Founded in 2004, the Isles Ensemble is a group of musicians from the Twin Cities who present a series of Sunday afternoon concerts at LOTI, which provides a beautiful and intimate atmosphere for enjoying music.

Listeners of all kinds are welcome, from chamber music connoisseurs to neophytes. Concerts are fun, inspiring, and personal experiences for each audience member. Repertoire is chosen from a wide range of styles, from classical to avant-garde, and includes gems from the standard repertoire as well as little-known works that merit further consideration. The players introduce each piece with a short talk about the music to provide some listening guidance as well as a performer’s perspective. After each concert, audience members are invited to join the performers at an informal reception for a chance to mingle and discuss the music in more depth.

The Isles Ensemble members are Helen Chang-Haertzen, Joanne Opgenorth and Stephanie Arado, violin; Leslie Shank and David Leung, violin and viola; Tom Turner and Sifei Cheng, viola; Thomas Rosenberg and Laura Sewell, cello; and Ivan Konev and Tim Lovelace, piano. Chamber music is their passion, and their mission is to help build a vibrant chamber music community in the Twin Cities.

PROGRAM

Pärt — Fratres, for Violin & Piano

Leslie Shank, violin

Ivan Konev, piano

Haydn — String Trio in C Major, V:C3

Leslie Shank &  Stephanie Arado, violins

Tom Rosenberg, cello

Tchaikovsky — Piano Trio in A minor, Opus 50

David Leung, violin

Laura Sewell, cello

Ivan Konev, piano