Official site of composer Andrea Clearfield. Biography, list of works with audio, score samples, reviews and program notes, photographs, upcoming performances.
The Salon, a renowned performance series modeled after the 19th Century European salons, was founded in September 1986 by composer Andrea Clearfield. The Salon was conceived with the idea of integrating different music genres as well as other arts. “One of the best-known music salons in the country” with “deep bench of topflight musicians” (The Philadelphia Inquirer), and winner of the “Best of Philly Award 2008” (Philadelphia Magazine), this Salon features high level performances of classical chamber music, opera, jazz, original contemporary compositions, electronic, folk, experimental, world music, spoken word, dance and multimedia works. Near the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Salon reflects the strong tradition of music in Philadelphia, builds audiences and fosters new art forms in an intimate and supportive atmosphere. For Salon photos go to the Gallery. For press, including articles about the Salon’s current struggle to keep its home, click on links below. Contact Andrea for more information or to curate a Salon. Watch the Salon films: Short Film, 2011 Film, 25 Year Film.
“I believe that the world connects through the global language of art. The Salon is a celebration of the human spirit and how we all can create nourishing, vital and personal connection by sharing that artistic spirit in community.”
Andrea Clearfield
“Andrea Clearfield is to be thanked for daring to “disturb the universe.”
See images of Andrea’s Salon in the Philadelphia Inquirer Gallery
Just steps from the Kimmel Center is a performance venue of a different sort: Andrea Clearfield’s Secret music salon. For the last 25 years, the renowned classical composer has been holding salon-style concerts in the soaring living room of her storied, historic house. These unpublicized events have become an underground sensation among music lovers – Philadelphia Inquirer, April 1, 2011
“Andrea Clearfield’s home-based Salon has been creating community through music for 20 years. This monthly performance and concert series started with friends invited by the musician/composer host and then expanded to a free email subscription service. Clearfield organizes the evening to achieve a warm, engaging concert experience featuring original compositions, jazz, electronic, improvisation, folk, experimental, poetry, dance, world music, and time-honored classical chamber music and opera. As to the performers, Clearfield says, ‘People want to come to a place where they can be really free to express themselves from the heart’.
Winner 2006 Citypaper Choice Awards:
Most Creative Way to Spend a Sunday
“For 20 years, contemporary classical pianist-composer Andrea Clearfield has hosted performance salons that throw open the door to artistic possibility. Her gatherings for musicians, composers, poets, dancers and choreographers are not only vibrant recitals, they’re critical sessions for sound explorers, archivists and adventurers tuned into a different cosmic station.”
- Lewis Whittington, Philadelphia City Paper, November 1, 2006
Andrea’s Music Salon – An Underground Sensation
The Salon Celebrates 26 Years!
The Salon was awarded Philadelphia Magazine’s
Best of Philly® 2008
Best Highbrow Fun
Photo by John Hayes
The Salon, a renowned performance series modeled after the 19th Century European salons, was founded in September 1986 by composer Andrea Clearfield. The Salon was conceived with the idea of integrating different music genres as well as other arts. “One of the best-known music salons in the country” with “deep bench of topflight musicians” (The Philadelphia Inquirer), and winner of the “Best of Philly Award 2008” (Philadelphia Magazine), this Salon features high level performances of classical chamber music, opera, jazz, original contemporary compositions, electronic, folk, experimental, world music, spoken word, dance and multimedia works. Near the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Salon reflects the strong tradition of music in Philadelphia, builds audiences and fosters new art forms in an intimate and supportive atmosphere. For Salon photos go to the Gallery. For press, including articles about the Salon’s current struggle to keep its home, click on links below. Contact Andrea for more information or to curate a Salon. Watch the Salon films: Short Film, 2011 Film, 25 Year Film.
“I believe that the world connects through the global language of art. The Salon is a celebration of the human spirit and how we all can create nourishing, vital and personal connection by sharing that artistic spirit in community.”
Andrea Clearfield
“Andrea Clearfield is to be thanked for daring to “disturb the universe.”
Victor Schermer in “All About Jazz”
Press
See images of Andrea’s Salon in the Philadelphia Inquirer Gallery
Just steps from the Kimmel Center is a performance venue of a different sort: Andrea Clearfield’s Secret music salon. For the last 25 years, the renowned classical composer has been holding salon-style concerts in the soaring living room of her storied, historic house. These unpublicized events have become an underground sensation among music lovers – Philadelphia Inquirer, April 1, 2011
Read about the Salon’s plight in the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
Building’s sale could bring down curtain on music salon
By Inga Saffron, Architecture Critic, April 1, 2011
Read about the Salon in the PHILADELPHIA CITY PAPER
Encore? After 24 years, Andrea Clearfield’s beloved Salon series faces an uncertain future.
By A.D. Amorosi, August 12, 2010
Read about the Salon in NewMusicBox
By David Smooke, April 24, 2012
Read about Andrea’s Salon in the PHILADELPHIA CITY PAPER
Close for Comfort: Salon culture is on the rise as local art lovers make a case for intimacy.
By A.D. Amorosi, September 16, 2009
Read in ALL ABOUT JAZZ
Music a la Carte: Andrea Clearfield’s Salon in Philadelphia
By Victor L. Schermer, February 1, 2009
Read in CHUTZPAH MAGAZINE
Music From The Heart: Composer Andrea Clearfield Reveals Her Passions
By Tina Isen Fox, Fall, 2010
Read in OPERA TODAY
Andrea Clearfield: An Interview
By Tom Moore, April, 2010
Read in THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
For 16 years, Andrea Clearfield has hosted musicians at her monthly salons. Invitees leave their shoes – and preconceptions – in the hall.
By David Patrick Stearns, November 10, 2002
Read in ALL ABOUT JAZZ: Mozart Reloaded
“Mozart: Reloaded”: A Jazz and Classical Multimedia “Salon”
curated and hosted by Andrea Clearfield at the Kimmel Center
by Victor L. Schermer, February 6, 2006.
The Salon: An 18-Year Philadelphia Tradition
By Andrea Clearfield
Published in the Journal of the International Alliance for Women in Music (IAWM), vol. 10/2 (2004): 15-18
Listen to the Salon story on WRTI: Creatively Speaking!
With Jim Cotter
Susan Lewis: The Salon, underground concert series
May 20, 2006
Listen to the Salon story on WXPN:
Philadelphia Music Makers Series with Tracy Tanenbaum
April 2007
Watch the TV spot on the Salon on WHYY:
WHYY Experience
“Andrea Clearfield’s home-based Salon has been creating community through music for 20 years. This monthly performance and concert series started with friends invited by the musician/composer host and then expanded to a free email subscription service. Clearfield organizes the evening to achieve a warm, engaging concert experience featuring original compositions, jazz, electronic, improvisation, folk, experimental, poetry, dance, world music, and time-honored classical chamber music and opera. As to the performers, Clearfield says, ‘People want to come to a place where they can be really free to express themselves from the heart’.
Watch some Salon performances:
Perseverence Jazz Band
Jocelyn E. Isaac, dancer
Nu Directions Chamber Brass
Svitanya Eastern European Women’s Ensemble
Caeli Smith, violin and Michael Poll, guitar
Sonata for Cello and Piano, Andrew Rudin, composer
Winner 2006 Citypaper Choice Awards:
Most Creative Way to Spend a Sunday
“For 20 years, contemporary classical pianist-composer Andrea Clearfield has hosted performance salons that throw open the door to artistic possibility. Her gatherings for musicians, composers, poets, dancers and choreographers are not only vibrant recitals, they’re critical sessions for sound explorers, archivists and adventurers tuned into a different cosmic station.”
- Lewis Whittington, Philadelphia City Paper, November 1, 2006
Read in the Jerusalem Report
“Center City Salonista”
by Matt Nesvisky, October 3, 2006
Read in the Philadelphia City Paper
Artists in Residence: You never know what you’ll hear in Andrea Clearfield’s living room.
By Scott Robinson, October 15, 1998
Salon Collage created by Antonia Cianfrani
Antonia Cianfrani
25 Year Salon Poster created by Antonia Cianfrani
25 Year Salon Collage created by John Gross
Photo by John Hayes
Salon Gallery
Photos by John Hayes
For more photos, go to Gallery Page