A private concert and conversation showcase the breadth of artistic exchange at MIT
On Thursday November 21, a group of MIT Arts Scholars gathered at the Goethe-Institut Boston for a private chamber music concert with members of the Berlin Philharmonic, one of the world’s premier orchestras. Following the concert was a fireside chat between BP General Director Andrea Zietzschmann and Boston Symphony Orchestra President and CEO Chad Smith on music education and community engagement efforts. This intimate event, organized in collaboration with the Celebrity Series of Boston, showcased the depth of artistic engagement cultivated by the Arts at MIT, connections with leading performing arts organizations and the unique opportunities provided for students. The evening also underscored the Berlin Philharmonic and Boston Symphony Orchestra’s shared dedication to supporting music education and creating meaningful connections with the public through their current and future initiatives. The Berlin Philharmonic is currently on their 25th world tour; the orchestra has organized more than a thousand events in music education, with 45 members of the orchestra participating in these events. The night beforehand, the Berlin Philharmonic had also performed Bruckner’s Fifth Symphony at Symphony Hall, which another group of MIT Arts Scholars attended.
The program opened with three pieces from a string trio consisting of Hande Küden, Harry Ward, and Roxana Wisniewska. They began with Antonin Dvorak’s Terzetto in C major for two violins and viola Op. 74, displaying the ensemble’s exceptional interplay. Each movement flowed smoothly into the next, with the warmth and lightness of the players’ skill and affection for each other evident throughout. They followed up with Dvorak’s Gavotte for three violins B 164 and then led into Capriccio for three violins Op. 2. The pieces displayed the exceptional skill of the players, each portion of the program full of emotional depth and complexity.
After the first half of the program, the clarinet quartet took the stage, their presence radiating ease and joy that stemmed from their profound mastery of the instrument. Wenzel Fuchs, Alexander Bader, Matic Kuder, and Andraž Golob’s synergy was palpable, their interplay showcasing not only technical brilliance but also a genuine connection to the music and to one another. Their performance was both captivating and uplifting, offering a heartwarming contrast to the rainy evening outside. They had chosen to throw in surprise pieces in between the planned program, fleshing out the evening even more. They started with George Gershwin’s Three Preludes, and it was clear all of the members of the quartet had a strong sense of play and gaiety. They continued with one of their chosen surprise pieces, Clair de Lune and followed up with Scott Joplin’s Something Doing. Afterwards, they performed a Robert Schumann piece, which added a slow, relaxed note to the program. Then, the quartet led into Tico Tico, by Zequinha de Abreu. They finished off the night with a polka, showcasing the liveliness and humor of the quartet, with a few giggles heard from the audience. Throughout the clarinet quartet’s performance, many in the crowd couldn’t help but tap their feet despite remaining seated. The Berlin Philharmonic’s appreciation of each other’s talents was also clear throughout the evening, as members of the trio and the quartet watched each other’s performances raptly.
The performance was followed by a reception, where guests and musicians were invited to mingle and connect over discussions of ideas and impressions. Hanna Mularczyk, a graduate MIT Arts Scholar, expressed her awe at the performance, stating she “forgot classical music could be so funny and jovial.” Karen C., an undergraduate Scholar, particularly appreciated the Schumann piece played, noting that it was “a nice surprise to hear a piece [she] enjoyed in general.” A notable gathering of Boston educators and musicians were also in attendance, in part for the rare chance to hear the musicians of Berlin Philharmonic up close, but many were interested in the educational and outreach projects the two orchestras have in store.
Afterwards, Andrea Zietzschmann and Chad Smith introduced the Berlin Philharmonic’s and the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s projects and initiatives. They then led a discussion on the current state of the arts and how established ensembles can increase engagement and better serve their communities. Both focused on the challenges faced in Germany and the US with respect to attracting a young audience and communities that were less engaged in classical music today. Smith and Zietzschmann remarked on the importance of increasing the accessibility of classical music performances, especially in a time where the togetherness that an orchestra displays can add significant value to communities and societies. Smith also brought up the exceptional innovation that is fostered by an education in music that extends beyond students pursuing professional careers in orchestras to those excelling in a wide range of disciplines. The stunning performances by the BP beforehand exemplified his statements.
As the evening drew to a close, it was clear that the MIT Arts Scholars had gained not just an appreciation for the Berlin Philharmonic’s artistry but also a deeper understanding of the value of the arts in education and how to address current challenges in music education across the globe. With support from the Arts at MIT, these students are building a bridge between disciplines, proving that the arts are not a mere aside at MIT—they are a vital part of its culture.
Celebrity Series of Boston
November 21, 2024
Goethe-Institut Boston
Hande Küden, violin and viola
Harry Ward, violin
Roxana Wisniewska, violin
Program:
Antonín Dvořák, Terzetto in C major for two violins and viola Op. 74
Antonín Dvořák, Gavotte for three violins B 164
Friedrich Hermann, Capriccio for three violins Op. 2
Wenzel Fuchs, Klarinette]
Alexander Bader, Klarinette
Matic Kuder, Klarinette
Andraž Golob, Klarinette
Program:
George Gershwin, Three Preludes (arr. Ioan Dobrinescu)
Zequinha de Abreu, Tico Tico (arr. Tony Wakefield)
Scott Joplin, Something Doing (arr. Marten King)
Written by MIT student Manaal Mohammed
This article is part of the Arts at MIT’s Student Voices series