“A Celebration of Music from Europe to the Americas”
Arlington, VA (August 20, 2025) — The National Chamber Ensemble (NCE) proudly unveils its 2025–2026 season, marking the Ensemble’s 19th year of bringing world-class music to the Washington, D.C. area. This milestone season, themed “A Celebration of Music from Europe to the Americas,” presents five vibrant and diverse programs spanning French Impressionism, festive holiday favorites, Broadway and opera masterpieces, Latin American treasures, and two of the greatest concertos of all time.
“I am so proud to unveil our dynamic 2025–2026 season as we continue our mission of making classical music accessible, relevant, and inspiring to modern audiences,” said Leo Sushansky, Artistic Director. “These concerts are designed to captivate both lifelong music lovers and those experiencing the magic of chamber music for the first time.”
Season Highlights
Parisian Dreams: Ravel and Saint-Saëns
Saturday, November 8, 2025 | Gunston Arts Center – Theatre 1
The season opens with a journey to Paris, celebrating the 150th birthday of Maurice Ravel. Works by Cécile Chaminade, Camille Saint-Saëns, and Ravel himself evoke the elegance of Romanticism and the innovation of Impressionism in an evening of Parisian charm and sophistication.
Holiday Cheer
Saturday, December 20, 2025 | Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington
A beloved annual tradition returns! The winners of the 2025 Nancy Peery Marriott Young Artist Piano Competition, community student musicians, and the acclaimed Voce Chamber Singers (David Mann, Conductor) join NCE for a heartwarming evening of holiday classics. A lively audience carol sing-along caps off this festive celebration for all ages.
Chords of Desire: Broadway and Opera Favorites
Saturday, February 14, 2026 | Gunston Arts Center – Theatre 1
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with an evening of passion, romance, and soaring melodies. Baritone Anton Belov and soprano Karin Paludan bring unforgettable performances of opera arias and Broadway classics—songs of love, longing, triumph, and loss.
Musical Gems of Ecuador: A Violinist’s Journey
Saturday, April 11, 2026 | Marymount University – Ballston Center Auditorium
Guest violinist Jorge Saade leads a rare exploration of Ecuadorian classical music, featuring composers Claudio Aizaga, Corsino Duran, Enrique Espín-Yépez, and others. This program highlights the rhythmic vitality, lyrical beauty, and cultural richness of Latin America, presented by one of Ecuador’s most celebrated cultural ambassadors.
Mozart and Brahms: The Great Concertos
Saturday, June 6, 2026 | Gunston Arts Center – Theatre 1
The season finale pairs two timeless masterpieces in an intimate chamber setting. Pianist Carlos César Rodríguez performs Mozart’s radiant Piano Concerto No. 21 “Elvira Madigan”, while Artistic Director/violinist Leo Sushansky takes the stage in Brahms’ monumental Violin Concerto. A dazzling conclusion to NCE’s 19th season.
Season Schedule at a Glance
- Nov. 8, 2025 – Parisian Dreams: Ravel and Saint-Saëns (Gunston Arts Center – Theatre 1)
- Dec. 20, 2025 – Holiday Cheer (Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington)
- Feb. 14, 2026 – Chords of Desire: Broadway and Opera Favorites (Gunston Arts Center – Theatre 1)
- Apr. 11, 2026 – Musical Gems of Ecuador: A Violinist’s Journey (Marymount University – Ballston Center Auditorium)
- June 6, 2026 – Mozart and Brahms: The Great Concertos (Gunston Arts Center – Theatre 1)
All concerts begin at 7:30 PM. Free Parking at all locations. For info: (703)685-7590
Tickets
- General Admission: $45
- Students: $25
- Season Pass: $159 Early Bird (by Sept. 16), $169 after
Venues
- Gunston Arts Center – Theatre 1 | 2700 South Lang St., Arlington, VA 22206
- Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington | 4444 Arlington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22204
- Marymount University Ballston Center Auditorium | 1000 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA 22207
Tickets & Information, go to nationalchamberensemble.org
Our Mission
The mission of the National Chamber Ensemble (NCE) is to entertain as well as provide opportunities to appreciate and enjoy the art of chamber music, bringing together performers, audiences and composers. The NCE produces high quality chamber music performances for the general public at a reasonable cost. Through our performances and commissions of original musical works we present a full range of chamber music repertoire from the classics to the contemporary. The most important goal of the NCE is to build a sense of closeness between performers and audience that enhances the feeling of community and a deeper musical experience.
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