Celebrating a Decade of Making Music

Two homegrown ensembles have benefit concerts on upcoming weekends highlighting their wide-ranging styles and abilities. Crescendo, the group founded by German-trained keyboardist and conductor Christine Gevert, celebrates its 10th anniversary with a benefit concert titled Music in the Age of Enlightenment. Crescendo, a blend of amateur and professional musicians, singers and instrumentalists, has brought a mix of classics and rarely-heard works from the early Baroque, high Baroque, 20th century and contemporary repertoire to the Northwest Corner. Crescendo’s concerts are always daring and imaginative, have often incorporated visual arts and multimedia and have showcased great talent. Preconcert lectures and elaborate program notes make each concert an education as well as a musical event.  For its summer benefit, Crescendo is featuring the acclaimed countertenor Nicholas Tamagna. He will join the group Les Inegales — Gevert on harpsichord and flutist Rodrigo Terraza — in a program of works by Bach, Handel, Vivaldi and other Baroque masters. The concert takes place at the barn studio of West Cornwall sculptor Tim Prentice. His whimsical, kinetic sculptures will add to an evening of timeless music, with a cocktail reception to follow. The Hevreh ensemble is a very different creature, but just as accomplished. Founded in 2001 by area musician, teacher, and oboist Judith Dansker, the group specializes in original, world music composed by group member Jeff Adler. The pieces combine influences from many cultures, ranging from Jewish to African to Native American. The ensemble’s latest CD, “Between Worlds,” was released a year ago to critical acclaim. In addition to Dansker and Adler on woodwinds and several other instruments, the group includes Laurie Friedman on clarinet, Native American flute, ocean drum and shofar (the Jewish ram’s horn), and Adam Morrison on keyboards. Fine art will also be featured at the ensemble’s fundraiser; held at the White Gallery in Lakeville. A reception is included. The Hevreh Ensemble fundraiser takes place Aug. 18, at 3 p.m., at the White Gallery, 344 Main St., Lakeville, CT. Tickets are $30. For reservations call 860-435-2144, or email hevrehmusic@gmail.com. The Crescendo benefit takes place Aug. 24, at 5 p.m., at the barn studio of Tim Prentice,129 Lake Road, West Cornwall, CT. Tickets are $50 and available on Crescendo’s website: www.worldclassmusic.org, or by check sent to Crescendo, Inc., P.O. Box 245, Lakeville, CT  06039. For information, call 860-435-4866 or go to the website.