Next Concert

Nov 17, 2024 at 3:30pm
ensemble132
 
 Presented in-person and livestreamed on YouTube.

Known for presenting innovative chamber arrangements of large-scale works, the artists of ensemble132 include Grammy-winners and Grammy-nominees who have performed at major festivals and venues. This program is a a flavorful catalogue of songs and dances of the human spirit, seen throughout history; each of the three composers, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Stravinsky, and Dvorak exploring cultural and musical stories and narratives, and imparting their personal interpretive voices onto them - and in the case of the Stravinsky, an exciting Maryland premiere of Sahun Hong's colorful, quirky, and vivacious piano quartet arrangement of the Pulcinella Suite. For this concert, ensemble132's roster includes Abi Fayette, violin; Luther Warren, viola; Chase Park, cello; and Sahun Sam Hong, piano.

PROGRAM

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875 – 1912)
THREE PIECES FROM SUITE OP. 3 
Pastorale (violin)
Cavatina (cello)
Barcarolle (viola)
 
Igor Stravinsky (1882 – 1971), arr. Hong
PULCINELLA SUITE, FOR PIANO QUARTET
I. Sinfonia
II. Serenata
III. Scherzino – Allegretto – Andantino
IV. Tarantella
V. Toccata
VI. Gavotta con due variazioni
VII. Vivo
VIII. Minuetto – Finale 
 
Intermission
 
Antonin Dvořák (1841 – 1904)
PIANO QUARTET NO. 2 IN E-FLAT MAJOR, OP. 87
I. Allegro con fuoco
II. Lento
III. Allegro moderato, grazioso – Un pochettino più mosso
IV. Finale. Allegro ma non troppo
WELCOME TO THE 2024-25 SEASON
Showcasing both established artists and young talent, the twelve concerts on the 2024-25 season offer opportunities to enjoy jazz, classical, New Orleans-style brass, guitar, choral music, and more! From Baltimore’s own world-famous jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut to the acclaimed Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass and the twice Grammy-nominated guitarist Mak Grgic, the variety of this year’s guest artists is only matched by their excellence. In addition, we will continue to feature musicians from the Baltimore Symphony and the region in concerts pairing rarely performed gems alongside beloved chamber music repertoire.
 
FREE TO ALL
We are fortunate to be part of a generous community that makes it possible to present professional artists from around the corner and around the world at no charge to you. No tickets or reservations are required for any of our 2024-25 concerts.
 
AFTERNOON CONCERTS WITH BALTIMORE SYMPHONY MUSICIANS & FRIENDS
New name and time - still the same excellent musicians! You spoke via our surveys; we listened! Concerts with Baltimore Symphony Musicians & Friends (formerly “Chamber Music by Candlelight”) curated and performed by musicians from the BSO and the region, are moving to Sunday afternoons to make them more accessible to all audiences.

2024-2025 Season

Sep 15, 2024 at 3:30pm
Cyrus Chestnut, piano
Sponsored by Polly & Bruce Behrens

Hailed as the "best jazz pianist of his generation" (TIME), Cyrus Chestnut began his musical career playing piano at the Mount Calvary Star Baptist Church at the age of six in his hometown of Baltimore. After studying at Peabody Prep and Berklee, he honed his craft playing with legends like Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea, and Dizzy Gillespie. With a remarkable ability to quote just about anything musically, this will be a rare opportunity to hear him perform as a soloist.

This engagement of Cyrus Chestnut is made possible in part through the ArtsCONNECT
program of Mid Atlantic Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Sep 22, 2024 at 3:30pm
Baltimore Symphony Musicians & Friends

Bacewicz: Quartet for Four Violins
Michael Rau, Agnes Tse, Adam Wu, Jerry Xiong
Schuller: Quartet for Double Basses
Nina DeCesare, Casey Karr, Ryan Avila, Alex Hiller, basses
Mozart: String Quartet No. 22 in B-flat major, K. 589
Greg Mulligan & Holly Jenkins, violins; Karin Brown, viola; Bo Li, cello

Oct 20, 2024 at 3:30pm
Einav Yarden, piano
Sponsored by Ellen & Ed Bernard
Founder's Fund Concert, in Honor of Margaret Budd

Praised for her imagination and exceptionally vivid playing, Berlin-based pianist Einav Yarden is a student of the late Leon Fleisher. She brings her “sense of immense majesty, tempered by gentleness and quiet grace” (Washington Post) to a program that features Robert Schumann’s Kreisleriana, Op. 16—one of the major piano works of the Romantic era.

Nov 17, 2024 at 3:30pm
ensemble132

Known for presenting innovative chamber arrangements of large-scale works, the wunderkind artists of ensemble132 include Grammy-winners and Grammy-nominees who have performed at major festivals and venues. This program will feature a remarkable chamber arrangement of Stravinsky’s iconic Pulcinella along with Dvořák’s stunning Piano Quartet No. 2. Their roster includes Abi Fayette, violin; Luther Warren, viola; Chase Park, cello; and Sahun Sam Hong, piano.

Dec 1, 2024 at 3:30pm
Baltimore Symphony Musicians & Friends
Sponsored by Beth & Mark Felder

Maconchy: Clarinet Quintet
Holly Jenkins & Kevin Smith, violins; Jacob Shack, viola; Jaime An, cello; Vitor Trindade, clarinet
Tansman: Suite for Wind Trio
Melissa Hooper, oboe; Jaewon Kim, clarinet; Schuyler Jackson, bassoon
Beethoven: String Quartet Op. 59, No. 3 in C Major
Ivan Stefanovic & Kevin Smith, violins; Karin Brown, viola; Dan Levitov, cello

Jan 26, 2025 at 3:30pm
Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass
Sponsored by Leslie & Tom Owsley

Following the advice of family patriarch Ellis Marsalis, the Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass present programs that break the usual barriers between genres. Beginning with New Orleans jazz and moving into Baroque and classical, the ensemble incorporates everything from Broadway hits by Leonard Bernstein to patriotic marches by John Philip Sousa — a wealth of styles wrapped up in one concert. This event will be fun for all ages!

Feb 23, 2025 at 3:30pm
Morgan State University Choir

The Morgan State University Choir is renowned as one of the nation's most prestigious university choral ensembles. While their wide-ranging repertoire spans classical, gospel, and popular music, the choir is especially acclaimed for their historic and authoritative performances preserving the heritage of the spiritual. Don’t miss this opportunity to see them in our intimate space.

Mar 2, 2025 at 3:30pm
Baltimore Symphony Musicians & Friends

Rebecca Clarke: Viola Sonata
Jacob Shack, viola; Lura Johnson, piano
Farrenc: Nonet in E-flat major, Op. 38
Holly Jenkins, violin; Erica Gailing, viola; Jaime An, cello; Nina DeCesare, bass; Marcia McHugh, flute; Katherine Needleman, oboe; Vitor Trindade, clarinet; Harrison Miller, bassoon, Gabrielle Finck, horn

Mar 16, 2025 at 3:30pm
Mak Grgic, guitar

Hailed as "imaginative and expressive" by the New York Times, two-time Grammy-nominated artist Mak Grgic is a versatile star on the world stage. Praised for his “rapid-fire fingering and emotional passion,” Grgic presents a program that includes contemporary works alongside traditional pieces from the Balkan Peninsula area of his native land (the former Yugoslavia).

Apr 13, 2025 at 3:30pm
Baltimore Symphony Musicians & Friends

Smit: Trio for viola, clarinet, and piano
Lura Johnson, piano; Jacob Shack, viola; Vitor Trindade, clarinet
Kodály: Duo for Violin and Cello
Holly Jenkins, violin; Dariusz Skoraczewski, cello
Blumer: Sextet, Op. 45
Christine Murphy, flute Melissa Hooper, oboe; Vitor Trindade, clarinet; Harrison Miller, bassoon; Lisa Bergman, horn; Lura Johnson, piano

May 4, 2025 at 3:30pm
National Orchestral Institute + Festival: Chamber Music Spotlight
In Partnership with Clarice Presents

The National Orchestral Institute + Festival (NOI) and Community Concerts at Second present a program featuring Beethoven's intense String Quartet No. 11, "Serioso," a world premiere commission by Takuma Itoh blending oboe and strings, Jessie Montgomery's rhythmic Voodoo Dolls for string quintet, and Prokofiev's circus-influenced Quintet. From the emotional depths of Beethoven's masterwork to contemporary music exploring new sonic landscapes, this concert features an all-star collection of musicians from top orchestras and touring ensembles.

Jun 22, 2025 at 3:30pm
Baltimore Symphony Musicians & Friends

Price: Moods
Marcia McHugh, flute; Vitor Trindade, clarinet; Michael Sheppard, piano
McAllister: X3
Ivan Stefanović, violin; YaoGuang Zhai, clarinet; Lura Johnson, piano
Beethoven: Quintet for Piano and Winds, Op. 16
Melissa Hooper, oboe; Jaewon Kim, clarinet; Schuyler Jackson, bassoon; Megan Hurley, horn; Lura Johnson, piano

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Community Concerts at Second is supported by the Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org).