Pianist Daniel Weiser founded AmiciMusic, a program presenting chamber music concerts in intimate settings, including area retirement communities and a venue in his own home. Photo courtesy of Daniel Weiser

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Daniel Weiser wants to bring chamber music “alive” for Baltimore audiences.

All is offered in a relaxed and informal real-home atmosphere in hopes of enticing new concert-goers — especially younger audiences who may not have been exposed to classical music previously.

“We want the audience members to enjoy the energy of the performances, and the spirit of community and camaraderie,” he said, adding with a laugh, “And food and drink help the ambience.”

Monthly concerts

About once a month, Weiser presents a concert for about 30 to 45 people at his home, usually on a weekend afternoon. Weiser performs on the piano, and is joined by other musicians — some of whom are from Baltimore, with other colleagues and friends who come into town.

Each concert has a theme. Past shows, for example, have included “Cellicious,” with music by Popper, Prokofiev and Rachmaninoff, performed by Weiser and cellist Cecylia Barczyk, and “By George,” with Weiser performing music composed by George Gershwin from 1916 to 1928.

Upcoming concerts include “The B’s
in Spring,” including works by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Bernstein. That takes place on Sunday, April 24 at 3 p.m., with Weiser on piano and guest artist Tim Schwarz playing both violin and viola.

“By George, Part II” takes place on Saturday, May 14, at 4 p.m., concluding the two-part series on the life and music of George Gershwin. This concert will focus on his music after 1930, including several arias and scenes from “Porgy and Bess,” with singers Sabrina Clark and Robert Cantrell.

Well-traveled performer

Weiser earned a doctorate in piano/ chamber music from the Peabody Conservatory, where he studied with Samuel Sanders and Robert MacDonald. He won the Richard Franko Goldman prize for outstanding contribution to musical and education life.

He has performed throughout the world, from the Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall, to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the Dame Myra Hess Concert Series in Chicago, as well as in Israel, Thailand, Holland and France.

Besides founding AmiciMusic, Weiser co-founded and still serves as artistic director for Classicopia, a similar type of chamber music organization based in New Hampshire. He was also a founding member of the Adirondack Ensemble, which won a Chamber Music America award for inventive programming and outreach.

In addition to performances at his home, Weiser brings his concerts to retirement communities, and hopes to expand to other venues as well, while still keeping things intimate.

“It’s a special thing, for both the audiences and the musicians, when they can connect with each other,” he said.

Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased online at www.amicimusic.org. (The address for the concerts will be on the website.)