Franziska Huhn on harp and Orlando Cela on flute, both of Ensemble 451, rehearse together. – Photo by Annegret Klaua

By Cathleen Twardzik

On April 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Arts at the Armory Café, Ensemble 451, an amazing group of musicians, will perform its inaugural concert.

Then, on September 5 at 7:30 p.m., enjoy another performance by Ensemble 451 at the Arts at the Armory Performance Hall. That evening will be a celebration of John Cage. You may revel in John Cage’s words and music on the day of his centennial.

Ensemble 451 is a classical chamber music group who is in residence at Arts at the Armory in Somerville. The group promotes classical music in the city, in a community that is rich with incredible artists of all kinds. Ray Bradbury’s novel, “Fahrenheit 451,” is the namesake of the ensemble.

The ensemble’s musicians have played together in various settings for many years. They look forward to bringing gems of classical music which from the past 400 years, as well as other little known works, to audiences in Somerville.

Ensemble 451 is comprised of Orlando Cela, flutist, conductor, teacher and arranger; Noriko Futagami Herndon, violist; Franziska Huhn, harpist; Annegret Klaua, violinist; Rafael Popper-Keizer, cellist; Robert Schulz, percussionist; and Yukiko Shimazaki, pianist.

“Without The Independent in Union Square, Ensemble 451 may have never existed. It was at the restaurant that Orlando and I met Jennifer Lawrence who is currently responsible for arts, cultural and community programming and booking at Arts at the Armory,” said Annegret Klaua, Co-founder, Drector and Violinist of Ensemble 451.

In the past, Franziska Huhn, Harpist of Ensemble 451, has “played together with the other members of Ensemble 451 repeatedly, in various concert settings, chamber and orchestral concerts, and we all have a warm connection of friendship that we look forward to sharing with the audience.”

Klaua and Cela have resided in Somerville for around a decade. Additionally, all of the ensemble’s musicians are Boston-area freelance musicians.

Somerville provides copious opportunities for arts and music education, within the school system, but, “to the musicians, offerings in classical music on a professional level was lacking,” said Klaua.

“The relationship of the performers with the audience” is key to the group’s mission. In a time in which music is continuously accessible electronically, the ensemble strives to connect people, to share an experience, and to celebrate live music.

The ensemble will participate in the community via outreach activities, as well as a concert series, and their goal is to “enrich” the city’s cultural life and to improve individuals’ interest in classical music.

“I started playing violin when I was six years old. My parents are both musicians, and I was drawn to the violin, the instrument my father plays. My parents actively encouraged my love for music, and the violin in particular, and their support has been invaluable,” said Klaua.

“I saw the harp when I was six years old and completely fell in love with it. I finally was set up to start at age nine, after piano lessons [among other instruments,] and since then, have lived my dream of becoming a professional harpist,” said Huhn. “Discovering new repertoire with old friends and sharing it with your local community is one of the best privileges a musician can have,” she said.

“It is extremely rewarding to work with friends who understand one another, who are not afraid to speak their mind, while always remaining respectful. Most importantly, however, is a good sense of humor which is in no short supply with the ensemble’s members, and it is a tremendous joy to work together,” said Klaua.

In the future, the ensemble is hoping to work with additional artists who work in drama, dance and the visual arts.

Tickets are available via Arts at the Armory, which is located at 191 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143. For more information, visit http://ensemble451.org/.