outside of Clocks in Motion, Sean has worked closely with a number of important composers and artists including Steven Schick, Charles Wuorinen, Steve Reich, Paul Lansky, Gunther Schuller, Krzysztof Penderecki, John Heiss, and Joan Tower. Clocks in Motion’s 2022 electro-acoustic album Oneira, released by Aerocade Music, features the music of Jennifer Bellor and can be heard on every major streaming service.
Not only known for his performances of contemporary music, Sean has also been successful in the orchestral field. Sean can be heard on the debut recording by the Chamber Orchestra of New York and has also performed with the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, the Dubuque Symphony, and the Quad City Symphony. In addition, Sean is a substitute percussionist/timpanist with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, the Madison Chamber Orchestra, and the Madison Bach Musicians.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Sean completed his Bachelor of Music degree in Percussion Performance at Baldwin-Wallace University and his Master of Music degree at the Manhattan School of Music. Sean completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in classical percussion with a minor in music theory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2014. Sean commissioned five new experimental compositions and professionally recorded the pieces for his doctoral project. Sean was a recipient of the Paul Collins Fellowship (2010-2013), which is awarded to outstanding graduate performance majors and determined by a committee of performance faculty. Sean’s principal percussion and timpani teachers include Anthony Di Sanza, Duncan Patton, Chris Lamb, Steve Schick, She-e Wu, and Josh Ryan. Sean proudly performs using Marimba One instruments and mallets.
Sean lives in Madison, Wisconsin with his wife, two kids, three dogs, and a massive board game collection. Sean maintains a rapidly growing private teaching studio of pianists, harpsichordists, and percussionists of all ages. For more information about upcoming performances, lessons, and videos of past performances, please visit seanklevemusic.com.