Ask a Detroiter about chamber music in Detroit and the name Pauline Martin will surely come up. One of the most prolific solo and chamber music performers in the state of Michigan, pianist Pauline Martin has made an artistic contribution to virtually every classical music entity in the Detroit metropolitan area, not the least of which is her tenure as Artistic Director of the Pro Mozart Society of Greater Detroit from 1999 to 2012.
Pro Mozart Society patrons could always count on Pauline for innovative and engaging programs performed to the highest standards by Michigan’s most accomplished artists and distinguished guests. The 2011-12 season culminated in a truly magical evening, featuring chamber music icon, pianist Menahem Pressler, in concert with Acting Detroit Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Kimberly Kaloyanides Kennedy and DSO colleagues James Van Valkenburg and Una O’Riordan.
“I love your series, but I have one request: present more concerts!” is a comment Pauline had come to hear more and more frequently in recent seasons.
There was only one thing to do. In the spring of 2012, the Pro Mozart Society board voted to expand its offerings under the name “Chamber Soloists of Detroit,” reflecting its identity as a proud Detroit-based cultural leader. In addition to hosting an expanded three-concert subscription season, Chamber Soloists of Detroit became available for engagements in numerous venues in southeastern Michigan and beyond, with advance bookings in progress for Canada and Europe.
Thank you!
Pro Mozart Society of Greater Detroit
In 1959, Marguerite Kozenn Chajes, under the sponsorship of the International Foundation Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, founded the Pro Mozart Society of Greater Detroit. Its purpose was to further the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in annual concerts and to help promote worldwide awareness of the preparation and publication of a new and complete critical edition of all of Mozart’s compositions. This massive, modern musicological research project was undertaken in the 1950’s by the Mozarteum in cooperation with three “Mozart” cities, Salzburg, Vienna and Augsburg, to supersede the edition published by “Breitkopf and Hartel” between 1876 and 1905.
Detroit area pianist Lawrence LaGore performed on the first Pro Mozart Society of Detroit program in 1959 and was soon named Music Director, a position he held until his death in 1999. Pianist Pauline Martin served as Artistic Director from 1999 until the spring of 2012, when the Pro Mozart Society Board voted to re-name the organization Chamber Soloists of Detroit to reflect its expanded mission to further promote appreciation of chamber music and to advance the image of the city of Detroit as a leading cultural center.
We remember, with gratitude, the contributions of the following individuals, whose support and dedication have been key to our success.
Lary Berkower (Past President)
Janice Berkower
Alice Berberian Haidostian (President Emeritus)*
Marguerite Kozenn-Chajes (Pro Mozart Society Founder)*
Lawrence LaGore (Music Director, 1959-1999)*
Vera Fay Righthand*
Irving Stollman*
Vivian Stollman*
*deceased