In the season’s chamber music finale on Friday, June 16 and Saturday, June 17, cellist Clive Greensmith and violinist Ani Kavafian, both world-renowned artists, return to perform some of the most exciting works of chamber music with GMF founding artists Geoffrey Herd, Hannah Collins and Eliot Heaton. The concert, “Slavic Serenade,” will feature audience favorites, including Dvorak’s Piano Quintet and Shostakovich’s Octet.
“I’m really looking forward to returning to the Finger Lakes,” says Greensmith, who counts the region among his favorite places. “There is a 
He also enjoys the opportunity to play with former student and GMF Director, Herd, as well as other young artists. “They have an idealism and energy that is palpable,” Greensmith explains. “I have a great deal of respect for Geoff both as a musician and for his entrepreneurial spirit in starting this festival. As artists, I don’t think we should wait for the world to come to us; it is our responsibility to make things happen to share music with the community.”
The concert is also an opportunity for him to work with Kavafian again, something he says the two have been doing “increasingly over the years.” He explains they always seem to meet at the Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival and Music Menlo, among other events.
“We’ve spent a lot of time together performing and I think we always play well together. She’s also a more experienced colleague so I feel I always learn something working with her,” he says.
Greensmith currently travels throughout the year to perform with quartets, solo, or as part of the Montrose Trio, which he co-founded. The latter will perform in Italy and throughout the United States this year. He is also professor of cello and chamber music at the Colburn School of Music, in Los Angeles. He describes the school as “a private conservatory with merit-based free tuition, room and board for the highest level of music majors.”
Listen to a sample of Greensmith’s work, “Dvořák: Lento from American Quartet” online.
Tickets for adult admission to all concerts and an after-concert reception are $25 (ages 18 and under are free). Six-concert passes and season tickets only are available until the first concert on June 1, and may be purchased online prior to or in person at that concert. All venues are wheelchair accessible and air conditioned.
A full schedule including details and locations for all concerts, artist biographies and tickets are available online.