Promoting and strengthening the artistic and cultural development of Orange County, North Carolina
February 28: Franz and Fanny
The Gut Instinct Chamber Music Project is a three-part, free concert series in UNC Chapel Hill’s Person Recital Hall which brings UNC’s historical instrument collection together with artists committed to presenting inspired, visceral, historically informed performances of the 19th-century chamber music repertoire. This season’s programming features music of female composers and their artistic circles. The name “Gut Instinct” is a play on words. In 19th-century Europe, the violin, viola, and cello were strung with (sheep) gut.
This program features Fanny Mendelssohn, whose music is darker and more dramatic than that of her famous brother Felix. Mimi Solomon performs on UNC Chapel Hill’s special Graf fortepiano made by specialist Rod Regier. Rounding out the program is the iconic and epic Cello Quintet by Franz Schubert. Joining Mimi for the trio are violinist Nicholas DiEugenio and cellist Keiran Campbell. The Cello Quintet will be performed by Nicholas DiEugenio and Kako Boga, violins, Jessica Troy, viola, James Wilson and Keiran Campbell, cellos.
All of the artists collaborating with the Pleyel and Graf pianos at UNC-Chapel Hill (built in 19th-century Paris and Vienna, respectively) use these gut string materials. The turn of phrase “gut instinct” also refers to the visceral, accessible nature of the musical performances that the artists of this series will be presenting. We want to make “Historically Informed Performance” accessible, relatable, and culturally relevant! We also want to feature these special pianos that are rarely heard by the public, along with great music by female composers which has remained lesser known to the greater public for far too long!
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