Hire Radius

Radius Ensemble is eager to hear from presenters, including independent venues, university music departments, and community organizations such as libraries and museums. Please contact our booking agent, Eric J. Rizzo, at eric@radiusensemble.org. 

Every Radius Ensemble program is anchored by a well-known masterwork from the likes of Beethoven, Schubert or Brahms. We also showcase a recent work by a local composer, who will attend the concert whenever possible. Each program is then filled out with works from the twentieth-century that take advantage of Radius Ensemble’s broad instrumental options; the group includes a full complement of strings, woodwinds and piano. Expect Ravel, Prokofiev, and modern classics such as works by John Harbison, Jennifer Higdon, Steve Reich, and more. All programs include pre-concert remarks from the Artistic Director, audience-friendly introductions of each piece by members of the Ensemble during the performance, and the opportunity to meet and mingle with musicians after the concert. 

 

Sample Program 1: Phantastic Odyssey

Oboe, violin, viola, cello

BRITTEN - Phantasy Quartet, Op. 2 (1932)
TANN - Duo for oboe and viola (1981)
GUBAIDULINA - String Trio (1989)
MOZART - Oboe Quartet in F major, K.370 (1781)

Radius Ensemble's founding Artistic Director and oboist Jennifer Montbach is joined by the group's string section for a series of works spanning over two hundred years. We open with the English pastoral lyricism of Benjamin Britten's Phantasy Quartet for oboe and strings. Next, two more recent works: Hilary Tann's duo for oboe and viola, and the Russian master Sofia Gubaidulina's breathtaking string trio. All four musicians reunite for the finale, Mozart's masterful and lively quartet in F major.

 

Sample Program 2: Quintessential Soirée

Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn

BEACH - Pastorale for wind quintet, Op. 151 (1942)
MUCZYNSKI - Duos for flute and clarinet, Op. 34 (1991)
HIGDON - Autumn Music (1995)
IBERT - Five Pieces for Trio (1935)
REICHA - Woodwind Quintet in E-flat major, Op. 88, No. 2 (1818)
BERIO - Opus Number Zoo (1970 - includes musician narration)

The woodwind quintet, with its five distinct voices, dazzles in a program of works that showcases its ever-changing personality. We open with Bostonian Amy Beach's lovely and neglected quintet and a series of short ironic duos by Leonard Muczynski. Next, Jennifer Higdon's brooding Autumn Music, followed by rollicking trios for three reed players. We close with two substantial works: Antonin Reicha's genre-defining classical quintet, and prankster Luciano Berio's hilariously theatrical Opus Number Zoo. 

 

Sample Program 3: Full Circle with Radius Ensemble

Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, violin, viola, cello, piano

For concerts outside the Boston area and within a few weeks of a Longy subscription series concert, we can replicate that program, tweaking as needed for your audience. For concerts in the Boston area, we’d create a special program of highlights from recent seasons:

PAGANINI – Duetto No. 3 for violin and bassoon (1800)
HIGDON - Autumn Music (1995)
TANN - Duo for oboe and viola (1981)
SHOSTAKOVICH – Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67 (1944)

Radius Ensemble also has two outstanding outreach programs ready, including a wind quintet program (featuring Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf and other chamber music about animals) and a string program (featuring string quartets from every continent, plus a piece from Disney's Moana). Each program runs approximately 45 minutes.

Accommodations are requested for evening concerts beyond Eastern Massachusetts. When presented by nonprofit organizations, members are willing to billet with community members.

Please contact our booking agent, Eric J. Rizzo, at eric@radiusensemble.org.