e132 Inaugural Season Announcement!

We’re so pleased to announce our first season, starting in the Spring of 2020! Bringing together some of the most accomplished and creative artists from along the East Coast, ensemble132 celebrates the versatility and vibrance present in every aspect of chamber music. Combining a new approach to programming that features Sam Hong’s groundbreaking arrangements, with a rotating roster of artists of the highest caliber, this inaugural season is sure to be exciting.

Schumann and Schumann (and some Brahms, too)

Our first program is centered around Sam’s original transcription of Robert Schumann’s work for solo piano, Carnaval, Op. 9, for piano quartet (piano + string trio). You’ll find all the textures and personalities contained within Schumann’s masterpiece brought to the fore in breathtaking ways as the added string trio brings it new life and depth (check out a preview here).

On the same program are the Three Romances, Op. 22 by Clara Schumann, Robert’s wife and lifelong champion. Without her support as the premiere pianist of her day, Robert never would have reached the heights he did. And it just so happens to be her 200th birthday this year, so we thought, “hey, why not give her a bit of the spotlight as well.” Notice that these beautiful pieces, originally for violin and piano, will also be performed as transcriptions by each member of the string trio from Carnaval. And I guess it doesn’t hurt to mention that we’re playing Brahms’ heart-wrenching Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 60, as if you didn’t have enough great German music on the program.

Beethoven’s 250th and more

Look out for other innovative programs coming up and down the East Coast as we celebrate Beethoven’s 250th birthday with another one of Sam’s arrangements: Beethoven’s Triple Concerto, Op. 56, scored for Piano Sextet. On yet another program we’ll pair Beethoven’s underplayed Piano Quartet Op. 16 paired with Sam’s transcription of Stravinsky’s Petruchka.