The Broyhill Chamber Ensemble

The Broyhill Chamber Ensemble is an extraordinary association of internationally acclaimed musicians which, in association with Nine Circles Chamber Theatre and its international Reflections series, presents an alternative to the conventional approach to chamber music programming. The ensemble's flexibility of instrumentation and great variety of repertoire make it the ideal group for exploring the full spectrum of chamber music's expressive palette and experimental performance. According to Broyhill Chamber Ensemble Artistic Director Gil Morgenstern, "The Reflections series continues the well-established tradition of exploring both Old World masters and the less familiar but masterful works of contemporary artists. From sublime compositions created in the midst of horror and terror, to music inspired by painting and sculpture, each piece on select programs will reflect and refract the ones surrounding it in an interactive and intimate setting." Whether in traditional concert format, in residency or in its Reflections series, the Broyhill Chamber Ensemble steps outside the customary performance boundaries by presenting programs that marry the intimacy of chamber music with the power of theatre.

Acclaimed for his artistry and technical brilliance as soloist with orchestra, in recital or as a chamber musician, violinist Gil Morgenstern has performed all over the world to overwhelming critical praise. In addition to acting as the artistic director of the Broyhill Chamber Ensemble, Mr. Morgenstern is the co-artistic director of Nine Circles Chamber Theatre, an organization dedicated to exploring the collaborative nature of inter-disciplinary performance, and the artistic director of performance series in New York City, Florida, Pennsylvania and Florence, Italy. He has been the subject of numerous television and radio shows and he can be regularly heard on NPR broadcasts. Mr. Morgenstern and the Broyhill Chamber Ensemble record for the MMC and Koch International Classics label.

Under the direction of Morgenstern, An Appalachian Summer Festival's acclaimed resident chamber group has been setting exceptional standards of artistic integrity for more than two decades. The ensemble has built a stellar reputation, in part by their unconventional approach to programming chamber music. The Press Journal of Vero Beach, FL, raves that the ensemble is "superb, with the musicians seeming to act, even breathe, as one." The ensemble records for the MMC and Koch International Classics labels.

Members of the Broyhill Chamber Ensemble have won top prizes at many of the world's most prestigious competitions, including the Queen Elizabeth of Belgium Competition, the International Flute Competition in Paris and the Washington International Violin Competition. Members of the Ensemble have appeared as guest artists with virtually every major American orchestra and at numerous festivals including Tanglewood, Ravinia, Caramoor, Santa Fe and Spoleto. Widely recognized for their extraordinary inventiveness as well as the breadth of their repertoire, the ensemble's popular recitals are aired annually on National Public Radio. The group frequently commissions composers to create new works for diverse combinations. The Broyhill Chamber Ensemble's recent collaborations include original programming with the Smithsonian Institution and leading choreographers.

The Broyhill Chamber Ensemble's Reflections series is produced in association with Nine Circles Chamber Theatre.

2006 Broyhill Chamber Ensemble Concert Series CDs

The wonderful memories shared by festival audiences of the Broyhill Chamber Ensemble's remarkable 2006 concert series can soon be re-lived, and included as a valued addition to any classical music collection.

The annual CD recordings of the series will soon be available. Recording engineer Frank Martin of Media Production Associates has once again performed a masterful feat, in capturing the breathtaking artistry of this internationally acclaimed group of chamber musicians. The CD will consist of a compilation of works performed over the course of the ensemble's six concerts in July of 2006, performed at An Appalachian Summer Festival in Rosen Concert Hall.

As a token of the festival's gratitude to its patrons, complimentary copies of the recording will be mailed to all donors who made gifts to the 2006 festival season at the "Contributor Level" or above. The 2007 Broyhill Chamber Ensemble Concert Series at An Appalachian Summer Festival will also be recorded and will likewise be shared with our donors.

Copies of he CD recording may also be purchased at a cost of $15 per ecording. Please contact the Office of Arts and Cultural Programs at 828.262.6084 to place your order.

Other Broyhill Chamber Ensemble CDs

The Broyhill Chamber Ensemble's latest CD - Tsontakis: Piano Quartet Trilogy - is currently available on Koch International Classics. A "Critic's Pick" Recording, Tsontakis is called "an impressive recording of vibrant chamber works" by The New York Times, and All Music Guide says "The Broyhill Chamber Ensemble delivers these impressive chamber works with great sensitivity, rich timbres and passionate expression, and Koch's recording is splendid." More information, including links to the online retailer of your choice, may be found on the Koch Entertainment website.

Additionally, several members of the Broyhill Chamber Ensemble also have CDs available. Please refer to individual performers' pages at right for more information.