The Arneis Ensemble, with the Arneis Quartet at its core, was formed in 2007 at Boston University under the tutelage of the Muir String Quartet.  The ensemble’s namesake is the Arneis grape, which is an Italian varietal.  Arneis (literally: little rascal, in Piedmontese) is so called because it is regarded as a somewhat difficult variety to grow, but with care and patience it can produce an exquisite wine, just as fastidious rehearsal of chamber music can yield great performances.  The ensemble has been in residence at the Banff Centre in Canada, attended the Juilliard String Quartet Seminar in New York City, culminating in a performance at Lincoln Center, and has presented concerts in Europe at the Vianden Festival in Luxembourg. 

Arneis has collaborated with violist Michelle LaCourse (as part of the Boston University Faculty Recital Series), pianist Stephen Prutsman and soprano Tony Arnold.  Interdisciplinary projects are also of great interest to the ensemble and Arneis plans to pursue active relationships with literary and visual artists as well as musicologists and scholars from other disciplines.   The ensemble also seeks to breathe new life into the classical repertoire by performing works of contemporary composers.  Arneis will be premiering Donald Wheelock’s String Quartet No. 5 in the 2010-2011 season.

The members of the ensemble are committed to outreach and education and are on the faculties of Boston University, Northwestern University, the Dana Hall School of Music, Wellesley Public Schools, and the Chestnut Hill School.  Each member also maintains an active private teaching studio, and Arneis is working to enlarge its ensemble outreach presentations to local schools and community groups.  The Arneis Ensemble can be heard regularly performing in concert halls at Boston University, St. Paul’s Church in Brookline and other venues in the greater Boston area.  This season the ensemble will also be performing and presenting masterclasses in Chicago, Toledo, East Lansing, MI and Miami, OH.

The Arneis Ensemble is a non-profit entity and relies on contributions to fund operational expenses such as venue rental, publicity, program printing and the rental/purchase of music.  Please consider making a donation today to help support our efforts to present high-quality chamber music performances to your community.  Donations are processed via PayPal.