Whenever I need a ‘pick-me-up’ I head down to the Rosslyn Spectrum to see a National Chamber Ensemble (‘NCE’) concert.
This year’s Valentine’s Day Concert filled the air with L-O-V-E and wonderful music written by Armenian composers Arno Babajanian, Aram Khachaturian, Komitas Vardapet, and Alexander Arutiunian. NBC4 chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer was the guest host.
Also included in the Valentine’s Day concert was the uplifitng, athletic, and exciting performance from members of Bowen McCauley Dance. What a winning combination! And we have video highlights for you to enjoy!
First take a look at Lucy Bowen McCauley’s choreography for the Spartacus Ballet by Aram Khachaturian, with Leonid Sushansky, NCE’s Artistic Director, on violin, Carlos César Rodríguez on piano, and danced by Alicia Curtis, Samuel Horning, Alexandra Keen, and Brook Urquhart. The lovely lighting is by Martha Mountain.
Next, Clarinetist Julian Milkis and Pianist Carlos César Rodríguez teamed up on Vocalise by Alexander Arutiunian, and on Kormitas Vardapet’s The Apricot Tree. As you will hear below, there are some simply spine-tingling gorgeous tones coming out of Milkis’ clarinet.
Next, is my favorite of the concert, Alexander Arutiunian’s gorgeous
Suite for Clarinet, Violin, and Piano played gloriously by Violinist Leonid Sushansky, Pianist Carlos César Rodríguez, and Clarinetist Julian Milkis. The excitement in their playing delighted me and the appreciative audience.
https://youtu.be/4AppHEs2N8s
https://youtu.be/lGZ3R0GyBK0
After the well-deserved standing ovations ended, a reception followed where scrumptious desserts awaited the audience, where they had the chance to congratulate and schmooze with the musicians.
The next National Chamber Ensemble performance, on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 7:30 PM, is American Landscape. It features three works by great American Romantic composer Amy Marcy Beach (1867-1944): 3 Compositions for Violin and Piano Op.40 and Piano Trio Op. 150. Purchase tickets online.
