South Beach Chamber Ensemble Presents Genre Bending Mozart on the Move

Karen Lord Powell, Michael Linville, Michael Andrews (Photo by Linda Borst Kolko)

There was a time when freeform radio had its place on the airwaves. DJs, not restricted by traditional programming formats or commercial concerns, played sets of wildly mixed musical styles and artists to open-minded audiences. With the corporatization of radio, and siloed marketing that is thought to attract advertising dollars, few freeform programs exist today. The increased popularity of multifarious, live music festivals, however, proves that the concept has not lost its appeal with the people.

The upcoming South Beach Chamber Ensemble concert, Mozart on the Move, applies the freeform mentality to its musical curation. Its genre hopping playlist is much more varied than the event’s title suggests. With a program that includes classical pieces by Debussy and Vivaldi, opera by Puccini, tango by Gardel, blues by Etta James, and pop by Ed Sheehan, to name a few, the family-friendly concert will have wide appeal.

Mozart on the Move, which began in 2011, invites people to explore the world of chamber music and, at the same time, shatters the concept of the genre. The idea of presenting such vastly different styles of music within the chamber milieu intelligently captures the imagination of unsuspecting audiences, brings diverse groups of people together, and creates community. Older listeners will be charmed by Gershwin’s Somewhere Over the Rainbow, while younger listeners will relate more to Adele’s , but all will be exposed to something they may not have heard before. Such a variety of music also allows us to observe how the pieces interact with one another. How does Bach speak to Cole Porter?

Sheena Gutierrez, Karen Lord Powell, Michael Andrews, Angela Kratchmer. Photo courtesy of Michael Andrews.

“The program promotes our vision of a world where music inspires and energizes all people, creating peace, joy, and unprecedented satisfaction in being alive,” says Executive Artistic Director Michael Andrews.

Michael Andrews (Photo by Ginny Dixon).

The South Beach Chamber Ensemble (https://sobechamberensemble.org/about/) has been enchanting Florida audiences since 1997. Funding from the Knight Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts and other national organizations, foundations, corporations and individuals, has enabled them to play more challenging and collaborative repertoires. Currently composed of Karen Lord Powell and Sheena Gutierrez on violin, Angela Kratchmer, on viola, Michael Andrews and cello and Michael Linville on piano, its mission is to promote and perform chamber music in all its diverse forms. With this eclectic program, the Ensemble is sure to shatter your idea of what chamber music is supposed to be.

Sheena Gutierrez, Karen Lord Powell, Michael Andrews, Angela Kratchmer. Photo courtesy of Michael Andrews.

This program is part of the Ocean Drive Promenade Music Series, sponsored by the Ocean Drive Improvement Association in partnership with the City of Miami Beach. This free concert series takes place each Sunday afternoon in Lumus Park. This concert is also supported by the Betsy Hotel, which will also serve as an alternate location in the event of rain.

What: Mozart on the Move

When: Sunday, September 8, 2024, 6:00 PM TO 7:30 PM

Where: Ocean Drive Promenade, between 14th Street and 14th Place, in front of The Betsy Hotel Miami Beach, FL 33139

*Note: In the event of rain, the concert will take place inside the Betsy Hotel at 1440 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Cost: Free

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