Parlando’s Debut Album Reviewed on San Francisco Classical Voice

The ensemble Parlando, praised by the New York Times for its “smart, unusual programming,” recently released its debut album, Censored Anthems, on DELOS. The program explores music from the 20th century as a tool of cultural resilience in the face of censorship, particularly in the Soviet Union.

These are “vigorous performances, enhanced by excellent production, [making] for invigorating listening,” writes San Francisco Classical Voice. “Thoughtful performances of key works, supplemented with audio commentary by conductor Ian Niederhoffer — who founded Parlando in 2019 — show how these three very different personalities managed to survive and compose ‘with a KGB agent in the room’.”

The album opens with a selection from Dmitri Shostakovich's opera Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, arranged by Niederhoffer. Following is the Concertino for Violin and String Orchestra by the Polish, Soviet, and Russian composer Mieczysław Weinberg, whose career was shaped by persecution during Stalin’s anti-cosmopolitan campaign. The American violinist Aubree Oliverson is the featured soloist. The final piece is the Symphony for String Orchestra and Timpani by the Armenian composer Edvard Mirzoyan, the son of a survivor of the Armenian Genocide. Andrew Beall is the featured timpanist.

To read the full review, click here.

Seattle Chamber Music Society Announces 2025 Summer Festival

Join the World’s Largest Chamber Music Party, June 20–August 1, at Nordstrom Recital Hall, online, and throughout the Seattle area.

(To download image, click HERE)

Seattle, March 18, 2025 — Seattle Chamber Music Society, a cornerstone of the classical music scene since 1982, announced today the programming for its 2025 Summer Festival, the World’s Largest Chamber Music Party. The five-week celebration of extraordinary music and first-rate artists takes place June 20–August 1, with 12 mainstage concerts at Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall, each including a free pre-concert recital; two outdoor concerts in idyllic parks in Seattle and Bellevue; 18 concerts aboard The Concert Truck; the live music and cooking event Tasting Notes; and an exciting variety of community and education programs. Chamber music fans and casual listeners alike can expect to hear some of the most beloved and iconic works from the repertoire alongside lesser-known gems and new music by some of the most original and compelling voices of today. (Full program details are below.)

Among the renowned artists participating this year are violinists James Ehnes, Elena Urioste and Noah Bendix-Balgley; pianists Yulianna Avdeeva and Inon Barnatan; and cellists Bion Tsang and Sterling Elliott. Highlights include masterpieces by Beethoven, Brahms, Fanny Mendelssohn, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, and Tchaikovsky; music by important 20th-century composers, such as Mieczysław Weinberg, Rebecca Clarke and Amy Beach; and a selection of lesser-known works handpicked for the festival, including neglected pieces by Mel Bonis, Charlotte Sohy, and Moritz Moszkowski.

For those who can’t attend in person, all 12 mainstage concerts will be livestreamed through SCMS’s state-of-the-art Virtual Concert Hall; the content will also be available on-demand following the festival. Featuring six camera angles, live intermission interviews with SCMS musicians and hosts from Classical KING, Seattle’s premier classical music radio station, this digital experience brings the magic of chamber music straight to the viewer’s home. Available worldwide, the Virtual Concert Hall has reached more than 40 states and 12 countries to date.

“I want every single program to be the kind of concert that if I saw it listed I would say ‘I have to go to this!’,” says James Ehnes, the Gilbert Omenn and Martha Darling Artistic Director of SCMS. “We have an incredible collection of the world’s greatest musicians coming to Seattle to play works that are close to their hearts. Each program is designed to show off the range of what chamber music can communicate, and the incredible artistry of our players.”

On July 20, SCMS proudly presents the world premiere of Martin Kennedy’s Verses for Piano Quintet, the 2025 piece commissioned by the SCMS Commissioning Club, which supports the creation of a new chamber piece every year. In different programs there will also be music by contemporary composers Ethan Soledad and John Novacek. Soledad’s piano quintet Poems from Angel Island was co-commissioned by SCMS, Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, and Chamber Music Northwest. It will be performed on July 27. Novacek’s Music for 8, a string octet, was co-commissioned by SCMS, Schubert Club, Colorado College, and Festival Mozaic. It will be performed on July 17.

In addition to the concert hall performances, audiences are invited to enjoy outdoor concerts in a relaxed setting at two stunning parks — Bellevue Downtown Park (July 12) and Seattle’s Volunteer Park (July 19) — including a community play-along one hour before each concert. The festival opens with a series of 18 concerts running June 20–July 3 aboard The Concert Truck, taking the joy of live music throughout the Seattle metropolitan area. Locations include Seward Park, Alki Beach, and the Bellevue Botanical Garden (all locations and dates will be announced soon).

A highlight of the festival is Tasting Notes, returning this year on July 25, and hosted by James Ehnes and J. Kenji López-Alt. Tasting Notes brings together Seattle’s best chefs and a selection of the world’s greatest classical musicians for live music and cooking demonstrations in the Taper Auditorium at Benaroya Hall.

“I’m very proud of the balance of these programs, which is always a goal for me,” added Ehnes. “Each represents the very best of SCMS, and is designed to leave our audience fulfilled, inspired, and eager to continue their personal journey with this incredible art form.”

James Ehnes, SCMS Artistic Director

Seattle Chamber Music Society: 2025 Summer Festival
The World’s Largest Chamber Music Party: June 20–August 1

Benaroya Hall (Nordstrom Recital Hall): 200 University St, Seattle, WA 98101

• All Sunday concerts at 2 p.m.: July 6, 13, 20 & 27; pre-concerts (free) start at 1 p.m.

• All others at 7:30 p.m.; July 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 and Aug 1; pre-concerts (free) start at 6:30 p.m.

Tasting Notes at Benaroya Hall (Taper Auditorium): July 25
200 University St, Seattle, WA 98101; 7:30pm

Community and education programs (see details below):
SCMS Center for Chamber Music: 601 Union St Ste 220, Seattle, WA 98101

Bellevue Downtown Park (Chamber Music in the Park): July 12
10201 NE 4th St, Bellevue, WA 98004 (6:30 p.m. Community Play-Along; 7:30 p.m. concert)

Volunteer Park (Chamber Music in the Park): July 19
1247 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112; (6:30pm Community Play-Along; 7:30 p.m. concert)

For a full list of programs, including free pre-concerts, please visit seattlechambermusic.org.

—June 20–July3—

The Concert Truck: 18 locations in the Seattle metropolitan area, including Seward Park, Alki Beach, and the Bellevue Botanical Garden. The full list of locations and dates will be announced soon. For updates, please visit seattlechambermusic.org.

—July 6—  

Franz Joseph Haydn: Piano Trio No. 25 in E minor, Op. 57 No. 2, Hob. XV:12
Jeewon Park, piano; Noah Geller, violin; Efe Baltacıgil, cello  
George Enescu: Violin Sonata No. 3 in A minor, Op. 25, dans le caractère populaire roumain
Yura Lee, violin; Inon Barnatan, piano 
Felix Mendelssohn: String Quintet No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 87 
James Ehnes & Amy Schwartz Moretti, violins; Che-Yen Chen & Beth Guterman Chu, violas; Edward Arron, cello  

—July 8—  

Darius Milhaud: Scaramouche, Suite for 2 Pianos, Op. 165b
Alessio Bax & Jeewon Park, pianos
Ludwig van Beethoven: Serenade for String Trio in D Major, Op. 8
Yura Lee, violin; Beth Buterman Chu, viola; Sterling Elliott, cello
César Franck: Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 14
Inon Barnatan, piano; James Ehnes & Amy Schwartz Moretti, violins; Che-Yen Chen, viola; Edward Arron, cello  

—July 10—  

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Sonata for Piano and Violin in E-flat Major, K. 380
James Ehnes, violin; Alessio Bax, piano
Franz Schubert: String Trio in B-flat Major, D. 581
Yura Lee, violin; Che-Yen Chen, viola; Sterling Elliott, cello
Johannes Brahms: Piano Quartet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 26
Jeewon Park, piano; Amy Schwartz Moretti, violin; Beth Guterman Chu, viola; Edward Arron, cello

—July 12 (Chamber Music in the Park, Bellevue Downtown Park)—

Ernő Dohnányi: Serenade in C Major, Op. 10
Andrew Wan, violin; Beth Guterman Chu, viola; Sterling Elliott, cello
Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet No. 4 in C minor, Op. 18, No. 4
James Ehnes & Amy Schwartz Moretti, violin; Che-Yen Chen, viola; Edward Arron, cello  

—July 13—

Franz Schubert: Piano Trio in E-flat Major, Op. 148, D. 897 "Notturno"
Alessio Bax, piano; Andrew Wan, violin; Sterling Elliott, cello 
Edvard Grieg: Violin Sonata No. 2 in G Major, Op. 13
James Ehnes, violin; Orion Weiss, piano
Mieczysław Weinberg: Piano Quintet, Op. 18
Yulianna Avdeeva, piano; Amy Schwartz Moretti & Noah Geller, violins; Che-Yen Chen, viola; Edward Arron, cello  

—July 15— 

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Concerto in A Major for Piano and String Quartet, K. 414
Steven Osborne, piano; Amy Schwartz Moretti & Erin Keefe, violins; Matthew Lipman, viola; Raphael Bell, cello
Amy Beach: Piano Quintet in F-sharp minor, Op. 67
Orion Weiss, piano; Stephen Rose & Andrew Wan, violins; Che-Yen Chen, viola; Edward Arron, cello
Robert Schumann: Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 47
Yulianna Avdeeva, piano; James Ehnes, violin; Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, viola; Efe Baltacıgil, cello 

—July 17—  

Claude Debussy: Six Épigraphes Antiques
Steven Osborne & Yulianna Avdeeva, pianos
John Novacek: Music for 8 (SCMS co-commission)
Erin Keefe, Andrew Wan, Amy Schwartz Moretti & Stephen Rose, violins; Matthew Lipman and Che-Yen Chen, violas; Edward Arron and Raphael Bell, cellos
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 16
Orion Weiss, piano; James Ehnes, violin; Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, viola; Efe Baltacıgil, cello  

—July 19 (Chamber Music in the Park, Volunteer Park)— 

Johannes Brahms: String Quintet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 111  
James Ehnes & Amy Schwartz Moretti, violins; Che-Yen Chen & Matthew Lipman, violas; Edward Arron, cello 
Antonín Dvořák: Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 81, B.155 
Orion Weiss, piano; Andrew Wan & Erin Keefe, violins; Paul Neubauer, viola; Raphael Bell, cello  

—July 20— 

Claude Debussy: Sonata for Violin and Piano in G minor, L. 140
Andrew Wan, violin; Steven Osborne, piano
Martin Kennedy: Verses for Piano Quintet (world premiere; SCMS commission) 
Paige Roberts Molloy, piano; Erin Keefe & Alexander Kerr, violins; Paul Neubauer, viola; Raphael Bell, cello
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: String Quintet No. 5 in D Major, K. 593
James Ehnes & Amy Schwartz Moretti, violins; Che-Yen Chen & Matthew Lipman, violas; Edward Arron, cello  

—July 22—  

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Flute Quartet in C Major, K. 285b  
Demarre McGill, flute; Jun Iwasaki, violin; Paul Neubauer, viola; Bion Tsang, cello
Paul Hindemith: Viola Sonata, Op. 11, No. 4 
James Ehnes, viola; Adam Neiman, piano
Rebecca Clarke: Morpheus for Viola and Piano 
James Ehnes, viola; Adam Neiman, piano 
Gabriel Fauré: Piano Quartet No. 2 in G minor, Op. 45 
Steven Osborne, piano; Alexander Kerr, violin; Meredith Kufchak, viola; Brant Taylor, cello 

—July 24—  

Bohuslav Martinů: Three Madrigals for Violin and Viola, H. 313 
Alexander Kerr, violin; Meredith Kufchak, viola 
Bedřich Smetana: String Quartet No. 1 in E minor "From My Life"
Noah Geller and Jun Iwasaki, violins; James Ehnes, viola; Brant Taylor, cello 
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Trio No. 6 in E-flat Major, Op. 70, No. 2
Adam Neiman, piano; Tessa Lark, violin; Bion Tsang, cello  

—July 25— 

Tasting Notes

Join Seattle’s best chefs and the world’s greatest classical musicians for live music and cooking demonstrations by hosts Kenji Lopez-Alt and James Ehnes. For one night only, Renee Erickson, the James Beard Award-winning chef, and chefs Lee Kindell of MOTO pizza; Shota Nakajima of Bravo TV’s Top Chef and the Food Network’s Tournament of Champions; Kelly Van Arsdale of Spinnaker Chocolate; and Kevin Smith of Beast and Cleaver, will join musicians James Ehnes, Tessa Lark, Adam Nieman, Jun Iwasaki, Joan DerHovsepian, Bion Tsang and Brant Taylor, on stage at Benaroya Hall for a unique live experience that explores the parallels between food and music.

—July 27— 

Johannes Brahms: Cello Sonata No. 2 in F Major, Op. 99  
Mark Kosower, cello; Max Levinson, piano 
Ethan Soledad: Poems from Angel Island (SCMS co-commission)
Tom Poster, piano; Tessa Lark and Elena Urioste, violins; Joan DerHovsepian, viola; Julie Albers, cello 
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 50 
Adam Neiman, piano; James Ehnes, violin; Bion Tsang, cello  

—July 29— 

Moritz Moszkowski: Suite for Two Violins and Piano in G minor Op. 71  
James Ehnes and Tessa Lark, violins; Max Levinson, piano 
Fanny Mendelssohn: Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 11 
Tom Poster, piano; Elena Urioste, violin; Mark Kosower, cello
Ludwig van Beethoven: String Trio in E-flat Major, Op. 3 
Noah Bendix-Balgley, violin; Joan DerHovsepian, viola; Julie Albers, cello 

—August 1—  

Joaquín Turina: Piano Trio No. 2 in B minor, Op. 76  
Max Levinson, piano; Noah Bendix-Balgley, violin; Efe Baltacıgil, cello  
Mel Bonis: Andante religioso, Op. 78  
Mel Bonis: Allegretto ma non troppo, Op. 84  
Charlotte Sohy: Thème varié, Op. 15 
Elena Urioste, violin; Tom Poster, piano  
Franz Schubert: String Quintet in C Major, Op. 163, D. 956 
James Ehnes & Tessa Lark, violins; Joan DerHovsepian, viola; Mark Kosower & Julie Albers, cellos 

To order single tickets or season subscriptions, click HERE.

The Virtual Concert Hall is generously sponsored by Diana K. Carey.

The 2024-2025 season is generously sponsored by Dave and Amy Fulton.

Community and Education programs: all at the SCMS Center for Chamber Music (all free with registration; dates to be announced)

• Four lectures (also streamed via Zoom)

• Sight-Reading party

• Azure Family Concert

• Open rehearsals

• Community Play-Along (Chamber Music in the Park)

About Seattle Chamber Music Society

The mission of the Seattle Chamber Music Society is to cultivate a deep appreciation for chamber music by presenting exceptional performances in welcoming and accessible formats. Through education, community engagement, and a commitment to excellence, SCMS seeks to position chamber music as a central cultural force, both locally and globally, while ensuring its enduring relevance and sustainability. 

Each year, SCMS presents a Winter Festival in January and a Summer Festival in July at the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall, bringing the world’s finest classical musicians to the stage. These intimate chamber music performances captivate both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers alike. In addition to its renowned festivals, SCMS offers an expanded year-round lineup, including the new Signature Series, Crescendo Concerts in Seattle’s most stunning homes, and Concerts at the Center for Chamber Music, providing unparalleled access to extraordinary musical experiences. 

SCMS also enriches the community through dynamic engagement programs designed for audiences of all ages. From inspiring young learners in elementary schools to enriching lives in retirement communities, and from performances in hospitals and parks to concerts on wheels, SCMS remains steadfast in its mission to bring world-class chamber music to every corner of our community.

###

Marin Alsop on the Wall Street Journal and New York Times

In March, Marin Alsop, one of the foremost conductors of her generation, conducted the New York Philharmonic in a new concerto by Nico Muhly, featuring violinist Renaud Capuçon.

"Preceding the concerto was a stirring, well-modulated account of Beethoven’s “Leonore” Overture No. 3," wrote critic David Mermelstein for the Wall Street Journal. "Ms. Alsop demonstrated her prowess on the podium through disciplined phrasing and careful terracing of Beethoven’s plethora of climaxes."

Anything but a showboater on stage, Ms. Alsop, a former music director of the Baltimore Symphony, is a well-traveled American conductor of the no-nonsense school—ironic given her reverence for her old teacher, Leonard Bernstein. Her concerts are all about the music, and so it was heartening to observe not only a very full house coinciding with her guest appearance, but also the intensity of the applause she garnered throughout the evening.

To read the full review, please click here.

In the New York Times, Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim wrote: "Alsop has an ability to manipulate time to expressive effect, and the sound she drew from the Philharmonic was cohesive and malleable, the playing poised between discipline and individual dazzle."

To read the full review, please click here.

This past month, Alsop became the first U.S.-born woman to conduct the Berlin Philharmonic. She also conducted the Lorelei Ensemble and the National Symphony Orchestra in the Washington D.C. premiere of Julia Wolfe’s oratorio Her Story.

James Ehnes on the cover of ‘the Strad’

Violinist James Ehnes, the artistic director of the Seattle Chamber Music Society, is on the cover of the March 2025 issue of The Strad. This month Ehnes is releasing an all-Bach album with the National Arts Centre Orchestra.

In the story, Ehnes tells Thomas May about the latest chapter of his career, including his new album of the complete violin concertos by Bach, recorded with the National Arts Centre Orchestra. "I knew this was a rare chance to do the Bach concertos the way I wanted to: a miracle of logistics and circumstance," he said.

"Having known Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra for over 30 years and having worked with them in the capacity of Artist-in-Residence for the past three seasons, I felt there could be no better opportunity to explore these incomparable masterpieces," Ehnes writes in his program notes for the album, released on the ANALEKTA label.

Earlier this year, Ehnes extended his contract as Seattle Chamber Music Society’s artistic director.

The Strad, March 2025

To read the full article, please click here.

Youth Music Culture Greater Bay Area: Shaping the Future of Music with Chinese Significance and Global Reach

From January 8 to 19, 2025, the Youth Music Culture Greater Bay Area (YMCG) once again captured global attention. Approved by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and hosted by the Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, with co-hosting from the Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports, the event was organized by leading orchestras and institutions including the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, Xinghai Concert Hall, Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, and Macao Orchestra. It also received backing from Hong Kong’s Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bureau and Macao’s Cultural Affairs Bureau. The 2025 YMCG marked the beginning of the “2.0 era,” showcasing the ongoing development of music, arts, and cultural unity in the Greater Bay Area.

Since its inception in 2017, YMCG has evolved into an internationally recognized brand. In July 2023, it was awarded the prestigious “China Music Arts Promotion Award,” affirming its status as a leading cultural initiative for young musicians in Asia and beyond. With its innovative vision and deep cultural impact, YMCG continues to shape the future of classical music.

Leadership and Global Impact

Under the visionary leadership of conductor and YMCG founder Maestro Long Yu, the program has consistently excelled, pushing boundaries of artistic innovation. In 2024, world-renowned conductor Maestro Daniel Harding took on the role of Music Director, leading the program for five consecutive editions. Previously, from 2017 to 2022, legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma and conductor Michael Stern shaped the project as its Artistic and Music Directors.

Over the past nine years of relentless innovation, YMCG has made a profound social and cultural impact, reshaping global perceptions of China’s cultural influence. As Harding eloquently shared with young musicians, YMCG has become “an internationally acclaimed program.”

Nurturing Young Talents

Maestro Daniel Harding has brought exceptional dedication to YMCG, leading a team of world-class mentors to inspire and guide young musicians. Among this year’s participants was Víctor Álvarez Alegría, a trombonist studying at the Berlin Philharmonic’s Karajan Academy. Visiting China for the first time, he shared, “When the trombone faculty Jonathan Reith introduced YMCG to me, I was eager to come. Being here feels like a dream come true. Chinese people are incredibly friendly, and I’ve had no trouble making friends.”

The YMCG Orchestra, the highlight of the program’s training, accepts talented young musicians under 30 from around the globe. First established in January 2017’s YMCG, the orchestra gathers annually in the Greater Bay Area during YMCG, with faculty from members of world-class ensembles such as the Vienna Philharmonic and Berlin Philharmonic, alongside other distinguished musicians. Since its founding, hundreds of young talents from 21 countries and 59 cities have participated, creating a global network of musical excellence.

Expanding Horizons and International Recognition

This year’s YMCG attracted hundreds of applicants worldwide, with 98 young musicians ultimately selected, including over 27% international participants—demonstrating the program’s expanding global influence. The 2025 YMCG Orchestra featured exceptional talents from institutions such as the Berlin Philharmonic’s Karajan Academy, Curtis Institute of Music, Juilliard School, Harvard University, and Yale University, as well as leading conservatories in China and Asia.

Participants also included young professionals from renowned orchestras in China, the U.S., the U.K., and Spain. Following a week of intensive training and mentorship under Maestro Daniel Harding and world-class musicians, the orchestra delivered breathtaking performances of symphonic masterpieces, including Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 (“Titan”), in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, leaving audiences captivated.

New Initiatives and Comprehensive Development

The 2025 YMCG introduced two groundbreaking programs: a conducting masterclass and an orchestral composition competition, fostering deeper cultural and musical exchange between the Greater Bay Area and the global community.

The conducting masterclass, led by Daniel Harding, attracted 57 applicants, 22% of whom were international. Five talented young conductors were selected to participate in the masterclass, where they had the extraordinary opportunity to work closely with Harding. Through hands-on rehearsals with the YMCG Orchestra, these emerging conductors gained invaluable insights into the art of conducting, from mastering orchestral communication to refining their interpretative skills. Harding’s expert mentorship and personalized guidance left a profound impact on each participant, empowering them to elevate their craft and inspiring them to pursue excellence in their musical journeys.

The “2025 YMCG Call for Compositions” aimed to nurture young composers by encouraging the creation of innovative orchestral works reflecting the rich culture and unique spirit of China’s Greater Bay Area. From 57 submissions, two outstanding pieces—Li Tianran’s Spring Snow at Meiguan and Wang Peicheng’s Recall and cherish the time were selected. Both works were premiered during YMCG, captivating audiences and earning widespread acclaim for their emotional depth and vibrant expression.

Integration and Cultural Connectivity

The 2025 YMCG presented its growth in cultural influence by expanding activities across the Greater Bay Area, seamlessly integrating music and culture into diverse communities. This year, YMCG hosted an impressive array of concerts, lectures, and public events at Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra Complex and Xinghai Concert Hall.

In Shenzhen, the YMCG Orchestra delivered an unforgettable performance at the Shenzhen Concert Hall. The tour also featured community outreach concerts at iconic landmarks and insightful dialogues with university scholars and students. These initiatives highlighted YMCG’s dedication to fostering creative innovation.

Furthermore, the “Music All Around” community concert at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre infused YMCG’s dynamic spirit into one of Hong Kong’s most cherished public concert series, further broadening its influence and showcasing its role as a bridge between tradition and contemporary culture.

Scholarships and Support for Young Musicians

The 2025 YMCG proudly provided the “Fanqi Music Fellowship” and the “Steven Ying Music Fellowship Award,” dedicated to supporting exceptionally talented young musicians. These scholarships cover travel, tuition, and accommodations, giving valuable opportunities for emerging artists. Beyond financial aid, these awards reflect YMCG’s dedication to nurturing the future of music.

A Decade of Achievements and Future Prospects

As cultural and artistic hubs, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macao play pivotal roles in the Greater Bay Area’s growth. Through strategic expansion and innovative projects, YMCG has closely aligned with the region’s collaborative cultural progress.

With the 2025 edition’s conclusion, YMCG celebrates nearly a decade of remarkable achievements. The program has evolved to offer a richer array of activities, groundbreaking formats, and immersive cultural experiences. As China’s sole initiative of its kind, YMCG not only leads in Asia but also garners global recognition. As a beacon for China’s dynamic music and arts scene, YMCG holds boundless potential for continued development.

To learn more about Youth Music Culture The Greater Bay Area, please visit ymcgchina.com.

All Classical Radio Featured on Radio World

All Classical Radio’s grand opening of its new Media Arts Center in Portland’s historic KOIN Tower was featured on the cover of Radio World’s “Amazing Radio Studios 2025.” Radio World is a worldwide trade journal for radio broadcast executives and operations personnel. The magazine gives you a look inside more than a dozen recently built radio studios, including All Classical Radio’s. The new headquarters includes new production studios and a performance hall.

All Classical Radio is an independent, community-funded radio station (89.9 KQAC FM) and multimedia platform with international reach. It is one of the first classical stations in the nation to name artists and composers-in-residence, and to develop robust youth journalism mentorships.

To read the story, click here.

James Ehnes Extends Contract as Seattle Chamber Music Society’s Gilbert Omenn and Martha Darling Artistic Director Through 2032

Seattle Chamber Music Society (SCMS) announces that James Ehnes has signed a new eight-year contract and will continue to serve as the Gilbert Omenn and Martha Darling Artistic Director through 2032. Ehnes, widely regarded as one of the greatest musicians of our time, was first named to the position in 2012.

“Seattle Chamber Music Society is truly my artistic home and I am honored to continue our work together,” said Ehnes. “There has been no greater pleasure in my career than having this opportunity to present the greatest music with the greatest artists for our wonderful audiences in Seattle and beyond” he adds.

Since 1982, SCMS has been a cornerstone of Seattle’s arts scene, presenting world-class performances and enriching the community with its mission to make high-quality chamber music accessible to all. During Ehnes’s tenure as Artistic Director, SCMS has opened its Center for Chamber Music, created the world-renowned SCMS Virtual Concert Hall, established chamber music academies for both students and adults, and more than doubled its yearly concert activity. This eight-year extension highlights SCMS and Ehnes’s pride in their extraordinary partnership and shared vision for expanding the reach of world-class Chamber Music performance.

“As one of the most celebrated musicians of his generation, James Ehnes’s choice to dedicate such a significant part of his career to chamber music is a major win for this art form and its role in shaping the cultural landscape of our cities,” said John Holloway, Executive Director of SCMS. “I believe chamber music will be the cornerstone of classical music in American cities moving forward, and James’s decision only strengthens that vision.”

SCMS’s 2025 Winter Festival, scheduled from January 24 to February 2, will feature iconic works from 1850-1950 by 18 different composers, focusing on “perhaps the richest hundred years in the history of chamber music,” according to Ehnes. (Read the announcement here.)

About Seattle Chamber Music Society

The mission of Seattle Chamber Music Society is to foster the appreciation of chamber music by presenting performances, both in-person and online through the Virtual Concert Hall, that feature world-class musicians in accessible and inviting formats, with an emphasis on developing a broad-based sustainable audience through education and community outreach.

Each year, SCMS presents a Winter Festival in January and a Summer Festival in July at the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall, bringing the world’s finest classical musicians to the stage. These intimate chamber music performances captivate both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers alike. In addition to its renowned festivals, SCMS offers an expanded year-round lineup, including the new Signature Series, Crescendo Concerts in Seattle’s most stunning homes, and Concerts at the Center for Chamber Music, providing unparalleled access to extraordinary musical experiences.

SCMS also enriches the community through dynamic engagement programs designed for audiences of all ages. From inspiring young learners in elementary schools to enriching lives in retirement communities, and from performances in hospitals and parks to concerts on wheels, SCMS remains steadfast in its mission to bring world-class chamber music to every corner of our community.

Seattle chamber music society announces winter festival

Seattle, Jan. 9, 2025 — Seattle Chamber Music Society (SCMS) announces the programming for its 2025 Winter Festival, scheduled from January 24 to February 2. The two-week exploration, featuring music by 18 different composers, will showcase the most iconic works from 1850-1950, performed by the best musicians in the world.

The 2025 Winter Festival is sponsored by Ned and Dana Laird. The Virtual Concert Hall is generously sponsored by Diana K. Carey. Dave and Amy Fulton generously sponsor the 2024-2025 season.

Since 1982, SCMS has been a cornerstone of Seattle’s classical music scene, presenting world-class performances and enriching the community with its mission to make high-quality chamber music accessible to all. Every year, the SCMS Winter and Summer Festivals attract top musicians from around the globe to perform extraordinary celebrations of music at Nordstrom Recital Hall, Benaroya Hall.  Patrons worldwide also enjoy the concerts through the SCMS Virtual Concert Hall.

“Our 2025 Winter Festival is a celebration of the best our art form has to offer” said James Ehnes, the Gilbert Omenn and Martha Darling Artistic Director of SCMS. “It’s exhilarating to witness the alchemy of these world-class artists performing in unique chamber music contexts and an absolute thrill to share this incredible music with audiences near and far,” he adds.

The 2025 Winter Festival promises to exemplify the excellence, creativity, and passion that defines Seattle Chamber Music Society. Week 1 will transport audiences to the second half of the 19th century, featuring masterworks from Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and Dvořák, alongside exciting discoveries from Amy Beach and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. In week 2, concert-goers venture into the 20th century, where the program explores the progression from late-Romantic brilliance to the bold, dramatic language of composers like Shostakovich, Prokofiev, and Bartók.

To view the full schedule and order single tickets or season subscriptions, click HERE.

WEEK 1: 1850-1900

—Friday, January 24—

Concert | 7:30 p.m.

• Amy Beach: Romance for Violin and Piano, Op. 23
  Bella Hristova, Gloria Chien

• Cécile Chaminade: 3 Morceaux for Violin and Piano, Op. 31
  Bella Hristova, Gloria Chien

• Alexander Borodin: String Quintet in F minor
  Timothy Chooi, Njioma Grevious, Jonathan Vinocour, Yegor Dyachkov, Efe Baltacıgil

• Johannes Brahms: Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34
  Ieva Jokubaviciute, Erin Keefe, Blake Pouliot, Rebecca Albers, Ani Aznavoorian

Free Pre-Concert Recital | 6:30 p.m. (In-Person Only)

• César Franck: Violin Sonata in A Major, M. 8
  Timothy Chooi, Gloria Chien

—Saturday, January 25—

Concert | 7:30 p.m.

• Robert Schumann: Violin Sonata No. 1 in A minor, Op. 105
  Blake Pouliot, Ieva Jokubaviciute

• Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Piano Quintet in G minor, Op. 1
  Gloria Chien, Njioma Grevious, Bella Hristova, Rebecca Albers, Yegor Dyachkov
  Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: String Quartet No. 1 in D Major, Op. 11, “Accordion”
  Erin Keefe, Timothy Chooi, Jonathan Vinocour, Ani Aznavoorian

Free Pre-Concert Recital | 6:30 p.m. (In-Person Only)

• Nokuthula Ngwenyama: Miasma

• Dobrinka Tabakova: Pirin

• David Ludwig: Moto Perpetuo

• Ellen Taaffe Zwilich: Fantasy for Solo Violin

  Bella Hristova

—Sunday, January 26—

Concert | 2 p.m.

• Antonín Dvorák: Selections from Cypresses for String Quartet, B. 152
  Bella Hristova, Njioma Grevious, Jonathan Vinocour, Ani Aznavoorian

• Camille Saint-Saëns: Violin Sonata No. 1 in D minor, Op. 75
  Timothy Chooi, Ieva Jokubaviciute

• César Franck: Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 14
  Gloria Chien, Blake Pouliot, Erin Keefe, Rebecca Albers, Yegor Dyachkov

Free Pre-Concert Recital | 1 p.m. (In-Person Only)

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Duo in G Major for violin and viola, K 423

• Bohuslav Martinů: Three Madrigals for Violin and Viola, H. 313
  Blake Pouliot, Jonathan Vinocour

WEEK 2: 1900-1950

—Friday, January 31—

Concert | 7:30 p.m.

• Béla Bartók: Sonata for 2 Pianos and Percussion, Sz. 110

• Alessio Bax, Orion Weiss, Eric Schweikert, Michael Werner

• Georges Enescu: String Octet in C Major, Op. 7
  James Ehnes, Amy Schwartz Moretti, Jun Iwasaki, Grace Park, Che-Yen Chen, Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, Edward Arron, Bion Tsang

Free Pre-Concert Recital | 6:30 p.m. (In-Person Only)

Academy for Chamber Music

• Anton Arensky: Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 32
  I. Allegro moderato
  Eura Trio - Taiyo Oishi, piano; Rachel Jung, violin; Charlie Lee, cello 

• Felix Mendelssohn: String Quartet No. 3 in D Major, Op. 44, No. 1
  I. Molto allegro vivace
  Le Quatuor de la Lune
  Hana Gottesman & Emma Le Metzger, violins; Jayden Chae, viola; Leyna Kitahama, cello

—Saturday, February 1—

Concert | 7:30 p.m.

• Rebecca Clarke: Sonata for Viola and Piano
  Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, Orion Weiss

• Sergei Prokofiev: String Quartet No. 2 in F Major, Op. 92
  Grace Park, Jun Iwasaki, Che-Yen Chen, Bion Tsang

• Erich Wolfgang Korngold: Suite for Piano Left Hand, 2 Violins, and Cello, Op. 23
  Alessio Bax, James Ehnes, Amy Schwartz Moretti, Edward Arron

Free Pre-Concert Recital | 6:30 p.m. (In-Person Only)

• Erich Wolfgang Korngold

  • Much Ado About Nothing, suite for violin & piano, Op. 11

  • Tanzlied des Pierrot” from Die tote Stadt, Op. 12 for Violin and Piano

  • “Marietta’s Lied” from Die tote Stadt, Op. 12 for Violin and Piano
    James Ehnes, Orion Weiss

—Sunday, February 2—

Concert | 2 p.m.

• William Grant Still: Suite for Violin and Piano
  Jun Iwasaki, Alessio Bax

• Dmitri Shostakovich: Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67
  Grace Park, Efe Baltacıgil, Orion Weiss

• Arnold Schoenberg: Verklärte Nacht (Transfigured Night), Op. 4
  James Ehnes, Amy Schwartz Moretti, Che-Yen Chen, Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, Edward Arron, Bion Tsang

Free Pre-Concert Recital | 1 p.m. (In-Person Only)

• Edvard Grieg: Violin Sonata No. 3 in C minor, Op. 45
  Grace Park, Alessio Bax

About Seattle Chamber Music Society

The mission of Seattle Chamber Music Society is to foster the appreciation of chamber music by presenting performances, both in-person and online through the Virtual Concert Hall, that feature world-class musicians in accessible and inviting formats, with an emphasis on developing a broad-based sustainable audience through education and community outreach. Each year, SCMS presents a Winter Festival in January and a Summer Festival in July at the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall, bringing the world’s finest classical musicians to the stage. These intimate chamber music performances captivate both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers alike. In addition to its renowned festivals, SCMS offers an expanded year-round lineup, including the new Signature Series, Crescendo Concerts in Seattle’s most stunning homes, and Concerts at the Center for Chamber Music, providing unparalleled access to extraordinary musical experiences. 

 SCMS also enriches the community through dynamic engagement programs designed for audiences of all ages. From inspiring young learners in elementary schools to enriching lives in retirement communities, and from performances in hospitals and parks to concerts on wheels, SCMS remains steadfast in its mission to bring world-class chamber music to every corner of our community.

Congratulations to our GRAMMY nominees!

8VA clients Andy Akiho (composer and percussionist) and Gerard Schwarz (conductor) have been nominated for the GRAMMY® Awards.

Best Classical Instrumental Solo 
“Longing” by Andy Akiho

Best Classical Compendium
“BeLonging” by Andy Akiho

Andy Akiho & Imani Winds
Andy Akiho, Sean Dixon and Mark Dover: producers

Aki Rhythm Productions
Click to stream album

BeLonging is a series of tight, highly choreographed movements for wind quintet and steel pan that speak to the universality of humanity, even — especially — when that humanity is bound.

Be Loud!
Be Loved!
Be Longing!

The piece was conceived by Imani Winds and Andy Akiho, who composed all the music. It was premiered on October 26, 2022, at Kaufman Music Center’s Merkin Hall, New York City, as part of the Ecstatic Music Series. The compositions were commissioned by the Imani Winds, with support from the Concert Artist Guild’s Richard Weinert Award for Innovation in Classical Music, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Best Opera Recording

“The Shining” by Paul Moravec and Mark Campbell

Kansas City Symphony
Lyric Opera of Kansas City Chorus
Gerard Schwarz, conductor
Edward Parks: Jack (baritone)
Kelly Kaduce: Wendy (soprano)
Tristan Hallett: Danny
Blanton Alspaugh, producer

Pentatone
Click to stream album

The 2016 opera The Shining, based on Stephen King's novel, “elevates the tale from horror story to a human drama” (Wall Street Journal) through an electrifying score by composer Paul Moravec and a deft libretto by Mark Campbell, both of whom are Pulitzer Prize winners. After several critically acclaimed performances, you can now enjoy The Shining as a recording for the first time, with Gerard Schwarz conducting the Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

Congratulations Andy and Jerry!

Marc-André Hamelin’s latest album featured on the new york times

He’s done it again. Marc-André Hamelin, one of the supreme piano virtuosos of our time, has landed on the New York Times’ highly selective “5 Classical Music Albums You Can Listen to Right Now” monthly feature, for the second time this year. This time, though, it’s for Hamelin’s first recording of music by Beethoven. He recorded the mighty Hammerklavier sonata, a 45-minute behemoth that is one of the true pinnacles of the repertoire. The album was released on October 4, on Hyperion Records, and is paired with an early Beethoven sonata — Op 2 No 3, in C major.

The transcendental difficulties of the Hammerklavier — by far Beethoven’s longest piano sonata, and in his view also his finest, and the only sonata for which he supplied metronome marks — will always deter all but the greatest pianists of the day, with only a select few able to master its formidable musical, emotional and technical challenges.

“Hamelin marshals his considerable skills for a reading of the “Hammerklavier” that clarifies and illuminates rather than simply overpowers,” writes the critic David Weininger.

Key to this achievement are a lighter touch and precise articulation that put some spring into Beethoven’s dense chords in the opening movement. If Hamelin misses the edgy satire in the Scherzo, his way with the great Adagio seems near-perfect, mesmerizing but always with a quiet sense of forward motion. As for the legendarily taxing fugue in the finale, once thought to be unplayable, he makes it sound improbably pianistic.

See the full piece HERE.