On Sunday, September 11, Concord Academy hosted the Concord Chamber Music Society’s (CCMS) first in-person performance back since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The performance, featuring world-class musicians David Finkel and Wu Han, started off the 2022–23 season for the CCMS.
The performance, which was hosted in CA’s very own P.A.C., attracted a large audience coming from both around Concord and Massachusetts, along with several CA students. Wu Han, the pianist of the piano/cello duo, started off the concert with some entertaining yet personal program notes about every one of the pieces she was about to perform. Han emphasized the importance of coming back from the pandemic to finally perform in front of a live audience, and the duo’s sincerity was truly felt throughout the show. “I had an amazing time listening to the Concord Chamber Music Society performance. The musicality was beautiful […] plus, it was such a great opportunity to watch professional musicians for free,” said Averie Lee ’26, one of the several CA students who attended the performance.
The program included pieces by Claude Debussy, Camille Saint-Saëns, Pierre Jalbert, and César Franck–a well balanced blend of both modern and classical music. “Since they are a husband-and-wife duo, their onstage chemistry is really fun to watch,” said Michael Bennett, head of the Performing Arts Department. Wu Han and David Finkel’s artistic expertise also comes from their experience as artistic directors, recording artists, educators, and leaders in the Chamber Music Society.
This was not the first professional concert CA has hosted. Many CCMS concerts have taken place at CA in the past, presenting artists such as the The Juilliard String Quartet, St. Lawrence String Quartet, Montrose Trio, Zuckerman Trio, etc. The CCMS was founded by Boston Symphony Orchestra violinist Wendy Putnam in January of 2000 as a way to enhance the musical scene in Concord. Featuring artists and programs of the highest value at affordable and accessible venues, the CCMS continues to bring more local appreciation and attention to musical artistry.
CCMS will host more concerts and performances this year: three more of them will happen at CA. We will also look forward to further performing arts performances by CA students, including the fall mainstage, She Kills Monsters; the fall dance project performance, and the annual Holiday Concert.