Nova Linea Musica Resident Artists Concert

As part of its mission to champion contemporary chamber music in Chicago, Nova Linea Musica (NLM) a chamber music series and new-music incubator, is dedicated to introducing Chicago audiences to the next generation of talented classical music stars and new music stewards. Nova Linea Musica’s Resident Artists Program identifies already highly acclaimed early-career string and piano players- graduates from the country’s top conservatories- who are dedicated to promoting new music and fosters collaboration and career growth over the course of a two-year residency. The musicians work closely with each other as well as established artists to present existing and world-premiere solo and ensemble repertoire through NLM’s season concerts and other presentations throughout Chicagoland. Each resident will also have the unique opportunity to work directly with a composer to commission, premiere, and record a new work written specifically for them. Nova Linea Musica’s inaugural class of resident artists are: Rabia Brooke (Violin), Sarah Chong (Cello), Alexander Hersh (cello), Samuel Rosenthal (viola), and Lam Wong (Piano).

The NLM Resident Artists will showcase their skills with a program of music from around the globe on Wednesday, January 15, 6:30 p.m. held at Guarneri Hall (11 E Adams St.). The program begins with Rosenthal performing works for solo viola including Errollyn Wallen’s Lavinia (2021), Garth Knox’s The Bridges of Newcastle (2024), and Gÿorgy Ligeti’s Sonata for Solo Viola (1991), in addition to Paul Wiancko‘s American Haiku for Viola and Cello (2014) with cellist Alexander Hersh. Then, the Nova Linea Musica Trio-in-Residence will make its debut with the gem of Armenian composer Arno Babajanyan’s catalogue, Piano Trio in F# minor No. 3 (1952). Hersh will close the concert with a set including a self-composed work Moon Music (2023), Bernard Rands’Memo No. 9 (2024), Giovanni Sollima’sLamentatio (2000) and Ligeti’s Hommage a Hilding Rosenberg for violin and cello (1982) with Brooke.

Hersh will also perform the first of many NLM-commissioned works premiering on the concert season, a piece for solo cello by Chicago-based Morton Gould Composer award and BMI Composer award winner Paul Novak. In addition to supporting early-career performers, NLM is dedicated to presenting works from the next generation of composers. NLM’s robust commissioning program includes works from both established and emerging composers.

As with all NLM events, the cost of a ticket includes a pre-concert discussion from Doyle Armbrust’s Society of Disobedient Listeners and an intimate post-concert reception with the artists. The pre-concert talk starts at 5:30 PM. Tickets, which are $40, are currently sold out. To be added to the waitlist for tickets, visit novalineamusica.org and request to join the waitlist via the contact form. Recordings from the performance – including Novak’s world premiere – will be available for viewing after the concert on NLM’s website and social media channels at no cost.