No composer embodied the blend of strict protocol and evocative sensuality of 18th century Spain better than Luigi Boccherini, court composer to Infante Luis Antonio of Spain.  The music of American composer Brian Nabors draws from combinations of Jazz Funk, R&B, and Gospel with the modern flair of contemporary classical music. These worlds collide in spectacular program of string chamber music that includes the world premiere of a quintet commissioned from Nabors by CMSCVA for our 2022-23 season. The program includes Luigi Boccherini’s famous “Fandango” quintet, Spanish string quartets, and the world premiere of a new cello quintet by American composer Brian Nabors. Musicians performing on this concert are the Cramer String Quartet (violinists Jessica park and Kate Goddard, violist Annie Garlid, and cellist Michael Unterman), guitarist Cameron Welke, and cellist James Wilson.   Program: Guitar Quintet in D major, G453                               Luigi Boccherini Allegro maestoso assai Soul Bop                                                                          Brian Nabors String Quartet in E-flat Major                                   Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga Andantino – Pastorale String Quintet in C major, (“La musica notturno della strade di Madrid”) Boccherini String Quintet in E major, G275                                Boccherini Minuetto Guitar Quintet in D major, G448                              Boccherini Grave assai Fandango

The adventurous Cramer Quartet performs on period instruments in a full spectrum of musical styles. As a celebration of the extraordinary quartets of Joseph Haydn, the group has been commissioning American composers to write new string quartets in response to his iconic works. In this concert, the Cramers will play music both by the father of the string quartet as well as exciting new works from Jessica Meyer and Caroline Shaw. You can stream the concert live from the Richmond Public Library at this page. Program: Franz Joseph Haydn, excerpts from The Seven Last Words of Christ, Hob. XX:1 Introduzione. Adagio Sonata 1: Largo Jessica Meyer, Father, Forgive Them Haydn, from The Seven Last Words of Christ Sonata 7: Largo Caroline Shaw, Seven Haydn, from The Seven Last Words of Christ Il Terremoto. Presto e con tutta la forza Haydn, String Quartet in D Major, Op.71, No. 2 (“Apponyi”) Adagio-Allegro Adagio cantabile Menuetto. Allegretto – Trio Finale. Allegretto  

Some of the most memorable moments in the classical repertoire are inspired by the power, grace, and fun of dancing. Our musical program was inspired by dances and places around the world that shaped them – waltz-crazed Vienna, the Harlem Renaissance, 19th century Bohemia, and the East African coast. Please join us for Dance Card, a concert presented in partnership with the Richmond Public Library’s Gellman Room Concerts, on Saturday April 15th, 2:00 pm, at the Main Public Library in downtown Richmond. The program includes toe-tapping selections by composers Eric Wolfgang Korngold, William Grant Still, Valerie Coleman, Evan Premo, and Florence Price. Musicians performing on this concert are flutist Mary Boodell, violinists Suliman Tekalli and Brendon Elliott, violist Rachel Yonan, cellist James Wilson, and pianist Terrence Wilson.

In Romantic-era Vienna, the waltz and music from Hungary were the big fads. In America, Latin music is one of our dance party staples. High art and popular culture join hands and step out in this joyful concert of chamber music by Brahms, Johann Strauss Jr., and American composer Kevin Day. Please join us for Waltz/Samba on Sunday April 16th, 4:00 pm, at the modernist Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond. The program includes Johann Strauss’ “Blue Danube Waltz,” Kevin Day’s “Ecstatic Samba,” and the famous piano quintet by Johannes Brahms. Musicians performing on this concert are flutist Mary Boodell, violinists Suliman Tekalli and Brandon Elliott, violist Rachel Yonan, cellist James Wilson, and pianist Terrence Wilson.

The second installment of a multi-year CMSCVA commissioning project inspired by Modest Mussorgsky’s timeless musical suite ”Pictures at an Exhibition,” this concert presents three world premieres based on works of art and historical objects found in some of Richmond’s many museums and galleries.  The talented line-up of Richmond-born and Richmond-based composers creating this first round of musical pictures will be announced in the fall.  Bring your Richmond pride and join us for this celebration of local talent and creativity! This concert is presented in partnership with the Richmond Public Library’s Gellman Room Concerts series.