What an incredible way to end our 51st season! Were you able to make it? Reminisce with me for a few minutes and if you weren’t able to join us this year, I’d love to share how the weekend unfolded.
At Garth Newel, Memorial Day weekend is synonymous with “Archduke Weekend”. The three-day-weekend, which we dedicate to our founders, Luca and Arlene Di Cecco, is so named because for decades it concludes with a performance of Beethoven’s “Archduke” Piano Trio No. 7 in B-Flat major, Op. 97. This piece has mesmerized our audiences for years and has become a fixture in the musical culture of Garth Newel.
This year, the Friday evening concert kicked off Archduke Weekend with a program playfully titled Suite-Ness. The Garth Newel Piano Quartet continued its exploration of architecture in music through the celebration of the Suite form. As a genre of music, Suites are comprised of a succession of dances or musical vignettes bound by an overarching narrative or inspiration. Each member of Garth Newel Piano Quartet showcased a suite for each specific instrument. The program started with J. S. Bach’s dark and mournful 5th cello Suite, which was followed by Vaughan William’s Suite for viola and piano, Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite for solo piano, and Stravinsky’s effervescent Suite Italienne for violin and piano.
The evening concluded with a spectacular four-course dinner, thoughtfully prepared by Chef Josh and his team. It began with an incredible roasted mushroom and garlic fettuccine appetizer, featuring chive pesto, soft mozzarella, sautéed broccolini, crispy Parmesan, pancetta, and fried sage — a dish as beautiful as it was flavorful. The main course showcased a perfectly cooked crab cake served over smashed fingerling potatoes, topped with a vibrant salsa of corn and heirloom cherry tomatoes, finished with Creole aioli, and accompanied by a frisée and microgreen salad dressed with a bright caper, lemon, and white balsamic vinaigrette.
Wow is right — it was a meal to remember.
Teresa and I had the pleasure of sitting at the same table, reconnecting and meeting with friends from Northern Virginia and West Virginia, and sharing stories over incredible food. It was a lovely way to close the evening — full of warmth, conversation, and community, with hearts inspired by the concert.
The Saturday night concert, designated as “Founders Day”, began with a warm welcome from Steve, who offered a heartfelt tribute to Garth Newel’s founders, Luca and Arlene Di Cecco. His remarks included a few delightful words from Luca himself, setting a tone of gratitude and celebration.
Following this touching introduction, the Garth Newel Piano Quartet took the stage in a packed Herter Hall and delivered an unforgettable evening of music. They began with the charming virtuosity of Beethoven’s early Op. 16 piano quartet, and concluded with the tragic catharsis of Brahms’ last piano quartet, taking us on a journey that spans a lifetime of emotions.
During intermission, Board Chair Gene Sullivan and Past Board Chair John Diffey took the stage to share exciting news: Garth Newel has officially completed its Comprehensive Capital Campaign, surpassing $14 million. The announcement was met with enthusiastic applause marking a celebratory milestone in the Center’s history and future.
Fitz invited me to sit at his table on Saturday which included a few of his family members from the Charlottesville area as well as two gentlemen from Staunton. What a great time, conversation and meal we had! The four course meal was again amazing with the main course being the highlight (I think) from our table. Chef Josh, Sous Chef Juston (Hot Rod), Lisa and the team made a delicious mustard and herb rubbed rack of lamb, parsley and goat cheese white grits, caramelized pearl onions, sautéed green beans, port reduction and mint jelly.
No Archduke Weekend would be complete without its signature performance — Beethoven’s cherished Archduke Trio. The final afternoon, Sunday, began with perfect weather and a generous picnic buffet featuring BBQ pork ribs with a honey mustard glaze, grilled corn dusted with paprika and crumbled cotija cheese, along with a variety of delicious sides and desserts that delighted guests before the music began.
At 2 PM, a full Herter Hall gathered in anticipation as members of the Garth Newel Piano Quartet took the stage to perform this monumental work. With its radiant melodies, noble spirit, and emotional depth, the Archduke Trio was brought to life in a way that captured both its intimacy and grandeur — a fitting and beloved tradition to a weekend filled with musical architecture, family, and celebration.
What a wonderful way to end our season! This was my very first Archduke Weekend, and I truly enjoyed every moment — from meeting so many of you and catching up with familiar faces, to learning more about each piece through the Garth Newel Piano Quartet’s insightful introductions, which made each performance even more meaningful.
The incredible music, the unforgettable meals, and most of all, you — thank you for being part of it. Here’s to a standing ovation for this amazing community! And speaking of an amazing community, the hall was packed every day, with record numbers for each concert.
We hope to see you this summer at one of the fantastic concerts we have lined up. Until then, thank you again for making this season so special.
