On Saturday, February 7, 2026, Greenwich Library opens its doors for an afternoon of chamber music as Musicians from Marlboro appear as part of the Friends Performing Arts Series. At three o’clock, the familiar reading room atmosphere gives way to something more resonant: a gathering shaped by sound, attentiveness, and the pleasure of hearing musicians think together in real time.
The program unfolds with a sense of purpose and flow. Tyshawn Sorey’s Untitled (2023) opens the concert, followed by Beethoven’s String Quartet in E Minor, Op. 59, No. 2, and concluding with the Septet in E-flat Major, Op. 20. The repertoire spans centuries yet feels cohesive, united by an interest in how individual voices relate to a larger whole. Each work invites close listening, rewarding audiences who settle into the afternoon with curiosity and patience.
Sorey’s Untitled sets the tone through its spaciousness and clarity. The piece draws listeners into a heightened awareness of sound as it emerges and shifts, shaped by subtle cues and shared responsiveness among the performers. Rather than presenting a f ixed narrative, the music encourages attention to texture, pacing, and interaction. In the intimate setting of the library, these details register vividly, creating an atmosphere of collective focus.
From there, Beethoven’s Op. 59 No. 2 carries the program forward with confidence and breadth. Written during a period of bold exploration, the quartet expands the expressive range of the form, weaving intensity and reflection into a unified structure. Its rhythmic vitality and harmonic reach feel immediate and engaged, resonating with the sense of inquiry introduced earlier in the afternoon. The work’s energy moves easily through the room, inviting listeners into its unfolding conversation.
The concert concludes with Beethoven’s Septet in E-flat Major, Op. 20, a work prized for its warmth, elegance, and balance. Scored for a mixed ensemble of strings and winds, the septet offers a richly varied palette of sound. Each instrument contributes its own color while remaining part of a lively, coordinated exchange. The music carries a sense of ease and generosity, bringing the program to a close that feels both expansive and grounded.
This spirit of collaboration lies at the heart of Musicians from Marlboro. The touring program grew out of Vermont’s Marlboro Music Festival, founded in 1951 with a commitment to deep rehearsal, mutual trust, and shared artistic responsibility. From its earliest years, Marlboro emphasized giving emerging musicians the time and space to engage seriously with challenging repertoire. The touring ensemble extends that philosophy beyond the festival grounds, bringing thoughtfully curated programs to audiences across the country.
Over the decades, Musicians from Marlboro tours have introduced listeners to artists who would go on to shape the chamber music world, including Richard Goode, Yefim Bronfman, Murray Perahia, Paula Robison, Sir András Schiff, and members of ensembles such as the Emerson, Juilliard, Takács, and Dover Quartets. The program’s reputation reflects a consistent dedication to musical excellence and collaborative practice, qualities that remain central today.
The featured performers for this concert embody that tradition. Violinists Claire Bourg and Stephanie Zyzak are joined by violist Cara Pogossian, cellist Marcy Rosen, double bassist Nina Bernat, clarinetist Javier Morales-Martinez, bassoonist Natalya Rose Vrbsky, and horn player Carys Sutherland. Together, they form an ensemble attuned to nuance and dialogue, with each musician contributing to a shared musical voice shaped through attentive listening.
The setting of Greenwich Library offers a fitting environment for this kind of performance. Libraries are places where focus is valued and time is allowed to unfold at its own pace. Doors open at 2:30 p.m., inviting audiences to arrive early and settle in before the concert begins at 3:00. The afternoon timing encourages a relaxed attentiveness, creating space for music to be experienced fully and without distraction.
Audience members are asked to register individually, each with a unique email address and phone number. Those interested in early access to future concerts can sign up for the Library’s Music email newsletters, a simple way to stay connected to upcoming programs. Questions may be directed to Dora Salm, Peterson Music Librarian, who helps guide the series with steady care and expertise.
The Friends Concert Series is supported by the Sylvia and Leonard Marx Foundation and the Friends of Greenwich Library. Their ongoing involvement sustains a season of performances that prioritize quality, continuity, and thoughtful programming. The result is a concert series that feels both reliable and alive, returning each year with renewed purpose.
For listeners, this Saturday afternoon offers an opportunity to share a room, a moment, and a sustained act of listening. As musicians and audience gather around music shaped by collaboration and attention, the experience affirms the enduring value of coming together for the arts—quietly, deliberately, and with genuine pleasure.
