A new online learning series
Ageless Music for
Ageless Minds
Join our resident Musicologist, Joshua Berrett, PhD -- the man behind our acclaimed concert program notes -- for a series of 45-minute Zoom sessions that will leave you ready to experience our live chamber music concerts with greater understanding, appreciation, and feeling for what you are seeing and hearing.
You can participate from anywhere you have an internet connection, and please come with questions. There will be time for Q&A on the topic and our concerts, music, and performers.
1st Session (FREE)
Fate Knocking at the Door
Music inspired by the opening to Beethoven's 5th Symphony
Sunday, September 27, 4pm
To receive the zoom link to attend, join our mailing list, get a season membership, or purchase concert tickets. We would appreciate your RSVP to prepare and gauge interest. Email info@westchesterchambermusic.org.
Sunday
Sept. 27
4pm
Fate Knocking at the Door
Take a treasure hunt through the music inspired by the start of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. “Fate knocking at the door,” as it's popularly characterized, is arguably the most famous opening in all of classical music. Included will be the Fifth Symphony itself, three of Beethoven’s string quartets, and a piano concerto. Joshua will highlight the impact of the motif on other composers as well, like Schubert, Brahms, and Grieg. Special connections will be made with pieces programmed as part of the WCMS 2026-2027 season. And lurking in the background will be Beethoven’s almost lifelong struggle with his hearing.
Joshua Berrett, PhD (Dr. Josh)
Dr. Joshua Berrett earned a BA from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, an MA from Columbia University, and a PhD from the University of Michigan. He has also studied at the Manhattan School of Music, Juilliard, and the Tanglewood Music Center. He is a Professor Emeritus at Mercy University, a freelance violinist and the author of internationally recognized publications on music, with a specialty on the history of the symphony and jazz. He has made presentations nationally, appeared on NPR, and lectured abroad in such countries as Italy, Israel, and South Africa. With his wife, Lynne, he is co-founder of the non-profit Ageless Mind Project, Inc. Click here for more about Josh's connection to WCMS.