The Philadelphia Chamber Ensemble

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The Philadelphia Chamber Ensemble

The Delaware Valley's longest-running chamber ensemble, performing for nearly half a century.

The Philadelphia Chamber Ensemble, the oldest continuously performing chamber ensemble in the Delaware Valley.

10/06/2026

Every great evening deserves a grand finale! 🎻

We’re closing out our fall concert series with Antonín Dvořák’s Quintet in G, Op. 77 for two violins, viola, cello, and double bass. This quintet features Dvořák’s trademark lyricism, with the added double bass deepening and darkening the quartet’s color. The first violin takes on a more brilliant, soloistic, and bright character, creating a fuller, almost symphonic effect. The first movement is full of quirky, lyrical turns, and a whirling Czech folk-dance takes the place of the usual scherzo. A beautiful love song of a slow movement comes third, followed by an eventful finale that will leave you invigorated, the perfect end to an evening of chamber music!

Jennifer Haas and William Polk (violin), Kerri Ryan (viola), John Koen (cello), and Gabriel Polinsky (double bass) will bring it to life this Friday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m. at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church or Sunday, October 11 at 2:00 p.m. at Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church.

Tickets are $30 per concert, or $75 for a Season Subscription, and can be used at either location. Purchase in advance using the link in our bio, or at the door with a credit card, cash, or check. We can’t wait to see you there! 🍂

10/04/2026

Music born from loss, inspired by one of opera's most beloved love stories. 🎭

Our fall concert series continues with "The Five Stages of Rodolfo" for English horn, cello, and narrator by John Conahan. Inspired by Puccini's La Bohème, this work takes us on an emotional adventure. The English horn portrays Rodolfo, the poet, while the cello gives voice to Mimì, the woman he falls in love with. A narrator guides us through the story's most poignant moments, inviting each listener to find their own response to the questions it raises.

We're honored to present the official premiere of this piece with members of the Hutchins Ensemble and our Philadelphia Orchestra colleagues, Elizabeth Starr Masoudnia (English horn) and Gloria dePasquale (cello). Special thanks to Kenneth Hutchins, who commissioned the work and generously supports both musicians' appearances.

Experience the premiere of "The Five Stages of Rodolfo" on Friday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m. at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church or Sunday, October 11 at 2:00 p.m. at Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church. Get your tickets now using the link in our bio!

10/03/2026

Next up on our fall concert series program is a premiere with a personal connection! ✨
Ingrid Arauco's "Three for Two" for clarinet and cello is receiving its concert premiere after being recorded back in 2012 by PCE’s very own music director, John Koen. This short, three-movement duo opens and closes with jazz-inflected energy, with bursts of rhythm and color bookending a bluesy, slow-burning middle movement. The finale doesn't let up either. A cello cadenza opens the movement, returns briefly, and the piece closes on a vehement, unanswered question.

Be among the first to hear "Three for Two," performed by Samuel Caviezel (clarinet) and John Koen (cello), on Friday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m. in Bryn Mawr or Sunday, October 11 at 2:00 p.m. in Society Hill. Tickets are $30 and can be used at either location. Purchase them using the link in the comments, or at the door!

09/30/2026

Fall is in the air, and our fall concert series is breezing right through! 🎶🍂

We're kicking off our program with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Kegelstatt" Trio, KV 498 for clarinet, viola, and piano. This trio was the first to combine the dark-hued clarinet and the melancholic viola, with the piano both supporting and often taking the lead. A contrast-filled opening movement gives way to a vigorous minuet, whose unusual middle section puts the clarinet in the spotlight over an athletic viola part. The finale is a wonderful blend of pastoral calm and pathos. Picture the clarinet's poetic, golden tone mingling with the viola's wistful warmth, like afternoon light filtering through changing leaves. 🍁

Hear Philadelphia Orchestra members Samuel Caviezel (clarinet), Kerri Ryan (viola), and Kiyoko Takeuti (piano) perform "Kegelstatt" on Friday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m. at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church or Sunday, October 11 at 2:00 p.m. at Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church. Get your tickets now using the link in the comments!

07/21/2026

🎶 Save the dates - our 49th season is here! 🎶

We're thrilled to welcome you back for another year of extraordinary chamber music by the Philadelphia Chamber Ensemble. This season, our Friday night concerts are moving to Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church at 7:00 p.m., while our Sunday 2:00 p.m. performances will continue at Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church.

🍂 Fall: Friday, Oct. 9 (Bryn Mawr) & Sunday, Oct. 11 (Old Pine St.)
❄️ Winter: Friday, Feb. 12 (Bryn Mawr) & Sunday, Feb. 14 (Old Pine St.)
🌸 Spring: Friday, Apr. 30 (Bryn Mawr) & Sunday, May 2 (Old Pine St.)

This season's program is one of our richest yet! Every concert will include a work by Mozart with the "Kegelstatt" Trio for clarinet, viola, and piano being performed in the fall; the Quintet for French horn, violin, two violas, and cello in winter; and the Quintet for clarinet and string quartet in spring.

We're also continuing our multi-season focus on the sonatas of Claude Debussy with his Sonata in D minor for cello and piano. Former Philadelphia Orchestra principal oboist Richard Woodhams joins us for two works featuring oboe and strings: Joan Tower's "Island Prelude" and the quintet by Arnold Bax. You can also look forward to Schumann's Adagio and Allegro, trios for flute, harp, and cello by Claude Damase and Leopold Stokowski, a duo by Pulitzer winner Gabriela Lena Frank, plus Brahms and Dvořák for the strings. A little something for every listener!

Tickets are $30 per concert or $75 for a Season Subscription. Sponsor and Benefactor levels are also available if you'd like to help sustain 49 years of chamber music in Philadelphia.

We can't wait to see you this season!

Get tickets here: https://pceconcerts.org/tickets/

06/04/2026

Don’t miss our last performance of the season! We’re closing out the 2025–26 year with Philadelphia Orchestra principal horn Jennifer Montone taking the stage in thrilling performances of Strauss’ “Till Eulenspiegel – Another Way!” and Nielsen’s “Serenata in vano”.

📅 Friday, June 5 at 7:00 p.m.
📍Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill
🎟 $30 per ticket, available at the door or via the link in our bio
💻 Livestream available for $15, with one-week access following the performance

Stick around after the performance for a special post-concert reception and help us toast the end of a wonderful season! We can’t wait to see you all on Friday night!

04/29/2026

Our spring concert series kicks off in less than one week, and you don't want to miss a single note! 🌸🎶 Join the Philadelphia Chamber Ensemble for the first performance of our spring concert series this Sunday, May 3, at 2:00 p.m. at the Old Pine St. Church.

Can’t make it to our spring concert series in person? Join us from wherever you are via our live stream! Grab a live stream ticket for just $15, and we’ll send the private viewing link straight to your inbox on the day of the concert. Season subscribers - if you can’t attend in person, DM us with your name and enjoy streaming access at no charge!

Don't wait, get your spring concert series tickets today! Tickets for the in-person performances and live streams are available now via the link in our bio! 🎻✨

04/24/2026

We’re closing out our spring concert series with a mischievous twist: "Till Eulenspiegel – Another Way!" by Richard Strauss (arr. Hasenöhrl).

Originally a full-blown orchestral tone poem bursting with chaos and character, this playful reimagining shrinks the piece down to just five instruments - violin, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, and double bass - without losing any of its personality. In fact… it might even add to the fun!

Expect humor, surprises, and a little bit of musical mischief as Philadelphia Orchestra members Jennifer Haas (violin), Samuel Caviezel (clarinet), Mark Gigliotti (bassoon), Jeffrey Lang (horn), and Gabriel Polinsky (bass) bring "Till Eulenspiegel" to life! Get your tickets now for our spring concert series performances on Sunday, May 3, at 2:00 p.m. at the Old Pine St. Church or on Friday, June 5, at 7:00 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill. Tickets can be purchased at the door or ahead of time using this link: https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/pceconcerts/

04/19/2026

The next piece in our spring concert series spotlight is Quintet in F-sharp minor for clarinet and string quartet by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, a work blooming with fresh energy and lyrical beauty. With its warm, expressive melodies and lively, dance-like energy, this quintet evokes springtime itself. ✨🌼

Get your tickets now at the link in our bio to experience Philadelphia Orchestra members Samuel Caviezel (clarinet), Jennifer Haas (violin), William Polk (violin), Kerri Ryan (viola), and John Koen (cello) perform Coleridge-Taylor’s Quintet in F-sharp minor for clarinet and string quartet on Sunday, May 3 at 2:00 p.m. or Friday, June 5 at 7:00 p.m.!

04/16/2026

🌸 Next in our spring concert series introductions is "Piano Trio No. 1" by Franz Schubert. This work overflows with lush melodies, expressive depth, and joyful, dance-like energy. From soaring, songful lines to playful rhythmic twists, this trio captures Schubert at his most imaginative and expansive. 🎶✨

Experience Schubert's "Piano Trio No. 1" performed by Philadelphia Orchestra members Jennifer Haas (violin), John Koen (cello), and Kiyoko Takeuti (piano) on Sunday, May 3rd at 2:00 p.m. at the Old Pine Church or on Friday, June 5th at 7:00 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill. Tickets are $30 and can be used for either performance. You can purchase tickets at the door or using this link: https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/

Address

412 Pine Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106

Telephone

(215) 542-4890

Website

http://www.pceconcerts.org/

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