Haydn by the Lake is a period instrument ensemble specializing in the performance of chamber music of the 17th and 18th centuries. Its principal members are Pasquale Laurino, violin; Laura Handler, violoncello; and James Janssen, fortepiano/harpsichord/artistic director. Formed in 2000 by Janssen and Handler, Haydn by the Lake is Ensemble-in-Residence at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Evanston, Illinois, where it holds its annual concert series. The group has performed elsewhere in the Chicago area, including a concert on Northeastern Illinois University’s acclaimed Jewel Box series that was broadcast live on Chicago’s Fine Arts Station WFMT 98.7 FM.

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● October 3, 2010, 4:00 PM — Four Hands Are Better Than Two

Presented by Music at St. Matthew’s, special guest artist Mark Shuldiner of the Bach & Beethoven Ensemble joins James Janssen at the fortepiano in a program of piano duets by Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Xaver Duschek, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The program features Beethoven’s Six Variations on “Ich denke dein”, WoO 74 and Mozart’s Sonata in F Major, K 497. St Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 2120 Lincoln Street, Evanston, Illinois. Admission: $25 general, $10 student.

● November 14, 2010, 4:00 PM — Beethoven’s Birthday Bash

Presented by Music at St. Matthew’s, James Janssen, fortepiano; Pasquale Laurino, classical violin; and Laura Handler, classical cello, celebrate Beethoven’s 240th with this period instrument program, featuring his Sonata in G Minor for Piano and Violoncello, Op. 5, No. 2 and Trio in C Minor for Piano, Violin, and Violoncello, Op. 1, No. 3. St Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 2120 Lincoln Street, Evanston, Illinois. Admission: $25 general, $10 student.

● January 30, 2011, 4:00 PM — Baroque Chamber Music

Presented by Music at St. Matthew’s, James Janssen, harpsichord; Pasquale Laurino, baroque violin; and Laura Handler, baroque cello, perform chamber works of the period. Program to be announced. St Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 2120 Lincoln Street, Evanston, Illinois. Admission: $25 general, $10 student.

● March 20, 2011, 4:00 PM — Winter Journey

Presented by Music at St. Matthew’s, special guest artist Stephen Lancaster, baritone, joins James Janssen, fortepiano, for a performance of Franz Schubert’s masterpiece, Winterreise, D 911. The cycle of 24 songs set to poems of Wilhelm Müller, along with Shubert’s other song cycle of Müller’s poems (Die schöne Müllerin), is considered to hold the foremost place in the history of the genre. St Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 2120 Lincoln Street, Evanston, Illinois. Admission: $25 general, $10 student.

In previous seasons, the following artists have appeared with Haydn by the Lake:

            ● Kati Olsen, soprano

            ● Mark Crayton, countertenor

            ● Barbara Kallaur, transverse flute

            ● Anita Rieder, transverse flute

            ● Patricia Ahern, violin (principal member, 2001-2006)

            ● Pasquale Laurino, violin

            ● Susan Rozendaal, viola

            ● Jerry Fuller, violone

            ● Thomas Gerber, fortepiano

Photo © 2010 James Janssen. All rights reserved.