Fort Worth’s Spectrum Chamber Music Society has shared its recipe for celebrating Valentine’s Day during the pandemic: 

Step #1: Prepare a special dinner at home (you can also order in).
Step #2: Start a warm fire (but only if you have a fireplace).
Step #3: Watch “Pair Of Hearts,” a musical valentine from Spectrum.

“Pair of Hearts: A Musical Valentine” features nine duets performed by musical couples. (Most are members of Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.)

The virtual, pre-recorded show includes songs like “Beethoven’s Romance in G Major” and “My Funny Valentine.” They are all performed from the players’ homes – living rooms to in-home recording studios. They’re here to set the mood for the year’s most celebrated date night and help you have a charming evening at home. 

“We want people to relax with their partner or if you’re single, let Spectrum be your Valentine,” said Dan Sigale, executive director of Spectrum. “We’re hoping that we can help fill a gap that this pandemic has caused.”

Performers: Roger Roe, English horn and R. Kent Cook, piano. Photo still from Pair of Hearts: A Musical Valentine.

The Valentine concert is one of six performances Spectrum puts on every year. Like many musical groups, Spectrum has adapted to the changes forced by the pandemic. One of their partners, the First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth, has allowed Spectrum to use the venue for live-stream performances. 

“We knew from the very beginning that we didn’t want to let this pandemic keep us from bringing live music to the community,” Sigale said. “We really felt that having live music was important to try and keep some sense of normalcy in what has become a completely abnormal situation.” 

Still, Sigale said this time has brought comfort to Spectrum members. 

“A lot of what Spectrum is the joy of putting together the music…it’s so much about the camaraderie and the intimacy of getting to play chamber music with close friends,” he said.

Performers: Erin Futterer and Ross Falzone, vocals and various instruments. Photo: Erin Futterer and Ross Falzone, from Pair of Hearts: A Musical Valentine.

And if you miss the first showing, it will be available to watch anytime after 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. It will be available on Spectrum’s YouTube channel and FaceBook page. 

The concert is free, but Spectrum is accepting donations via PayPal or personal check (the suggested amount is $20). Spectrum pays its musicians with donations and sponsorships. The next live-stream performance, Three For Three, is on March 1.

Got a tip? Email Mia Estrada at mestrada@kera.org. You can follow her on Twitter @miaaestrada.

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