Frequent guests on WETA Classical’s Front Row Washington (including Monday, September 23 and October 21), Chiarina Chamber Players is kicking off their 10th anniversary season September 28th at historic St. Mark’s Capitol Hill. I’ll admit it, I’m a fan. Why? I’ve heard some great artists there including NSO members, noted virtuosos and chamber groups, plus some adventurous music coupled with well-loved pieces. But I’ll let Carrie Bean Stute, cellist and co-founder (with pianist Efi Hackmey) explain why the series is so rewarding for the music lover:
How did you and Efi decide to form a concert series?
Efi and I founded Chiarina in 2015 with the goal of bringing world-class artists and performances into a neighborhood setting. We want our listening experience to be engaging and to give audience members a sense that live chamber music is a two-way street — their participation is also key! We work to create innovative programs that feature a mix of mainstay works — some of the real blockbusters within the chamber music repertoire! — alongside living or lesser-known composers whose works definitely deserve to be championed.
As an artist-run, self-presenting series, our flexible roster of players allows us to explore works that include piano, strings, winds, and voice, and we like to give our audiences that variety.
Could you give us a little history of Chiarina, why the name?
We were inspired by the figure of Clara Schumann, whose nickname “Chiarina” serves as the title of a movement within a longer solo piano work by Robert Schumann, Carnaval. Clara transformed concert culture (particularly chamber music) in 19th - century Germany. She championed composers who might have otherwise become obscure and influenced the way we interpret, present, and listen to music today. All of that in an era where she was effectively expected to put her husband’s career above her own.
One of my favorite parts about your concerts is the enthusiasm of the audience— from what I’ve overheard, they range from devoted music lovers to students, and they form a very loyal and supportive community.
We have a wonderful and welcoming home base in Capitol Hill, and yes, many of our audience members enjoy being able to walk to our concerts! But we also bring in listeners from all over the DMV. Capitol Hill is like its own little village, and we appreciate being a part of that community — not unlike a neighborhood bookstore or café. We always welcome students 18 and under free of charge to our concerts.
Tell me about the upcoming anniversary season.
We’re really excited about our tenth anniversary season, which opens on September 28! Some highlights include a collaboration with Imani Winds, to include visits to neighborhood schools, new guests artists like Michelle Cann and Ricardo Morales, a commission and premiere by composer Reinaldo Moya, a concert for families and children, a chamber opera about the life of Josephine Baker in celebration of Black History Month, seven works by living American composers, and more.
What do you think distinguishes you from other concert series?
In a nutshell: closeness, community, and accessibility. We like to take the walls down between performers and audience, so listeners are seated “in the round” surrounding the performers; artists introduce the pieces they’ll be performing; and performers usually stop by the post-concert reception. We keep our ticket prices affordable so that cost is less of a barrier to attend.
I also think it’s worth noting that while many of our attendees are veteran classical music fans, others have told us that they’d never attended a classical music concert before coming to hear us. So we love being able to share music with a wide spectrum of listeners. One certainly does not have to be a supposed “expert” at classical music to enjoy and be moved by it!
Chiarina Chamber Players’ program Monday September 23 at 9:00 on Front Row Washington is titled “Enchantment”, and features:
Reena Esmail - Saans (Breath)
Lili Boulanger - d'un matin de printemps
Maurice Ravel, arr. Knotts - Scenes from Daphnis and Chloe
Anton Arensky - Piano Trio No.1 in D minor, Op.3
WETA Passport
Stream tens of thousands of hours of your PBS and local favorites with WETA Passport whenever and wherever you want. Catch up on a single episode or binge-watch full seasons before they air on TV.