Some Chamber Music With Your Meal?

Every so often I hear about an event concept and think, "well, that's unusual." It isn't until I actually experience the final product altogether that I'm amazed at not only how well it works, but how much I want to share it and let others in on the action. Tertulia is just that.

Helmed by Artistic Directors Julia Villagra and James Austin Smith, Tertulia was founded in 2007 as a way to bridge the delights of chamber music, good food, and unique venues. The organization plans a monthly series of concerts--with changing musicians--planned around a 3-course menu at a variety of NYC restaurants. We were invited to the most recent event at Harding's NYC, which featured clarinetist Todd Palmer with violinist Jesse Mills and pianist Rieko Aizawa.

Todd Palmer with Jesse Mills and Rieko Aizawa at Harding's

The "itinerary," as my program described, was planned around an amuse bouche, main entree and dessert. Your ticket price ($80-$140) includes food but not drinks, but "bar only" tickets are available for $25 that do not include dinner. What a steal!

First course was pumpkin soup with Stravinsky's 3 Pieces for Clarinet Solo and Milhaud's Suite for Violin, Clarinet and Piano Op. 157b. The soup was adorably served in a mini shot glass, but it was so tasty, I could have had a whole bowl. The music pieces in this course were perfect kick-off choices. The first featured Palmer skipping among the tables in a curious manner. I think everyone was entertained with what he would do next. Whereas the second piece, a bit more traditional (ie, no skipping), really said "you're in for a treat because these musicians are more talented than you even realized."

Pumpkin Soup

For the second course, I opted for the beef medallions with sauteed asparagus and fingerling potatoes and my friend had the Atlantic branzini grilled whole with herb oil, lemon zest, white beans and green garlic. Both entrees were solid and sophisticated. The music choice for this course was the longest overall--Harrison's Grand Duo for Violin and Piano. I kind of loved that the piano and violin players were husband and wife. I pictured them practicing together at home for this concert and thought that must be a nice life. Listening to lyric-less music often sends me into deep daydreams like this and I kind of love it. Note to self: go to chamber music concerts more often.

Beef Tenderloin

Atlantic Branzini

Dessert was something special. We tried one of each--pumpkin pie with whipped cream and chocolate cake. As it was the week before Thanksgiving, I was thrilled to have my first taste of pumpkin pie for the season, but the chocolate cake was something decadent, super rich and creamy. The music accompaniment, Weber's Grand Duo Concertant for Clarinet and Piano, was the perfect finale. It featured each of the musician's individual strengths and combined them harmoniously as well. 

Pumpkin Pie

Chocolate Cake

The program said the evening would consist of about 60 minutes of music, but the whole event was about 3 hours. I left with a whole new appreciation for chamber music and would highly recommend this to everyone from the novice/scared classical music listener to the most experienced. Sometimes it's nice to just disconnect from your life (cell phone) for a few hours and just enjoy good company, food, and music. Tertulia will definitely help you do that. Check out their calendar here for 2015 concerts--next up is the Dover Quartet at Tarallucci e Vino on January 11.