October 26 - Music Mondays - The Claremont Trio & Kinan Azmeh, clarinet

An evening of chamber music anchored by Syrian American clarinetist-composer Kinan Azmeh, performing alongside the Claremont Trio — one of the leading piano trios in the United States. The program spans Rebecca Clarke's darkly passionate trio, Ravel's ravishing trio, and the New York premiere of Azmeh's own work, Gravitas, inspired by Middle Eastern folk music.

Kinan Azmeh is a spellbinding presence — the New Yorker's word, not ours — and his compositions sit at the intersection of classical form and the melodic language of the Levant. Gravitas, in particular, draws on Middle Eastern folk traditions while maintaining the architectural rigor of a concert work. The Claremont Trio — Emily Bruskin on violin, Julia Bruskin on cello, and Sophiko Simsive on piano — bring what critics have called "aesthetic maturity, interpretive depth, and exuberance" to everything they touch.

It's a free concert in a church space, no tickets required — just show up. The room will fill, so arriving early is smart if you want a good seat.