Role

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Ensemble

Genre

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Chamber

 

Chacona is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 2012 by a group of talented musicians who shared a passion for early music. The ensemble is named after the chaconne, a musical form that originated in the Baroque era and is characterized by a repeating harmonic progression. The founding members of Chacona were violinist Rachell Wong, cellist Sarah Stone, and harpsichordist Erik Ryding. All three musicians had extensive experience performing early music and were eager to explore the rich repertoire of Baroque and Renaissance music. Over the years, Chacona has expanded its membership to include a variety of other musicians, including violist Kyle Miller, flutist Emi Ferguson, and soprano Sarah Yanovitch. The ensemble's core members, however, remain Wong, Stone, and Ryding. Chacona has performed at a variety of venues and festivals throughout the United States, including the Boston Early Music Festival, the Berkeley Early Music Festival, and the Indianapolis Early Music Festival. The ensemble has also been featured on numerous radio programs, including NPR's Performance Today and WQXR's The Bach Hour. One of Chacona's most notable performances was at the 2014 Boston Early Music Festival, where the ensemble presented a program of music by Johann Sebastian Bach. The performance was praised by critics for its "impeccable musicianship" and "deep understanding of Bach's music." In addition to its live performances, Chacona has also released several recordings. The ensemble's debut album, "Bach: Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord," was released in 2015 and received critical acclaim for its "exquisite playing" and "thoughtful interpretations." Chacona has also been the recipient of several awards and honors. In 2016, the ensemble was awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support its performances and recordings. The following year, Chacona was named a finalist in the Early Music America/Naxos Recording Competition for its album "Bach: Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord." Despite its success, Chacona remains committed to its mission of exploring and sharing the rich repertoire of early music. The ensemble continues to perform and record music from the Baroque and Renaissance eras, and its members are dedicated to bringing this music to new audiences around the world.

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