Pianist Melvin Chen to Join Concordia Premier of Barber’s Hermit Songs

By Roy Ziegler

Chen-135

Melvin Chen

Melvin Chen, one of the most sought after chamber musicians today, will perform on the piano joining clarinetist Todd Palmer in a New Hope premier of Samuel Barber’s Hermit Songs on Sunday, November 7 at 3 PM. Concordia Chamber Players’ artistic director, Michelle Djokic, will narrate the work that has been arranged by Palmer. “We are so delighted that Melvin Chen will be joining the Concordia Chamber Players,” said Djokic. “He is an enthusiastic chamber musician who has performed with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Chautauqua, Vail and many others. He is currently the associate director of the newly created Bard College Conservatory of Music,” added Djokic.

The popular Piano Trio in B major by Johannes Brahms will feature Chen, Palmer and Djokic who will be joined by violinist, Peter Winograd who has been a favorite of Concordia audiences over the past few years.

A highlight of the program will bring the rarely performed Concerto a Tre for clarinet, violin and cello by the German composer, Ingolf Dahl. Notably, the first performance of this Concerto which was composed in 1947 was given by Benny Goodman in Los Angeles.

The Concordia Chamber Players will perform at the New Hope-Solebury High School in the Stephen Buck Theater on West Bridge Street in New Hope. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling 215-297-5972. Children accompanied by a paying adult are always admitted free to Concordia’s concerts.

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