Monday, August 22, 2016

National Chamber Ensemble Announces 10th Season at Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre


From our friends at the National Chamber Ensemble...

The National Chamber Ensemble announces its tenth anniversary season, which begins October 22, 2016 at the Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre.

Season subscriptions, which include all five concerts, are priced at $128 through September 17, and $135 thereafter. General admission tickets are $33 for adults and $17 for students, plus applicable service charges. Tickets are available online at www.nationalchamberensemble.org. Group discounts for 10 or more are available by calling (703) 685-7590. For more information, call (703) 685-7590 or visit www.nationalchamberensemble.org. The theater has free garage parking and is two blocks from the Rosslyn Metro. All concerts are followed by a wine and cheese reception with the artists.


This tenth season, the National Chamber Ensemble (NCE) mixes premiere works with audience favorites. Highlights include Alexander Goldstein's “Trio on the Roof,” “TheFour Seasons” of Antonio Vivaldi, Schubert's "Trout” Piano Quintet,Mozart's “Exultate Jubilate” for soprano, Brahms’ brilliant “Piano Quartet in G Minor,” Carlos Gardel's tango from Scent of a Woman, Saint Saen's ethereal Fantasie, “Four Seasons of Buenos Aires”by the king of tango, Astor Piazzolla, the premiere of A. Shor's “Dreamers.”

“Our tenth season combines the best from a decade of performances and new music that awakens the imagination, touches the heart, astounds with incredible virtuosity, and injects a sense of humor,” explains Artistic Director Leo Sushansky. “We continue to break down the wall between musicians and audience. The musicians often share short anecdotes about the composer and the music, giving the audience another perspective on understanding the performance. We strive to build a deeper relationship - and musical experience - between our performers and our audiences.”

NationalChamber Ensemble's internationally acclaimed musicians have redefined the meaning of chamber music by incorporating tango, jazz, klezmer, opera, ballet, modern dance, and multimedia into programs with traditional classical masterpieces.The Ensemble has also hosted premiere works by top contemporary classical composers such as Lowell Liebermann, Gary WilliamFriedman, Dick Hyman, and Alexander Goldstein.

The artists performing this season include CarlosCesar Rodriguez (piano), Nancy Peery Marriott (soprano), Vasily Popov (cello), Uri Wassertzug (viola), T Alan Stewart (bass), Natasha Dukan (piano/harpsichord), Jennifer Ries (viola), LeoSushansky (violin/artistic director), Julian Milkis (clarinet), Melissa Dvorak (harp), Amy Frost Baumgarten (cello), Rebecca Littig (soprano), David Chapman (piano), JorgeOrozco (violin), Sean Neidlinger (cello), and Bowen McCauley Dance. 

NCE will hold a young artist competition in November 2016 for the OutstandingYoung Artist Achievement Award. String players ages 12 to 18 may compete for a scholarship and the opportunity to perform with the Ensemble on the December 10th holiday concert.

Here's the complete 2016-17 concert calendar... 

A Night in Vienna
October 22, 2016 at 7:30 PM
NCE’s 10th season kicks off with an evening of unforgettable masterpieces by Johannes Brahms and Franz Schubert, includingSchubert’s “Die Forelle” sung by soprano Nancy Peery Marriott, the enchanting “Trout” Quintet, and the passionate “Piano Quartet in G Minor” by Brahms.

Happy Holidays!
Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 7:30 PM
NCE's annual holiday tradition offers a mix of classical masterpieces and holiday favorites in one family-friendly program. Guest soprano Rebecca Littig will delight with the music of Mozart and more. The winner of the 2016 National Chamber Ensemble Outstanding Young ArtistAward will make his/her debut with the Ensemble. The concert concludes with a carols sing-along.

Vive la France: The Magic of Saint-Saens
Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 7:30 PM
In time for Valentine’s, this concert explores the music and passion of the great French romantic virtuoso composer Camille Saint-Saens, and features “Sonata for Violin and Piano,” “Fantasie for Violin and Harp Op.124,”and “Piano Trio No. 2 in E Minor, Op.92.”

The Four Seasons of Vivaldi and Piazzolla
Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 7:30 PM
Two great composers interpret the changing seasons, each in his own way. The evening includes a reading of Vivaldi's Sonnets for “The Four Seasons,” as well as a spectacular multimedia display during Vivaldi's masterpiece and Piazzolla's sensual tango-inspired “Four Season's of Buenos Aires.”

Music of Our Time 
Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 7:30 PM
The final concert of the Ensemble’s 10th anniversary season celebrates classical works and music from film and theater, including AlexanderGoldstein’s remarkable “Trio on the Roof,” based on themes from the classic musical Fiddler On TheRoof. The Ensemble will premiere “Dreamers,”a new work by A. Shor, and will be joined by Bowen McCauley Dance and clarinet star Julian Milkis.

Programs subject to change.

About Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre:
Located at 1611 N. Kent Street, Arlington VA
Parking: Free garage parking, entrance on Arlington Ridge Road
Metro: Blue/Orange/Silver - Rosslyn Station

About National Chamber Ensemble:
The National Chamber Ensemble was founded in 2007 to provide opportunities to appreciate and enjoy the art of chamber music, bringing together performers, audiences, and composers. Through its performances and commissions of original musical works, NCE presents a full range of chamber music repertoire from the classics to the contemporary. Its internationally-acclaimed musicians provide outstanding performances of chamber music in an intimate setting. The Ensemble has presented several world premieres and hosted visiting guest artists such as international clarinet star Julian Milkis (the only pupil of Benny Goodman), opera diva Carmen Balthrop, and America's most often performed and recorded living composer Lowell Liebermann, among others. Over the years, NCE has collaborated with Ballet Nova, Choralis Children's Choir, Russian Chamber Art Society, and Bowen McCauley Dance. NCE strives to build a sense of closeness between performers and audience that enhances the feeling of community and a deeper musical experience.

“Delightful” - The Washington Post 

“One of the gems of the entire Metro area” - DC Metro Theater Arts