The Portsmouth Athenaeum presents this annual series of chamber music concerts held in historic properties around Portsmouth. This year, the public is invited to attend the following four chamber concerts:
The Balourdet Quartet is comprised of four very talented string instrumentalists: Benjamin Zannoni, Viola; Justin DeFilippis, Violin; Russel Huston, Cello; and Angela Bae, Violin. Courtesy photo.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 3 p.m.
BALOURDET QUARTET
at Kittery Dance Hall, 7 Walker Street, Kittery
The Balourdet Quartet, composed of violinists Angela Bae and Justin DeFilippis, violist Benjamin Zannoni, and cellist Russell Houston, is based in Boston, Massachusetts and is currently in residence at the New England Conservatory’s Professional String Quartet Program. The quartet received the Grand Prize at the 2021 Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition, as well as prizes in international competitions including the Banff, Paolo Borciani, and Carl Nielsen competitions. They were also awarded the Gold Medal at the 2020 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and the 2021 Chamber Music Yellow Springs Competition. The Balourdet Quartet was formed in 2018 at Rice University in Houston, Texas under the tutelage of James Dunham, Norman Fischer, and Cho-Liang Lin. It currently works primarily with Paul Katz at the New England Conservatory, as well as Miriam Fried and members of the Cleveland and Borromeo Quartets. The quartet takes its name from Antoine Balourdet, chef extraordinaire at the Hotel St. Bernard and beloved member of the Taos School of Music community.
Noree Chamber Soloists. Courtesy photo.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 3 p.m.
NOREE CHAMBER SOLOISTS
at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 101 Chapel Street, Portsmouth
A frequent visitor to Portsmouth, NH, Noree Chamber Soloists is a NY-based chamber music ensemble whose musicians have appeared on the world’s most prestigious stages and are winners of top international competitions, including Queen Elisabeth, Klein, Benedetto Mazzacurati International Cello, and Rubinstein International Piano Competitions. Noree Chamber Soloists performance has been praised as “musicality of a high order “ and “exquisite sensitivity” by the New York Concert.
Rasa String Quartet consists of violist Emma Powell, cellist Mina Kim, and violinists Maura Shawn Scanlin and Kiyoshi Hayashi,. Courtesy photo.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8, 3 p.m.
RASA STRING QUARTET
at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 101 Chapel Street, Portsmouth
Currently in residence at Philips Exeter, Boston-based Rasa String Quartet violinists Maura Shawn Scanlin and Kiyoshi Hayashi, violist Emma Powell, and cellist Mina Kim are graduates of the New England Conservatory, the Shepherd School of Music, and Yale University and winners of the 2022 Associazione Europea Di Musica E Comunicazione International Chamber Music Competition (Italy,) the 2021 Music Teachers National Association Chamber Music Competition (ATL,) and the 2020 Chamber Music Yellow Springs Competition (OH). Rasa is passionate about performing powerful, engaging, and unconventional programs that are inspired by a wide variety of traditions that fuse multiple genres, highlight unknown composers, and make classical music culturally relevant. They have performed across the US including appearances at Rockport Music, the Isabella Steward Gardner museum, and Boston New Music Festival.
Violinist Emil Altschuler, pianist Thomas Pandolfi, and cellist Carol Ou of the ASMI Chamber Ensemble.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29, 3 p.m.
ASMI TRIO
at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 101 Chapel Street, Portsmouth
The Altschuler Summer Music Institute develops musicians of all ages through participation in masterclasses, private lessons, and performances with renowned artists. The ASMI Chamber Ensemble is a collaboration between ASMI’s world renowned faculty and selected young artists. Ms. Ou received her BA from Yale College, and her master’s and doctorate in music performance from the Yale School of Music. Carol mentors students at New England Conservatory of Music and has taught cello students at Yale, MIT, and NYU. In addition, Carol serves as the Director of the Music for Peace concert series in Cambridge, MA. Pianist Thomas Pandolfi studied at The Juilliard School (BM & MM), and has become an audience favorite on the world’s most prestigious stages, including Alice Tully Hall, The Kennedy Center, Kiev Opera House, London’s Cadogan Hall, et al. Maestro Pandolfi is a Steinway Artist. Violinist Emil Altschuler holds degrees from Juilliard and Yale School of Music. He is an active soloist, chamber musician, and the concertmaster of the Wellesley Symphony Orchestra.
CHAMBER MUSIC TICKETS
SERIES SUBSCRIPTION TICKETS
$100 for all four concerts
PATRON SPONSORSHIP
$250 per person
Each Patron receives a ticket to concert series & post-concert receptions with performers.
Please make checks payable to the Portsmouth Athenaeum.
Send to:
Portsmouth Athenaeum
PO BOX 366, Portsmouth, NH 03802
(Please note PACM on memo line)
INDIVIDUAL CONCERTS
Admission $30 (in advance or at the door)
Student Tickets $10
The public is invited! All programs subject to change.
Etching by Childe Hassam, 1895-1935, “Done from nature in Miss Dorothy Whitcomb’s car.” Collection of the Portsmouth Athenaeum.
Yet vigorous at the age of 206, the Portsmouth Athenæum is one of only a few non-profit membership libraries remaining in the U.S. Sited at the heart of the town and an active part of the life of the community, we hold manifold lectures, exhibitions and concerts dedicated to the edification and enjoyment of all.
Membership and participation are open to everyone.