The Chamber Music Society at Shaker Village

Last Updated on January 19, 2023 by ellen

I have always loved the simplicity of Shaker and Amish living. The clean lines and focus on authentic living had a huge impact on me when I was younger. To this day, I love their quilts, furniture, and lifestyle. I find them relaxing and inspiring. When I was offered Simple Gifts: The Chamber Music Society at Shaker Village DVD, I knew I needed to share it with you. 

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Simple Gifts: The Chamber Music Society at Shaker VillageSimple Gifts: The Chamber Music Society at Shaker Village

Each year on Memorial Day weekend, The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center takes up residency in one of the country’s most beautiful historic sites: Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill in Kentucky, where a vibrant Shaker community once flourished. Live From Lincoln Center went on the road with the ensemble for the first time in its 40-year history, taking its cameras, trucks, and a 15-member crew into the heart of rural America.

Performed for a riveted audience in a converted tobacco barn, the concert celebrated American music with unparalleled intimacy and intensity, climaxing with Aaron Copland’s iconic Appalachian Spring, which incorporates a traditional Shaker theme at the heart of the work.

The result is both a gorgeous meditation on making music and a window into a unique, under-appreciated corridor of American history. Pulsing with the spirit of the Shakers, the film draws poignant parallels between art and craftsmanship, the beauty and hardships of the frontier, and the quest for transcendence in American life.

My thoughts:

The music on this DVD was absolutely stunning and when you combine it with the beautiful scenery from the Appalachian area and a look at the Shaker Village, this DVD is a must have. Listening to chamber music always reminds me of when my daughter played the music program at her tech school. The piccolo used in this DVD was one of my favorite instruments.

This DVD is perfect to enjoy in the evening with that special someone or use it as background music for your holiday parties. Find it on Amazon.

2 thoughts on “The Chamber Music Society at Shaker Village

  1. I know I would love this one since I grew up around the Amish community in Ohio and Indiana. I didn’t know too much about their music but going past their houses, it looked like they had a wonderful time together with lots of group gatherings.

    • The music isn’t really Shaker music – it’s chamber music – but the scenery & the location are. It’s a beautiful DVD.

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