News

What it's like to be a musician during COVID-19

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It's hard to believe how much has changed in the last few months. I had expected to be finishing off one of my busiest seasons yet as a freelance musician here in San Francisco, instead everything ground to a complete and sudden halt in mid March. In the last few months, I've been thinking a lot about what I miss about being a musician, and what is unique about a live performance that simply cannot be replicated virtually.

I’m feeling a huge sense of loss. I miss performing for an audience and the personal connection that I have with many listeners; I miss the beautiful connection I have with the other musicians I collaborate with, and I miss the moments that are magical because of the combination of the two.

I’m planning my first performance since late February this coming Thursday- a solo concert in the community garden across from my house to raise money for Safe and Sound, an organization that works to prevent child abuse. I’m working to ensure it’s a safe event, that no one is putting themselves at risk to participate. I’m trying to figure out if I’ll be able to speak loudly enough, or if I should just focus on playing, and how to play loud enough! We’re used to being 100% acoustic.

I’ll post again with an update after the show. if you’re interested, check out the events on my website.

Wishing you all health and wellness.

-Clio

Music for your ears

Hello all,

Fall is flying past, and I'm writing to tell you about a few special concerts this weekend before they go by! With my dear friends and colleagues at the Chamber Music Society of San Francisco, I'm performing Haydn's "Quinten" quartet and Franck's piano quintet this Friday and Saturday. It's a gorgeous program and ... a bit dark and stormy. The Haydn quartet, named after its prominent falling fifths motive, explores the somber key of d minor, while Franck's piano quintet is an over-the-top work of romanticism with more ppp (extremely soft) and fff (extremely loud) markings in the score than perhaps any other chamber music piece. We are thrilled to be working with the fantastic pianist Keisuke Nakagoshi again for this program!

We also launched a membership program this year for CMS of SF fans- those who join and purchase tickets by Friday will have special reserved seats! Membership includes prime seating, early notice of concert dates, and special events. Click here to join. 

The following weekend, October 28th-30th, I'm playing SFCO's season opener, Jazz dell'arte, with a new violin concerto by jazz violinist Evan Price. Alongside this premier will be Stravinsky's Pulcinella Suite- a favorite of mine! 

Stay tuned for more upcoming events- I have an ongoing list of concerts on my website that I update regularly. 

October 21st, 7 pm, CMS of SF and Keisuke Nakagoshi play Franck and Haydn, Alameda

October 22nd, 7:30 pm, CMS of SF and Keisuke Nakagoshi play Franck and Haydn, San Francisco

October 28-30th, SFCO: Jazz dell'Arte

 

Fall concerts

Fall is off to a start, with lots of great music! This coming weekend is American Bach Soloists' Gala and SFFCM's annual chamber music day where I'll be performing Ravel string quartet with the Chamber Music Society of San Francisco. October 2nd CMS of SF performs with one of our favorite artists, Diana Gameros in a Neighborhood Performance Project concert at Forest Hill Club in San Francisco. Oakland Symphony's season opener is Friday, October 14th, with Mahler and some politically inspired music to go with the times! Chamber Music Society of San Francisco's first concert of the year will be October 22nd, and we are unveiling a new membership program this year. Members will get first notice about upcoming concerts, will be included in some special pre-concert q and a's, social events, and more. Sign up here to be a member! For more detailed information about events, please go to my spiffy new website.

Can't wait to see you soon at a concert!

September 24th, American Bach Soloists Gala

September 25th, 3:55 pm,

October 2nd, Chamber Music Society of San Francisco with Diana Gameros

October 14th, Oakland Symphony

October 22nd, 7:30 pm, Chamber Music Society of San Francisco with Keisuke Nakagoshi