InConcert Sierra’s Season Opens with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble

Grass Valley, CA: InConcert Sierra’s sensational opening concert of its Third Sunday series happens on Sunday afternoon, October 20, with the world-class musicianship of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble. 

The eight-member chamber ensemble is part of the larger internationally acclaimed London-based Academy of St Martin in the Fields, a chamber orchestra, led by its artistic director Joshua Bell.

The chamber ensemble is formed by principal players from the larger orchestra and brings an intimate and virtuosic experience. As one of the most celebrated ensembles in the world, the Academy has a long-standing tradition of excellence.

Sunday’s program features treasured masterpieces of the string repertoire. Mendelssohn’s “Octet for Strings,” a piece that overflows with youthful energy having been written by Mendelssohn when he was 16, and features exquisitely intricate interplays between the instruments. Dvořák’s “Sextet” is another highlight, filled with lush melodies and folk-inspired rhythms, while Shostakovich’s “Two Pieces for String Octet” offer a more contemporary, dramatic contrast. Hearing these gems performed live by an iconic ensemble allows a deep and immersive engagement with the highest level of classical music for everyone from enthusiasts to those becoming acquainted.

“The ensemble’s refined interpretations, developed over decades of performing together, offer a fresh and deeply insightful perspective on well-known works,” said InConcert Sierra’s Artistic Director, Ken Hardin.

The eight-member ensemble is currently ending its three-week tour of the U.S. that has carried the group across the nation including major venues in Maryland, New Hampshire,and Colorado. In California they will only visit venues in Santa Monica and Grass Valley. InConcert Sierra is the final stop on its nine concert U.S. tour.

The Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chamber Orchestra was founded in 1959 by Sir Neville Marriner, with the Chamber Ensemble established in 1967. As the core chamber group of this acclaimed orchestra, the ensemble is celebrated for its fresh and brilliant interpretations of some of the world’s greatest chamber music. Known for its polished and refined sound, this ensemble is one of the world’s leading chamber groups.

“I first booked the ensemble for October 2020, but—as with many plans that year—Covid shut us down. I tried again in October 2021, only for Covid complications to strike again. So, saying I’m thrilled to have this extraordinary ensemble finally opening our 2024 season is an understatement. This is a performance I’ve been eagerly anticipating for years, and seeing it come to fruition will be a dream realized,” said Hardin.  

There will be a complimentary pre-concert talk at 1:15pm and the concert begins at 2pm.

Since its founding in 1946, InConcert Sierra has played a vital role in the cultural landscape of the Sierra Nevada region, celebrating the arts and making classical music a vital part of the community. The organization offers outreach programs, educational opportunities, and collaborations with local schools and organizations to inspire a passion for classical music. ICS is currently constructing the Crown Point Venues that will include a new acoustic concert hall, conference center, and black box theater.