The ARK Trio to Present Six World Premieres in New York City Concert Debut LOVE RESOUNDING

 

The ARK Trio, whose members include noted musicians soprano Allison Charney, cellist Kajsa William-Olsson and pianist Reiko Uchida, will make their New York City debut on February 14th 7PM at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Peter Norton Symphony Space. The ARK trio's concert "Love Resounding" will present six world premieres of compositions written for them by American composers Kim D. Sherman (THE WEDDING SONG, THE LAODAMIAD: A MYTHIC JOURNEY, PRAIRIE DIARY) and Michael Ching (ARRANGEMENTS AND DERANGEMENTS: INTERPRETATIONS OF SCHUBERT); Russian-born, Israeli raised composer Dina Pruzhansky (ON LOVE AND LAND) and Israeli composer/pianist Moshe Knoll (SIMPLICITY).

Fittingly, as the concert takes place on Valentine's Day, all of the new works are labors of love, written for the unique needs of the ARK trio. Defined as three solo instruments or "voices" - most classical music "trios" are commonly organized as piano trios (piano, violin and cello) violin trios (violin, viola and cello) and even occasionally as a trio for clarinet, cello and piano. The ARK trio is distinctive as it is trio composed of voice, cello and piano. While the repertoire for voice, cello and piano is limited, the new works occasioned by the ARK trio's NYC concert debut also underscore the musicians long standing regard for the composers, each of whom have previously collaborated in projects with individual members of the ARK trio. In their artistic statements the composers clearly reflect an abiding respect for each of the musicians - all of whom contribute an exquisite sensibility to performance as well as a penchant for risk taking.

For the past 8 seasons, soprano Allison Charney has gained a reputation for reimagining the concert experience and for promulgating new works in her classical music concert series "PREformances with Allison Charney," produced in conjunction with the JCC Manhattan. Cellist Kajsa William-Olsson, no stranger to risk taking either, performed as the featured soloist in celebrated contemporary composer's Tan Dun's Cello Concerto, with the composer conducting, in both Norway and China.

With six world premieres scheduled for their ambitious debut, the ARK trio flies in the face of conventional wisdom - with a decidedly neo-romantic twist. American composer Michael Ching's irreverent composition 'Arrangements and Derangements: Interpretations of Schubert' celebrates the ARK trio's love of the art song tradition in a witty juxtaposition to composer Dina Pruzhansky's poignant composition 'On Love and Land' and composer Kim D. Sherman's evocative 'The Wedding Song.'

Leon Botstein, music director of the American Symphony Orchestra reflected the following thoughts about classical music's' modern era concerts in an article he contributed to Peabody Magazine's Spring 2012 issue "The typical concertgoer can look forward to hearing repeatedly the same 100 or so works on instrumental concert programs year in and year out...following an old formula...narrowing the content of concerts to repetitions of works that seem popular... avoiding risk..." With "Love Resounding" the ARK trio promises classical concert goers an extraordinary and adventurous musical Valentine.

ABOUT THE ARK TRIO

Soprano Allison Charney began her career following the national finals of the Metropolitan Opera Competition with her debut at the New York City Opera. She went on to earn a reputation for her "vocal agility, lush sound and dramatic portrayals" of dozens of leading roles in opera companies across the United States. Concert highlights have included performances at Alice Tully Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Boston Pops under the baton of Alan Gilbert. A champion of music of our times, Ms. Charney has premiered many new works and is featured on the first recording of the Pulitzer Prize nominated oratorio CHOOSE LIFE. Ms. Charney can also be heard in a CD of American song on the DSC Label and is a founding member of the ARK trio, whose first recording is scheduled to be released in 2018. An active recitalist and master teacher, Ms. Charney is the founder and curator of the NYC concert series, PREformances with Allison Charney. Ms. Charney holds a Bachelor's degree from Harvard University and two graduate degrees in music from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. Ms. Charney lives in New York City with her husband and their two sons.

Pianist Reiko Uchida enjoys an active career as a soloist and chamber musician. She performs regularly throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe, in venues including Suntory Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the 92nd Street Y, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Kennedy Center, and the White House.

First prize winner of the Joanna Hodges Piano Competition and Zinetti International Competition, she has appeared as a soloist with major orchestras and made her New York City solo in 2001 at Weill Hall under the auspices of the Abby Whiteside Foundation. As a chamber musician, she has performed at the Marlboro, Santa Fe, Tanglewood, and Spoleto Music Festivals; as guest artist with Camera Lucida, American Chamber Players, and the Borromeo, Talich, Daedalus, St. Lawrence, and Tokyo String Quartets; and in recital with Jennifer Koh, Thomas Meglioranza, Anne Akiko Meyers, Sharon Robinson, and Jaime Laredo. Her recording with Jennifer Koh, "String Poetic" was nominated for a Grammy Award. She is a past member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Two and is a founding member of the ARK trio. Ms. Uchida holds a Bachelor's degree from the Curtis Institute of Music, a Master's degree from the Mannes College of Music, an Artist Diploma from the Juilliard School, and is currently an associate faculty member at Columbia University.

Swedish cellist Kajsa William-Olsson is frequently heard as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral musician throughout the world. As a founding member of the VITALIS and the Hanna String Quartets, Ms. William-Olsson has performed extensively throughout Europe. She regularly teaches and performs at the MMCJ Festival in Japan, and appears as a chamber musician in festivals including the Aspen Music Festival, the Sangat Festival in Mumbai and the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. Ms. William-Olsson is a founding member of the ARK trio with soprano Allison Charney and pianist Reiko Uchida. Ms. William-Olsson's solo career has taken her throughout the globe, having performed concertos in the United States, Europe and Asia. She was the featured soloist in Tan Dun's Cello Concerto, with the composer conducting, in both Norway and China. Amongst many others, Ms. William-Olsson has collaborated with composer Marc Neikrug, and renowned chamber musicians including Eric Kim, Emanuel Ax, Joyce Yang, and her husband Alan Gilbert. Ms. William-Olsson has been a member of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra since 1996.

IF YOU GO:

Love Resounding
featuring soprano Allison Charney, cellist Kajsa William-Olsson and pianist Reiko Uchida
in works by Kim D. Sherman, Michael Ching, Dina Pruzhansky and Moshe Knoll
February 14, 2017 at 7PM
Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space
2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York, NY 10025-6990
Tickets: $30; Members $25; Seniors, Children $15; Students $10
Purchase Online: or at the Box Office Hours: Tues - Sun 1pm - 6pm. | Open one hour prior to performances and events. 212-864-5400