On a mild February afternoon in La Jolla, music lovers gathered in the intimate, historic setting of the La Jolla Woman’s Club for a performance by Le Salon de Musiques, a celebrated chamber music series that has become a cherished fixture of San Diego’s cultural calendar.
The La Jolla Woman’s Club, nestled on Draper Avenue, provided the perfect backdrop for this afternoon of classical chamber music. Known for its elegant architecture and welcoming atmosphere, the venue invites audiences to enjoy music in close proximity to the performers — a hallmark of the Le Salon de Musiques experience.
Performers that afternoon were Duncan McDougall on violin, Yejin Hong on cello and pianist Tony Bai. Musicologist Adam Gilbert introduced the program for the afternoon by the stellar Trio Azura, named above, who recently won the Grand Prize and Gold Med at the Fishcoff National Chamber Music Competition.
Le Salon de Musiques specializes in presenting world-class chamber music in a “salon-style” format, where there is no formal stage separating performers and listeners. This creates an immersive experience, encouraging deeper connection with the music. Introductions by a musicologist and post-concert discussions are typical parts of the program. Attendees thereafter enjoyed French champagne and buffet refreshments that echo the tradition of historic European salons.
The December concert marked another successful chapter for Le Salon de Musiques, reinforcing its role not just as a concert series, but as a cultural gathering that fosters engagement with classical music. Its inclusive salon format makes chamber music accessible to longtime devotees and newcomers alike — allowing listeners to feel the emotional nuance of each piece up close.
As the season progresses, François Chouchan, a French-American pianist who founded the intimate chamber music concert series in 2010, and continues to serve as its artistic director, has planned a rich calendar of performances at the La Jolla Woman’s Club, each inviting audiences into a world of refined musical expression and shared experience.
Photography by Bryan Dahl
