Events
J is for Jaell, Joplin, and Janacek
Goethe Institute
170 Beacon St. Boston MA
November 2, 7:30pm
This Event has Passed
Our first Letter Concert of the season kicks off with Marie Jaell’s almost unknown Romance for Violin and Piano, Scott Joplin’s innovative ragtime piece designed for the concert hall, and Leos Janacek’s “Intimate Letters” for string quartet; a dream piece for musicians and an audience favorite!
K is for Kodaly, Kidjo, and Korngold
Somerville Music Spaces
1060 Broadway St. Somerville MA
February 8, 7:30pm
This Event has Passed
Taking inspiration from folk music and cinematic traditions, this program spans a wide range of cultures and styles. Opening with Kodaly’s infamously tricky duet for violin and cello inspired by the music of Eastern Europe, the program continues with Angelique Kidjo’s string quartet arrangement of YanYanKliYan Senamido. Drawing from the musical traditions of Benin, the quartet writing is unfamiliar for players but instantly appeals to listeners. Finally, Korngold’s Second String Quartet takes center stage in a tour de force of cinematic writing.
Postponed
L is for Leonarda, Lyuh, and Larsen
This Event Will Be Rescheduled
April 13
Nghiêng Festival - Virtual Collaboration with Students of Phan Boi Chau High School
Vinh, Vietnam
May 4, 5:00pm
Interactive Chamber Music Masterclass and Concert
Attacca School of Music
63 Trapelo Rd. Belmont MA 02478
Celebrating the music of exclusively women composers, this program spans from east to west, modern day to the Middle Ages. Isabella Leonarda’s hauntingly beautiful medieval music for violin and lute sets the stage for the evening. Soo Yeun Lyuh’s music follows with a composition originally premiered by the Kronos Quartet. Finally, Libby Larsen’s Fourth String Quartet demonstrates her mastery of merging complexity and beauty into a single work. Centered around the theme of water in its many forms, this final piece is at once soothing and challenging.
We’re pleased to announce our first collaboration with the students of Class 10C1 at Phan Boi Chau High School in Vinh, Vietnam. Over the past few months, these students have written original works exploring themes of identity and cultural connection, paired with movements from string quartets selected in partnership with ABC. The selected pieces will be recorded by ABC and presented to audiences in Vietnam during the Nghieng Festival on April 13th, blending live performance with recorded music to highlight this unique interdisciplinary and cross-cultural project. This initiative reflects our shared commitment to fostering artistic dialogue across borders, and we look forward to sharing the students’ creativity with listeners in the U.S. and beyond.
Join us for a unique and engaging evening of chamber music at Attacca School of Music on Sunday, May 4th, from 5:00-7:00 PM featuring the talented musicians of Analog by Choice. This special event is designed for music lovers of all ages, offering a hands-on experience in both performance and storytelling.
From 5:00-6:00 PM, enjoy an interactive masterclass with the student chamber groups of Attacca School of Music. Watch as students collaborate with Analog by Choice in real-time, gaining valuable insight into the artistry of ensemble playing and the nuances of chamber music.
From 6:00-7:00 PM, be part of a dynamic and imaginative interactive concert where the quartet will present a unique program inspired by the structure of a novel. In this "build your own quartet" experience, the quartet will weave together "chapters" from different pieces to create a new musical narrative. As each movement unfolds, there will be moments of audience interaction, encouraging young listeners to share their interpretations of the evolving story.
M is for Martinez, Montgomery, and Mendelssohn
Arlington Street Church
351 Boylston St. Boston MA
June 7, 7:30pm
Our Season Finale is jam packed with favorites for musicians and audiences alike. ABC veteran, Hannah Shanefield returns to perform Odaline de la Martinez’ “Four Afro-Cuban Poems” with string quartet. All-star composer, Jessie Montgomery’s Rhapsodies for Solo Violin are the first two in an incomplete set of six that will mirror the famous Bach works for the same instrument. Our last piece of the season is Mendelssohn’s second string quartet. Written in a cyclical fashion, the opening notes of the piece are also the last; a fitting send off as we celebrate the year of music making and look ahead to the next!