Summer Chamber Music Festival

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The Gualala Arts Center is set to host the Summer Chamber Music Festival on July 12 & 13, 2025 featuring the Hiraga, Wyrick, Merks Quintet with Markus Pawlik, piano.  Tickets are $35 for each day’s performance, + $5 day of, and are available at Gualala Arts, Dolphin Gallery, and online at GualalaArts.org.

Peter Wyrick’s distinguished career as a cellist is marked by his long-standing association with the San Francisco Symphony, where he has served as Associate Principal Cello since 1999, and a rich history of performances and collaborations. His early start at the age of eight at the Juilliard School set the stage for a life dedicated to music, leading to solo appearances with numerous orchestras and partnerships with celebrated musicians. His recordings and chamber music endeavors have garnered critical acclaim, further solidifying his reputation in the classical music world.

Cellist Mariko Wyrick is a member of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and San Francisco Ballet Orchestra. She has spent her summers at Classical Tahoe and Santa Fe Opera as well as playing in the American Ballet Theater summer season. As an avid chamber player, Mariko has participated in the Kneisel Hall, Fontainebleau and Greenwood music festivals. Mariko earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Juilliard School under the guidance of Joel Krosnick.

Mayumi Hiraga Wyrick is a violinist recently appointed to the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra. She has performed with the Metropolitan Opera, New Jersey Symphony, San Francisco Opera, and San Francisco Symphony. Mayumi studied at the New England Conservatory and has participated in prestigious festivals like Aspen, Schleswig-Holstein, and Kneisel Hall. She furthered her studies at the Conservatory of Amsterdam under Vera Beths and Anner Bylsma. As a chamber musician, she has performed at the 92nd Street Y, Gualala Arts Center, and with the MHW Quartet across the Bay Area.

Amy Hiraga’s illustrious career as a violinist is marked by her tenure with prestigious orchestras and ensembles. Her journey from the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra to the San Francisco Symphony showcases her versatility and dedication to her craft. With performances across a spectrum of renowned chamber music festivals such as  Chamber Music West, Santa Fe Chamber Music, Caramoor, Bard and Olympic and collaborations with eminent ensembles, such as St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble, Partita and Chelsea Ensembles, Hiraga has established herself as a prominent figure in the classical music scene. Her education under distinguished mentors Emanuel Zetlin and Dorothy DeLay at the Juilliard School, further underscores her deep-rooted passion for music, which continues to resonate in her performances and recordings.

Cordula Merks, violin, has served as concertmaster with the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra since 2015. Previously she was assistant concertmaster of the Seattle Symphony, and concertmaster of Germany’s Essen Philharmonic, Bochum Symphony, and Bergisch Symphony Orchestra.

Marcus Pawlik, piano, is characterized as an artist who combines expressiveness with a phenomenal virtuoso technique. Born in Bremen in 1966, his talent was recognized early as the three-time winner of the German National Young Musician’s Competition.  He has appeared with orchestras throughout Europe, Asia and North America

These artists, with their impressive backgrounds and dedication to their craft, promise to deliver performances that resonate with passion and precision, making the festival a highlight of the summer’s calendar.  Attendees can look forward to a selection of pieces by illustrious composers such as Janáček, Britten, Dvořák, Schubert and others.

July 12, 2025 Program

Leoš Janáček Pohádka
(1854 – 1928) I. Con moto
II. Con moto
III. Allegro
Mariko Wyrick, cello
Markus Pawlik, piano
Arr. Fritz Kreisler
Cordula Merks, violin
Markus Pawlik, piano
Cordula Merks, violin
Markus Pawlik, piano
Benjamin Britten String Quartet No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25
(1913 – 1976) I. Andante sostenuto – Allegro vivo
II. Allegro con slancio
III. Andante calmo
IV. Molto vivace
Cordula Merks, Mayumi Wyrick, violins
Amy Hiraga, viola
Peter Wyrick, cello
~ Intermission ~

Antonín Dvořák Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 81
(1841 – 1904) I. Allegro ma non tanto
II. Dumka. Andante con moto
III. Scherzo (Furiant). Molto vivace – Poco tranquillo
IV. Finale. Allegro
Cordula Merks, Mayumi Wyrick, violins
Amy Hiraga, viola
Mariko Wyrick, cello
Markus Pawlik, piano

July 13, 2025 Program

Cello Sonata II in D-minor, Op 5, nr 2.

Francesco Geminiani Sonata II
(1687 – 1762) Andante
Presto
Adagio. Allegro
Mariko Wyrick, Peter Wyrick, cellos
Caroline Shaw Entr’acte
(b. 1982)
Cordula Merks, Mayumi Wyrick, violins
Amy Hiraga, viola
Mariko Wyrick, cello
~ Intermission ~
Franz Schubert String Quintet in C Major, D. 956
(1797 – 1828) I. Allegro ma non troppo
II. Adagio

III. Scherzo : Presto
IV. Allegretto
Cordula Merks, Mayumi Wyrick, violins
Amy Hiraga, viola
Mariko Wyrick, Peter Wyrick, cellos