The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in NYC closed its doors for two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, in a two-part PBS film Chamber Music Society Returns, the story of CMS’s return to live concerts is told. It will be airing nationally on April 8, and then on the 15th.
CMS is one of eleven constituents of the largest performing arts complex in the world, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. CMS brings the experience of great chamber music to more people than any other organization of its kind through its many performances, education, recording, digital, and broadcast activities.
The PBS film will explore the passion for making music that pushed the CMS community forward. The film features behind-the-scenes footage at CMS’s rehearsal studios, offices, and backstage. Musicians will reveal their relief at finally leaving the pandemic, and long-awaited performances full of emotion, embrace, and tears of joy.
The first part Setting the Stage features violinist Arnaud Sussmann, bassist Joseph Conyers, cellist David Finckel, and pianist Wu Han talking about how frightening the early stages of the pandemic were, and how music helped them during that difficult time. Viewers get to see the everyday work of chamber musicians, and see performances of both solo Bach and work from the opening night concert.
The second part Bringing Down the House explores the aftermath of opening night, and the challenges of finding a way to safely gather over a dozen wind players to play as performing were considered risky early in the pandemic.
CMS artistic director David Finckel spoke about why live music is special.
Listening to a recording is like looking at a painting on a wall. It can be a great painting, but it doesn’t change. It’s always exactly the same. The live performance, though, is so far beyond the recording or the painting on the wall in that it’s like watching the artwork itself being recreated by the artist in front of your eyes in real time. Because live is always an interpretation. It’s never the same twice.
The CMS PBS documentary will be airing on April 8 and 15, and the trailer is out now.
