A conductorless chamber collective ignites Mozart, Britten, Bruch’s Kol Nidrei, and Mendelssohn’s miraculous Octet
Close Encounters With Music welcomes back The Vivace Chamber Orchestra, a New York–based collective renowned for precision, color, and expressive unanimity, on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 4 PM at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington.
Curated to showcase the ensemble’s rare, one-mind musicianship, the program looks back and leaps forward. Mozart’s Adagio and Fugue in C minor—an homage to Bach’s contrapuntal craft—ventures into daring harmonies that feel a century ahead of their time, with the drama of an Italian overture. Britten’s Simple Symphony sparkles with wit and buoyant good spirits. Max Bruch’s Kol Nidrei (for cello and strings) unfolds as an extraordinarily expressive arc—from supplication and contrition to promise and redemption. And nothing less than a miracle, Mendelssohn’s String Octet in E-flat Major—written at sixteen and marked to be played “in symphonic orchestral style”—remains a beloved touchstone for its youthful verve, brilliance, and perfection.
“Vivace brings the electricity of a string quartet to an orchestral palette,” says CEWM Artistic Director Yehuda Hanani. “This program lets them pivot from the etched counterpoint of Mozart to Britten’s joie de vivre, the soulful depth of Kol Nidrei, and the sheer marvel of Mendelssohn’s Octet.”
The Vivace Chamber Orchestra, under Fleming’s direction, features an exceptional roster of New York–based string players: Siwoo Kim, Miho Saegusa, Keiko Tokunaga, Rubén Rengel, Suliman Tekalli, Christine Wu, and Edwin Kaplan on violins; Andrew Gonzalez, Laura Liu, and Sofia Gilchenok on violas; Ari Evan, Mihai Marica, and Aaron Wolff on cellos; and Andrew Trombley on bass.
“Performing without a conductor heightens our listening—we have to breathe and phrase as one,” says Luke Fleming, Artistic Director of The Vivace Chamber Orchestra. “From Mozart’s chiseled counterpoint to Britten’s sparkle, with the deep lyric core of Kol Nidrei, the program sets up the exhilarating release of Mendelssohn’s Octet.”
An elite, conductorless cohort of string artists, The Vivace Chamber Orchestra unites leading chamber musicians and orchestral principals for projects that demand both soloistic flair and chamber instinct. Their hallmark is unanimity—of intonation, articulation, and interpretive intent—resulting in performances of clarity, vitality, and breathtaking cohesion.
Beyond the Concert
Following the performance, audiences are invited to an “Afterglow” reception to meet the artists and mingle with fellow music lovers. Select concerts will also be available online, extending CEWM’s reach to listeners far beyond the Berkshires. (Subscribe to our YouTube Channel)
About Close Encounters With Music (CEWM)
Now in its 34th season, Close Encounters With Music presents world-class chamber music with imaginative programming, acclaimed guest artists, and community-centered events across the Berkshires. CEWM concerts pair beloved masterworks with discoveries, illuminating connections across eras and cultures. Learn more at cewm.org and follow CEWM on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content.
