Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective with special guest clarinetist David Krakauer: Performance Two

Founded by two celebrated musicians—violinist Elena Urioste and her husband, pianist Tom Poster—Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective is a flexible ensemble with an ever-changing roster of musicians creating bespoke programming for each venue in which the ensemble performs. The New Haven performances feature internationally renowned clarinetist David Krakauer, who has been praised around the globe as a key innovator in modern klezmer, jazz, and classical music, as well as Grammy-winning tenor Karim Sulayman with Poster, Urioste, violinist Savitri Grier, violist Kyle Armbrust, and cellist Laura van der Heijden. ​​​

7:30pm: Performance

An intimate musical listening experience. Performers and audience alike are invited to bond through breath and mindfulness in a communal listening space comprised of relaxed seating surrounding the musicians. The program opens with one solo musician and grows to seven, exploring themes of dreams, hope and spirituality. Music of visceral power and solace, to include:

• Reena Esmail - Saans (Breath) for piano trio
• Ludwig van Beethoven - ‘Heiliger Dankgesang eines Genesenen an die Gottheit’ from String Quartet in A minor, Op. 132
• Osvaldo Golijov - The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind for klezmer clarinet and string quartet
• + new arrangements of folk music by Tom Poster - Reynaldo Hahn - La barcheta (The little boat)
 and Tomás Méndez -  Cucurrucucú paloma (Coo-coo dove)

Beethoven wrote his transcendent Heiliger Dankgesang after recovering from a serious illness which he had feared would be fatal, while the Argentine composer Osvaldo Golijov’s klezmer-inspired clarinet quintet, The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind, electrifyingly combines dance tunes and dreamlike introspection, conjuring an intense state of communion. There will be recent music from Reena Esmail, and folk traditions will weave through the program, including brand new arrangements by Kaleidoscope’s founder Tom Poster.

9pm: Post-performance conversation

Ask us anything - about tonight’s program, about the themes of dreams and spirituality explored in the music, about what it’s like to perform these pieces, or anything else you’d like to know!

The New Haven performers are: 

• Piano – Tom Poster 
• Violin – Elena Urioste 
• Violin – Savitri Grier 
• Viola – Kyle Armbrust 
• Cello – Laura van der Heijden 
• Tenor – Karim Sulayman 
• Clarinet – David Krakauer