
2025-2026 - 19th Season
Concert Schedule Details
NCE's 2025-2026 Season Program "A Celebration of music from Europe to the Americas", will feature chamber works that embody the National Chamber Ensemble’s mission to present masterworks and discoveries with artistry, accessibility, and joy, while celebrating diversity, community partnerships, and the transformative power of live music. Download Brochure
2025-2026 SEASON SCHEDULE
Concert 1: Parisian Dreams: Ravel and Saint-Saëns
Saturday, November 8, 2025, 7:30 PM
Step into the glamour and charm of turn-of-the-century Paris as we open our season with a tribute to the 150th birthday of Maurice Ravel featuring some of his famous exotic pieces like the popular Habanera and Pavane, the charming Le Tambeu de Couperin and brilliant Alborada de gracioso for solo piano. The performance also features the Saint-Saens Piano Quartet in B Flat Major, highlighting exciting virtuosity and dreamy French lyricism. The program opens with the sparkling Rondeau by Cecile Chaminade, the first woman composer to receive the Legion d'Honneur. This elegant concert celebrates French impressionism and romanticism enveloping audiences in the lush textures and emotional depth of French musical artistry. Dont miss an evening which captures the essence of Parisian sophistication and musical innovation.
NCE artists performing: Carlos Cesar Rodriguez (piano), Leo Sushansky (artistic/director,violin), Uri Wassertzug (viola), Steven Honigberg (cello)
Location: Gunston Arts Center - Theater 1
Concert 2: Holiday Cheer!
Saturday, December 20, 2025, 7:30 PM
Our most beloved annual tradition returns with a joyful celebration for the whole family. This concert brings together rising young stars—winners of the 2025 Nancy Peery Marriott Young Artist Piano Competition and talented student performers from the community—alongside the acclaimed Voce Chamber Singers, conducted by David Mann. Festive classics, seasonal favorites, and a Carols Sing-Along make this a heartwarming event that shines with the spirit of togetherness and musical excellence
Kids 10 and under free.
Location: Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington
Concert 3: Chords of Desire: Broadway and Opera Favorites
Saturday, February 14, 2026, 7:30 PM
Valentine's Day Celebration with NCE. This unforgettable evening of powerful voices and sweeping melodies explores the universal themes of love, longing, and triumph through selections from beloved operas and Broadway musicals. Featuring the charismatic Anton Belov, a baritone renowned for his velvety tone and dramatic depth, and the luminous soprano Karin Paludan, this program bridges classical and popular traditions with elegance and flair. A perfect entry point for newcomers and a rich experience for seasoned concertgoers alike.
Location: Gunston Arts Center - Theater 1
Concert 4: Musical Gems of Ecuador: A Violinist’s Journey
Saturday, April 11, 2026, 7:30 PM
Experience a vibrant tapestry of sound and culture in this unique concert spotlighting Ecuadorian music and artistry. The celebrated violinist Jorge Saade, a cultural ambassador and one of Ecuador’s most acclaimed performers, takes center stage for an inspiring musical journey through the works of composers Claudio Aizaga, Corsino Duran, Enrique Espín-Yépez, and others. This special program offers a rare glimpse into the classical music traditions of Latin America, filled with rhythmic vitality, expressive beauty, and cross-cultural dialogue.
Location: Marymount University Ballston-Center
Concert 5: Mozart and Brahms: The Great Concertos
Saturday, June 6, 2026, 7:30 PM
Closing the season with grandeur and intimacy, NCE presents two towering concertos in a rare chamber format that reveals their emotional and structural intricacies. Pianist Carlos César Rodríguez brings dazzling virtuosity to Mozart’s most famous and recognized Piano Concerto No.21 'Elvira Madigan', while Artistic Director Leo Sushansky performs the iconic Brahms’ Violin Concerto, reimagined in a personal, deeply expressive setting. This concert honors the genius of two of classical music’s greatest minds while highlighting the interpretive depth of NCE’s exceptional artists.
Location: Gunston Arts Center - Theater 1