Long Island Chamber Music

Presented by the Caumsett Foundation Sunset Music Series

Inspired by Dance: Music for Violin & Cello

Friday, June 14th, 6:30pm

Danse Macabre Camille Saint-Saëns

(1835–1921)

Arr. Cicely Parnas

Sonata No. 3 in A major Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges

II. Aria con variatione (1745–1799)

Partita no. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006 Johann Sebastian Bach

III. Gavotte en Rondeau (1685-1750)

Suite no. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007 Johann Sebastian Bach

III. Courante (1685-1750)

8 Pieces, Op. 39 Reinhold Glière

I. Prelude (1875–1956)

II. Gavotte

III. Berceuse

IV. Canzonetta

V. Intermezzo

VI. Impromptu

VII. Scherzo

VIII. Etude

Passacaglia G.F. Handel/Johan Halvorsen

(1864–1935)

Performers

Gergana Haralampieva, violin

Clara Abel, cello

Gergana Haralampieva is a Bulgarian-American violinist and educator passionate about making

classical music relevant and accessible. Born into a family of musicians, Gergana was surrounded by

music from an early age. She began singing in her father’s children’s choir at the age of four and playing

the violin at the age of six. In 2005, Gergana moved with her family to Norwood, Massachusetts, and

began her conservatory training at New England Conservatory’s Preparatory School and the Walnut

Hill School for the Arts. Gergana went on to receive her Bachelor’s Degree from the Curtis Institute of

Music in 2016 and her Master’s Degree from the New England Conservatory in 2018.

As an in-demand chamber musician, Gergana has performed with ensembles such as the Borromeo

String Quartet, Eighth Black Bird, and A Far Cry. Gergana was a member of Ensemble Connect at

Carnegie Hall from 2018 - 2020, a two-year fellowship for young professionals who want to expand

their experience in teaching, community engagement, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

Currently, Gergana channels her creative pursuits as co-founder of Long Island Chamber Music

alongside her husband and horn player, Eric Huckins. Through Long Island Chamber Music, Gergana

organizes and performs engaging classical music performances and educational programs across Long

Island.

Clara Abel, cello
Born into a family of musicians, cellist Clara Abel found a delight for music at a young age. Her particular love
of chamber music led her to study at Juilliard with the legendary cellist of the Juilliard String Quartet, Joel
Krosnick as well as with members of the Brentano, Tokyo, Emerson, American and Orion String Quartets.
As an orchestral player, she has toured nationally and internationally and has worked with esteemed conductors
such as Valery Gergiev, Itzhak Perlman, Alan Gilbert, and Masaaki Suzuki. She has performed in solo
masterclasses for Tamás Varga and Jonathan Sharp, and her performances as a solo, chamber and orchestral
musician have been heard on medici.tv, BBC, CBS, and NPR.

Clara enjoys performing for all types of audiences, and in a variety of settings, ranging from venues such as
Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and the Kennedy Center to living rooms, museums, schools, and soup
kitchens, in an effort to share her belief that music is for everyone. In response to her growing artistic curiosity,
Clara plays in a variety of musical languages, including improvisation, crossover, and historical performance. She
recently obtained a second Master's Degree in Baroque Cello as part of Juilliard's Historical Performance
program.