Interview with Stephanie Key, Artistic Director and Clarinetist for the SOLI Chamber Ensemble
BY JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor
What motivated you to form the SOLI Quartet, and who were the original members?
SOLI was born out of a desire to make music together with friends and to commission new works from emerging composers of our time. SOLI’s unique instrumentation of clarinet, violin, cello and piano, combined brought about new colors and sounds for the composers we invited to write for us. Our instrumentation has been the same from our beginning in 1994. Original members include myself on clarinet and David Mollenauer on cello. Violinist Tera Shimizu and pianist Lisa Long began with us but both graduated from UT Austin at the same time, and left Texas. A dear friend, and San Antonio Symphony violinist, Paul Manaster joined for a couple of seasons until he won a position in Pacific Symphony, at which point our current violinist and managing director, Ertan Torgul, joined us.
Our pianist, Carolyn True, joined the ensemble after the first season and has been with us ever since.
Were you playing contemporary chamber music from the start?
Yes. SOLI was created to commission the music of our time. From the beginning, the mission has been to commission composers to write music about our time, what we are all living through in our day and age.
Was it challenging to find an audience for your repertoire?
Surprisingly not! San Antonio is a wonderfully eclectic town we have been performing for and sharing amazing music with many of the same people and friends for 30 years.
Are audiences more open to new chamber music than 20 years ago?
I don’t think so. We have introduced people to chamber music, which is – simply – classical music with a smaller instrumentation than an orchestra. In San Antonio, The San Antonio Chamber Music Society has been presenting performances of chamber music groups from around the world, for almost a century (since 1942). SOLI has simply brought the highest quality of contemporary chamber music consistently to San Antonio audiences for 30 years.
Do people know living composers? Are there some whose names are familiar across the board?
One many people will know is John Williams, the composer of so many film scores, and beautiful chamber works, one of which we have performed with and was specifically written for our instrumentation. Others are Philip Glass, Steve Re, Joan Tower, Jennifer Higdon… to name a few.
Do you feel that you are educating your audiences?
Yes, we do speak briefly about works on the program from the stage, and we include program notes, but ultimately, we like to let the music speak for itself.
Who are your favorite contemporary composers?
The ensemble has worked extensively with American composer Aaron Jay Kernis, and we will welcome another favorite, Brazilian-American composer, Clarice Assad, on Sep. 17. *
Have you tried to write new music yourself, and, if so, what may inspire you?
(In 2007, she was awarded an Artist Foundation SA grant to compose an improvisatory work, but SOLI’s mission is mainly to commission emerging composers to help them find their voice.
What is the most exciting recent development?
The 30x30x30 project is our largest project to date. It is a large part of building SOLI’s Legacy project which also includes recording some of our most powerful commissions. This season, we will be recording two of these works: from San Antonio composer, Ethan Wickman, and a composition by Clarisse Assad.
Where do you perform in San Antonio?
SOLI performs concerts all over the city. This year, as Ensemble in Residence, SOLI will perform at Trinity University, in September, November and February. Also, at the Alvarez Theater at Texas Public Radio HG in November, and in May, 2025, SOLI will collaborate with the San Antonio Chamber Choir for a world Premiere performance at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church downtown.
Tell us about your guest, Clarice Assad and the upcoming concert?
She is something special!
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*Clarice Assad is a GRAMMY-nominated Brazilian-American composer of contemporary classical music and a pianist and vocalist.
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The group’s upcoming concert, “Elementos” is scheduled for Sept. 17 at 7 :30 p.m. Ruth Taylor Recital Hall at Trinity University. The concert is the culmination of Assad’s residency in San Antonio with SOLI; free and open to the public.