Best of 2001: Most Intimate Hall For Classical Music

The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library
Corner of Wall Street and Girard Avenue, La Jolla
858-454-5872

It seats only 130 for the Athenaeum's series of classical concerts, on a casual mixture of folding chairs and stuffed armchairs. With the graciously designed surroundings by architect William Templeton Johnson, the displays of books, pictures, and sculpture, the excellent new Steinway, and the refreshments afterward, the atmosphere is that of a private recital in an elegant home. Next year's series, as usual, mixes musicians of worldwide reputation with up-and-coming artists who are less well known but of equally professional caliber. The big stars will be the Chilingirian String Quartet (February 3), clarinetist David Shifrin (March 18), and one of the best early music ensembles, Camerata Koln (March 4). Past experience suggests that great things can also be expected from the relatively unfamiliar Dang Thai Son, pianist (October 7); the cello and piano recital by Hay-Ye Ni and Lin Hong (February 17); and the concert of the Clemente Piano Trio (November 19). Single ticket prices range from $20 to $23 for members, $25 to $27 for non-members; and there is a considerable discount for subscriptions.