About Us
Bringing you exquisite, inspiring performances
The Needham Concert Society presents world-class ensembles and soloists from the Boston area and beyond, in an accessible local setting.
The concert society was founded in 1976 by Needham resident William Gibson (1916–2002), who was principal trombone of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1955 to 1975. He strove to present excellent live performances to Needham audiences. The society was incorporated in 1985 as a nonprofit.
Along with offering professional performances, the concert society sponsors annual festivals for local students of piano and strings to foster community and provide an opportunity for performance.
Needham Concert Society artistic director Ronald Lowry, described by the Boston Globe as a “superb cellist,” has served as principal cellist of the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra since 1993 and of the Boston Ballet Orchestra since 1992, and he performs regularly with the Boston Symphony. Mr. Lowry teaches at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, and The Rivers School Conservatory.
Managing Board
Jane Knetzger, President
Ronald Lowry, Artistic Director
Steven Van Dam, Treasurer
Joseph McCabe, Secretary
Nancy Klepper-Kilgore, Publicist
Jeffrey DiIuglio, Member at Large
Student Festival Chairs
Steven Snitzer, Piano Festival Chair
Ronald Lowry, String Festival Chair
Katya Anoshkin, Voice Festival Chair
Former Board Members
Albert Alphin
Arnold R. Bone
Ben Burrell
Jeanne Clancy
Leslie G. Crumbaker
Cynthia Cumings
Judy Currie
Annette Der Sarkisian
Deborah Dunham
James Dunham
Charles Austin Fish
Mary Fish
R. Alan Fryer
Richard S. Gates
Godferd O. Gerth
William M. Gibson
Elbert S. Godfrey
Bruce Goody
Florence Gordon
Cynthia Guiry
Robert (Cal) Guiry
John Holmes
H. Ward Hunter
Leone Imrie
Robert Imrie
Ruth Jacobs
John H. Jenkins, Jr.
Elsie Kent
Horst L. Kloss
Marion Lebourveau
Arthur C. Loven
Karen Lueders
Thomas Martin
Peter D. Matthews
Manuel J. Merino
Peter Munstedt
Carol Murray
James H. Nye
June Patterson
Marvin C. Pickett, Jr.
Robert Ripley
Wendell E. Ryerson
Louis Sandler
Toby Sandler
Ruth Steere
Dana W. Story
Betsy Tedoldi
David Tierney
Julie Tierney
Philip Trackman
Susan Trackman
Edith Stearns Trask
Video Recordings
When live performances were suspended during the pandemic, Needham Concert Society offered a free recording and a free livestream for audiences worldwide.
Tchaikovsky, Trio in A minor, Op. 50
Free recording released Sunday, June 20, 2021
Download program notes here.
Artistic Director Ronald Lowry, cello, joined violinist Irina Muresanu and pianist Aleksandr Polyakov to record an exhilarating, soulful trio for friends of the Needham Concert Society.
Ukrainian-American pianist and conductor Aleksandr Polyakovis rapidly establishing an international reputation for his remarkable virtuosity, command of sonority, and communicative powers. The winner of more than 20 international competitions, his notable prizes include 3rd prize at the 9th International Liszt Competition (Netherlands), 2nd prize at the 6th International Liszt Competition (Germany), 1st prize at the Steinway Society Competition in Boston, 3rd prize at the 7th International Competition in memory of Vladimir Horowitz in Kyiv, and 5th prize at the World Piano Competition in Cincinnati. Full bio here.
Internationally renowned Romanian violinist Irina Muresanu continues to stretch the boundaries of classical music. A sought-after soloist and chamber musician who has appeared throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and South Africa, Ms. Muresanu has also developed a reputation as a compelling and elegant interpreter in the contemporary music world. Acclaimed for her elegant, passionate performances, her concerts have frequently been cited by the Boston Globe as among the “Best of Classical Music Performances.” Full bio here.
Needham Concert Society artistic director Ronald Lowry, described by the Boston Globe as a “superb cellist,” has served as principal cellist of the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra since 1993 and of the Boston Ballet Orchestra since 1992, and he performs regularly with the Boston Symphony, including tours of Europe and Asia. He has presented solo recitals in Jordan Hall, at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and throughout New England. As a chamber musician, he has been guest artist with the Boston Chamber Music Society, the New England Conservatory First Mondays concert series, and the Muir String Quartet. Mr. Lowry teaches at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, and The Rivers School Conservatory.
Orion Chamber Ensemble
Free livestream released Sunday, December 6, 2020
Start recording at min. 7:00.
Download program notes here.
Orion Chamber Ensemble
Randall Hodgkinson, piano
Peter Zazofsky, violin
Ronald Lowry, cello
Program
Brahms, Piano Trio No. 2 in C Major, Op. 87
Schubert, Impromptus, Op. 90
No. 2 in E-flat major
No. 3 in G-flat major
Beethoven, Piano Trio No. 7 in B-flat major, Op. 97, “Archduke”
Pianist Randall Hodgkinson has performed as a soloist with major orchestras in the United States and abroad. In addition to his work with the Orion Ensemble, he is an artist member of the Boston Chamber Music Society. He also performs the four-hand and two-piano repertoire with his wife, Leslie Amper. Mr. Hodgkinson is a faculty member of the New England Conservatory, Wellesley College, and the Longy School of Music of Bard College in Cambridge. As a young artist, he won the International American Music Competition and the Tanglewood Music Center’s Cabot Award.
Violinist Peter Zazofsky has appeared as soloist with many great orchestras, including the Boston Symphony, the Berlin Philharmonic, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. He often is a featured soloist with Israeli orchestras. As first violinist of the Muir String Quartet, Mr. Zazofsky is proud to have performed many complete cycles of the Beethoven quartets, and to have promoted new works by American composers. Early in his career, Mr. Zazofsky won top prizes in the Queen Elisabeth and Montreal International Competitions. He is a faculty member at Boston University and also teaches at New England Conservatory Preparatory School.
Needham Concert Society artistic director Ronald Lowry—praised in the Boston Globe for “superb” musicianship—is principal cellist of the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra and the Boston Ballet Orchestra. He performs frequently with the Boston Symphony, both at home and on international tours. He has presented solo recitals at Jordan Hall and at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and he has been a guest artist with the Boston Chamber Music Society, the New England Conservatory First Mondays concert series, and the Muir String Quartet. Mr. Lowry teaches at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, and the Rivers School Conservatory.
History
Click below to see a listing of the distinguished players who have shared their talents with us over the years.
2022-2023
November 20, 2022: Tried and True, and a Few Things New: Orion Chamber Ensemble: Randall Hodgkinson, piano; Peter Zazofsky, violin; Ronald Lowry, cello
April 2, 2023: Solo, Duo, Trio, Quartetto: Roberto Plano, piano; Irina Muresanu, violin; Jason Fisher, viola; Ronald Lowry, cello
April 23, 2023: Rhapsody, Dances, and Fantasy: Ina Zdorovetchi, harp; Ann Bobo, flute; Ryan Yure, clarinet; Christine Vitale, Zenas Hsu, violins: Andra Voldins Dix, viola; Ronald Lowry, cello; Paul Glenn, bass
May 7, 2023: Songs of Hope and Dreams: Renée Tatum, mezzo-soprano; Eileen Downey, piano
2021-2022
October 17, 2021: And the Trumpet Shall Sound!: Andrew Harms, trumpet; Leona Cheung, piano
February 13, 2022: Sonata a Tre: Andrew Price, oboe; Richard Kelley, trumpet; Ronald Lowry, cello; Lois Shapiro, piano
April 3, 2022: Love and Hope on a Spring Afternoon: Renée Tatum, mezzo-soprano; Douglas Sumi, piano
June 12, 2022: Orion Chamber Ensemble: Ronald Lowry, cello; Randall Hodgkinson, piano; Peter Zazofsky, violin
2020-2021 (virtual)
December 6, 2020: Orion Chamber Ensemble: Ronald Lowry, cello; Randall Hodgkinson, piano; Peter Zazofsky, violin (livestreamed)
June 20, 2021: Tchaikovsky trio: Irina Muresanu, violin; Ronald Lowry, cello; Aleksandr Polyakov, piano (recording streamed)
2019-2020
November 24, 2019: Orion Chamber Ensemble: Ronald Lowry, cello; Randall Hodgkinson, piano; Peter Zazofsky, violin
December 31, 2019: New Year’s Needham: Bayla Keyes & Peter Zazofsky, violin; Don Krishnaswami, viola; Ronald Lowry, cello; Paul Glenn, bass; Soomi Lee, piano; Lois Shapiro, piano; and more
January 12, 2020: On the Wings of Song: Renée Tatum, mezzo-soprano; Douglas Sumi, piano
February 2, 2020: Magical Duos and Trios: Irina Muresanu, violin; Peter Zazofsky, violin; Ronald Lowry, cello; Aaron Rosenthal, organ
March 29, 2020: Sonata a Tre: Andrew Price, oboe; Thomas Siders, trumpet; Ronald Lowry, cello; Lois Shapiro, piano [Postponed to February 2022 because of pandemic]
2018-2019
November 18, 2018: Orion Chamber Ensemble: Ronald Lowry, cello; Randall Hodgkinson, piano; Peter Zazofsky, violin
December 31, 2018: New Year’s Needham: Bayla Keyes & Peter Zazofsky, violin; Don Krishnaswami, viola; Ronald Lowry, cello; Paul Glenn, bass; Soomi Lee, piano; Lois Shapiro, piano; and more
January 27, 2019: Zaira Meneses, classical guitar
March 10, 2019: Romanticism Through Different Lenses: Haldan Martinson, violin; Danny Kim, viola; Ronald Lowry, cello, Lois Shapiro, piano
April 14, 2019: Ensemble Schumann: Thomas Gallant, oboe; Steve Larson, viola; Sally Pinkas, piano
2017-2018
October 8, 2017: Trombone Extravaganza: Steven Lange and all-trombone ensemble
December 31, 2017: New Year’s Needham: Bayla Keyes & Peter Zazofsky, violin; Don Krishnaswami, viola; Ronald Lowry, cello; Paul Glenn, bass; Soomi Lee, piano; Lois Shapiro, piano; and more
March 4, 2018: Orion Chamber Ensemble: Peter Zazofsky and Heidi Braun-Hill, violins; Celia Daggy, viola; Ronald Lowry and Andrew Mark, cello
April 29, 2018: Ravel, Rorem, & Rags: Irina Muresanu, violin; Roberto Plano, piano
2016-2017
December 31, 2016: New Year’s Needham: Bayla Keyes & Peter Zazofsky, violin; Ronald Lowry, cello; Paul Glenn, bass; Soomi Lee, piano; Lois Shapiro, piano; and more
January 15, 2017: Clarinet Trio: William Hudgins, clarinet; Ronald Lowry, cello; Lois Shapiro, piano
March 19, 2017: Orion Chamber Ensemble: Ronald Lowry, cello; Randall Hodgkinson, piano; Peter Zazofsky, violin
2015-2016
December 31, 2015: New Year’s Needham: Bayla Keyes, violin; Peter Zazofsky, violin; Don Krishnaswami, viola; Evan Perry, viola; Ronald Lowry, cello; Paul Glenn, bass; Soomi Lee, piano; David Tierney, harpsichord & organ
January 31, 2016: Orion Chamber Ensemble: Peter Zazofsky, violin; Ronald Lowry, cello; Randall Hodgkinson, piano
April 3, 2016: Andrea Matthews, soprano; Steven Snitzer, piano
April 24, 2016: Tatiana Dimitriades, violin; Ronald Lowry, cello; Lois Shapiro, piano
2014-2015
December 31, 2014: New Year’s Needham: Bayla Keyes, violin; Peter Zazofsky, violin; Ronald Lowry, cello; Paul Glenn, bass; Soomi Lee, piano; Robert Merfeld, piano; David Tierney, harpsichord & organ
March 1, 2015: Irina Muresanu, solo violin
April 18, 2015: Orion Chamber Ensemble: Peter Zazofsky, violin; Ronald Lowry, cello; Randall Hodgkinson, piano
2013-2014
December 31, 2013: New Year’s Needham: Bayla Keyes, violin; Peter Zazofsky, violin; Don Krishnaswami, viola; Ronald Lowry, cello; Paul Glenn, bass; Soomi Lee, piano; Robert Merfeld, piano; David Tierney, harpsichord & organ
April 13, 2014: Triple Helix Piano Trio: Bayla Kayes, violin; Rhonda Rider, cello; Lois Shapiro, piano
May 18, 2014: Orion Chamber Ensemble: Soomi Lee, piano; Peter Zazofsky, violin; Scott Woolweaver, viola; Ronald Lowry, cello
2012-2013
September 22, 2012: Orion Trio: Peter Zazofsky, violin; Ronald Lowry, cello; Randall Hodgkinson, piano; at Needham Great Hall
September 30, 2012: David Tierney, organ; Andrew Price, oboe
December 31, 2012: New Year’s Needham: Peter Zazofsky & Bayla Keyes, violin; Ronald Lowry, cello; Paul Glenn, bass; David Tierney, organ
March 9, 2013: Paul Bloom, piano; Connor Schultze, bass
April 28, 2013: James David Christie, organ; Cynthia Meyers, flute; Robert Sheena, oboe & English horn
May 12, 2013: Trio Tremonti: Saul Bitran, violin; Jan Mueller-Szeraws, cello; Sally Pinkas, piano
2011-2012
December 31, 2011: New Year’s Needham: Bayla Keyes, violin; Peter Zazofsky, violin; Ronald Lowry, cello; Paul Glenn, bass; David Tierney, harpsichord
February 5, 2012: Boston Cello Quartet
March 18, 2012: Renee Krimsier, flute; and friends
April 1, 2012: David J. Schockett, piano; and friends
April 15, 2012: Needham Chamber Players: Peter Zazofsky, violin; Ronald Lowry, cello; Randall Hodgkinson, piano
2010-2011
December 31, 2010: New Year’s Needham: Bayla Keyes, violin
January 23, 2011: Gabriel Chodos, piano
March 13, 2011: Vento Chiaro: Joanna Goldstein, flute; Ana-Sofia Campesino, oboe; Chi-Ju Juliet Lai, clarinet; Alexandra Berndt, bassoon; Anne Howarth, horn
April 3, 2011. Needham Chamber Players: Peter Zazofsky & Tatiana Dimitriades, violin; Rebecca Gitter & Roger Tapping, viola; Ronald Lowry, cello
2008-2009
March 22, 2009: Steven Snitzer
2007-2008
March 30, 2008: Soomi Lee, piano; Steven Sussman, piano
2006-2007
March 4, 2007: Trio 21: Steven Snitzer, piano; Barbara Englesberg, violin; Colleen McGary-Smith, cello
2001-2002
January 18, 2002: Randall Hodgkinson, piano
March 17, 2002: Renard Quartet: Alexander Velinzon & Bonnie Bewick, violin; Rachel Fagerburg, viola; Owen Young, cello
2000-2001
October 15, 2000: The New World Guitar Trio: Thomas Rohde, David Patterson, Thomas Noren
November 5, 2000: Ronald Lowry, cello; Soomi Lee, piano; Arturo Delmoni, violin
February 4, 2001: Needham Composers Millennium Concert: Music by Robert DiDomenica and Ellen Bender
April 22, 2001: James Dunham, viola; John Gibbons, harpsichord
1999-2000
October 3, 1999: Jacques Zoon, flute
February 6, 2000: Classical Jazz: David Burdett, trumpet; Steven Sussman, piano
March 12, 2000: Gramercy Trio: Sharan Leventhal, violin; Randall Hodgkinson, piano; Jonathan Miller, cello
1998-1999
November 8, 1998: Anthony di Bonaventura, piano
February 7, 1999: Andrea Matthews, soprano; Thomas Martin, clarinet; Steven Snitzer, piano
1997-1998
September 20, 1997: The Triple Latte Trio: Rich Given, Tom Duprey, Robert John
November 16, 1997: Tamara Smirnova, violin; Jules Eskin, cello; Mira Flies-Simatovic, piano
March 15, 1998: Fenwick Smith, flute; Randall Hodgkinson, piano
May 3, 1998: Ronald Barron, trombone; Fredrik Wanger, piano
1996-1997
October 20, 1996: Elizabeth Morse, harp; Sheila Fiekowsky, violin; Ronald Feldman, cello
November 17, 1996: Soomi Lee, piano
March 23, 1997: Steven Sussman, piano; Cynthia Cummings, violin
April 13, 1997: Andrew Mark, cello; Ossie Borosh, piano; Mark Smith, narrator
1995-1996
October 22, 1995: Abbott Chamber Players: Tracy Funt Kraus, flute; Kathleen Corcoran, guitar; Barbara Oren, violin, Ben Peterson, cello
November 19, 1995: Sally Pinkas, piano
February 25, 1996: Duo Recital: Andrea Matthews, soprano; D’Anna Fortunato, mezzo-soprano; Steven Snitzer, piano
May 5, 1996: Brookline Woodwind Quintet
1994-1995
October 16, 1994: Peter Clemente, guitar; Lucia Clemente-Falco, piano
October 22, 1994: Kathleen Corcoran, guitar; Ben Peterson, cello; Barbara Oren, violin; Tracy Funt Kraus, flute; with guest artists Elizabeth Wolden, piano; Tammy Asperheim, viola
March 12, 1995: Thomas Martin, clarinet; Frank Corliss, piano
April 30, 1995: Sharon Brown, mezzo-soprano; Steven Sussman, piano
1993-1994
September 26, 1993: Needham Trio: Steven Snitzer, piano; Cynthia Roberts, violin; Timothy Roberts, cello
October 24, 1993: Frederick Moyer, piano
April 10, 1994: Ronald Lowry, cello; Soomi Lee, piano
May 1, 1994: Arriaga String Quartet
1992-1993
September 13, 1992: Steven Snitzer, piano
October 4, 1992: Harold Wright, clarinet
November 8, 1992: Susan Trackman, cello; Christopher Dwyer, piano
December 6, 1992: Opera, etc.: Carolyn Pope, soprano; Joe McCabe, baritone; Edith Stearns Trask, piano
April 17, 1993: Artaria Quartet of Boston: Ray Shows and Nancy Oliveros Shows, violin; Leslie Perna, viola; Darry Dolezal, cello
May 23, 1993: Rosalind Chua, piano
1991-1992
September 29, 1991: Beacon Brass Quintet: Dennis Alves & Dana Russian, trumpet; Kevin Owen, horn; Donald Davis, trombone; Donald Rankin, tuba
November 24, 1991: Donna Fortunato, soprano, Chester Brezniak, clarinet, David DeVoe, piano
March 21, 1982: New England Conservatory Chorus; Lorna Cooke DeVaron, conductor
May 17, 1992: Sheryl Henze, flute; Karen Ritscher, viola; Karen Beluso, piano
1990-1991
October 21, 1990: American Vocal Arts Quintet: Amy Clark, soprano; Karen Lykes, mezzo; William Hite, tenor; S. Mark Aliapoulios, baritone; Martin Amlin, piano/director
December 2, 1990: Andrew Gordon, piano
April 14, 1991: Orion Trio: Lucia Lin, violin, Ronald Lowry, cello; Soomi Lee, piano
1989-1990
December 3, 1989: David Beyer, piano
April 29, 1990: Leone Buyse, flute; Ann Hobson Pilot, harp
1988-1989
October 2, 1988: William Wright, piano
November 27, 1988: Anthony & Joseph Paratore, duo-piano
March 5, 1989: Leone Buyse, flute; Michael Webster, clarinet; Martin Amlin, piano
1987-1988
September 20, 1987: Bowman-Seaman-Wanger Trio: Randolph Bowman, flute; George Seaman, cello; Fredrik Wanger, piano
October 1987: Hawthorne Quartet
November 1, 1987: Wellesley Symphony Orchestra; Robert J. Prins, conductor; Burton Fine, solo viola
April 10, 1988: New England Conservatory Chorus; Lorna Cooke DeVaron, conductor
1986-1987
October 19, 1986: Lenox Brass Quintet: Thomas Smith & Dana Oakes, trumpet; Louisa Striker, horn; Robert Couture, trombone; Robert Carriker, tuba
April 12, 1987: Bruce Goody, flute; Edith Stearns, piano
May 10, 1987: Copley String Trio: Sheila Fiekowsky, violin; Robert Barnes, viola; Ronald Feldman, cello
1985-1986
November 17, 1985: Cambridge Quartet: Nancy Bracken & Ronan Lefkowitz, violin; Mark Ludwig, viola; Robert Ripley, cello; with Larry Wallach, piano
April 13, 1986: Doriot Anthony Dwyer, flute; Harvey Seigel, violin; Martha Babcock, cello
1984-1985
November 25, 1984: Classic Trio: Emanuel Borok, violin; Martha Babcock, cello; Luise Vosgerchian, piano
March 31, 1985: Ruggieri Trio Chamber Ensemble: Kaoru Niwata, violin; Dorothy Lawson, cello; Andrew Gordon, piano; Marellen Shea-Hester, violin; Richard Fleischman, viola
1983-1984
November 20, 1983: D’Anna Fortunato, mezzo-soprano; Fenwick Smith, flute; Randall Hodgkinson, piano
1982-1983
November 14, 1982: Brahms Trio: Charles Kavalovski, horn; Joseph Scheer, violin; David Deveau, piano
December 11, 1982: Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra
March 20, 1983: Andrew Gordon, piano
1981-1982
December 4, 1981: Gabrieli String Quartet (Alfred Schneider & Raymond Sird, violin; Early Hedberg, viola; Karl Zeise, cello) with Frederick Moyer, piano
March 21, 1982: New England Conservatory Chorus; Lorna Cooke deVaron, conductor
1979-1980
December 9, 1979: New England Conservatory Chorus; Lorna Cooke deVaron, conductor
These programs are supported in part by a grant from the Needham Council for Arts and Culture, a local agency which is supported by the Town of Needham and the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.