Published January 10th, 2018
Free classical concert at SMC Chapel, Jan. 26
Ensemble ARI Photo provided
Ensemble ARI, a group of Korean American musicians in the Bay Area dedicated to bridging Korea and other communities through western instruments while honoring Korean history and culture, will be collaborating with Calextone, an early music ensemble that specializes in the music of Western Europe from the 13th through the 15th centuries, for a performance at 8 p.m. Jan. 26 in the Saint Mary's College Chapel.
Ensemble ARI was founded by two Orinda musicians, composer Jean Ahn and pianist Sharon Lee Kim, and includes five other musicians dedicated to classical music that connects to the community.
Ahn, who is the Ensemble ARI director, holds a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley as well as master's and bachelor's degrees from Seoul National University, and has been recognized, awarded, and honored by many. Her compositions have been featured at Aspen New Music Festival, American Composers Orchestra's Ear Shot (by Memphis Symphony), June in Buffalo, Oregon Bach Festival, Etchings Festival, Festival of Contemporary Music, IAWM, Berkeley Symphony Under Construction, Pacific Korean Music Festival, and College Music Society Conferences, among others. Ahn is also the assistant director of UC Berkeley Chamber Chorus, is currently lecturing at UC Davis and has taught at UC Berkeley, University of the Pacific and Dominican University.
Calextone, which will perform Renaissance music using big recorders and a lute, includes Allison Zelles Lloyd, voice and harp; Frances Blaker, recorder and hammered dulcimer; Letitia Berlin, recorder, doucaine and psaltery; Shira Kammen, vielle, harp and voice.
Strings will play with non vibrato, as if they are gut strings (in the style of 15th century), says Ahn. The free concert will feature music by Brahms, Gordon, and 15th century German composers.
- J. Wake





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