Friday Music Series Presents: PostClassical Ensemble and Andre Mehmari
To music lovers and critics in Brazil, André Mehmari is a musical wonder and a source of national pride. For his work as a pianist and composer, he won the 2023 Grand Prize awarded by Brazil’s leading music journal. To the ear, imagine a meeting of Mozart and Keith Jarrett in Brazil, Mozart for the intensity of his creation, Jarrett for his relationship to improvisation at the modern piano. His standards, however, are the compositions that comprise what he calls “The Great Brazilian Songbook,” works written at the same time that the Great American Songbook was created, equally rich in lyricism and sublimity. All of the world’s songbooks and literature are his realm, a borderless inspiration expressed in his compositions and improvisations. The latter takes special form in his solo piano performances where he invites the audience to give him suggestions which, in the moment, he spins into an improvised suite. He invites you to come to the concert with the music you love and offers it for the creation of these one-time-only but forever memorable creations. Come hear one of the greatest musical minds of our time.
Learn more at andremehmari
The PostClassical Ensemble (PCE), a Washington, DC-based chamber orchestra, is proudly designated as the ensemble-in-residence at Georgetown University. Under the leadership of Music Director Angel Gil-Ordóñez, PCE comprises some of the region’s finest musicians and is celebrated for its creative programming that integrates classical music with historical and cultural narratives. Georgetown University music students enjoy many enriching experiences through PCE, including orchestral and chamber music coaching, masterclasses, and workshops with visiting artists and composers. The ensemble’s involvement in multidisciplinary projects—cultural studies, history, film, theater, and dance—enriches academic connections across university departments and directly introduces students to professional orchestral practices.
PCE’s residency at Georgetown offers multiple engagement opportunities for students, such as free access to rehearsals and performances, particularly at the prestigious Kennedy Center. Additionally, students can participate in educational outreach through PCE’s partnerships with local schools or apply for administrative fellowships in areas like education, production, development, and marketing within the ensemble. These positions offer practical experience in the orchestral field and contribute to PCE’s community and educational initiatives. Frequent performances, such as those in Georgetown’s Friday Music Concert Series, ensure that PCE remains a vibrant presence on campus, continually contributing to the university’s cultural landscape and providing invaluable professional exposure for students.