Exploring Classical Music Through the Lens of Chamber Music with Sandra Nikolajevs, President and Artistic Director of Chamber Music Charleston

Class 1 (Thursday, May 2): Setting the Stage For Chamber Music: From Bach to Mozart.

It is commonly thought that the tradition of chamber music was first established in the late 1700s and early 1800s by such well-known composers as Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven…but we would not have been able to enjoy such an art form if it wasn’t for the music of the Baroque masters, such as Johann Sebastian Bach. This class will explore the origins of the Chamber Music medium.

Class 2 (Thursday, May 23):  Cancelled From the Private Salons to the Concert Hall: The Evolution of Chamber Music between the Classical and Romantic Periods.

Chamber Music was originally created as a way to enjoy classical music in the private homes or in the royal courts, among friends. As the caliber of performers increased – and the quality of the music began to equal that of great symphonies and operas – chamber music began to appear in the great concert halls. This class will show this transition with interesting anecdotes and descriptions of chamber music performances as it moved from a private to a more public art form.

Class 3 (Thursday, May 30): Pushing the Limits of Music: Audience Reaction to Music of the 20th and 21st Century.

The Classical Music world went through great change at the end of the Romantic Period, as it started to truly push the boundaries of tonality, rhythm, and structure. This change has continued to today, as we find ourselves in an era where there is so much diversity and styles to either enjoy…or run away from! This class will explore various performances with extreme audience reactions and provide a reflection on current chamber music concert offerings.

Class 4 (Thursday, ): The Role of Classical Music and Chamber Music Today.

What does historical context mean for the enjoyment of “Classical” chamber music today? We will entertain various ideas and learn from the perspective of a young musician who is just entering the professional world of music (cellist Peter O’Malley, who recently completed his first year of studies in Cello Performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music. He is also the son of the class lecturer, Sandra Nikolajevs)

Each class is $25 whole series for $100