Summer Recap in Photos: Chris Coletti & Friends @ The Sembrich-Promenade Series 08/31/2022 -By: Andrzej Pilarczyk

On Wednesday, August 31, 2022, The Semrich’s ‘Reimagining The Classics’ Summer Festival 2020 came to a close, except for the upcoming Gala several days later. Chris Coletti, a mild mannered trumpeter with a ‘superman’ persona took the stage with a huge smile and a super hero determination to present a repertoire incorporating music from the 1600 hundreds to the 20th Century. His accomplices in that undertaking were among the best-of-the-best classical musicians in the Capital region and beyond: Amanda Brin & Michael Emery on violins, Stephani Emery on viola, Johnathan Brin anchoring the lowest tones on the cello, with the exquisite Michael Clement on piano. These illustrious players have distinguished themselves with the Grammy winning Albany Symphony Orchestra and also the Glens Falls Symphony.

Traversing a program with compositions by J.B.G Neruda, J.S. Bach, Clara Schumann during the first set; highlighted with ‘Preludes for trumpet and piano’ by George Gershwin, arranged by Coletti and supported by Michael Clement on the keyboard in a duo presentation into the intermission. In the thoughts of many attending, a beautiful thing to behold under a clear sky with a fingernail moon.

Chris Coletti brings a prestigious pedigree with graduating Julliard with a masters degree; working with the likes of conductor and composer Pierre Boulez to contemporary artists Quincy Jones, Carlos Santana and to many other greats. However he is best known as part of the Canadian Brass, an ensemble that has globe-trotted and performed in the  finest halls around the world and won numerous awards. In other words, he’s a mensch in the Jewish vernacular.

The second set of the presentation included among other composers a lovely rendition of The Beatles’ Eleanor Rigby,’ a wonderful nocturne by Lili Boulanger, a tango by Astor Piazzolla and a riveting closer by band-leader and trumpeter from the the ‘golden age’ of big-bands, Harry James.

Considering the 120+ people in attendance there outside under a large tent on the banks of Lake George’s Bolton Landing with lights like stars scattered throughout the canopy, it would be not a far stretch that the 30-something Coletti is truly a legend in the making. His mastery over tone, dynamics and the notes sailing from his trumpet puts him in the company of Chris Bottie and Wynton Marsallis, and others for sure. An amazing evening for all!