Mar. 10: Newport Classical Continues Chamber Series this Spring with violinist Randall Goosby
Newport Classical Continues Chamber Series this Spring
February 17: Rachmaninoff and Beethoven with pianist Gabriela Martinez March 10: Ravel and Beethoven with violinist Randall Goosby April 21: Powerhouse Duo Thomas Mesa and Ilya Yakushev May 19: Mendelssohn and Bach with saxophone ensemble Kenari Quartet June 9: Chamber Series Finale with violinist Stella Chen and pianist Henry Kramer
Recital Hall at Emmanuel Church | 42 Dearborn St. | Newport, RI Information & Tickets: www.newportclassical.org/chamber-series
“Embracing a new tune, Newport [Classical] is reimagining classical music for a wider audience.” – The Public’s Radio
Newport, RI – Newport Classical continues its commitment to year-round programming with its ongoing Chamber Series, featuring five concerts between February and June 2023 at the organization’s home venue, the Recital Hall at Emmanuel Church (42 Dearborn St.). Tickets are available at www.newportclassical.org.
On February 17, Newport Classical will present celebrated Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Martinez, in music by Rachmaninoff and Beethoven along with selections by young composers Caroline Shaw and Viet Cuong, as well as Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. Versatile, daring and insightful, Martinez is establishing a reputation on both the national and international stages for the lyricism of her playing, her compelling interpretations, and her elegant stage presence. Since making her orchestral debut at age seven, Martinez has played with distinguished orchestras around the world and her wide-ranging career includes world premieres of new music, live performance broadcasts, and interviews on TV and radio.
On March 10, Newport Classical brings virtuoso 25-year-old violinist Randall Goosby, hailed by The New York Times for his “exquisite tone and sheer virtuosity,” for a concert with pianist Ann Han that blends traditional and 20th century works by Beethoven, Grant Still, Ravel, and Boulanger. Goosby signed to major label Decca Classics in 2020 at the age of 24, and is acclaimed not only for his musicianship but also his mission to make music more inclusive and accessible, and to bring the music of under-represented composers to light.
The powerhouse duo of Thomas Mesa, hailed as one of the most charismatic cellists of his generation, and Ilya Yakushev, known for his pyrotechnics on the piano, performs Newport Classical’s April 21 Chamber Series concert. Their program features music by J.S. Bach and Rachmaninoff, alongside contemporary works by Lera Auerbach and Kevin Day. These two musicians joined together to form a duo of “equal footing” for a “great musical performance,” showcasing core works from the classical cannon alongside pieces by the next generation of great composers.
On May 19, Newport Classical presents the remarkable saxophonists of the Kenari Quartet, described as “polished” and “intense” by the Wall Street Journal and “flat-out amazing” by Cleveland Classical, in a concert that includes music by J.S. Bach and Mendelssohn, Jennifer Higdon’s Short Stories, and David Maslanka’s Mountain Roads. The Kenari Quartet delivers inspiring performances that transform the perception of the saxophone, and aims to highlight the instrument’s remarkable versatility by presenting meticulously crafted repertoire from all periods of classical and contemporary music.
The Chamber Series Finale concert on June 9 will feature American violinist Stella Chen, joining forces with pianist Henry Kramer, who is returning to Newport after his acclaimed Opening Night performance. Chen garnered worldwide attention with her first-prize win at the 2019 Queen Elizabeth International Violin Competition, followed by the 2020 Avery Fisher Career Grant and 2020 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award. She will perform music by Grażyna Bacewicz and Eleanor Alberga, alongside the violin sonatas of Schumann and Grieg. (Chen replaces William Hagen, who is unable to perform.)
As part of Newport Classical’s desire to create connections between classical music, the artists who perform it, and the Newport community, all musicians performing on the Chamber Series will also go into the Newport-area public schools to perform for and speak with students, through Newport Classical’s Music Education Residency initiative.
Up next, the 2023 Newport Classical Music Festival will take place from July 4-23, 2023. Details will be announced in March.
For Newport Classical’s complete concert calendar, visit www.newportclassical.org/concerts
Health & Safety
The safety of Newport Classical’s audience, musicians, staff, and volunteers continues to be the top priority, and with this in mind, the following precautions are currently in place, in line with industry best practices for indoor performances. Anyone attending a Chamber Series concert will need to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination OR a negative PCR test taken in the prior 72 hours or antigen test taken in the prior 6 hours. Proof of vaccination or testing must be presented at time of entry.
In accordance with CDC and state guidelines, masks are no longer required, but recommended for indoor concerts. Newport Classical’s COVID-19 protocols remain subject to change and NC reserves the right to implement a masking requirement if cases begin to surge in Rhode Island. Any changes will be communicated to ticket holders in advance of their performance.
About Newport Classical:
Newport Classical is a premier performing arts organization that welcomes people of every age, culture, and background to intimate, immersive musical experiences. The organization presents world-renowned and up-and-coming artistic talents at stunning, storied venues across Newport – an internationally sought-after cultural and recreational destination.
Originally founded in 1969 as Rhode Island Arts Foundation at Newport, Inc. and previously known as Newport Music Festival (NMF), Newport Classical has a rich legacy of musical curiosity presenting the American debuts of over 130 international artists and rarely heard works and is most well-known for hosting three weeks of concerts in the summer in the historic mansions throughout Newport and Aquidneck Island. The organization has produced more than 2,000 concerts and hosted more than 1,000 musicians and singers. In 2021, the organization launched a new commissioning initiative – each year, Newport Classical will commission a new work by a Black, Indigenous, person of color, or woman composer as a commitment to the future of classical music.
Newport Classical is proud to be an essential pillar of New England’s cultural landscape, and to invest in the future of classical music as a diverse, relevant, and ever-evolving art form. Newport Classical’s four core programming initiatives – the iconic summer Music Festival taking place across Newport; the year-round Chamber Series at the organization’s home base Newport Classical Recital Hall at Emmanuel Church in downtown Newport; the free family-friendly Community Concerts held in green spaces around Aquidneck Island; and its newly expanded Music Education Residency program – illustrate the organization’s ongoing commitment to presenting “timeless music for today.”
Newport Classical Continues Chamber Series this Spring - Next Concert is February 17 with Pianist Gabriela Martinez
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