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| National Chamber Ensemble: Leo Sushansky, Kathryn Brake, Uri Wassertzug, and Vasily Popov (r) (Photo: Robert Jansen) |
From our friends at the National Chamber Ensemble...
Subscriptions For National Chamber Ensemble’s 2017-18 Season Go on Sale Monday, July 10
The National Chamber Ensemble will takes its audiences on a journey around the world during its 2017-18 season, with concerts featuring the music of a variety of cultures, including Spanish, German, French, and Austrian. Subscriptions for the upcoming season go on sale Monday, July 10.
Season subscriptions, which include all five concerts, are priced at $135 through September 14, and $145 thereafter. General admission tickets are $36 for adults and $18 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, please call (703) 685-7590 or visit www.nationalchamberensemble.org. All concerts are followed by a reception with the artists.
This season, the National Chamber Ensemble (NCE) will entertain its audiences at two new venues in the heart of Arlington’s cultural landscape: the Gunston Arts Center and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington. With this move, comes the opportunity to build stronger connections with the nearby communities and forge fresh partnerships.
“While we are sad to leave the Rosslyn Spectrum, our Ensemble home of ten years, we’re excited at the prospect of reaching a new audience in these two locations,” explains NCE Artistic Director Leonid Sushansky. “Who knows, one of them may become our permanent concert spot!”
Each year, NCE opens its season by spotlighting the music of a particular country. This year, for the first time, it is Spain, which incorporates folk music in its rich and vibrant classical works.
National Chamber 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 featured premiere works by top contemporary classical composers such as Lowell Liebermann, Gary William Friedman, Dick Hyman, and Alexander Goldstein.
The NCE artists joining Sushansky this season include Najin Kim and Jorge Orozco on violin; Jennifer Ries and Uri Wassertzug on viola; Sean Neidlinger and Vasily Popov on cello; Carlos César Rodríguez and Natasha Dukan on piano; Julian Milkis on clarinet; Leland Nakamura on drums; and more.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of several performances this season, all featuring different musical genres,” says Rodríguez, who has been with the Ensemble from the beginning. “I find it exciting to perform music requiring a different approach to technique and expression. It’s a great joy to be able to make music with my dear friends and colleagues.”
Since its inception, NCE has been creating performance opportunities for young musicians. Once again, NCE will hold a young artist competition in November for the Outstanding Young Artist Achievement Award. Pianists ages 12 to 18 may compete for a scholarship and the opportunity to perform with NCE during the December holiday concert.
For the complete 2017-18 concert calendar, please see below.
Night in the Garden of Spain
October 14, 2017, at 7:30 PM
Gunston Arts Center
The first concert of the season celebrates the exotic and rich musical culture of Spain, and features the music of Enrique Granado, Joaquín Turin, Édouard Lalo, Manuel de Falla, and Isaac Albéniz. Bowen McCauley Dance joins the performance of de Falla’s Suite Populaire Espagnole.
Holiday Cheer
Saturday, December 16, 2017, at 7:30 PM
Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington
NCE's annual holiday tradition offers a mix of classical masterpieces and holiday favorites in one family-friendly program. The winner of the 2017 National Chamber Ensemble Outstanding Young Artist Award will make his/her debut with the Ensemble. The concert concludes with a carols sing-along.
The Romantic Violin for Two Valentine’s Concert
Saturday, February 10, 2018, at 7:30 PM
Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington
One violin virtuoso is great, but two are better. NCE Artistic Director and violinist Leonid Sushansky and Washington National Opera violinist Najin Kim are joined by pianist Carlos César Rodríguez in an evening of Mozart, Moszkowski, Paginini, and more.
Strings Fever - Brahms and Mendelssohn
Saturday, March 24, 2018, at 7:30 PM
Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington
NCE performs what are arguably two of the greatest works by these composers: Brahms’ String Sextet No. 2 in G-Major, Opus 36 and Mendelssohn’s Octet in E-Flat Major, Opus 20.
Today’s Classical and Jazz Masters
Saturday, May 19, 2018, at 7:30 PM
Accomplished clarinetist Julian Milkis, the only student of jazz great Benny Goodman, returns to lead an evening of jazz suites by French composer Claude Bolling, as well as works by local composers Joel Friedman and Sam Post.
Programs subject to change.
Gunston Arts Center - Theatre 1
Gunston Middle School and Community Center
2700 South Lang Street, Arlington 22206
Free on-site parking
https://parks.arlingtonva.us/locations/gunston-community-center/
Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington
4444 Arlington Boulevard, Arlington 22204
Free on-site parking
http://www.uucava.org/
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.
