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Olympic Strings’ Erin Hennessey to perform Schoenberg’s groundbreaking classics at Field Hall 

Published 6:00 am Monday, July 20, 2026

by Field Arts and Events Hall

Pianist Gabriel Merrill-Steskal will showcase Schoenberg’s compositions during matinee performance at Field Hall July 26.

Violinist Erin Hennessey and pianist Gabriel Merrill-Steskal showcase Arnold Schoenberg’s compositions at July 26 matinee

On July 26, Erin Hennessey (violin) and Gabriel Merrill-Steskal (piano) will transport Clallam County audiences to Vienna in the early 1920s, inviting them into the unique world of composer Arnold Schoenberg’s Society for Private Musical Performances, where contemporary music had a chance to be performed away from the conservative concert hall crowds and critics of the time.

More than 100 years later, the duo reimagines this groundbreaking space, including works by two stalwarts of the Society, Debussy and Ravel.

Also included is work by Mary Dickenson-Auner, a violinist and composer performing in the Society concerts in the 1920s, but not widely acknowledged at the time for her work as a composer.

Like many of Dickenson-Auner’s compositions, Irish Melody of Violin and Piano has not been heard since the early 20th century – this will be an American premiere!

Violinist Erin Hennessey joins Gabriel Merrill-Steskal to showcase the work of Debussy, Ravel, Mary Dickenson-Auner, a violinist and composer performing in the 1920s. Courtesy Field Hall

Program:
Claude Debussy’s Violin Sonata, CD 148 (1917)
Maurice Ravel’s Violin Sonata No. 2, M.77 (1927)
Mary Dickinson-Auner’s Irish Melody for Violin and Piano (1911)
Bela Bartok’s Second Rhapsody for Violin and Piano

Erin Hennessey is a soloist, orchestral and chamber musician who performs regularly in the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland.

As an orchestral musician, she works with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Irish Chamber Orchestra and Irish Baroque Orchestra, and in 2024, she became the Artistic Director of Olympic Strings Workshop, a chamber music festival for young musicians in Port Angeles.

Gabriel Merrill-Steskal is a multifaceted pianist and musician dedicated to performance, teaching and scholarship.

Merrill-Steskal has won awards in international competitions on both piano and fortepiano (including the Seattle International Piano Competition, Los Angeles International Liszt Competition, and SFZP International Fortepiano Competition) and recently was a fellow at the Gilmore piano festival and Pianofest in the Hamptons.

Tickets for the performance are $28 to $38 for adults and $15 for youth (up to 18).  Reserve your seats online at fieldhallevents.org/tickets or through the Estill and Reba Cornett Box Office at Field Hall, located at 201 W. Front Street in Port Angeles.