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2015-2016
Concert Archive
Ensemble39
Friday, April 8
7:30
World Cafe Live: 3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
New sounds coming out of Philadelphia! Inspired by Prokofiev’s Quintet, Opus 39, the dynamic and virtuosic string/wind group Ensemble39 has already established itself as one of the hottest ensembles in Philadelphia. They will perform the world premiere of a work by Kinan Abou-afach, commissioned by LiveConnections as part of its “New Sound of Philadelphia” project. Inspired by the music of Abou-afach’s native Syria, the work will explore classical and traditional Arab music along with pre-recorded sounds for this distinct blend of instruments.
Grammy-winning contemporary ensemble eighth blackbird commends Ensemble39 and how it “combines great chops with a fearless attitude to repertoire and performance. This is no ordinary chamber ensemble!”
LiveConnections curates and presents six concerts annually, showcasing collaborative music designed for adventurous music-lovers. Join us for dinner and some of the most engaging new music around!
TICKETS:
$18 general admission
$13 students with ID
(prices include service charges)
Press Release
March 7, 2016 – Considered one of the hottest ensembles in Philadelphia, Ensemble39’s unique mix of strings and winds embraces many musical styles, including classical, jazz, klezmer, and more. For the LiveConnections Presents concert, they will perform the world premiere of a work by Kinan Abou-afach, commissioned by LiveConnections as part of its “New Sound of Philadelphia” project, which features genre-crossing commissions of Philadelphia-based composers writing for local ensembles. [Read More]
Preview
In May 2015, LiveConnections commissioned Kinan Abou-afach to compose music blending Arab and Western influences for Grammy-winner Jason Vieaux and the Al-Bustan Takht Ensemble.
Check out Ensemble39 perform the world premiere of “A Philadelphia Minute” (2012).
About the Artists
Ensemble39, or E39, as the group is known among those who have experienced its thrilling performances, is quickly establishing its style, sound and programs. Inspired by Sergei Prokofiev’s Quintet, Op. 39, for oboe, clarinet, violin, viola and bass, its unique mix of strings and winds embraces many musical styles, from the classical oboe to the jazz bass, the klezmer clarinet to the old time fiddle. Since 2011, commissions for the Philadelphia-based ensemble have reached the double digits and continued to multiply. E39 has worked with some of the best young composers of their ge neration. From independent commissions to residencies with composers at the Curtis Institute of Music (2012), University of Pennsylvania (2014) and a performance at the Juilliard School for composer Katerina Kramarchuk (2013), Ensemble39 enjoys watching works transform from the initial reading to performance. For more information, visit http://www.ensemble39.org. [Image: Drew Schlegel]
Kinan Abou-afach obtained his Masters Degree in Cello Performance from DePaul University‘s School of Music in Chicago, where he studied with Stephen Balderston, assistant principal of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, as well as Stephan Hirsch, Chris Costanza and Joseph Genualdi. Kinan is a member of the International Musician Foundation and was a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago between 2002 and 2004. Throughout his musical career, Kinan had the privilege to play under conductors such as Solhi Al-Wady, Cliff Colnot, Christopher Seaman, Roberto Abbado, Sir Andrew Davis and Pinchas Zuckerman, and soloists like Yo-Yo Ma, Alex Klein and Larry Combs. Kinan performs with the Takht Ensemble from Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture and frequently collaborates with LiveConnections. To learn more, visit http://kinanmusic.com. [Image: Courtesy of the artist]
