According to legend, Giuseppe Tartini received the inspiration for his highly virtuosic Devil's Trill Sonata in a dream – from none other than the devil himself. It goes without saying, then, that it is literally devilishly difficult. Fortunately, however, in star violinist Ray Chen, an artist whose breathtaking technique is more than equal to the work is on stage. And he is in excellent company: the Amsterdam Sinfonietta certainly needs no introduction. In Béla Bartók's sparkling Divertimento for String Orchestra, the top Dutch ensemble lets the mischievous humor of the Hungarian grandmaster sparkle. And after the interval, the audience can expect not only Pietro Locatelli's Concerto Grosso, but also Ray Chen again, who is sure to rock the hall with the tango impressions of Astor Piazzolla's "Cuatro estaciones porteñas."

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Ray Chen / Amsterdam Sinfonietta

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

The devil played the violin for Tartini in a dream. The music was charismatic, electrifying, fiendishly difficult and utterly transfixing. Tartini awoke and transcribed the melody, penning the Devil’s Trill sonata. It can only be played by someone astounding.

The Devil’s Violin

ACO On The Pier

Invented in the mid-16th century, the violin emerged as the stringed instrument of choice during the Baroque era, culminating with the concertos, chamber music, and solo works of J. S. Bach. Virtuosi such as Tartini added flair; Mozart, a proficient violinist himself, contributed sonatas on a sublime new level; and Beethoven, master of drama and musical prophet, paved the way to the future with new heights of expression for the instrument.

From Bach to Beethoven

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

Celebrate Carnivale with the Venice Baroque Orchestra, led by violinist Gianpiero Zanocco. This program, titled A Venetian Duel of Bows, transports audiences to 18th-century Venice, showcasing the virtuosity and rivalry of the city’s great violinists. The program features concertos and sonatas by Vivaldi, Veracini, Tartini, and Locatelli, highlighting the dazzling technical displays and expressive melodies that characterized the Venetian Baroque style. Zanocco, who has been a member of the Venice Baroque Orchestra since 2003 and currently serves as its First Violin Shoulder, brings a deep understanding of the Venetian Baroque tradition and a remarkable technical command to this performance. This concert promises to be a vibrant and spirited celebration of Venetian musical heritage and of Venice’s Carnivale—with Venetian masks encouraged!

Venice Baroque Orchestra

Lobero Theatre

Simone Pirri & Christophe Rousset

Amici della Musica di Padova

One of the great virtuoso showpieces, Tartini’s ‘Devil’s Trill’ sonata was inspired by a dream in which the composer imagined a deal with the Devil, who proceeded to demonstrate the best solo Tartini had ever heard! Coupled with Brahm’s beautiful final violin sonata this programme is a perfect showcase for Scottish virtuoso Emma Baird.

Lunchtime Concert: The Devil's Trill

Perth Concert Hall

Serbia’s Artist of the Century, violinist Stefan Milenkovich enjoys a prolific career internationally as soloist and recitalist. Established as one of the foremost violinists of his generation, Milenkovich appears regularly in some of the world’s most celebrated venues.


The multi-Grammy-nominated pianist Marta Aznavoorian is known for her spirited playing and vast emotional reach. She made her professional début at the age of 13 with the Chicago Symphony and has gone on to perform with orchestras throughout the United States and around the world.

Stefan Milenkovich & Marta Aznavoorian

Sunset Center

“This program delves into the legends and myths of violin lore via the three-sided conversation between violin, violinist, and composer. We kick off this journey with a solo violin sonata composed by the namesake of the violin I now play, the Belgian virtuoso Eugène Ysaÿe. The Devil’s Trill Sonata is the virtuosic consequence of a Faustian pact between Tartini and his violin teacher—the devil himself. Franz Schubert gushed “I have heard an angel sing” after attending a sold-out performance in Vienna by Niccolò Paganini on his famed “Cannone” Guarneri del Gesù. The second half of the concert features more earthly pursuits in the form of two wedding gifts. César Franck dedicated his famed sonata to his longtime collaborator and friend Eugène Ysaÿe on his wedding day (you can’t miss the church bells in the finale). For my own nuptials last summer, my groomsman and musical best friend, composer Chris Rogerson, presented me with this Arietta.”

Benjamin Beilman, violin, and Gloria Chien, piano

Menlo School Campus

This concert at the Hamburg Chamber Music Festival International is characterised by an exciting journey between cultures with connecting aspects from the musical traditions. The focus is on Latin American folklore – as it is lived there today – and classical European traditions, which in turn are coloured by influences from Spanish, Andalusian and Romanian folklore.

Hamburg Chamber Music Festival International

Two outstanding young musicians give an atmospheric duo recital in the idyllically located Palais im Großen Garten: only last season, the Finnish-Cuban pianist Anton Mejias, born in 2001, won over the festival audience with his piano recital in the same location. Now, he returns with a violin partner, one of the most high-profile violinists of his generation. The American violinist Chad Hoopes, born in 1994, has made a name for himself worldwide with his outstanding talent and brilliant tone. The two young virtuosi have put together a resounding program inspired by the theme of love, in keeping with the Festival’s motto. Fiery finger acrobatics and an enchanting sound blend to create a concert leaving nothing to be desired.

Chad Hoopes & Anton Mejias

Palais im Großen Garten

“The World in Great Amber” / Italy

Italian cellist and composer Giovanni Sollima is a classical music artist with rock star status – he is often called the Jimi Hendrix of classical music. He will visit the Liepāja Concert Hall with a program where we will vividly feel the atmosphere of Venice – a mosaic city where different cultures have merged since ancient times. Giovanni Sollima will perform in Liepāja with masters of the historical repertoire – the Italian orchestra Il Pomo d'Oro, who have gained world-class recognition and whose playing is characterized by extraordinary artistry, relief articulation and golden southern radiance.

Al-Bunduqiyya

Concert Hall Great Amber

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center brings a scintillating collection of works that reveal the joy and depth of the chamber music literature assembled by artistic directors, David Finckel and Wu Han. Violin sonatas from the Baroque and Classical eras will be performed by young virtuoso Chad Hoopes, followed by Mendelssohn’s invigorating Second Sonata for cello and piano, a gem of the Romantic era. The art of romantic music hits a high point in the concluding work, in which all three musicians combine for a trio by the founder of Czech music, Bedřich Smetana, which tells a heartrending story of triumph over tragedy.

An Afternoon with David Finckel, Wu Han, and Chad Hoopes

Tilles Center for the Performing Arts

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center brings a scintillating collection of works that reveal the joy and depth of the chamber music literature assembled by artistic directors David Finckel and Wu Han. Violin sonatas from the Baroque and Classical eras will be performed by young virtuoso Chad Hoopes, followed by Mendelssohn’s invigorating Second Sonata for cello and piano, a gem of the Romantic era. The art of romantic music hits a high point in the concluding work, in which all three musicians combine for a trio by the founder of Czech music, Bedřich Smetana, which tells a heartrending story of triumph over tragedy.

An Evening with David Finckel, Wu Han, and Chad Hoopes

National Centre for the Performing Arts

The Conservatory's brass players invite the audience on a journey through the fascinating soundscapes of brass instruments. From the brilliant fanfares of the trumpet to the lyrical sound of the horn and the deep resonance of the tuba, this evening's program combines virtuosity, warmth and expression. With the elegance of the Baroque, the clarity of the Classics, the emotional depth of the Romantics and the vibrant rhythms and colorful harmonies of Modernism, we invite you to experience the diverse soundscape of brass instruments.

Messing

Odense Concert Hall

Hannah White

Crosstown Concourse

University of Memphis

 St. Paul's Church / Iglesia Anglicana de San Pablo

Celebrate Mozart’s 269th birthday on January 27, 2025, with the dynamic and multifaceted violinist, Robert McDuffie. He is joined by pianist and Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival Artistic Director, William Ransom, who is known as a compelling and engaging artist that excels at creating exciting collaborations.

Robert McDuffie, Violin, and William Ransom, Piano

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

Immerse yourself in the transcendent harmonies of the Baroque era with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's captivating concert series, "CELESTIALS: MOBLEY VIVALDI." This exquisite musical journey is set to enchant audiences on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 7:30 pm at The Wallis, and on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at 4 pm at The Huntington, Rothenberg Hall.

Under the direction of Margaret Batjer, the Chamber Music Director, and featuring the unparalleled talents of countertenor Reginald Mobley, alongside trumpeters Paul Merkelo and David Washburn, this series promises an evening of emotional depth and divine beauty. The program includes a selection of Baroque masterpieces, such as Handel's "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" and "Eternal Source of Light Divine," Tartini's "Trumpet Concerto in D major," and Vivaldi's profoundly moving "Stabat Mater."

The concert will meditate on themes of sorrow, forgiveness, and the divine feminine, with Mobley's interpretation of Vivaldi's "Stabat Mater" as a highlight. Attendees will also enjoy a commissioned concerto for two trumpets by Jeff Beal, adding a contemporary touch to the evening's Baroque repertoire.

This event is a must-attend for lovers of classical music and those looking to experience the timeless beauty of Baroque compositions in the hands of modern masters. Tickets are available for purchase for both The Wallis and The Huntington performances. Don't miss this opportunity to witness the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's tribute to the celestial harmonies of Mobley and Vivaldi.

Celestials: Mobley + Vivaldi

The Walls Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

The Huntington

Winter Performance

Episcopal Church of St. Martin

There are ghosts and devils scattered over tonight's concert with a loose hand. The "Geistertrioen" is arguably among Beethoven's best-known piano trios and certainly not a work you should fool yourself into hearing performed in the concert hall. And what is it that is so ghostly about it? It is its long and strikingly instrumented second movement that creeps somberly under the skin and seems more like background music to a horror film than any other work by Beethoven. Speculation that the music originates from drafts of an opera based on Shakespeare's Macbeth is probably not correct. Rather, the nickname is about the fact that Beethoven's student Carl Czerny noticed that the music made him think of the ghost scene in another work by Shakespeare - namely Hamlet . And the extremely appropriate nickname has stuck since this dramatic and deeply emotional work saw the light of day in 1808.

Pro Musica - Caplet, Tartini & Beethoven

Internationally acclaimed violinist Ray Chen performs a crowd-pleasing recital with pianist Julio Elizalde. Hailed by the Washington Post as “a phenomenal talent,” Chen showcases why he’s sought out to perform in concert halls globally.

Ray Chen

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Join us for an unforgettable Opening Night at the La Jolla Music Society on Friday, July 26, 2024, at 7:30 PM. The evening, titled "A Deal with the Devil," promises to be a mesmerizing experience held at the prestigious Baker-Baum Concert Hall. This event marks the beginning of our SYNERGY SERIES, setting the stage for a season of unparalleled performances.

The highlight of the night is the captivating production of Stravinsky's "The Soldier’s Tale," a classic narrative of a soldier's fateful agreement with the devil. This timeless story is reenvisioned through an electrifying new production under the baton of the renowned conductor Thomas Adès. The performance will feature an innovative blend of hand-drawn animation, live puppetry, and compelling storytelling, brought to life by the groundbreaking talents of The Paper Cinema. With Nicholas Rawling leading as the illustrator and artistic director, and Chris Reed as the musical director, the evening is set to be a magical journey into a world of devilish delights.

The musical program also includes a selection of pieces that complement the theme of the night, featuring world-class musicians. Inon Barnatan will perform Liszt's "Mephisto Waltz No.1, S.514" on the piano, setting the tone with its devilish charm. The evening will also showcase Tartini's "Sonata in G Minor for Violin and Continuo The Devil’s Trill," with Augustin Hadelich on violin, Inon Barnatan on harpsichord, and a to-be-announced cellist, adding a touch of eerie elegance. Paganini's "Caprice No. 24 in A Minor" will further enchant the audience with Augustin Hadelich returning to the violin.

The ensemble for "The Soldier’s Tale" includes a talented lineup: Thomas Adès as conductor, a to-be-determined actor, Alexi Kenney on violin, Mark Simpson on clarinet, Eleni Katz on bassoon, Chris Coletti on cornet, James Miller on trombone, Michael Yeung on percussion, and Anthony Manzo on bass.

Prepare to be spellbound by an evening of musical storytelling that explores the allure and consequences of a deal with the devil. This opening night is not just a concert but an immersive experience that promises to leave you captivated. Join us at the La Jolla Music Society for a night that will be talked about for years to come.

Opening Night: A Deal with the Devil

Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Artistic Directors Wu Han and David Finckel return to end the season with guest violinist Chad Hoopes.

Wu Han, David Finckel, and Chad Hoopes

Spa Little Theatre

Liam Dale is a Trumpet Performance major at Carnegie Mellon University, graduating in the year 2025. Born into a family of musicians, he had an upbringing rooted in music, and sought to make a career out of his musical creativity at CMU. While enrolled, his intense and demanding educational experience has only encouraged him to improve upon his performance skills as well as have an open-minded outlook on the more emotional aspects music has to offer to all. Over the years, Liam has studied with many well-known trumpet performers and professors including Neal Berntsen, Micah Wilkinson, Chad Winkler, John Marchiando, and George Vosburgh, each of which has had a hand in crafting him into the musician he is today.

Student Recital: Liam Dale

Carnegie Mellon University

Born in Taiwan and raised in Australia, Ray Chen is a violinist who redefines what it is to be a classical musician in the 21st century. With a media presence reaching out to millions, his remarkable musicianship transmits to a global audience that is reflected in his engagements with the foremost orchestras and concert halls around the world.

Ray Chen, violin

Violinist Ray Chen redefines what it means to be a classical musician in the 21st century. Chen uses his witty and down-to-earth online media presence to make classical music more accessible, inspiring millions. Bringing his remarkable musicianship to prestigious concert halls around the world, he has won the admiration of classical music fans of all generations.

Ray Chen, violin and Julio Elizalde, piano

University of Colorado Boulder

Superstar violinist Ray Chen has it all: charisma for days, a deep musical sense, and incredible virtuosity. His recital with pianist Julio Elizalde puts his talents on full display with a program including the grandest in the violin repertory, Beethoven’s Violin Sonata No. 7 (“Eroica”), Bach’s cheerful, high-spirited Partita No. 3 for solo violin, Giuseppe Tartini’s fiendishly demanding Devil’s Trill Sonata, Dvořák’s romantic Slavonic Dance No. 2, a special arrangement of Chick Corea’s Spain, and more.

Giuseppe Tartini

Events

Upcoming events

12 - 28 Mar, 2026

The Devil’s Violin · Australian Chamber Orchestra

Past events

Mar 23, 2026

Ray Chen / Amsterdam Sinfonietta · Elbphilharmonie

12 - 28 Mar, 2026

The Devil’s Violin · Australian Chamber Orchestra

About

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