Season 20. chamber music. Transforming experiences. Deborah Boldin Artistic Director

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1 20th Anniversary Season Season Transforming experiences in chamber music. Deborah Boldin Artistic Director

2 Season 20 Chameleon Arts Ensemble of Boston Transforming experiences in chamber music. artful programming and world class players The Boston Musical Intelligencer Dear Friends, It is my great pleasure to welcome you to Chameleon Arts Ensemble s 20th anniversary. Joy and celebration are at the heart of our programming this season as we continue Chameleon s tradition of the most adventurous concerts in Boston, with our inimitable mix of the witty and the sublime, the new and the beloved. The chamber music series features six vibrant programs, with masterpieces ranging from Copland s Appalachian Spring and Messiaen s Quatuor pour la fin du temps to new and neglected works like David Bruce s futuristic fantasy and Amy Beach s late-romantic tour de force. Our popular and critically-acclaimed recital series Chameleon Up Close returns with dramatic works for violin and piano by Beethoven and Shostakovich and a celebration of a beloved middle voice. I look forward to seeing you at the concerts and sharing Chameleon s exciting 20-year milestone with you! Deborah Boldin, Artistic Director Season Artists Deborah Boldin, flute Robyn Bollinger, violin Vivian Chang-Freiheit, piano Gloria Chien, piano Vivian Choi, piano Nancy Dimock, oboe Gary Gorczyca, clarinet Joshua Gordon, cello Susan Hagen, double bass Rebekah Heller, bassoon Whitacre Hill, French horn Mark Holloway, viola Yoo Jin Jang, violin Siwoo Kim, violin Eunae Koh, violin Danny Koo, violin Kristin Lee, violin Mary Mackenzie, soprano William Manley, percussion Ayano Ninomiya, violin Kelli O Connor, clarinet Grace Park, violin Rafael Popper-Keizer, cello Melissa Reardon, viola Elizabeth Schumann, piano Jennifer Slowik, oboe Scott Woolweaver, viola Aron Zelkowicz, cello

3 The crowd rose to their feet within seconds...smiles from on stage and in the audience testified to an exquisite afternoon. The Boston Musical Intelligencer

4 Keeping the element of adventure alive...not just as sophisticated craft, but as a labor of love. The Boston Musical Intelligencer About Chameleon Arts Ensemble of Boston In a city immersed in music, the Chameleon Arts Ensemble is distinguished by superb artistry, luminous performances, and dynamic musical dialogues. Chameleon integrates old and new repertoire into unexpected chamber music programs that are themselves works of art. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary season, this innovative ensemble draws those who love the adventure of music classic and contemporary. A Chameleon concert is a multifaceted experience in an intimate environment, joining audience and musicians in an exuberant celebration of music.

5 chamber 1 series Appalachian Spring: Creating an American Sound Saturday September 23, PM Sunday September 24, PM Charles Ives Songs for soprano & piano Amy Beach Piano Quintet in f sharp minor, Op. 67 (1908) Arthur Berger Quartet for Winds in C Major John Harbison North and South Book II for soprano, English horn, clarinet, bassoon & strings Aaron Copland Appalachian Spring, Suite for 13 instruments From breathtaking, open landscapes to the soul of a people, Aaron Copland defined the American Sound with his poignant and enduringly popular Appalachian Spring. Ives, too, embodied a way of life with the hymns, marches, dance music, and parlor songs from New England towns. Back Bay resident Amy Beach became one of America s first successful composers, and John Harbison brings our journey into the present with his blues-inflected settings of Elizabeth Bishop. a stunning, absolutely unforgettable rendition The Boston Musical Intelligencer

6 chamber series 2 of voice and verse Saturday November 4, PM Sunday November 5, PM with guest artist Mary Mackenzie, soprano Lili Boulanger D un matin de printemps for flute & piano (1918) Augusta Read Thomas Rumi Settings for violin & viola Aaron Copland Twelve Poems of Emily Dickinson for soprano & piano Joseph Schwantner Music of Amber for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano & percussion Maurice Ravel Piano Trio in a minor Music and poetry are natural companions, following language and cadence to express inner worlds. Copland s lustrous settings perfectly capture the lyrical rhythms of Emily Dickinson, Augusta Read Thomas channels a 900-year old verse, and Ravel adopts a form of Malaysian poetry for his magnificent Piano Trio evocative, cathartic, and simply ravishing The Boston Musical Intelligencer yayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayaya yayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayaya

7 yayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayaya yayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayaya chamber series 3 earthly echoes, celestial song Saturday December 2, PM Sunday December 3, PM Franz Josef Haydn String Quartet in B-Flat Major, Op. 76. No. 4 Sunrise Claude Debussy Prélude à l après-midi d un faune for flute & piano David Ludwig Pleiades for oboe & piano Olivier Messiaen Quatuor pour la fin du temps for clarinet, violin, cello & piano Messiaen s epic masterpiece stands as one of history s greatest musical achievements, transporting us to a place between earthly suffering and the ecstasy of heaven, between measured time and boundless eternity, between sound and silence. Likewise, Debussy prolongs the exquisite moment between sleep and waking, and Haydn conjures the magic of daybreak unflinching and luminous The Boston Globe

8 chamber series 4 immortal notes and Tuscan air Saturday March 3, PM Sunday March 4, PM Samuel Barber Summer Music for woodwind quintet Louise Talma The Ambient Air for flute, violin, cello & piano Camille Saint-Saëns Piano Trio No. 1 in F Major, Op. 18 Libby Larsen Black Birds, Red Hills for clarinet, viola & piano Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky Souvenir de Florence for string sextet, Op. 70 Summer sojourns and sounds of the wind come together in a program of musical postcards. Larsen explores the flow of time and color by way of Georgia O Keeffe s evocative landscapes, warmth and sunlight permeate Saint-Saëns glittering piano trio, and Italian lyricism meets Russian passion in Tchaikovsky s affectionate homage to a country and city he loved I don t expect, ever, to hear a better performance. The Boston Musical Intelligencer

9 chamber series 5 darers and dreamers Saturday April 21, PM Sunday April 22, PM Claude Debussy Sonata for flute, viola & harp Béla Bartók Contrasts for clarinet, violin & piano, Sz. 111, BB 116 David Bruce Steampunk for oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, violin, viola, cello & bass Arnold Schoenberg Phantasy for violin & piano, Op. 47 Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Trio in D Major, Op. 70, No. 1 Ghost Where would we be without these incomparable dreamers? Innovators who push the art form forward, making music modern. Debussy launched a harmonic revolution disguised in beauty and refinement, Bartók bridged the gap between folk and concert music, and Beethoven ushered in the Romantic era with fire and fierce individualism. David Bruce continues to dream with his futuristic, modernist fantasy Chameleon makes daring seem easy. The Boston Globe

10 chamber series 6 opus twenty Saturday May 19, PM Sunday May 20, PM Benjamin Britten Lachrymae Reflections on a Song of Dowland for viola & piano, Op. 48 Marc-André Dalbavie Palimpsest for flute, clarinet, string trio & piano Igor Stravinsky Divertimento from The Fairy s Kiss for violin & piano (1932) Colin Matthews Fantazia 13 after Purcell for clarinet, violin, cello & piano Felix Mendelssohn Octet in E-Flat Major, Op. 20 The resonance of history fills our 20th anniversary season finale: music of striking vitality and originality that looks both forward and back, and one of the most joyful and celebratory works in the repertoire, Mendelssohn s own Opus 20! Benefit for More Than Words Bring gently-used books, CDs and DVDs for More Than Words and receive 25% off ticket prices. MTW empowers youths who are in the foster care system, court involved, or homeless to take charge of their lives by managing their own used book business and café to develop the skills, leadership, and confidence they need to successfully transition to adulthood.

11 The two stars treated us to a thrilling performance. The Boston Musical Intelligencer Chameleon Up Close We invite you to join us for Chameleon Up Close, an extraordinary opportunity to see and hear our superb artists featured in recitals, hosted by Artistic Director Deborah Boldin and including our hallmark mix of classic, neglected, and contemporary works. Enjoy a complimentary beverage and sweets at Mary Norton Hall at Old South Church, transformed into an intimate cabaret setting. fiercely lavish The Boston Globe

12 Up Close 1 & Robyn Bollinger, violin Elizabeth Schumann, piano Sunday February 4, PM Mary Norton Hall Old South Church Arvo Pärt Fratres Bollinger s outgoing play electrified the air. The Boston Musical Intelligencer Ludwig van Beethoven Sonata No. 7 in c minor, Op. 30, No. 2 Erik Satie Choses vues a droite et a gauche (sans lunettes) Dmitri Shostakovich Violin Sonata, Op. 134 From Beethoven s dramatic reinvention of the sonata genre, to Arvo Pärt s minimalist evocations of Gregorian chant, to the muscular and uncompromising sound-world of Shostakovich s late style join us for a powerful recital of Rule Breakers and Statement Makers. deft, relentless, and devastatingly good the sort of performance you experience not so much with your ears as your solar plexus. The Washington Post

13 Up Close 2 & Scott Woolweaver and Mark Holloway, viola Vivian Choi, piano Sunday April 8, PM Mary Norton Hall Old South Church vivacity and technical brilliance The Boston Musical Intelligencer Frank Bridge There is a Willow Grows Aslant a Brook (arr. Britten) Paul Hindemith Sonata for viola & piano, Op. 25, No. 4 George Benjamin Viola, Viola Arnold Bax Sonata, GP 251 Choi s piano sprinted through deluges of notes. The Boston Globe Johannes Brahms Sonata in f minor, Op. 120, No. 1 Rich, radiant, and uniquely soulful, we celebrate a beloved middle voice and a remarkable viola legacy. Hindemith and Brahms give us cornerstones of the repertoire, and Arnold Bax s dazzling, über-romantic sonata and George Benjamin s kaleidoscopic double-viola duo take virtuosity and sonority to new heights. Holloway took the viola to beautiful places and played outstandingly. Musik Und Theater

14 Intimate setting. Luminous performances. Adventurous repertoire.

15 17-18 Season 20 at a Glance Don t miss Chameleon s 20th anniversary season of luminous performances in Boston s most intimate concert environments. We integrate old and new music into unexpected programs that are themselves works of art, transporting audiences and transforming the chamber music experience. Chamber music series concerts are at First Church, 66 Marlborough Street, and the Up Close recitals are at Mary Norton Hall on the 2nd floor of Old South Church, 645 Boylston Street, in Boston s Back Bay. Saturday concerts begin at 8 PM and Sunday concerts at 4 PM chamber 1 Appalachian Spring: Creating an American Sound Saturday, September 23, 2017 and Sunday, September 24, 2017 Charles Ives Amy Beach Arthur Berger John Harbison Aaron Copland chamber 2 of voice and verse Saturday, November 4, 2017 and Sunday, November 5, 2017 Lili Boulanger Augusta Read Thomas Aaron Copland Joseph Schwantner Maurice Ravel chamber 3 earthly echoes, celestial song Saturday, December 2, 2017 and Sunday, December 3, 2017 Franz Josef Haydn Claude Debussy David Ludwig Olivier Messiaen Up Close 1 Robyn Bollinger, violin & Elizabeth Schumann, piano Sunday, February 4, 2018 Arvo Pärt Ludwig van Beethoven Erik Satie Dmitri Shostakovich chamber 4 immortal notes and Tuscan air Saturday, March 3, 2018 and Sunday, Sunday, March 4, 2018 Samuel Barber Louise Talma Libby Larsen Camille Saint-Saëns Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky Up Close 2 Scott Woolweaver and Mark Holloway, viola & Vivian Choi, piano Sunday, April 8, 2018 Johannes Brahms Paul Hindemith George Benjamin Arnold Bax Frank Bridge chamber 5 darers and dreamers Saturday, April 21, 2018 and Sunday, April 22, 2018 Claude Debussy Béla Bartók David Bruce Arnold Schoenberg Ludwig van Beethoven chamber 6 opus twenty Saturday, May 19, 2018 and Sunday, May 20, 2018 Felix Mendelssohn Marc-André Dalbavie Benjamin Britten Colin Matthews Igor Stravinsky

16 Chameleons in the Community Chameleon infuses all of its programs with a public-spirited sensibility through its annual community projects. They are designed to increase the accessibility of classical music and to create connections between the arts and everyday life. Free Ticket Program In order to increase the accessibility of live chamber music, we donate up to 20% of our seats at each concert for constituents of public service organizations. Annual Benefit Concert As part of a unique model for collaboration between the arts and public service, Chameleon dedicates one concert each season as a benefit for a local public service charity. Family & Educational Concerts Chameleon s educational and family programs are designed for children and students ages 6-12 along with their families. They illustrate the ways in which music is connected to our emotions and the world around us, in unforgettable events that children will carry with them for years to come. Please visit us online at for more information about these programs. photo: Susan Wilson

17 Subscribe Today! Subscriber Benefits The best available seats with no waiting in line at the door Save 10-20% over single ticket prices Receive advance program notes by Exchange your ticket for another performance at no charge Receive 10% off any additional single ticket purchases for family or friends Accessibility First Church and Old South Church are wheelchair accessible. Please let us know if you require assistance with seating LARGE PRINT PROGRAMS are available at all performances Directions to Concerts Concerts are at First Church, 66 Marlborough Street at the corner of Marlborough and Berkeley Streets, and at the Mary Norton Hall on the 2nd floor of Old South Church, 645 Boylston Street at the corner of Boylston and Dartmouth Streets in Boston s Back Bay. Parking is recommended in the garage under the Boston Common entrance on Charles Street between the Public Garden and the Common. The closest T Stations are Copley or Arlington on the Green Line and Back Bay on the Orange Line.

18 How To Order Tickets: CREDITS Photos: Matthew Wan Design: Ink Design Printing: The Graphic Group Please note: programs and personnel are subject to change Chameleon s fall programs are supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. By Mail: Please make check payable to Chameleon Arts Ensemble and return form to: Chameleon Arts Ensemble of Boston 6 Rocky Nook Terrace Boston, MA By Phone: Online: All seating is reserved. Support Chameleon Ticket sales cover less than half the expenses related to producing our unforgettable events. We hope that you will consider including a tax-deductible donation along with your ticket order. Your gift of any size will make a significant difference. A B C Seating Locations: First Church in Boston stage Mary Norton Hall Old South Church cabaret seating stage yayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayaya yayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayaya

19 yayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayaya yayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayaya Ticket Order Form Name Address Phone Number of seats Full 8-concert subscription Chamber Music Series All 6 concerts - save 20% Pick 5 concerts - save 20% Pick 4 concerts - save 15% Pick 3 concerts - save 10% Single Tickets Chameleon Up Close Recital Series A $310 $226 $188 $160 $127 $47 Students & seniors: $5 off single tickets B $257 $173 $144 $122 $97 $36 C $204 $120 $100 $85 $68 $25 Reserved cabaret seating at Mary Norton Hall, Old South $84: 2-concert subscription save $47: Sun Feb 4 $47: Sun Apr 8 Woolweaver/Holloway/Choi Please indicate your selections: All chamber music series concerts are at First Church in Boston Chamber 1 Appalachian Spring Sat Sept 23 Sun Sept 24 Chamber 2 of voice and verse Sat Nov 4 Sun Nov 5 Chamber 3 earthly echoes, celestial song Sat Dec 2 Sun Dec 3 Chamber 4 immortal notes and Tuscan air Sat Mar 3 Sun Mar 4 Chamber 5 darers and dreamers Sat Apr 21 Sun Apr 22 Chamber 6 opus twenty Sat May 19 Sun May 20 Payment Method: Check (payable to Chameleon Arts Ensemble) Visa/Mastercard/Discover: Card Number: Expiration Date: Total Ticket Order: $ Tax-Deductible Contribution: $ Total Enclosed: $ Return to: Chameleon Arts Ensemble 6 Rocky Nook Terrace, Boston, MA Thank you for your support!

20 6 Rocky Nook Terrace Boston, MA Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Boston MA Permit No The performance was sensational, a fact the audience clearly appreciated. The Boston Globe If you receive more than one copy of this brochure, please share it with a friend.