Orpheus Chamber Players

Step into a world of shadow, soul, and syncopation with members of the legendary Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. From the elegant joy of Mozart’s timeless Eine Kleine Nachtmusik to impressionist dreamscapes and evocative rags, this evening of night-themed string quartets concludes with Borodin’s lush String Quartet No. 2, featuring its famous sweeping Notturno.

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is a radical experiment in musical democracy, proving for over fifty years what happens when exceptional artists gather with total trust in each other and faith in the creative process. Orpheus began in 1972 when cellist Julian Fifer assembled a group of New York freelancers in their early twenties to play orchestral repertoire as if it were chamber music. In that age of co-ops and communes, the idealistic Orpheans snubbed the “corporate” path of symphony orchestras and learned how to play, plan, and promote concerts as a true collective, with leadership roles rotating from the very first performance. It’s one thing for the four players of a string quartet to lean into the group sound and react spontaneously, but with 20 to 30 musicians together, the complexities and payoffs are magnified exponentially. Within its first decade, Orpheus made Carnegie Hall their home and became a global sensation through tours of Europe and Asia.

Program

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, (1756-1791), Eine Klein Nachtmusik
• Claude Debussy (1862-1918), Reverie
• Joaquín Turina (1882-1949), Serenata Op. 87  
• William Bolcom (b. 1938), Graceful Ghost Rag 
• Wynton Marsalis (b. 1961), Blue Lights on the Bayou
• Wynton Marsalis (b. 1961), Rampart St. Row House Rag
• Alexander Borodin (1833-1887), Quartet in D major

Back Deck Visitor Information and Guidelines

Attendees must bring their own chairs and are welcome to bring refreshments. Guests are encouraged to bring standard-height outdoor chairs for the most comfortable seating experience. Tickets are $63 for an 8’x8’ block that accommodates up to two patrons or $33 for a block that accommodates one. There is a $3 handling fee per block included in the price. Concerts begin at 7:30 PM. Patrons are welcome to arrive as early as 6:30 PM to enjoy their picnics. In the event of inclement weather, outdoor performances will be held in the Museum’s Bickford Theatre, general admission. For assistance and to make purchases by phone, call the box office at 973-971-3706. All programs subject to change.

Need help with a particular seating request or large group? Please contact the Box Office directly: 973-971-3706

Thank you for your support!

Leadership Support for the Lot of Strings Concert Series is provided by Will and Mary Leland and Lot of Strings founding donor, F. Gary Knapp.

Support for the Back Deck Concert Series is provided by Gary’s Wine & Marketplace and Morris County Tourism Bureau, a Division of the Morris County Economic Development Alliance.

About the Back Deck

Since launching in July 2020, The Back Deck has presented over 72 performances of critically acclaimed artists, welcomed more than 11,000 patrons, and received critical praise from local and national media. The series has presented established artists and rising stars with several ensembles going on to receive national acclaim. Now an established part of the regional cultural landscape, the Museum’s elevated parking deck has become known for elegant tailgates and world-class music each summer.

Photo courtesy of Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.