Chamber ensemble brings music, history, and holiday warmth to Mountainair
A small chamber music ensemble brought classical repertoire, historical storytelling, and seasonal music to Mountainair on December 10, 2025, offering an intimate performance that emphasized access, education, and audience connection over spectacle.
The program blended works by Joseph Haydn with music by Joseph de Boulogne, le Chevalier de Saint-Georges, alongside lighter, holiday-themed selections. Between pieces, the ensemble’s founder and lead violinist spoke directly to the audience, framing the music within a broader mission of cultural access — particularly for young listeners.
The group, Strings of the Southwest, presented to the audience at the Manzano Mountain Art Center (MMAC) on Haydn’s historical role in shaping the string quartet and symphony. During opening remarks, the ensemble’s director, Priscilla Hallberg described classical music not as a luxury, but as something children and communities deserve in their lives.
“This is some of the best music ever written,” Hallberg told the audience. “Kids have a right to it. They’re going to need it.”
The remarks set the tone for a program that leaned as much on storytelling as performance. Haydn’s career was described within the social realities of 18th-century Europe, when musicians were considered servants and artistic freedom was limited. That context extended to a discussion of composers whose contributions were historically overlooked.
One of those was Joseph de Boulogne, also known by his title, Chevalier de Saint-Georges (at least until the French Revolution, when he dropped the use of his chivalric title). de Boulogne was an 18th-century composer, violinist and conductor of African descent who became director of the Paris Opera. de Boulogne was also a skilled fencer, soldier, and spy working on behalf of the Fifteenth Duke of Orléans, Louis Philippe I. The ensemble performed one of de Boulogne's quartets, noting that much of his work had been lost or ignored for generations.
“He was a brilliant man,” Hallberg said, explaining that Saint-Georges played a key role in commissioning Haydn’s famous Paris symphonies. “He took his rightful place among the intelligentsia of Europe.”
The inclusion of Saint-Georges’ music reflected the ensemble’s broader programming philosophy: using performance as a way to correct historical omissions while introducing audiences to unfamiliar voices. Throughout the evening, the musicians emphasized outreach and audience development, particularly in communities where live classical music is rare. Several performers spoke briefly about their own backgrounds and teaching work, underscoring the group’s focus on mentorship and education. Strings of the Southwest is connected to the String Academy of the Southwest. Prior to the performance, Strings of the Southwest had provided an educational session for students of Mountainair Public Schools.
After the more formal repertoire, the program shifted toward seasonal music. The ensemble performed a joyful piece by French composer Georges Bizet, best known for the opera Carmen, and a suite of British Christmas carols. The performance remained informal and conversational, including a brief false start that led to laughter and a reset before continuing, a reminder that the event was as much about shared experience as polished presentation.
“This isn’t classical-period music,” Hallberg said while introducing the holiday selections. “But it’s nice music.”
The evening concluded with a simple expression of gratitude from the performers, who thanked the audience for attending and expressed hope of returning for future concerts.
“You’re a great group of people,” Hallberg said. “We hope to come back many times.”