The vibrant city of Chicago is gearing up for an enriching musical experience as the 8th Annual NEXUS Chamber Music Festival, themed ‘Re:newal’, is scheduled for August 8, 12, and 13, 2025.
Taking place at the esteemed Guarneri Hall, an intimate venue located at 11 E. Adams St., these performances promise to be a celebration of creativity in classical music.
NEXUS Chamber Music, the resident ensemble at Guarneri Hall, will present three distinct concerts that feature both commissioned world premieres and a selection of rare classical masterpieces.
The festival will commence with its first concert, titled ‘Re:construct’, which will spotlight composers who were distinguished performers themselves.
This performance will feature works by the celebrated cellist Luigi Boccherini and violinist Fritz Kreisler, alongside a brand-new composition by cellist-composer Paul Wiancko.
Wiancko’s duo for violin and cello is part of a commission funded through the Chamber Music America classical commissioning program, marking a significant addition to the chamber music repertoire.
Audiences can look forward to hearing Boccherini’s String Quintet in E major, G. 275, Kreisler’s String Quartet, and Wiancko’s The Twelve Seasons.
Performing artists will include Brian Hong, Katie Hyun, and Miho Saegusa on violin; Ramón Carrero Martínez on viola; and Gabriel Cabezas and Alexander Hersh on cello.
On August 12, the festival will continue with the concert ‘Re:demption’, which explores narratives steeped in hope and renewal.
The program will be highlighted by the world premiere of Eleanor Alberga’s Glimpses and Glances for Baritone and String Quartet, which delves into themes of emotional struggle and resolution.
Arnold Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht will provide a transformative journey for the audience, while Samuel Barber’s haunting composition, Dover Beach, will encapsulate reflections on human vulnerability.
The lineup for this performance will include baritone William Socolof, along with Katie Hyun, Miho Saegusa, Brian Hong, and Ramón Carrero Martínez contributing their talents on strings.
As the festival draws to a close, the final concert, ‘Re:ignite’, offers a chance to revisit the highlights from the previous evenings, featuring beloved works by Boccherini, Alberga, and Schoenberg.
Performing in this session will be baritone Socolof again, as well as violinists Hyun and Saegusa, violists Hong and Carrero Martínez, and cellists Cabezas and Hersh.
In keeping with the festival’s ethos of fostering personal connections between musicians and audiences, each evening will feature themed receptions.
These receptions will provide opportunities for guests to mingle with performers, enriching the experience of chamber music as both a personal and social event.
Tickets for this must-see festival are currently available for purchase at guarnerihall.org, priced at $50 for general admission.
Discounts for students are also offered, ensuring accessibility for young music enthusiasts to experience these exquisite performances.
Guarneri Hall, the not-for-profit organization behind this festival, has established itself as a significant contributor to the classical music landscape in Chicago.
Known for its state-of-the-art acoustics designed by Threshold Acoustics, the venue boasts a unique 60-seat capacity that creates an intimate atmosphere, essential for enjoying chamber music.
Since its inception in 2018, Guarneri Hall has made significant strides in connecting diverse audiences through a mix of live performances and multimedia content aimed at advancing classical music in the digital age.
Co-Artistic Directors Alexander Hersh and Brian Hong of the NEXUS Chamber Music ensemble share a common goal to make chamber music relevant, exciting, and accessible to a broader audience.
Having grown into a celebrated force in classical chamber music within just a few seasons, NEXUS has received critical acclaim for its innovative performances and collaborations, including the commissioning of new works and the reinterpretation of traditional masterpieces.
Their dedication to creating engaging musical experiences manifests in the annual NEXUS Chamber Music Festival, drawing audiences from Chicago and beyond.
With the promise of exhilarating performances and a commitment to fostering a sense of community through music, the 8th Annual NEXUS Chamber Music Festival is set to be a highlight of Chicago’s cultural calendar.
image source from：chicagocrusader
