As we settle into fall in Newport, we look forward to continuing the Newport Classical Chamber Series with two very special performances in October. Both concerts take place at our home venue, the acoustically superb Newport Classical Recital Hall, downtown on Dearborn Street. Newport Classical’s Chamber Series runs from September through June with concerts on select Friday evenings, keeping the music going all year long. These performances provide an inviting setting to gather with friends at the end of each week, to listen to the world-class musicians Newport Classical brings to our City by the Sea.
As many of you already know, Newport Classical’s mission is “to celebrate the living art form of classical music in intimate and iconic locations.” The organization presents the one-of-a-kind Newport Classical Music Festival, which takes place each July in Newport’s iconic mansions and uniquely intimate venues across Aquidneck Island; the Chamber Series at the Newport Classical Recital Hall; the Community Concerts Series, which brings free performances to families right in their own neighborhoods; and the Music Enrichment and Engagement Initiative which has inspired over 2,800 children and community members since 2021.
Blake Pouliot performs in the Newport Classical Chamber Series on Friday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
For our Chamber Series concert on Friday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m., Newport Classical presents the incredible, vibrant Canadian violinist Blake Pouliot and the always impressive Henry Kramer, a pianist known for his “astonishingly confident technique” (The New York Times). Blake and Henry recently made their Carnegie Hall debut as a duo, and we are very excited to welcome them to our stage for an evening of Romantic music by Schumann, Dvořák, and Chausson. Blake has made debuts as a soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, and more, and the Los Angeles Times has praised his “radiant sound and high-powered virtuosity.” He first performed as a soloist with orchestra at the young age of eleven, and the Toronto Star calls him “one of those special talents that comes along once in a lifetime.” We hope you will join us for what promises to be a very memorable evening with these two rising stars.
On Friday, Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m., Newport Classical welcomes Trio Zimbalist to our Chamber Series. The trio brings a contagious energy to its performances and deep musical expression to every note. The members – violinist Josef Špaček, cellist Timotheos Gavriilidis-Petrin, and pianist George Xiaoyuan Fu – are all distinguished alumni of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, and the group takes its name from famed violin virtuoso Efrem Zimbalist, who was a towering presence at Curtis for forty years. They will perform trio member George Xiaoyuan Fu’s own Piano Trio, as well as two celebrated masterpieces – Smetana’s emotional Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 15 and Beethoven’s Piano Trio in B-flat Major, Op. 97, full of warmth, grace, and grandeur. In demand across Europe and the U.S., Trio Zimbalist has won over audiences and critics alike with what the Greek newspaper EfSyn calls “precision and feverish intensity.” Welook forward to presenting this impressive group in their Newport debut and sharing their artistry with you.
Like all guest musicians performing on the Chamber Series, Blake Pouliot, Henry Kramer, and Trio Zimbalist will visit local schools or organizations to present their talents and meaningfully engage with students and community members of all ages, as part of Newport Classical’s Music Enrichment and Engagement Initiative.
Between these two Friday evening Chamber Series concerts, don’t miss Newport Classical’s free Community Concert presented by BankNewport, designed especially for families, on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 2:30 p.m. at Emmanuel Church. Classical guitarist Aaron Larget-Caplan presents his New Lullaby Project in this interactive concert featuring original compositions commissioned from around the world, which invites young listeners to experience contemporary music through the traditional genre of the lullaby. Feel free to wear your comfiest PJs and bring your favorite stuffed animal to enjoy the performance!
Whether you’re a longtime classical music enthusiast or someone curious about exploring this art form, we invite you to join us for a Newport Classical concert this October. From the virtuosity of Blake Pouliot and Henry Kramer to the passionate artistry of Trio Zimbalist, plus Aaron Larget-Caplan’s concert for all ages, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Tickets for all Newport Classical concerts can be purchased online at newportclassical.org/concerts.
Trevor Neal is the director of artistic planning at Newport Classical. His column appears monthly in The Newport Daily News and on newportri.com.
This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Newport Classical presents violinist Blake Pouliot in October