Urban Nocturnes is always delighted to perform in unique art spaces hosted by the Downtown Chamber Series. Musicians Viviana, Olga, Karen, Christopher and Melita will perform music for flute, piano and strings. The neo-Renaissance style of English composer Gordon Jacob's Four Fancies for flute, violin, viola and cello provides an elegant opening to the program. "Going Up?" for flute, viola and cello by living composer Martin Rokeach was written in 2008. The piece consists of three ascending themes, effectively pulling the listener upward throughout. Franz Schubert himself arranged his song "Trockne Blumen" into a set of variations for flute and piano. The song's sombre subject matter of unrequited love and death ground the music's profundity, while the thrilling technical elements that unfold with each variation make this a virtuosic showpiece for both instruments. The program ends with the captivating and exhilarating Piano Quartet by American composer Danny Elfman, best known for his many incomparable Hollywood film scores, including the Nightmare Before Christmas.

Performing their annual fall concert at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, musicians Viviana, Olga, Karen, Christopher and Melita will perform music for flute, piano and strings. The neo-Renaissance style of English composer Gordon Jacob's Four Fancies for flute, violin, viola and cello provides an elegant opening to the program. "Going Up?" for flute, viola and cello by living composer Martin Rokeach was written in 2008. The piece consists of three ascending themes, effectively pulling the listener upward throughout. Franz Schubert himself arranged his song "Trockne Blumen" into a set of variations for flute and piano. The song's sombre subject matter of unrequited love and death ground the music's profundity, while the thrilling technical elements that unfold with each variation make this a virtuosic showpiece for both instruments. The program ends with the captivating and exhilarating Piano Quartet by American composer Danny Elfman, best known for his many incomparable Hollywood film scores, including the Nightmare Before Christmas.

Tickets go on sale Sept 17 and may be purchased at https://trinitymusicaz.org.

Urban Nocturnes is delighted to be be a part of Scottsdale’s world class MusicFest. The Pizza-cato Chamber Music Series showcases The Valley’s top musicians in a intimate but casual lunch time concert and Q and A. Karen, Christopher, Melita, Viviana, and Erin will perform a variety of works for strings and winds. The program begins with a Quintet by 18th century Austrian composer Franz Xaver Süssmayr. This graceful and well-mannered piece is immediately contrasted by an innovative set of 7 Dances for Flute, Clarinet and Cello by living composer Brian Raphael Nabors. The second part of the concert opens with an arrangement for violin and viola of Schubert's thrillingly sinister Lied "Der Erlkönig", followed by the reflective and playful Sonatine Modale for Flute and Clarinet by French composer Charles Koechlin. The program concludes with the String Trio No. 1 in A Minor, a substantive work that is by turns impassioned and jocular, by Post-romantic German composer Max Reger.

https://azmusicfest.org/events/urban-nocturnes/

Urban Nocturnes's spring program features Karen, Christopher, Melita, Viviana and Erin in a variety of works for strings and winds. The program begins with a Quintet by 18th century Austrian composer Franz Xaver Süssmayr. This graceful and well-mannered piece is immediately contrasted by an innovative set of 7 Dances for Flute, Clarinet and Cello by living composer Brian Raphael Nabors. The second part of the concert opens with an arrangement for violin and viola of Schubert's thrillingly sinister Lied "Der Erlkönig", followed by the reflective and playful Sonatine Modale for Flute and Clarinet by French composer Charles Koechlin. The program concludes with the String Trio No. 1 in A Minor, a substantive work that is by turns impassioned and jocular, by Post-romantic German composer Max Reger.

Tickets are $25 – student discount tickets are $10 (Must present valid student ID at the door); both are available at the door. Online ticket sales will be available for purchase on February 3 at the link below:

https://trinitymusicaz.org/tickets/

Urban Nocturnes is delighted to be back performing at the Arts at the Rocks series at Desert Hills Presbyterian Church. Karen, Christopher, Melita, Viviana, and Erin will feature a variety of works for strings and winds. The program begins with a Quintet by 18th century Austrian composer Franz Xaver Süssmayr. This graceful and well-mannered piece is immediately contrasted by an innovative set of 7 Dances for Flute, Clarinet and Cello by living composer Brian Raphael Nabors. The second part of the concert opens with an arrangement for violin and viola of Schubert's thrillingly sinister Lied "Der Erlkönig", followed by the reflective and playful Sonatine Modale for Flute and Clarinet by French composer Charles Koechlin. The program concludes with the String Trio No. 1 in A Minor, a substantive work that is by turns impassioned and jocular, by Post-romantic German composer Max Reger.

This is a free concert.

Urban Nocturnes is delighted to be back performing at St Barnabas’ Concert on the Desert series. Karen, Christopher, Melita, Viviana, and Erin will feature a variety of works for strings and winds. The program begins with a Quintet by 18th century Austrian composer Franz Xaver Süssmayr. This graceful and well-mannered piece is immediately contrasted by an innovative set of 7 Dances for Flute, Clarinet and Cello by living composer Brian Raphael Nabors. The second part of the concert opens with an arrangement for violin and viola of Schubert's thrillingly sinister Lied "Der Erlkönig", followed by the reflective and playful Sonatine Modale for Flute and Clarinet by French composer Charles Koechlin. The program concludes with the String Trio No. 1 in A Minor, a substantive work that is by turns impassioned and jocular, by Post-romantic German composer Max Reger.

Tickests are $30 and may be purchased at the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/urban-nocturnes-ticketed-30-registration-1005531781627

This fall, Urban Nocturnes welcomes guest violinist Steven Moeckel for their performance of Dmitri Shostakovich's vast and vivid Piano Quintet in G Minor. Steven is currently Professor of Violin at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff and former concertmaster of The Phoenix Symphony. He previously collaborated with Urban Nocturnes as a part of Trinity's Live in the Labyrinth outdoor concert series in spring 2021. On the first part of the program, Steven joins Karen and Christopher on the turbulent and atmospheric Trio de Concert "Le Londres" by Belgian virtuoso violinist Eugène Ysaÿe, and Olga and Melita explore the restless and tender yearnings of Ludwig van Beethoven's Sonata No. 2 for Piano and Cello. Written in 1940, Shostakovich's Piano Quintet was an immediate success and, at least temporarily, restored him to good favor with the Soviet authorities.

Tickets are $25 – student discount tickets are $10 (Must present valid student ID at the door); both are available at the door. Online ticket sales are also available at the link below:

https://trinitymusicaz.org/tickets/

This concert features piano and strings performing amidst a sculpture exhibit by Sean T. French in the empty 4th floor of a downtown office tower. Karen and Christopher will be joined with guest violinist Steven Moeckel, on the turbulent and atmospheric Trio de Concert "Le Londres" by Belgian virtuoso violinist Eugène Ysaÿe, Olga and Melita explore the restless and tender yearnings of Ludwig van Beethoven's Sonata No. 2 for Piano and Cello, and the program concludes with Dmitri Shostakovich's vast and vivid Piano Quintet in G Minor. Written in 1940, Shostakovich's Piano Quintet was an immediate success and, at least temporarily, restored him to good favor with the Soviet authorities.

Tickets are $25 + $2 fee, full-time students are free. Tickets may purchased online at the link below:

http://downtownchamberseries.org/tickets.html

This concert features piano and strings performing amidst a sculpture exhibit by Sean T. French in the empty 4th floor of a downtown office tower. Karen and Christopher will be joined with guest violinist Steven Moeckel, on the turbulent and atmospheric Trio de Concert "Le Londres" by Belgian virtuoso violinist Eugène Ysaÿe, Olga and Melita explore the restless and tender yearnings of Ludwig van Beethoven's Sonata No. 2 for Piano and Cello, and the program concludes with Dmitri Shostakovich's vast and vivid Piano Quintet in G Minor. Written in 1940, Shostakovich's Piano Quintet was an immediate success and, at least temporarily, restored him to good favor with the Soviet authorities.

Tickets are $25 + $2 fee, full-time students are free. Tickets may purchased online at the link below:

http://downtownchamberseries.org/tickets.html

A repeat performance of “Urban Impressions” at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Prescott, AZ, that will feature music composed especially for Urban Nocturnes by Arizona-based composer, Glenn Stallcop.  Episodes is a trio for violin, cello, and piano that evokes the emotional rollercoaster experienced in the continuing quest for social change.  Alt Shift, a sextet for flute, clarinet, violin, viola, cello, and piano, explores in 3 movements (Tether, High Wire, and Fantasia) alternate lifestyles in the search for meaning and purpose.  Also on the program is Nuance de Noir  for flute/alto flute, tenor saxophone (or bass clarinet), viola, and double bass.  Commissioned by the Telluride Chamber Music Association in the Spring of 2022, Nuance de Noir’s unusual instrumentation triggered a comparison of modern stresses to the nuclear shadow which triggered the "Noir" period in cinema during the 50s and 60s. 

Tickets are $20– student discount tickets are $5 and both are available at the door. Or you can purchase your tickets online safely and securely at: 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/urban-impressions-prescott-chamber-music-concert-by-urban-nocturnes-tickets-907981145047?aff=oddtdtcreator

For more information on Glenn and his music, check out his website at www.stallcop.com. 

This concert is co-sponsored by the American Composers Alliance (New York).

Urban Impressions is a concert event that will feature music composed especially for Urban Nocturnes by Arizona-based composer, Glenn Stallcop.  Episodes is a trio for violin, cello, and piano that evokes the emotional rollercoaster experienced in the continuing quest for social change.  Alt Shift, a sextet for flute, clarinet, violin, viola, cello, and piano, explores in 3 movements (Tether, High Wire, and Fantasia) alternate lifestyles in the search for meaning and purpose.  Also on the program is Nuance de Noir  for flute/alto flute, tenor saxophone (or bass clarinet), viola, and double bass.  Commissioned by the Telluride Chamber Music Association in the Spring of 2022, Nuance de Noir’s unusual instrumentation triggered a comparison of modern stresses to the nuclear shadow which triggered the "Noir" period in cinema during the 50s and 60s. 

Tickets are $25 – student discount tickets are $5 and both are available at the door. Or you can purchase your tickets online safely and securely at: 

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/091bc9b2-2f7f-4803-a7ed-96cad06302b8

For more information on Glenn and his music, check out his website at www.stallcop.com. 

This concert is co-sponsored by the American Composers Alliance (New York).

Our annual spring concert at Trinity Cathedral features Karen, Christopher, Melita, and Erin. All four kick off the program with the Quartet in E-flat Major by 19th-century Finnish composer and clarinetist Bernhard Crusell, a rare late-Classical exploration of clarinet chamber music. This is followed by German- Dutch composer Julius Röntgen’s String Trio No. 2 “Dvorak”, a lilting and indulgent fantasia. In the second part of the program, the soulful colors of clarinet and viola entwine in Rebecca Clarke’s Prelude, Allegro and Pastorale, composed in the 1940s, and Jewish-Austrian Hans Gál’s Serenade for Clarinet, Violin and Cello combines Romantic lyricism with Modern chromaticism.

Tickets are $25 – student discount tickets are $10 (Must present valid student ID at the door); Ticket sales will begin in early 2024. Or you can purchase your tickets online safely and securely at:

https://trinitymusicaz.org/tickets/

Always delighted to be a part of Phoenix’ Downtown Chamber Series Karen, Christopher, and Melita will participate in a program that showcases music for bowed instruments from Baroque to contemporary. Their contribution will feature a reprisal of Mozart’s Duo for Violin and Viola in B Flat major, String Trio No 2 in a minor “The Dvorak” by German-Dutch composer and contemporary of Liszt and Brahms, Julius Röntgen, and composer and cellist of the Kronos Quartet Paul Wiancko’s The Sanguine Clockwork for String Trio, a work that explores “intricate inner workings of the human body as well as the joyful interconnectedness of human beings on a much larger scale”.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.downtownchamberseries.org/tickets/html for $25 + $2 fee.  Full-time students are free.

Always delighted to be a part of Phoenix’ Downtown Chamber Series Karen, Christopher, and Melita will participate in a program that showcases music for bowed instruments from Baroque to contemporary. Their contribution will feature a reprisal of Mozart’s Duo for Violin and Viola in B Flat major, String Trio No 2 in a minor “The Dvorak” by German-Dutch composer and contemporary of Liszt and Brahms, Julius Röntgen, and composer and cellist of the Kronos Quartet Paul Wiancko’s The Sanguine Clockwork for String Trio, a work that explores “intricate inner workings of the human body as well as the joyful interconnectedness of human beings on a much larger scale”.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.downtownchamberseries.org/tickets/html for $25 + $2 fee.  Full-time students are free.

Delighted to once again participate is St Barnabas’ Concerts on the Desert series, Viviana, Karen, Christopher, and Olga, will perform a mixed program that includes violin, viola, flute, and piano. The concert opens with turn-of-the-20th century New Englander Quincy Porter in a delightful work entitled Little Trio for flute, violin, and piano, followed by Erno Dohnanyi’s turbulent Violin Sonata in c-sharp minor, Op. 21, and Maurice Duruflé’s Prélude, Récitatif et Variations for flute, viola, and piano. After intermission features Mozart’s Duo #2 in B flat major K. 424 for violin and viola, and the program concludes with a rousing work by an Italian composer normally associated with film scores (The Godfather) is Nino Rota, in his Trio for Flute, Violin, and Piano (1958).

Tickets are $30 and may be purchased online safely and securely at:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/urban-nocturnes-concert-tickets-708096554857?aff=oddtdtcreator

The 2023-24 season marks our eighth season as Artists-in-Residence at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Our annual Fall concert will feature Viviana, Karen, Christopher, and Olga, in a mixed program that includes violin, viola, flute, and piano. The concert opens with turn-of-the-20th century New Englander Quincy Porter in a delightful work entitled Little Trio for flute, violin, and piano, followed by Erno Dohnanyi’s turbulent Violin Sonata in c-sharp minor, Op. 21, and Maurice Duruflé’s Prélude, Récitatif et Variations for flute, viola, and piano. After intermission features Mozart’s Duo #2 in B flat major K. 424 for violin and viola, and the program concludes with a rousing work by an Italian composer normally associated with film scores (The Godfather) is Nino Rota, in his Trio for Flute, Violin, and Piano (1958).

Tickets are $25 – student discount tickets are $10 (Must present valid student ID at the door); both are available at the door. Or you can purchase your tickets online safely and securely at:

https://trinitymusicaz.org/tickets/

Urban Nocturnes is delighted to return to Tucson’s very own summer chamber music series with the St. Andrew’s Bach Society. Karen, Christopher, and Erin will be joined by two guests, violinist Ruggero Allifranchini and cellist Morgen Johnson, in a concert featuring works for strings and clarinet. The program will include Mendelssohn’s Tema con variazioni and Scherzo for String Quartet, Rêverie Orientale for Clarinet and String Quartet by Alexander Glazunov, and W.A. Mozart’s incomparable Clarinet Quintet in A maj K581. Also featured on the program is a piece entitled String Quartet, by Phoenix-based composer and former Phoenix Symphony double bassist, Glenn Stallcop. This piece was composed in 1980 but has never been performed, and it will be a special treat to have the composer himself join us in presenting this work.

Tickets may be purchased online, $26 premium/$16 general, at the link below:

https://www.standrewsbach.org/category/tickets

At long last, Urban Nocturnes presents the program they had originally planned for Spring 2020! Olga, Karen, Christopher, and Melita will perform Mozart’s sweetly enchanting Sonata in G Major for Piano and Violin and the folksy Bucolics for Viola and Cello by 20th-Century Polish composer Witold Lutoslawski, highlighting two contrasting duo configurations. All four musicians join forces for the powerful and Gypsy-inspired Piano Quartet in A Major by Johannes Brahms.

Tickets are $25 – student discount tickets are $10 (Must present valid student ID at the door); both are available in advance and can be purchased at the link below.

https://trinitymusicaz.org/tickets/

Urban Nocturnes is delighted to be joined by guest violinist Ruggero Allifranchini in a concert featuring works for strings and clarinet. The program will include Mendelssohn’s Tema con variazioni and Scherzo for String Quartet, Rêverie Orientale for Clarinet and String Quartet by Alexander Glazunov, and W.A. Mozart’s incomparable Clarinet Quintet in A maj K581. Also featured on the program is String Quartet, by Phoenix-based composer and former Phoenix Symphony double bassist, Glenn Stallcop. This piece was composed in 1980 but has never been performed, and it will be a special treat to have the composer himself join us in presenting this work.

General admission tickets are $28 and can be purchased by clicking the link below. Tickets may also be purchased at the door. Online ticket sales will end Feb 11 at 12pm. Student tickets are $10 at the door with proof of ID.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/urban-nocturnes-at-unitarian-universalist-congregation-of-phoenix-tickets-477442743097?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Urban Nocturnes is delighted to be joined by guest violinist Ruggero Allifranchini in a concert featuring works for strings and clarinet. The program will include Mendelssohn’s Tema con variazioni and Scherzo for String Quartet, Rêverie Orientale for Clarinet and String Quartet by Alexander Glazunov, and W.A. Mozart’s incomparable Clarinet Quintet in A maj K581. Also featured on the program is String Quartet, by Phoenix-based composer and former Phoenix Symphony double bassist, Glenn Stallcop. This piece was composed in 1980 but has never been performed, and it will be a special treat to have the composer himself join us in presenting this work.

Tickets are $35 and may be purchased at the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/urban-nocturnes-tickets-413202869907

Viviana, Karen, Christopher, and Melita will be joined by Trista Wong, violinist with The Phoenix Symphony, in a program that includes music for string quartet and flute. The concert opens with String Quartet in D Minor by legendary Italian violin virtuoso, Niccolò Paganini followed by the rhapsodic fantasy “A Night Piece” by late-Romantic American composer Arthur Foote. After intermission is Beethoven’s Eyeglasses duo for viola and cello and the program closes with “Weihnacht” Quintet by Dutch-Austrian composer Jan Brandts-Buys, a work that depicts and explores a Biblical quotation from the Christmas story within each of its four movements.

Tickets are $25 – student discount tickets are $10 (Must present valid student ID at the door); both are available at the door. Or you can click on the link below to order your tickets in advance.

https://trinitymusicaz.org/22-23-concert-details/urban-nocturnes-october-9-2022/

This will be Urban Nocturnes's debut at the St. Andrew’s Bach Society series in Tucson, AZ. The concert once again features Karen, Christopher, and Melita in a program that will include three strikingly distinctive chamber works for strings: Igor Stravinsky's abstract Three Pieces for String Quartet, Luigi Boccherini's graceful and buoyant String Quintet in D Major, and the festive, folk-inspired String Quintet in G Major by Antonin Dvorák. Joining them for this concert are violinist Carla Ecker and The Phoenix Symphony's Principal Double Bass, Kevin Gobetz. Click on the link below for more information about purchasing tickets:

https://www.standrewsbach.org/tickets

Urban Nocturnes is delighted to be back performing at the ever popular Downtown Chamber Series! This series of concerts will be held at First Gallery Studio, an old TV studio which operated from 1954-89 and was home to the popular AZ morning show, "Wallace and Ladmo." This final program of the 2021/22 season features Karen, Christopher, and Melita, performing three strikingly distinctive chamber works for strings: Igor Stravinsky's abstract Three Pieces for String Quartet, Luigi Boccherini's graceful and buoyant String Quintet in D Major, and the festive, folk-inspired String Quintet in G Major by Antonin Dvorák. Joining them for this concert are violinist Carla Ecker and The Phoenix Symphony's Principal Double Bass, Kevin Gobetz. There is limited space at this venue and purchasing tickets in advance is encouraged. Please click the link below for more information.

http://downtownchamberseries.org/contact.html

Urban Nocturnes is delighted to be back performing at the ever popular Downtown Chamber Series! This series of concerts will be held at First Gallery Studio, an old TV studio which operated from 1954-89 and was home to the popular AZ morning show, "Wallace and Ladmo." This final program of the 2021/22 season features Karen, Christopher, and Melita, performing three strikingly distinctive chamber works for strings: Igor Stravinsky's abstract Three Pieces for String Quartet, Luigi Boccherini's graceful and buoyant String Quintet in D Major, and the festive, folk-inspired String Quintet in G Major by Antonin Dvorák. Joining them for this concert are violinist Carla Ecker and The Phoenix Symphony's Principal Double Bass, Kevin Gobetz. There is limited space at this venue and purchasing tickets in advance is encouraged. Please click the link below for more information.

http://downtownchamberseries.org/contact.html

Urban Nocturnes's Spring Concert at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral features Karen, Christopher, and Melita. This final program of the 2021/22 season will include three strikingly distinctive chamber works for strings: Igor Stravinsky's abstract Three Pieces for String Quartet, Luigi Boccherini's graceful and buoyant String Quintet in D Major, and the festive, folk-inspired String Quintet in G Major by Antonin Dvorák. Joining them for this concert are violinist Carla Ecker and The Phoenix Symphony's Principal Double Bass, Kevin Gobetz. Tickets are $25 regular price and $10 for students, and may be purchased at the link below.

https://trinitymusicaz.org/tickets/

There are no words to describe our feelings about the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine. When words fail, music fills.

Join Urban Nocturnes on Thursday, April 14, at 7 pm for an evening of chamber music in a benefit concert for the people of Ukraine. The members of Urban Nocturnes, violinist Karen Sinclair, violist Christopher McKay, cellist Melita Hunsinger, flutist Viviana Wilson, clarinetist Erin Finkelstein, and pianist Olga Gorelik, will perform works by Messiaen, Beethoven, Gluck, and Ukrainian composers Skoryk and Gnatovskaya, as well as a selection of traditional songs.

The concert will be held in the UUCP sanctuary. Masks are required inside the venue, and advanced ticket sales are encouraged as there is a cap on the number of attendees.

You can buy your tickets by scanning with your smart phone the QR code below, or if you cannot make it in person but would like to support Ukraine, you can make a donation.

Proceeds will be donated to two groups working to address urgent humanitarian needs in Ukraine. Half will go to the Hungarian Unitarian Church, who are coordinating with other churches, aid agencies and authorities to address the most urgent needs of refugees and those internally displaced by the conflict. The other half will go to Revived Soldiers of Ukraine, RSUkraine.org, a non-profit run by Ukrainians who provide medical equipment and supplies, arrange humanitarian aid, and provide medical treatment to injured Ukrainians.

Can’t make the concert live?

There will be a link to a Facebook live broadcast of the concert on the Urban Nocturnes Facebook page.

In Solidarity,

Karen, Christopher, Melita, Viviana, Erin and Olga

This will be Urban Nocturnes' first concert appearance at Saint Barnabas featuring music for flute, violin, and viola, performed by Viviana, Karen, and Christopher. Franz Josef Haydn's youthful London Trio No.1 opens the program and is followed by the playful and impetuous Serenade for Flute, Violin, and Viola by Post-Romantic German composer Max Reger. The Duet for Violin and Viola by Louis Spohr evokes a wistful melancholy, and twentieth-century Hungarian composer Endre Szervanksy's rustic and pastoral Trio delivers a rousing finale.

Tickets are $35 and may be purchased at:

https://saintbarnabas.org/concerts

Erin, Karen, Christopher, and Olga return to the Downtown Chamber Series. These concerts will be held at the Legend City Studios art gallery in downtown Phoenix, AZ. The program will include:

Robert Schumann Fairy Tales for Clarinet, Viola, and Piano
Heitor Villa-Lobos Duo for Violin and Viola
Gordon Jacob Miniature Suite for Clarinet and Viola
Bela Bartok Contrasts for Clarinet, Violin, and Piano

Tickets may be purchased at: downtownchamberseries.org.

Erin, Karen, Christopher, and Olga return to the Downtown Chamber Series. These concerts will be held at the Legend City Studios art gallery in downtown Phoenix, AZ. The program will include:

Robert Schumann Fairy Tales for Clarinet, Viola, and Piano
Heitor Villa-Lobos Duo for Violin and Viola
Gordon Jacob Miniature Suite for Clarinet and Viola
Bela Bartok Contrasts for Clarinet, Violin, and Piano

Tickets may be purchased at: downtownchamberseries.org.