New Hope, PA. January 10, 2000.
Since 1997 David Kim has joined Michelle Djokic, Artistic Director of Concordia Chamber Players, in the creation of a remarkable music series presenting the world’s finest musicians in the intimate atmosphere of the small river town of New Hope, PA. Despite the heavy demands of his recent appointment as Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Kim will continue his association with Concordia for the 2000 series concerts. The first of that series is February 13 and will feature the theme of romance in honor of Valentines Day. Joining Kim (violin) and Djokic (cello) are Gail Niwa (piano) and Richard Lalli (Baritone). The program begins with a romantic selection of songs sung by Richard Lalli, followed by the D Minor piano trio of Anton Arensky. The concert begins at 3pm at the New Hope Solebury High School auditorium. Tickets can be secured by calling 215-297-5972 or www.concordiaplayers.org.
Background: This is a very exciting time in the development of Concordia. Since its inception in 1997, its previous concerts were outstandingly successful, bringing to the community world class performers and performances. Never before has the community had access to such quality musicians nor such exquisite musical experiences inherent in the intimacy of live chamber music. This was made possible by the grace and vision of Michelle Djokic, a world class cellist who debuted at age 13 with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and whose roots are in New Hope. Having played with the best, all over the world, Michelle can bring to New Hope a caliber of music and musicians otherwise unavailable to our area. The Concordia musicians’ schedules take them to the world’s greatest concert venues. They come to New Hope because of their friendship with Michelle and their love to play in “chamber” with treasured colleagues.
Concert Location: To continue the series in 2000, we are delighted to now have access to a beautiful new performing space in the New Hope Solebury High School located in the heart of New Hope. Easily accessible to everyone, with a seating capacity of 500 and ample parking, it will also allow the ensemble to target school age children from the entire region who stand to gain in many ways from the experience of classical music in a setting familiar to them. Tickets are free to any child under the age of 15 accompanied by an adult.
In School Concerts; The week prior to each of the concerts, cellist Michelle Djokic, will be in residence conducting “informances” i.e.: informal and informative performances for school age children throughout the region. From the week of Feb 7-12, she is scheduled for ten such informances in schools in Princeton, Lambertville, New Hope, Newtown and Doylestown area. This week will culminate in the Feb 13 performance to which each child will have been given a coupon for one free ticket, with adult accompaniment. Informances will continue to be a vital aspect of Concordias presence within the community.
Sponsors; Concordia Chamber Players concerts are possible a result of cooperative support from area organizations, volunteers and farsighted sponsors. This years’ season would not have been possible without the leadership sponsor of Merrill Lynch Trust Company, headquartered in Princeton NJ. Additional support was secured from the area sponsors including Dresswells, distinctive sportswear of Lambertville, Clemens Market, MCORP hospitality software, HahnCreative Coaching & Consulting and zzcad Design and Bucks County Magazine.
Concordia is also honored to be sponsored by a leading community organization, Partners in Progress (PIP) that includes a cross section of the community’s organizations on both sides of the river, dedicated to preserving our areas artistic, historical and cultural heritage.
The Musicians
Cellist Michelle Djokic, is the artistic director and inspiration of the Concordia Chamber Players. “Djokic is indisputable when playing melody. Her sense of delivery and her mastery of technique have an instinctual rightness about them.” hailed a critic of the Denver Post. Ms. Djokic made her debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the age of thirteen. She received both her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from Julliard at the age of twenty. A winner of prizes both National and International, Michelle has appeared as soloist with orchestras throughout the world to great critical acclaim. She pursues her great love of chamber music with some of today’s finest musicians.
Violinist, David Kim, is currently in his first season as Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, David Kim was born in Carbondale, Illinois, started playing the violin at the age of three, began studies with Dorothy DeLay at the age of eight and later received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Julliard School. The only American to capture a top prize in the 1985 Tchaikovsky Violin Competition, David enjoys a career as soloist, a very sought after chamber musician and now as concertmaster of one of the greatest orchestras in the world.
Pianist, Gail Niwa, continues to thrill audiences as she did at the 1991 Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, where she became the only woman ever to win the Gold Medal. She also captured two additional awards, the Audience Prize and the Chamber Music Prize. She made her New York recital debut at Alice Tully Hall in October 1991.
Baritone, Richard Lalli, is a graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy, Oberlin Conservatory and Yale School of Music. He is an Associate Professor of Music at Yale, where he has taught since 1982. Mr. Lalli specializes in song repertoire of the nineteenth century, in early music and in the performance of modern works.
PROGRAM
February 13, 2000, 3:00 PM, New Hope-Solebury High School
A Love Sampler
Dalla Guerra Amorosa by G.F. Handel
Romance in D Major by Ludwig van Beethoven
Liebst du um Schönheit by Gustav Mahler
In the Silent Night by Sergei Rachmaninoff
Jota by Manuel de Falla
Élégie by Jules Massenet
To What You Said by Leonard Bernstein
So In Love by Cole Porter
Richard Lalli – baritone
Gail Niwa-piano
Michelle Djokic – cello
Trio in D minor, Opus 32 Anton Arensky
Gail Niwa – piano
David Kim – violin
Michelle Djokic – cello
Full Bio’s and the upcoming April 16th program are available at the Web Site. For full Bios, select Performers, then double clicking on each performer. www.concordiaplayers.org.
CONTACT: Les Sdorow 215-862-3428 (lsdorow@aol.com)