The Gut Instinct Chamber Music Project

The Gut Instinct Chamber Music Project is a three-part concert series in UNC Chapel Hill’s Person Recital Hall which brings UNC’s historical instrument collection together with artists committed to presenting inspired, visceral, historically informed performances of the 19th-century chamber music repertoire. This season’s programming features music of female composers and their artistic circles. The name “Gut Instinct” is a play on words. In 19th-century Europe, the violin, viola, and cello were strung with (sheep) gut. All of the artists collaborating with the Pleyel and Graf pianos at UNC-Chapel Hill (built in 19th-century Paris and Vienna, respectively) use these gut string materials.

The turn of phrase “gut instinct” also refers to the visceral, accessible nature of the musical performances that the artists will be presenting. We want to make “Historically Informed Performance” accessible, relatable, and culturally relevant! We also want to feature these special pianos that are rarely heard by the public, along with great music by female composers which has remained lesser known to the greater public for far too long!

When:
This year the project will have three installments: Fri., August 30, Fri., November 15, and Sat., March 1, all at 7:30 pm. The August and November programs are free and open to the public, and the March 1 program is jointly presented as part of the Newman Series at UNC and the North Carolina HIP festival (still free to all students).

Where:
All events are taking place in Person Recital Hall at UNC Chapel Hill and feature pianos from UNC’s historic musical instrument collection.

Who:
Organized by UNC music professors Nicholas DiEugenio (violin) and Mimi Solomon (piano), the diverse cast of guest artists include cellist Raman Ramakrishnan, violinist Kako Boga, violist Jessica Troy, and cellists Keiran Campbell and James Wilson. Guests will work with students at UNC Chapel Hill as well as students of the local community through the organization MYCO, a non-profit focused on engendering qualities of creativity, empathy, collaboration, discipline, artistry, and a love of music.