For Immediate Release
August 10, 2023
CLARK ART INSTITUTE HOSTS OUTDOOR CLASSICAL CONCERT AND FAMILY CONCERT BY
THE KNIGHTS ORCHESTRA
Williamstown, Massachusetts—Over Labor Day weekend, the Clark Art Institute presents two concerts by the Knights Orchestra celebrating its Edvard Munch: Trembling Earth exhibition. The first is an outdoor concert on Saturday, September 2 at 4 pm on the Fernández Terrace by the Clark's Reflecting Pool. The second is a family concert on Sunday, September 3 at 12 pm in the Clark’s auditorium, located in the Manton Research Center.
Outdoor Concert
Saturday, September 2, 4 pm
The Knights Orchestra returns to the Clark with a performance inspired by the Edvard Munch: Trembling Earth exhibition. Music written by Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg is paired with traditional Nordic folk songs, as well as a work by Munch’s close friend, Frederick Delius. The program also features an original composition by Knights Artistic Director Colin Jacobsen and a newly imagined orchestration of a classical staple, Antonín Dvořák’s “Toward America” quartet for strings.
Bring a picnic and your own seating.
Family Concert
Sunday, September 3, 12 pm
Music lovers of all ages will delight in a family-friendly concert that complements the Edvard Munch: Trembling Earth exhibition in an engaging, interactive setting. The Knights perform excerpts from works by Edvard Grieg, Antonín Dvořák, and Frederick Delius, alongside audience participation activities that highlight musical details and showcase the way instruments can tell a story. This performance provides younger audiences with a fun and engaging introduction to classical music.
Based in New York City, The Knights are a collective of musicians dedicated to transforming the orchestral experience and eliminating barriers between audience and music. Led by an open-minded spirit of camaraderie and collaboration, they seek to engage with contemporary culture through vibrant performances that honor the classical tradition and their passion for musical discovery. The collective was founded and is directed by violinist Colin Jacobsen and conductor and cellist Eric Jacobsen, who, together, also founded the Brooklyn Rider string quartet. The Knights’ roster boasts musicians of remarkably diverse talents, including composers, arrangers, singer-songwriters, and improvisers, who bring a range of cultural influences to the group, from jazz and klezmer to pop and indie rock music. Since their founding in 2007, The Knights have toured and recorded with prominent soloists including Yo-Yo Ma, Dawn Upshaw, Béla Fleck, Itzhak Perlman, and Gil Shaham, and have performed at Carnegie Hall, Tanglewood, and the Vienna Musikverein.
Both performances are free, but advance registration is required for the Family Concert. For more information, visit clarkart.edu/events.
These performances are presented through the generous support of Mela and Paul Haklisch.
ABOUT THE CLARK
The Clark Art Institute, located in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, is one of a small number of institutions globally that is both an art museum and a center for research, critical discussion, and higher education in the visual arts. Opened in 1955, the Clark houses exceptional European and American paintings and sculpture, extensive collections of master prints and drawings, English silver, and early photography. Acting as convener through its Research and Academic Program, the Clark gathers an international community of scholars to participate in a lively program of conferences, colloquia, and workshops on topics of vital importance to the visual arts. The Clark library, consisting of some 300,000 volumes, is one of the nation’s premier art history libraries. The Clark also houses and co-sponsors the Williams College Graduate Program in the History of Art.
The Clark, which has a three-star rating in the Michelin Green Guide, is located at 225 South Street in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Its 140-acre campus includes miles of hiking and walking trails through woodlands and meadows, providing an exceptional experience of art in nature. Galleries are open 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday through Sunday, from September through June, and daily in July and August. Admission is free January through March and is $20 from March through December; admission is free year-round for Clark members, all visitors age 21 and under, and students with a valid student ID. Free admission is also available through several programs, including First Sundays Free; a local library pass program; and EBT Card to Culture. For information on these programs and more, visit clarkart.edu or call 413 458 2303.
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