Parlance Chamber Concerts grew out of the success of more than a decade of benefit concerts organized and presented by Michael Parloff in his Ridgewood, New Jersey, home. These semiannual fundraising events support various local nonprofit organizations. Michael Parloff's reputation as one of America's preeminent flutists and a leader in the chamber music world has enabled him to feature top flight singers and instrumentalists from the Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic, and New York City's extraordinary chamber music community.
A significant number of attendees came to these events initially as novice concertgoers and subsequently told Mr. Parloff that they learned to love and appreciate classical music through exposure to world class performers in the intimate, relaxed ambiance of his home. This gave rise to the idea of widening the audience for classical music in our community by presenting innovatively designed public concerts and educational events for listeners of all ages and levels of concert-going experience. The sense of connection between performers and audience members is strengthened by informal spoken introductions and program notes delivered during course of the concerts and through post-concert receptions. The receptions provide audience members with opportunities to meet the performing artists and learn more about the music, the composers, and the performers themselves.
Parlance Chamber Concerts are priced affordably to demonstrate our commitment to making chamber music available to as many people in our community as possible. In addition, sets of complimentary tickets are offered to local teachers and staff members of community organizations, including schools, hospitals, and mental health clinics.
An important part of Parlance Chamber Concerts' goals is to introduce children to classical music. In that regard, Parlance Chamber Concerts presented its first children's event on November 2, 2008, entitled "Animals and Dances." This highly successful concert/lecture featured members of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and bassist/composer Jon Deak, the New York Philharmonic's Creative Education Associate. Similar children's events are planned for the future.
Since its inception in 2008, Parlance Chamber Concerts' funding has come through a combination of private contributions by individuals and ticket sales. Parlance Chamber Concerts has completed two complete seasons and will present five concerts and educational events during the 2009/10 season. These concerts will include the Emerson String Quartet, Metropolitan Opera soprano Danielle de Niese, a Family Concert featuring Camille Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals, jazz pianist Bill Charlap and his trio, and a host of leading instrumentalists from the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.