Featuring an impressive lineup of artists—some of whom have performed at Chamber Music Sedona previously—the concert’s program will include massive and groundbreaking works that will shatter any notion that chamber music is small scale. The celebration will also feature a Spring Salon, “Soloists in Sedona,” which will be held in a private home on Thursday, April 13.
“Epic Octets” will showcase some of the most renowned string players in the country: violinists Bella Hristova, Arnaud Sussmann, Susie Park, and Oliver Neubauer; violists Paul Neubauer and Melissa Reardon; cellists Dmirti Atapine and Nicholas Canellakis (who also serves as Chamber Music Sedona’s Artistic Director); and bassist Scott Pingel. The concert program will include Mendelssohn’s beloved “Octet”—considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Western music—as well as the epic and rarely heard “Octet” by Romanian composer George Enescu. In addition, the audience will be the first to experience a brand-new work by composer, pianist and Sedona favorite Michael Stephen Brown, co-commissioned by Chamber Music Sedona to commemorate its 40th year.
At the Spring Salon on April 13, the four violinists of “Epic Octets”—along with Paul Neubauer, Dmitri Atapine, and Michael Stephen Brown—will each perform as soloists, featuring a lineup of classical showpieces and wild folk tunes. Amidst the intimate setting of one of Sedona’s beautiful homes, salons offer an opportunity for chamber music lovers to mingle with the artists and one another while enjoying up-close performances, light hors d’oeuvres, and wines.
A special feature of Chamber Music Sedona’s 40th Anniversary Season is its partnership with the Sedona International Film Festival. Between January and April, the two organizations will join together to present a series of award-winning documentary films that align with the concert season. On Friday, April 14 at 4 p.m., the featured screening will be Music of Strangers, an outstanding music documentary by Oscar-winner Morgan Neville. The film follows the musical journey of legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the international collective of virtuosi and wondrous musicians he founded, “The Silk Road Ensemble.” This fun and engaging event will take place at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre and will be attended by Melissa Reardon, one of the violists performing in the “Epic Octets” concert.
Tickets for the “40th Anniversary Gala: Epic Octets” are $40 for adults and $15 for students aged 13-21 with ID. Admission is free for children 12 and under. Reserved seating is available for up to $60 per ticket. To learn more about the concert or to purchase concert tickets, visit https://chambermusicsedona.org/2023-40th-anniversary-gala-epic-octets/.
For Spring Salon tickets, visit
https://chambermusicsedona.org/2023-spring-salon-the-soloists-in-sedona/.
