Musica Reginae Productions Presents Charles Neidich Playing Clarinet Quintets of Brahms and Coleridge-Taylor

QUEENS, NY. (Top40 Charts/ Musica Reginae Productions) - Dedicated to presenting outstanding music performances in Queens and encouraging its young people to develop an interest in classical music, Musica Reginae Productions returns for its 9th season.

On January 11, Musica Reginae will present Johannes Brahms' beloved Clarinet Quintet with guest artist Charles Neidich and the Musica Reginae Society Chamber Artists. Neidich will perform the Clarinet Quintet on his specially commissioned reproduction of the Ottensteiner Clarinet, the original instrument used during Brahms' lifetime.

Charles Neidich, hailed by the New Yorker as "a master of his instrument and beyond a clarinetist," is described as one of the most mesmerizing musicians performing before the public today.

Sharing the program is the nearly forgotten Clarinet Quintet of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, often referred to as the "African Mahler." Personally challenged by a comment that, 'after Brahms produced his Clarinet Quintet, no one would be able to compose another that did not show Brahms' influence,' the young Coleridge-Taylor composed his Quintet.

This season explores works of Black composers and also includes music of Joseph de Bologne (Chevalier de Saint George), one of the most remarkable figures of the 18th century. Born of a slave, he rose to the top of French society through his mastery of fencing and his genius for classical music. Also featured this season is music by 1996 Pulitzer Prize winning composer George Walker, as well as Cannonball Adderley, Billie Holiday, and Fats Waller in a concert headlined by jazz pianist Aaron Diehl.

"These composers were highly regarded and their music was performed to great success during their lifetime. It's a mystery why some of these artists have been forgotten," said Caroline Chin, Artistic Director.

General admission: $20. Purchase tickets online at Musica Reginae's website (https://www.musicareginae.org/index.html) or by calling (718) 894-2178.

Musica Reginae performances are made possible with public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, a State agency, and are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs with additional funding from New York State Senator Serphin R. Maltese through the New York State Office of Parks and Recreation.