E Pluribus Unum - June 2026
Steinway and Strings
On Thursday night, we went to Geneva to see a concert. The performance was part of the Geneva Music Festival and was held in Froelich Hall at Hobart and William Smith college.
Founded in 2011, the Geneva Music Festival is an annual summer chamber music festival held in Geneva, New York. The festival brings internationally acclaimed musicians to the Finger Lakes for a series of concerts, lectures, and community events. Performances range from classical masterworks to contemporary compositions and are presented in intimate venues that allow audiences to experience chamber music up close.
Many of the festival's performances are held on the campus of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, which overlook Seneca Lake from the northern edge of Geneva. Founded in the 19th century, the colleges are known for their historic stone buildings, mature trees, and sweeping lake views. On a summer evening, the campus provides a beautiful setting for a concert, with gardens, shaded walkways, and glimpses of the water visible from many parts of the grounds.
Before the concert, wine and delicate brownies were served in the lobby. People stood in small groups talking until the last minute and then gradually made their way into the intimate performance hall. The room was small enough that even from the middle rows, the musicians were easy to see. Soon, every seat was occupied.
Sold Out Concert
The audience skewed older, although there were also a few college students, several younger couples, and one family with an infant about the same age as my grandson Caspian. The baby spent the entire concert tucked into a carrier on his mother's chest without making a sound.
Before the concert, during intermission, and after the final applause, conversations filled the lobby and hallways. People greeted one another by name and moved easily from one conversation to the next. One of the musicians mentioned that there were many composers in the audience.
The program featured music by composers who came to the United States from other countries. Some of the pieces were familiar. Others were not. One work by a Chinese composer sounded very different from the rest of the program—more modern and more discordant.
The audience responded enthusiastically throughout the evening. There was applause after every piece and several standing ovations before the concert ended.
A sold-out hall. Good music. Wine. Brownies. Conversation. Not a bad way to spend a Thursday evening.
