Le Salon de Musiques concert series returning to bring ‘beautiful music’ to La Jolla

Despite a focus on music from the days of old, the upcoming Le Salon de Musiques classical concert series looks to present something new as it prepares its 2025-26 edition. That includes a new way to experience new pieces and new performers.

“What people love about our concept is there is a real exchange between the audience and the music, the audience and the performers and among themselves,” said founder and Artistic Director Francois Chouchan, who also is a concert pianist. “Classical music is not elitist; it is open to everyone. You just need to open your heart and your ears and listen to beautiful music. When you arrive, you immediately feel that magical spirit all around the venue, which is very unique.”

Le Salon de Musiques presents its monthly Sunday concerts at the La Jolla Woman’s Club.

“Chamber music has to be performed in intimate venues so you can feel the essence of the music,” Chouchan said. “You share the music in a different way. People sit closer to musicians and the stage; they can feel the vibrations of each instrument more deeply than in a big venue. You can see how the musicians interact.”

Chouchan said he works to include at least one unknown or lesser-known composer at each concert.

“We have the big names, but you also have these wonderful composers that were also very famous … during their lives, but then they disappeared,” he said.

The music and performers will rotate throughout the season.

The pieces that are chosen have to “fit perfectly” together, Chouchan said.

“It’s important that the spirit of each piece connects to the other,” he said. “So if I introduce a neglected composer, it has to fit perfectly with the other pieces. People like that. They have the opportunity for the first time … to hear that [lesser-known] piece. Some of these are more beautiful than the main pieces. It raises the question of why these pieces are not performed anymore.”

Bringing such works back to life includes up-and-coming performers, concert masters and even Chouchan himself.

This season, Los Angeles Philharmonic concert master Martin Chalifour will perform twice. Chouchan will perform once, as will what he calls an “extremely talented young trio” that often wins chamber music competitions.

All together, Chouchan said, the experience is one of “intimacy, friendship, rediscovering masters” and “a way to escape the craziness of life.”

Tickets for the series are on sale with single-show, four-show and full-season packages. Tickets can be transferred to another person or another show in the event someone cannot attend.

Le Salon de Musiques 2025-26 season

When: 4 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 12 through June 14

Where: La Jolla Woman’s Club, 7791 Draper Ave.

Schedule:

• Oct. 12: Music by Beethoven, Felix Mendelssohn and Foote

• Nov. 9: Music by Reber, Dvorak and Brahms

• Dec. 7: Music by Mozart, Howells and Schumann

• Jan. 11: Music by Liszt, Fanny Mendelssohn and Hiller

• Feb. 8: Music by Rachmaninoff, Bortkiewitcz and Arensky

• March 8: Music by Schumann and Noskowski

• April 12: Music by Schubert

• May 17: Music by Rossini, Hummel and Schubert

• June 14: Music by Beethoven, Chopin and Goldmark

Cost: $120 per individual concert ($69 for students); $432 for four-show package; $864 for full-season subscription. Concerts include high tea and champagne.

Information: 310-498-0257, lesalondemusiques.com