January 10, 2016 — 4 PM
The young American pianist Thomas Pandolfi is an exciting virtuoso who, with each passing season, is becoming more and more sought after by audiences worldwide, and showered with superlatives by critics for his amazing technique. His orchestral appearances often feature not only the beloved masterpiece concerti by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov and Liszt, but also the equally brilliant ones by Paderewski, Rubinstein and Moszkowski. Additionally, in the "Pops" genre, Thomas is considered a leading interpreter of the works of George Gershwin.
January 24, 2016 — 4 PM
Since 1969, the internationally acclaimed vocal sextet The Western Wind has devoted itself to the special beauty and variety of a cappella music. The Ensemble’s repertoire reveals its diverse background – from Renaissance motets to Fifties rock ’n’ roll, from medieval carols to Duke Ellington, from complex works by avant-garde composers to the simplest folk melodies.
January 31, 2016 — 4 PM
A native of Utah , William began violin lessons at the age of four, studying with Natalie Reed and Deborah Moench. At the age of ten, William entered the studio of renowned master teacher Robert Lipsett at the Colburn School of Performing Arts in Los Angeles . After studying for two years with virtuoso violinist Itzhak Perlman and Catherine Cho at The Juilliard School, William returned in 2012 to study with Robert Lipsett at the Colburn School Conservatory of Music. In the summer of 2013, William took part in the prestigious David Finckel/Wu Han Chamber Music Workshop at the Aspen Music Festival and appeared in a chamber concert at the Aspen Music Festival. William plays on an Andrea Guarneri, Cremona , c. 1675.
February 14, 2016 — 4 PM
The most sought-after trio in the world, the Grammy®-nominated Eroica Trio thrills audiences with flawless technical virtuosity, irresistible enthusiasm and sensual elegance. Whether playing the great standards of the piano trio repertoire or daring contemporary works, the three young women who make up this celebrated ensemble electrify the concert stage with their passionate performances. The New York Times writes, “They play chamber music for the concert hall. There is an edge of the seat intensity to every note they produce”. The Trio won the prestigious Naumburg Award.
February 28, 2016 — 4 PM
The Badke Quartet, formed in 2002, is widely recognized as one of Britain ’s finest string quartets. The Quartet has received widespread acclaim for its energetic and vibrant performances. The Badke Quartet regularly perform at concert halls and festivals in the UK and abroad since September 2014, the Badkes are Quartet-in-Residence at Royal Holloway University in London . The Quartet play on a fine set of instruments. Charlotte performs on the 1685 ‘Gagliano’ Stradivarius; Emma, a Peter Guarnerius violin from 1672; Jon plays a Giovanni Grancino viola from 1692; and Jonathan is performing on a fine Italian cello from Venice.
March 13, 2016 — 4 PM
Winners of the Passau International Competition for Brass Instruments (2012), the Chamber Music Yellow Springs Competition (2012), the International Brass Chamber Music Competition (2008), and the Fischoff Educator Award (2010), Axiom Brass is a Chicago-based quintet dedicated to enriching the lives of its audiences, as well as to educating future musicians and appreciators of great music. Axiom’s broadly appealing repertoire includes traditional brass quintets, string quartet transcriptions, early music, and unique arrangements of American and Latin jazz. The ensemble’s commitment to new music has led to several world premieres and ongoing commissioning projects. Axiom Brass is an Ensemble-in-Residence at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Rush Hour Concerts' “Back of the Yards” program in Chicago, and they perform exclusively on Mutec Mutes and S. E. Shires Trumpets and Trombones.