Concordia Chamber Players: Experience Exquisite, Rarely Heard Music
Exquisite music, some rarely heard, presented in carefully curated programs and presented by renowned musicians in unique, intimate settings: that’s the promise that the Concordia Chamber Players has delivered for more than 20 years.
Founded in 1997 in New Hope, Pennsylvania, Concordia prides itself on bringing the world’s best music to the greater Bucks County and Princeton area. Audiences have come to expect and relish witnessing the great masterpieces of the chamber music repertoire, spanning all centuries, performed by a stellar list of guest artists.
Founder and artistic director, Michelle Djokic says, “We endeavor to unveil some lesser known gems while presenting compositions we have all come to treasure in a setting that welcomes both the ardent devotee and those who are just embarking on the discovery of all the wealth of witnessing live chamber music. The unique nature of the venues makes our performances destination events. We are known to seek out the opportunity to escape the sterile environment of commercial concert halls to find gems just a short distance from the big cities.”
Concordia’s 2019-2020 season is ready to go and will once again deliver an extraordinary experience, including four thrilling programs with works from the Latin American Baroque to present day, nine top international prize winners including two 1st prize recipients of Primrose Viola Competitions, four Grammy nominees, four Avery Fisher Career Grant Recipients, and an Emmy Award winner.
“This exciting season kicks off with Concordia’s ChamberFest on September 13 with our “Musical Offering” at the Chapel at Kings Oaks in Newtown and the feature event “Fandango” at the incomparable Glen Oaks Farm on Saturday, September 14, with a program of Baroque music from Spain and Latin America. This concert highlights seldom heard pieces composed during the dynamic age of exploration, pieces not only from Spain but from Peru, Guatemala, and beyond. We will also enjoy a repast compliments of our board members. Our tradition of offering free open rehearsals continues on the 13th at the Free Library of New Hope from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” says Djokic.
This year’s Chamberfest will feature two of Concordia’s artists. Nell Snaidas, an American-Uruguayan soprano, specializes in Latin American and Spanish Baroque music. Daniel Swenberg specializes in Renaissance and Baroque lutes, theorbos, Baroque and 19th-century guitars, and Baroque mandolino. He has been a Juilliard faculty member since 2014.
The October Concordia Chamber Music program is titled “Silenced Voices” and is scheduled for Sunday, October 27, at the ArtYard in Frenchtown, New Jersey. “This program is in homage to all those in the art and literary world who have been banned for political or religious reasons,” Djokic says.
“We have selected a few composers who were all impacted by the political tensions of their times. Most of these compositions have rarely been enjoyed live and deserve to be heard and performed in honor of the many voices who have been silenced. Concordia is proud to present this music to the public.”
Tickets for all performances are available via the website www.concordiaplayers.org and are also available at the door on the day of the performance.