From Bach and Stravinsky to Bartók, Vivaldi, and Piazzolla, accordionist Radu Ratoi and violinist Alexandra Tirsu bring together music shaped by dance, folklore, and virtuosity. As winner of the 2024 Young Concert Artists “Susan Wadsworth” International Auditions and recipient of Denmark’s prestigious Léonie Sonning Talent Prize, Ratoi established himself as a pioneer in expanding the accordion’s repertoire. He is joined by internationally acclaimed violinist Alexandra Tirsu, a prizewinner of the 2021 ARD Competition who performs on the 1717 “Reifenberg” Stradivari. Together, the Moldovan-born duo explores an uncommon pairing of violin and accordion, revealing new colors in familiar works.
Hailed as one of the leading classical guitarists of his generation, Raphaël Feuillâtre brings a deeply personal approach to the guitar's most beloved repertoire. In a program titled “Latin Passions,” Feuillâtre explores the rich musical traditions of Spain and Latin America through works by Tárrega, Albéniz, Llobet, Barrios, Lauro, Villa-Lobos, Piazzolla, and Assad. From the shimmering beauty of Recuerdos de la Alhambra to the fiery rhythms of Brazil and Argentina, this vibrant program showcases the guitar's remarkable ability to sing, dance, and tell stories across cultures.
Blending the shimmering colors of flute and harp, flutist Anna Urrey and harpist Kristi Shade present a program that moves across centuries and styles. A versatile soloist and chamber musician, Urrey has appeared at venues including Carnegie Hall, David Geffen Hall, Le Poisson Rouge, and National Sawdust, and performs regularly with ensembles such as the International Contemporary Ensemble, The Knights, and the American Symphony Orchestra. She is joined by harpist Kristi Shade, Principal Harpist of the Chamber Orchestra of New York, whose career spans orchestral, chamber, Broadway, and contemporary performance. A sought-after collaborator, Shade has appeared with artists ranging from Andrea Bocelli and John Legend to Florence + The Machine, while championing new music through acclaimed chamber ensembles and commissions. Together, they create an intimate and richly textured dialogue between two of the most coloristic instruments in the chamber repertoire.
FREE: 1 PM
Who says chamber music must follow a program? Ensemble Mélange puts the audience in the driver's seat for an interactive concert unlike any other. With a menu of more than 30 selections spanning classical favorites, jazz, Latin, Broadway, and beyond, audience members are randomly chosen to select what the ensemble performs next. The result is an engaging, high-energy concert where no two performances are ever the same, offering an exciting musical adventure for concertgoers of all ages.
FREE: 3:30 PM
Who says chamber music must follow a program? Ensemble Mélange puts the audience in the driver's seat for an interactive concert unlike any other. With a menu of more than 30 selections spanning classical favorites, jazz, Latin, Broadway, and beyond, audience members are randomly chosen to select what the ensemble performs next. The result is an engaging, high-energy concert where no two performances are ever the same, offering an exciting musical adventure for concertgoers of all ages.
Equally at home at the piano and on the operatic stage, Chelsea Guo is forging a unique path as one of classical music’s most versatile young artists. The first musician ever to win the Young Concert Artists International Auditions in two disciplines, she brings an uncommon perspective to programs that explore the rich relationship between voice and piano. A recent Juilliard graduate, Guo has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Wigmore Hall, and made recent solo debuts at the Kennedy Center and Merkin Hall. Gramophone declared that as both pianist and singer, Chelsea Guo “is clearly a special talent.” In a program featuring Chopin, Viradot, Shumann, and Brahms, Guo offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience the dual artistry that has made her one of today’s most distinctive emerging musicians.
