Eric Zivian is a distinguished pianist known for his captivating performances and contributions to the classical music scene. With a rich background in chamber music, he has participated in notable events such as the Festival Live! Concert Series, where he showcased his talent in works by renowned composers including Ernest Chausson, Jennifer Higdon, and Robert Schumann. His performances, which are often dedicated to honoring influential figures in music, reflect his commitment to both artistry and education. Zivian's involvement with the Frost School at Festival Napa Valley highlights his role in fostering musical talent and collaboration within the community. As he continues to engage audiences with his dynamic interpretations, he is poised to take on new projects that promise to further enrich the cultural landscape. With a focus on both performance and education, Eric Zivian remains a vital force in the world of classical music, inspiring both peers and aspiring musicians alike.

Pianist

Music Director

Genre-breaking works from the 20th and 21st centuries immerse the listener in interactions between poetry, music, and the human voice. The composers explore the extremes of drama and poetry within the intimate setting of chamber music.

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Fall Cabaret: Pierrot Lunaire

Berkeley Hillside Club

Noe Valley Ministry

Join us for an enchanting evening of classical music at the "Brahms Piano Quintet - Music in the Vineyards" event, set against the picturesque backdrop of Silverado Vineyards. This exclusive concert is scheduled for Saturday, August 24th, 2024, starting at 5:00 pm, at the beautiful location of 6121 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558.

The highlight of the evening will be the performance of Johannes Brahms' Quintet for Piano and Strings in F minor, op. 34, a masterpiece that showcases the depth and complexity of Brahms' compositions. The quintet will feature the talents of David Bowlin and Daria T. Adams on violin, Maiya Papach on viola, Joshua McClendon on cello, and Eric Zivian on piano. This performance promises to be a memorable experience, bringing together the rich sounds of the piano and strings in perfect harmony.

In addition to the quintet, the program will include Brahms' Two Songs for voice, viola, and piano, op. 91, performed by baritone Daniel Belcher, violist Devin Moore, and pianist Eric Zivian. These songs, written as a gift for a close friend and his wife, are a testament to Brahms' ability to convey emotion through music. The evening will also feature Beethoven’s String Trio op. 9, no 3 in C minor, an early work of Beethoven that predates his string quartets and is celebrated for its virtuosity and musical depth.

Tickets for this exquisite concert are priced at $85, offering you the chance to immerse yourself in the world of classical music within the stunning setting of Napa's vineyards. This event is not just a concert; it's an experience that combines the beauty of music with the elegance of wine country.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a special evening that celebrates the legacy of Brahms and Beethoven, brought to life by talented musicians in an unforgettable setting. Book your tickets now and prepare to be moved by the power of classical music at the Brahms Piano Quintet - Music in the Vineyards event.

Brahms Piano Quintet

Silverado Vineyards

Immerse yourself in the enchanting melodies of France at the "French Collection - Music in the Vineyards" event, a highlight of the summer season for music lovers and Francophiles alike. Scheduled for Sunday, August 11th, 2024, at 5:00 pm, this exquisite concert promises an unforgettable evening amidst the scenic beauty of Hess Persson Estates, located at 4411 Redwood Rd, Napa, CA 94558.

The French Collection brings together major works by iconic composers Maurice Ravel and Cesar Franck, alongside a captivating new piece by the contemporary French composer Karol Beffa. The program features Ravel's String Quartet in F major and Franck's Quintet for Piano and Strings in F minor, promising a rich tapestry of sounds that capture the essence of French musical heritage.

Performing these masterpieces are distinguished musicians including Daniel Ching, Daria T. Adams (violins), Hyobi Sim (viola), Joshua Gindele (cello), and Eric Zivian (piano), among others. Their collective talent ensures an evening of exceptional music that resonates with the beauty and depth of French composition.

Tickets are priced at $85, offering an opportunity to experience world-class music in the idyllic setting of Napa Valley. This event not only celebrates the legacy of French music but also supports ECHO Education & Outreach, an initiative dedicated to providing music education and participatory experiences to diverse audiences.

Don't miss this unique blend of cultural enrichment and scenic beauty. Book your tickets now for an evening that promises to be a highlight of the festival calendar, celebrating the enduring charm and sophistication of French music.

French Collection

Hess Persson Estates

From pleasing to provocative, intellectual to insouciant, this program sheds light on the many facets of 20th-century Mexican and Argentinian classical compositions. Feel the passion and intensity of the tango in Piazzola’s renowned “Seasons”, juxtaposed with the exhilarating and profound string quartet “Música de Feria” by Revueltas. The program also features the graceful compositions of Manuel Ponce, offering a glimpse into the elegant charm of his musical creations. Works by 20th-century composers Alberto Ginastera (Argentina) and Mario Lavista (Mexico) top off an exciting and varied program.

Mexico and Argentina

Hanna Boys Center

Aaron Copland made four highly publicized government-sponsored trips to Latin America between 1941 and 1963. During these visits, he shared contemporary American concert music with Latin American audiences, including his own violin sonata, heard on tonight’s program. Back home, he drew US attention to the composers and musicians he met in Latin America, such as Heitor Villa-Lobos of Brazil and Silvestre Revueltas and Manuel Ponce of Mexico, all whom Copland knew personally and whose works are also featured. Another contemporary of Copland was the Black American composer William Grant Still, whose Panamanian Dances were inspired by a collection of Latin American folk songs. The history of Pan-American musical exchange predates Copland.

The Americas

Immerse yourself in the vibrant sounds of Brazil as we bring to life the musical genius of GRAMMY-award winning Brazilian guitarist, composer, and arranger Sergio Assad (b. 1953). Renowned for his captivating duo performances with his brother Odair Assad and frequent collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma and other luminaries, Assad stands as one of today’s most prolific composers for the guitar. The program presents Assad’s music alongside that of his Brazilian forebears, Antonio Carlos Gomes and Heitor Villa-Lobos, as well as his European influences, Chopin and Maurice Ravel. Bay Area guitarist—and friend of Assad’s—Marc Teicholz makes his Festival debut for this Brazilian panorama. 

Sergio Assad and His World

The centerpiece of this program is the Quartetto Concertante, op 55, by Pedro Ximenez Abrill Tirado (1784-1856), the most prolific South American composer of the first half of the 19th century. Ximenez, born in Peru during the independence movement that led to the country’s founding, hosted a famous salon at his home that was celebrated by artists and revolutionaries alike. At the invitation of the Bolivian president in 1833, Ximenez became Maestro de Capilla in Sucre, the Bolivian capital, a post he held until his death. The first half of the program includes favorites from Ximenez’s European contemporaries, Boccherini, Haydn, and Mozart.

La Música Clásica

Known to her adoring fans as the “Valkyrie of the piano,” Venezuelan pianist, composer, and opera star Teresa Carreño (1853-1917) stunned audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. Like Cuban violinist-composer José White, Carreño received support from American composer Louis Gottschalk in New York City, and concertized widely in Europe, before returning to America, and then to Venezuela, where she attempted to found a conservatory and opera company. This program weaves together the rich tapestry of Carreño’s life and influence, featuring her works alongside those of her teachers, friends, and students, and even a husband.

Pianist, Singer and Composer: Teresa Carreño

José Silvestre de los Dolores White (1835-1918), also known as José White and Joseph White, was born in Matanzas, Cuba, during colonial times. He began playing the violin and composing at a young age. His professional debut occurred in 1854 alongside the American pianist Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829-1869), who inspired him to study at the Paris Conservatoire. There, he won the Premier Prix after less than one year of study. White gained global recognition as a soloist, composer, and pedagogue and, in the United States, he notably became the first soloist of African descent to perform with the New York Philharmonic Society, during his 1875-1876 tour. 

José White's Circle

Artistic Director Daria Adams curates a one-hour program of four pieces by living composers, whose works look back in some way, then weaves them together with their historical counterparts. This leads to some fascinating juxtapositions, such as a song by Hildegard von Bingen from 1100 A.D with a work for strings and harpsichord by Michi Wiancko from 2021. Daria has paired Elizabethan ­era songs by John Dowland, Italian madrigals by Gesualdo, and a Bourree by J.S. Bach with modern counterparts by Wiancko and Caroline Shaw. 

California Festival Concert

Napa Methodist Church

Don’t miss VMMF’s first-ever “Lieder Evening”, an intimate event celebrating Schumann’s “Dichterliebe” (“A Poet’s Love”). Come listen to one of the most moving works of all time for voice and piano, and get to know the musicians and your fellow concertgoers over a post-concert drink. In this special evening devoted entirely to a song cycle of exquisite music set to poems by the great German poet Heinrich Heine about love, dreams and tears, you will also participate in a discussion with the performers: tenor, Kyle Stegall and Music Director, Eric Zivian after the performance.

This event will feature a cabaret-style concert setting with a complimentary glass of wine and snacks. Engage with the artists in conversation during an intimate post-concert reception.

A POET’S LOVE: Schumann

Beethoven’s great Pastorale Symphony in a chamber version? How is that possible? Join us to find out how powerfully the music comes across without a conductor and with only seven string players.  The first half of this program features another grand work on an intimate scale: Chopin’s Piano Concerto in E minor with VMMF Laureate, Suren Barry as soloist, and string quartet accompaniment. 

This concert is preceded by a free Blattner Series Lecture at 2:30pm. Lecturer: Francesco Spagnolo.

The Intimate Pastorale: Schumann, Beethoven & Chopin

Franz Liszt, one of the great piano virtuosos of his time was also a prolific arranger of orchestral and operatic music to further show off the prowess of his instrument. In this case he takes Wagner’s “Liebestod” and reworks it brilliantly for his instrument, showing that the piano can sound like any instrument – even the human voice! Incidentally, when the young prodigy, Clara Schumann, whose music is also featured on this program, played for Liszt, he was awestruck by her pianistic abilities. The program ends with Robert Schumann’s Piano Quintet, one of his most orchestral-sounding works of chamber music

This concert is preceded by a free Blattner Series Lecture at 2:30pm offered by Nic McGeegan

THE PIANO AS ORCHESTRA: Clara Schumann, Liszt, R. Schumann

Mozart’s Piano Quartets are written like concertos: the piano is featured, accompanied by a sort of “mini orchestra” of 3 string players. We are thrilled to feature Laureate Axel Trolese as the “soloist” with three generations of early music experts in the accompanying roles. True to this year’s theme, the program ends with an arrangement of Beethoven’s 2nd Symphony for Piano Trio by the composer himself. On an 18th-century fortepiano you can really hear the trumpets and drums!

The Symphony as a Trio: Mozart & Beethoven

Frost School at Festival Napa Valley is a multiyear partnership with the University of Miami, featuring Frost School of Music faculty and students playing a lead role in the Festival’s university-level educational, chamber music, and orchestral music programming.


Festival Live Concert Series

The Culinary Institute of America at Copia

Join us for the opening admission-free chamber concert featuring Frost School at Festival Napa Valley Blackburn Music Academy faculty.
This concert is dedicated to the memory of Geoff Nuttall

Festival Live! Concert Series

Left Coast Chamber Ensemble (LCCE) continues its 30th anniversary concert series with Wild Music, where music and nature beckon us through the darkness of winter. Igor Stravinsky's own brilliant arrangement of The Rite of Spring for piano four hands will be performed alongside three newly commissioned companion works inspired by Stravinsky’s iconoclastic work. Leoš Janáček's deeply personal connection to nature and memory completes the evening with his tender and mysterious piano cycle, On an Overgrown Path. Wild Music is made possible with the generous support of the Ross McKee foundation. 

Wild Music — Nature beckons us in the darkness of winter

Berkeley Piano Club

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Enjoy wine & appetizers while mingling with Left Coast friends, old & new. 

Left Coast musicians Nikki Einfeld and Eric Zivian will thrill with a performance of selections by Stephen Sondheim, Florence Price & Kurt Weill.

Gala 2022: A Cabaret of Souls

Piedmont Center for the Arts

In Schubert’s last song cycle, the wanderer and his landscape become one in this journey into the depths of the human soul. Emotions from tenderness to despair come together in a cathartic winter journey.

Eric Zivian

Pianist, Music Director

Events

Upcoming events

26 - 31 Jan, 2025

Winter Journey · Left Coast Chamber Ensemble

Past events

2 - 3 Nov, 2024

Fall Cabaret: Pierrot Lunaire · Left Coast Chamber Ensemble

Aug 24, 2024

Brahms Piano Quintet · Music in the Vineyards

Future and recently performed repertoire

Piano in Piano Quintet by Schumann

Festival Napa Valley

Piano in Piano Quintet by Franck

Music in the Vineyards

Piano in Piano Quintet in F minor by Brahms

Music in the Vineyards

Piano in Allegro brillante by Schumann

Festival Napa Valley

Piano in Scherzo: Molto vivace by Schumann

Festival Napa Valley

Piano in Piano Quartet by Chausson

Festival Napa Valley

Piano in Zaka by Higdon

Festival Napa Valley

Piano in Destroy by Beffa

Music in the Vineyards

Piano in Two Songs by Brahms

Music in the Vineyards

About

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