RED BANK, MIDDLETOWN: CLASSICAL DUETS

Calmes KoharskiKeith Calmes and carry on: the classical guitarist teams with flautist Marjorie Koharski for a free public recital at Middletown Library, on Monday evening.

Classical music connoisseurs in and around Red Bank have long known that the borough has stood as the county’s capital for quality orchestral, chamber and choral concert offerings — all of it accessible minus the gown-and-tux price tags of the big-city halls and theaters. A big reason for that is the Monmouth Conservatory Of Music, whose monthly series of weekend afternoon concerts (in the casual and quite convenient setting of their downtown White Street all-purpose room) resumes on Sunday, September 21, with a recital of rare pedigree.

Going up at 4 pm and presented free of charge, the concert is a mother-son duet featuring pianist Nina Kogan and violinist Daniel Miklis — respectively the daughter and the grandson of legendary violinists Leonid Kogan and Elizaveta Gilels. Kogan often performed with her Ukrainian-born father — one of the Soviet Union’s most celebrated international musical ambassadors — and she extends the family business into a new generation with this program of chamber selections with her son. Bring a free-will donation to the door — and take it around the corner for more.

On Monday evening, September 22, Middletown Township Public Library continues the duo-format excitement on the greater Green with a 7 pm performance of classical Spanish and Argentine music. It’s a special setting featuring the talents of two members of the Red Bank-based Monmouth Symphony Orchestra — guitarist Keith Calmes and flautist Marjorie Koharski. The founder of the Festive Flutes troupe joins her fellow music educator colleague in a MTPL-produced program for which no registration is required (although prompt attendance is recommended).