EarRelevant Staff | 2 MAR 2023
The Schwartz Center for Performing Arts at Emory University has announced its 2023–2024 season this evening, including its esteemed Candler Concert Series, which explores how classical music’s timeless art can transcend generations.
Beginning with up-and-coming violist Jordan Bak and the Balourdet Quartet, the mostly-classical series also features virtuoso Midori with Festival Strings Lucerne, the National Symphony Orchestra Ukraine with Ukrainian cellist Natalia Khoma, and a recital concert from violin protégé Randall Goosby. Intergenerational connections continue with the pairing of the world’s most famous brass group, Canadian Brass, with select Emory University student brass musicians included in one of the evening’s works as a part of a concert ranging from Baroque to Dixieland.

Balourdet Quartet.
“To me, this season perfectly embodies the spirit of the Candler Concert Series,” says Rachael Brightwell, managing director of the Schwartz Center. “Our students and audiences have the opportunity to experience artists who are inarguably masters of their instruments—Midori and her violin, for one—in the same series as intriguing young artists like Randall Goosby and Jordan Bak, who are really beginning to make their mark in classical music. This season’s lineup showcases the best performances across generations, and I’m thrilled to be able to bring such a dynamic series to Emory.”
The Schwartz Center is also supporting a new work as a commissioning partner for an ambitious, multi-composer project with Turtle Island Quartet, featuring compositions from jazz legend Terence Blanchard, MacArthur Genius Fellow Rhiannon Giddens, New Music USA Composer-in-Residence Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate, and Turtle Island Quartet founder David Balakrishnan. Additionally, contemporary works will be the focus of the Grammy Award–winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer.
Along with the Candler Concert Series, audiences can enjoy the time-honored tradition of Emory Jazz Fest as part of the Schwartz Center’s Artist-in-Residence Program. The festival brings world-class jazz to the community with master classes, artist demonstrations, and concerts featuring the Gary Motley Trio, Emory Big Band, and a soon-to-be-announced featured guest artist.
2023–2024 Schwartz Center for Performing Arts Season
- Friday, September 22, 2023 at 8 p.m.: Balourdet Quartet with Jordan Bak, viola – Recently named one of the “30 under 30” rising classical music stars, Jamaican-American violist Jordan Bak joins the Balourdet Quartet for a performance of quintets including Brahms, Mozart, and Mendelssohn.
- Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 8 p.m.: Chanticleer – Known for its wide-ranging repertoire and dazzling virtuosity, the Grammy Award–winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer brings their “orchestra of voices” to the stage for an evening of contemporary classical, jazz, and popular music.
- Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 8 p.m.: Midori and Festival Strings Lucerne – Violinist Midori, a Kennedy Center honoree and one of the most outstanding violinists of our time, joins the acclaimed Festival Strings Lucerne under the leadership of concertmaster Daniel Dodd. The program features Schumann’s Violin Concerto in D Minor and Beethoven’s Romance in F Major.
- Friday, January 26, 2024 at 8 p.m.: Canadian Brass – As the world’s most famous brass group, Canadian Brass is known for its extraordinary ability to perform many types of music at a preeminent level, exhibiting a full range of musical styles—from trademark Baroque and Dixieland tunes, to Bach, Handel, Gershwin, and Duke Ellington.

Canadian Brass (credit: Nina Yoshida Nelsen)
- Friday, February 2, 2024 at 8 p.m.: Emory Jazz Fest 2024 – Schwartz Artist in Residence – The annual Emory Jazz Fest again brings world-class jazz to the community with master classes, artist demonstrations, and concerts featuring the Gary Motley Trio, Emory Big Band, and a soon-to-be-announced featured guest artist.
- Friday, February 16, 2024 at 8 p.m.: National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine – Under the baton of Volodymyr Sirenko, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine has long been one of the most distinguished orchestras of Eastern Europe. The evening’s concert will showcase Ukrainian musical culture with featured cellist Natalia Khoma performing Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 1 in C Major.
- Friday, March 22, 2024 at 8 p.m.: Turtle Island Quartet: Island Prayers – Island Prayers represents Grammy Award–winning Turtle Island Quartet’s new identity as an original musical ensemble. The Schwartz Center for Performing Arts is a proud commissioning partner in this ambitious, multi-composer project with works by jazz composer Terence Blanchard, MacArthur Genius Fellow Rhiannon Giddens, New Music USA Composer-in-Residence Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate, and Turtle Island Quartet founder David Balakrishnan.
- Friday, April 5, 2024 at 8 p.m.: Randall Goosby, violin – A protégé of legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman, 26-year-old violinist Randall Goosby has performed with orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and London Philharmonic. This recital performance will highlight the artist’s sensitivity of interpretations and intensity of tone; his determination to make music more inclusive and accessible; and his dedication to bringing the music of under-represented composers to light.
All concerts in the 2023–2024 subscription series will be presented at the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts, Emerson Concert Hall (1700 N. Decatur Rd., Atlanta, GA 30322).
The eight-concert subscription package and a Build-Your-Own ticket package (with selections from the Candler Concert Series and the Schwartz Artist-in-Residence Program, including Emory Jazz Fest 2024); are available to order now through the Schwartz Center Box Office online at schwartz.emory.edu, in person, or by calling 404-727-5050 Monday–Friday, from noon to 6 p.m. Single tickets to all concerts go on sale Tuesday, August 1.
The Candler Concert Series is made possible by a generous gift from the late Flora Glenn Candler. Candler artists range from large ensembles to solo artists from a variety of musical genres. ■
EXTERNAL LINKS:
- Schwartz Center for Performing Arts: schwartz.emory.edu

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