USCB Chamber Music launches 45th season

By Michael Johns

Andrew Armstrong

USCB Chamber Music begins its 45th season on Sunday, November 10, 5:00 pm. Two guest artists, violinist Stefan Jackiw and clarinetist Yoonah Kim, join Artistic Director, pianist, and host, Andrew Armstrong. Stefan Jackiw is one of America’s foremost violinists, captivating audiences with playing that combines poetry and purity with impeccable technique. Hailed for playing of “uncommon musical substance” that is “striking for its intelligence and sensitivity” (Boston Globe), Jackiw has appeared as a soloist with the Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco symphony orchestras, among others. During the 2024-25 season, Stefan Jackiw’s schedule is studded with performances in the United States, Europe, and Asia. He plays a violin made in 1705 by Vincenzo Ruggieri. Clarinetist Yoonah Kim, hailed by The New York Times for her “inexhaustible virtuosity,” is an artist of uncommon musical depth and musicality. She enjoys a diverse career as solo clarinetist, chamber and orchestral musician, and educator. Beyond performing solo clarinet repertoire in recitals and with orchestras, Ms. Kim is devoted to commissioning and premiering new works for the clarinet. She has given masterclasses throughout the US, Canada, and South Korea, serves on the clarinet faculty at New York University’s Steinhardt School; and is currently a Doctoral Fellow at the Juilliard School.

Lowcountry audiences have been impressed with Andrew Armstrong

Yoonah Kim

for his innovations as Artistic Director—an enthusiastic embrace of all types of music, packaged with programming flare—and demeanor as charming, loquacious host. After years of hearing him perform it is not unreasonable to take his brilliant pianism for granted, but it is occasionally worthwhile to be reminded of what a globetrotting gem we have who chooses to regularly perform in the Lowcountry. Andy is praised around the world for his passionate expression and dazzling technique while delighting audiences in the great cities and iconic concert halls across Asia, Europe, Latin America, Canada, and the United States. His orchestral engagements include a vast repertoire of more than 60 concertos, solo recitals, chamber music concerts, and appearances at chamber music festivals around the country. He remains an unflagging and enthusiastic advocate for the communicative power of live, acoustic, concert music.

The concert begins with Schubert’s calming, transcendent, non-denominational “Ave Maria,” arranged for violin and clarinet. Its mood—comforting and deeply personal, flowing and seeking grace—is graspable and profound. Mr. Armstrong then joins Ms. Kim for Francis Poulenc’s spirited and sublime Clarinet Sonata, which takes the listener on an emotional roller-coaster ride from nervous and edgy through intimate and tender to hard-charging and circus-music squeaky. All three artists return for Igor Stravinsky’s trio version of L’histoire du Soldat, his 1919 musical portrayal of a Faustian bargain between a violin-playing soldier and the devil. It exhibits the clarity and tunefulness associated with Classical style while piquant harmonies and unsettled rhythms animate a decidedly unsettled, twentieth-century point of view.

 

Stefan Jackiw

Following intermission Andy and Stefan play Richard Strauss’ multi-movement, extravagant, bursting-at-the-seams Violin Sonata, Op. 18. By the age of 23, Strauss was already an accomplished composer, completely in command of instrumental color and capacity, with an acutely sensitive ear for vocal-style melody and a profound respect for the traditions of western music. Hearing this infrequently-performed sonata played by charismatic virtuosi will be a special treat. The concert closes with a trio arrangement of  Astor Piazzolla’s propulsive, non-stop, beat-driven, “new-tango-”style dance, Liebertango. The title blends “liberty” and “tango,” creating a conflation of mid-1970s American disco and dance/pop music with Argentinian tango. It will get the blood running, the toes tapping, then the hands clapping in appreciation for a concert that moved from humble, prayerful calm to dramatic, passionate dance.

USCB Chamber Music prides itself on presenting accessible, thought-provoking music for every palette and sensibility performed by impeccably trained and technically polished artists.  Experience in-the-moment creativity in real-time with the musicians and let your spirit soar as the audience basks in the glow of music’s unspoken, sublime power.

There are three ways to enjoy each concert: in person and virtually by Live-Stream and OnDemand. All virtual concerts are professionally produced, creating great viewing opportunities. OnDemand is accessible four days after the concert and available to view at your leisure for three weeks. For concert, artist, event, and ticket information, go to www.uscbchambermusic.com or call 843-208- 8246, Monday through Friday. The first concert of the USCB Chamber Music’s 45th season is Sunday, November 10, 2024, 5:00 pm at the USCB Center for the Arts, 801 Carteret Street, Beaufort, in the downtown historic district.