2023–2024 Barbara and William Karatz Chamber Concert Series

The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library is pleased to present the 2023–2024 season of the Barbara and William Karatz Chamber Concert Series, beginning October 29, 2023, at 6 p.m. The series, which continues until April 30, 2024, is set in the intimate Joan & Irwin Jacobs Music Room inside the Athenaeum. Enjoy chamber music as it was intended—in a warm, personal setting, where you are treated as a guest in our historic library. At each concert you’ll hear a mix of music rarely presented locally and cherished masterpieces, guaranteed to uplift and move you, performed by the finest chamber musicians we know. We welcome back a few favorite artists from past seasons along with some exciting new faces that are sure to inspire.

All concerts are preceded by a pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. and are followed by a reception with the artists in the Sharon & Joel Labovitz Entry Hall.

Note from the Directors:

We are grateful for the warm reception and supportive feedback we’ve received from our audiences during our first season, and we are excited to share our plans for the 2023–2024 season with you. This year’s concerts will feature another mix of fresh faces alongside familiar friends, with a variety of artists, instruments, and music that is sure to delight. We hope you’ll join us again, and we look forward to connecting with you soon!

Sunday, October 29, 6 PM* (*Special start time)

McGill/McHale Trio (Anthony McGill, clarinet; Demarre McGill, flute; Michael McHale, piano)

 This group of superstars makes their first visit to San Diego as a trio, opening the Athenaeum’s season with a bang. Their dynamic program features sonatas by Poulenc along with works by some of today’s most exciting composers, including Missy Mazzoli and Valerie Coleman (whose Portraits of Langston was inspired by the poetry of Langston Hughes*). This special opening concert will be performed without intermission.

PROGRAM (subject to change)

A Fish Will Rise, Chris Rogerson

Sonata for Flute and Piano, Francis Poulenc

Techno-Parade (2002), Guillaume Connesson

Evocation d’Amour, Augusta Holmes, arr. Michael McHale

Heartbreaker, Missy Mazzoli

Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Francis Poulenc

*Portraits of Langston, Valerie Coleman

Prelude: Helen Keller

             Danse Africaine

             Le Grand Duc Mambo

             Silver Rain

             Jazz Band in a Parisian Cabaret

             Harlem’s Summer Night