Nokuthula Ngwenyama is a distinguished violist known for her exceptional artistry and dynamic performances. With a rich background in classical music, she has captivated audiences worldwide through her expressive interpretations and technical prowess. Nokuthula is set to perform in the highly anticipated 2025 Season Finale of Young Concert Artists on May 12, 2025, at Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall. This event promises an exciting evening of chamber music featuring works by renowned composers such as Mendelssohn, Prokofiev, Brahms, and Zhou Tian. Among the highlights of the program is Mendelssohn's String Octet, showcasing her collaborative spirit alongside esteemed fellow musicians. Nokuthula's commitment to her craft and her ability to connect with audiences make her a prominent figure in the classical music scene. As she prepares for this upcoming performance, her dedication to excellence continues to inspire both her peers and aspiring musicians. With tickets going on sale on October 3, 2024, this event is an opportunity not to be missed for those who appreciate the beauty of chamber music and the talents of emerging artists.

Composer

Violist

Espressivo! Piano Quartet

St. John's United Methodist Church

In its second programme this autumn the Takács introduces to London a piece by the American violist and composer of Ndebele and Japanese descent – a former winner of the Primrose International Viola Competition (of which she is now director) and the Young Concert Artists competition, and also a recipient of an Avery Fisher Career Grant.

EPSG:4326

Takács Quartet

Wigmore Hall

The concert begins with Joseph Haydn’s radiant ‘Sunrise’ Quartet, nicknamed to mirror the slowly unfurling violin melody with which it opens. This is one of the composer’s loveliest chamber works, both rapt and playful. It is followed by the European premiere of Nokuthula Ngwenyama’s Flow, a multi-faceted composition inspired by the natural world and ancient spiritual traditions.

The Queen's Hall

The incomparable Yo-Yo Ma, beloved by SPAC audiences, returns to perform Dvořák’s Cello Concerto under the baton of conductor Xian Zhang. Opening the evening are two SPAC premieres by composers Nokuthula Ngwenyama and Zoltán Kodály.

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Dvořák

Saratoga Spa State Park

Experience the unparalleled mastery of Yo-Yo Ma as he graces the stage at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, performing the profound works of Dvořák. This exceptional event, scheduled for Friday, August 16, 2024, at 7:30 pm, promises an evening of sublime music under the stars at the iconic Amphitheater.

Yo-Yo Ma, a revered figure in the classical music world, returns to enchant SPAC audiences with Dvořák’s Cello Concerto, a piece that showcases the depth and versatility of the cello. Conducted by the talented Xian Zhang, the performance will also feature two SPAC premieres by composers Nokuthula Ngwenyama and Zoltán Kodály, adding a fresh and exciting dimension to the evening.

The program includes:
- Ngwenyama's "Primal Message"
- Kodály's "Dances of Galánta"
- Dvořák's "Cello Concerto"

These pieces promise to take the audience on a musical journey, highlighted by the SPAC premieres and culminating in the rich, emotional landscapes of Dvořák's masterpiece.

Under the baton of Xian Zhang, whose remarkable career spans continents and prestigious roles, including her eighth season as Music Director of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, the evening is set to be a memorable one. Zhang's expertise and dynamic conducting style, combined with Yo-Yo Ma's emotive performance, will create an unforgettable musical experience.

Yo-Yo Ma's illustrious career is a testament to his enduring belief in the power of culture to create trust and understanding. With over 120 albums, 19 Grammy Awards, and performances for nine American presidents, Ma's appearance at SPAC is a highlight not to be missed.

Join us for this spectacular evening of music and artistry at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available now for what promises to be a sell-out event. Don't miss your chance to witness the magic of Yo-Yo Ma, Xian Zhang, and the Philadelphia Orchestra in a night that celebrates the beauty and power of classical music.

“Classical music doesn’t get much more life-enhancing than this,” said The Guardian about a recent performance by the Grammy-winning Takács Quartet. This second of two programs by the Takács opens with Dvořák’s “Slavonic” quartet, the first of his mature chamber works. Celebrated as a perfect fusion of classical style and Bohemian folk sensibility, it’s full of shifts between darkness and light reminiscent of Schubert.

A Recital by the Takács Quartet

Aspen Meadows Resort

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of music at Caramoor on July 14, 2024, as we welcome back the esteemed conductor Xian Zhang alongside the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. This special performance will feature the world-renowned classical guitarist Miloš, bringing to life the beloved Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquín Rodrigo, a masterpiece of Spanish composition. The program will also include Primal Message by American composer Nokuthula Ngwenyama and Mozart’s Symphony No. 39, showcasing the depth and versatility of the orchestra.

The event will take place in the Venetian Theater at Caramoor, a magnificent setting for an afternoon filled with exquisite music. Starting at 4:00pm, attendees will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the sounds of orchestral music, with a pre-concert conversation with Miloš at 3:00pm for those interested in learning more about the pieces and the artists.

For a more relaxed experience, Garden Listening tickets are available, allowing guests to enjoy the concert broadcast outdoors with no stage view. This option is perfect for those who wish to picnic under the stars or simply enjoy the music in a more casual setting.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see Miloš, described by The Sunday Times as "the hottest guitarist in the world," perform live with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s under the baton of Xian Zhang. It promises to be a day of stellar performances and musical brilliance at Caramoor.

Orchestra of St. Luke’s & Miloš, guitar

Venetian Theater at Caramoor

Join us for a mesmerizing afternoon at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts - Venetian Theatre on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at 4:00pm, as we present "Miloš Performs Joaquín Rodrigo with the Orchestra of St. Luke's." This event, a highlight of the Caramoor Summer Season, features the world-renowned classical guitarist Miloš Karadaglić, under the baton of the acclaimed conductor Xian Zhang.

The concert will showcase the miraculous and beloved Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquín Rodrigo, a pinnacle of Spanish classical music. The program begins with "Primal Message" by American composer Nokuthula Ngwenyama, a piece known for its meticulously crafted reverie. The afternoon will conclude with a performance of Mozart’s Symphony No. 39 in E-flat Major, K. 543, a masterful work that exudes exuberance and was composed in the final years of Mozart's life.

This event promises to be an unforgettable experience, bringing together the talents of Miloš Karadaglić and the Orchestra of St. Luke's in the beautiful setting of the Venetian Theatre. Don't miss this opportunity to witness a blend of classical masterpieces performed by some of the most celebrated musicians of our time.

For ticketing information, please contact the Caramoor Box Office at 914.232.1252.

Miloš Performs Joaquín Rodrigo

Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts

Join us for an unforgettable evening with the Takács Quartet at the Lobero Theatre on Friday, June 14th, at 7:30 pm. This special event showcases the legendary Takács Quartet, celebrated for their enchanting performances and profound musical insight. The Washington Post hails them as one of the most esteemed and beloved string quartets today, and this concert promises to be a mesmerizing experience featuring transfixing masterpieces.

**Program Highlights:**
- **Franz Joseph Haydn:** String Quartet in D Minor, Op. 42
- **Nokuthula Ngwenyama:** Flow
- **Maurice Ravel:** String Quartet in F Major

The evening's repertoire spans the classical to the contemporary, highlighting the quartet's versatility and depth. The performance duration is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, including one intermission.

**Artists:**
- Edward Dusinberre, Violin
- Harumi Rhodes, Violin
- Richard O'Neill, Viola
- András Fejér, Cello

The Takács Quartet, now entering its forty-eighth season, continues to captivate audiences worldwide with their unique blend of classical and modern string quartet repertoire. This concert is part of their residency at the Music Academy of the West, under the auspices of the Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation / Peggy Maximus Fund.

**Ticket Information:**
- Community Access: FREE for ages 7-17
- Regular Price: Starting at $65

Don't miss this opportunity to witness the Takács Quartet's breathtaking performance in the beautiful setting of the Lobero Theatre. Secure your tickets now and prepare for an evening of exquisite music that promises to linger in your memory long after the final note has been played.

Lobero Theatre

Join us at the Lobero Theatre for an unforgettable evening with the Takács Quartet, presented by the Music Academy of the West, on Friday, June 14, 2024, at 7:30 PM. Experience the magic and mastery of one of the most esteemed and beloved string quartets in the world today, as praised by The Washington Post. The Takács Quartet, featuring Edward Dusinberre and Harumi Rhodes on violin, Richard O’Neill on viola, and András Fejér on cello, will perform a captivating program including Franz Joseph Haydn's String Quartet in D Minor, Op. 42, Nokuthula Ngwenyama's "Flow", and Maurice Ravel's String Quartet in F Major.

This performance, set in one of the most beautiful theaters in the world as noted by Architectural Digest, promises an evening of transfixing masterpieces. Ticket prices range from $65 for Section A to $70 for Section A Aisle, with each ticket including a Lobero Facility Fee; other fees may also apply. Reserved seating is available, ensuring an intimate experience with the music and the musicians.

Don't miss this opportunity to witness the legendary Takács Quartet in the intimate and historic setting of the Lobero Theatre. Buy your tickets now and prepare for an evening of classical music that will leave you spellbound.

Takács Quartet Recital

As the world-renowned Takács Quartet enters its 49th season, the ensemble is excited to bring a new work written for the quartet by Phoenix composer Nokuthula Ngwenyama, a co-commission from nine major U.S. concert series. Quartet members Edward Dusinberre (violin), Harumi Rhodes (violin), Richard O’Neill (viola), and András Fejér (cello) will perform Ngwenyama’s The Natural World, bookended by Haydn’s String Quartet in B Flat, op. 76 no. 4, “Sunrise” and Beethoven’s String Quartet no. 8 in E Minor, op. 59, no. 2, a glorious slow movement composed while Beethoven contemplated the starry night sky.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts

The NY Times said the Takács makes “the most traditional of works feel radical once more.” One of the world’s leading string quartets returns for a program of two classics bookending a commissioned work by a composer of Ndebele and Japanese descent.

Union College

“The consummate artistry of the Takács Quartet is simply breathtaking… the best I have ever heard” (The Guardian). Formed in Budapest in 1975, the Takács has become a Philadelphia favorite for its unique blend of drama, warmth, humor, and precision, combining four distinct and compelling musical personalities to bring fresh insights to the string quartet repertoire.

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

The Grammy-winning Takács Quartet has enchanted audiences at CU Boulder for more than three decades and counting. The group’s dynamic and insightful performances have established the quartet as one of the most sought-after chamber music groups of our time. Their unique blend of technical brilliance and emotional depth creates a truly unforgettable musical experience.

University of Colorado Boulder

The Takács Quartet are renowned around the world for their elegant, incisive accounts of the classic quartet repertoire and for their appetite for new music. They combine a rock-solid commitment to the essentials of the classic repertoire and a zest for new music and unconventional partnerships: in recent seasons, they’ve collaborated with bandoneon standout Julien Labro, composer and The National vocalist Bryce Dessner, vocalist Clarice Assad, and actors Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep

Digital Concert: Takács Quartet

Hello? Is anyone listening out there? Imagine a musical message – a Primal Message - sent 25,000 light-years away. What would our cosmic greeting sound like? Nokuthula Ngwenyama, inspired by the work of Carl Sagan and the interstellar greeting sent by the Arecibo Observatory in 1974, offers her possibility. As we say in Kansas, “Ad Astra per Aspera.”Mathis der Maler (Mathis the Painter) depicts an artist who retreats, spiritually wounded, from the turbulent world of contemporary politics into the timeless world of art. Does that sound like a story for our times? In this 1934 music, Hindemith responds to the art of a famous Renaissance altarpiece to convey his emotions about beauty and a rapidly changing world.

Gabriela Martinez Plays Rachmaninoff

Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center

Revel in the return of Conductor Emeritus Jeffrey Kahane as he conducts and performs Beethoven’s Concerto No. 4. Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 1 showcases a multitude of musicians and instruments in this fiery and momentous work.

Kahane Returns

Green Music Center

The Takács Quartet are renowned around the world for their elegant, incisive accounts of the classic quartet repertoire and for their appetite for new music. They combine a rock-solid commitment to the essentials of the classic repertoire and a zest for new music and unconventional partnerships: in recent seasons, they’ve collaborated with bandoneon standout Julien Labro, composer and The National vocalist Bryce Dessner, vocalist Clarice Assad, and actors Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep.

New England Conservatory

Fifty years ago, humanity broadcasted a powerful message from our solar system into the unknown containing information about humanity and earth. We celebrate this “Arecibo Message” with music that has been performed in or sent into space alongside the spectacular Voyager Concerto by Academy Award-winning composer, Dario Marianelli.

Masterworks 6: A Message to the Stars

Martin Woldson Theater

Ring in the new year with a beloved tradition: the New York String Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. The program opens with an inspiring piece by composer and renowned violinist Nokuthula Ngwenyama, written as a greeting to the distant stars from—and about—humankind. Described by The Wall Street Journal as a pianist “who awes,” Anna Polonsky joins the orchestra for Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto. The second half of the concert comprises Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, an especially spirited work that Beethoven considered one of his finest.

New York String Orchestra

Carnegie Hall

The Grammy winning Takács Quartet, "simply the best I have heard in concert" (The Guardian), returns to Shriver Hall with a program inspired by the natural world. A premiere by Nokuthula Ngwenyama, an American composer of Zimbabwean-Japanese heritage, is bookended by Haydn and Beethoven's Op. 59, No. 2 Quartet, conceived as the composer gazed at the stars contemplating the harmony of the spheres.  

Johns Hopkins University

Among the world’s finest string quartets, the beloved Takács returns for two concerts this season, the first a compelling program of new and canonic works. Haydn’s beloved Sunrise quartet is among his late-period gems, and Beethoven’s middle-period E minor quartet from the Op. 59 Razumovsky series opens up new musical horizons as the composer breaks and remakes the rules of musical drama.

University of California, Berkeley

For over four decades, The Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio illuminated the musical world and Peoples' Symphony Concerts' seasons with insightful and captivating performances and recordings of the piano trio literature, commissioning important new works for generations to come. This afternoon's program featuring Anna Polonsky, Jaime Laredo, Nokuthula Ngwenyama, and Sharon Robinson is dedicated, with affection and admiration to Joseph Kalichstein, who passed away in March 2022. It is a program that he was to play and his presence will surely be felt by all of us.

Celebrating Joseph Kalichstein

The Town Hall

Dedicated to the memory of founding Trio member/pianist Joseph Kalichstein, this performance unites the remaining two members of the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio—Jaime Laredo and Sharon Robinson—with PCMS favorites Anna Polonsky and Nokuthula Ngwenyama. Featuring two of the most revered chamber music works in the canon, this special event also includes the Philadelphia premiere of Ngwenyama’s new work, Elegy. Co-commissioned by PCMS, Elegy was composed in response to the tragic events of spring 2020, including the killing of George Floyd.

Anna Polonsky, piano; Jaime Laredo, violin; Nokuthula Ngwenyama, viola & Sharon Robinson, cello

This exciting program of Romantic, Neo-Classical, and contemporary works, guest conducted by New Jersey Symphony Music Director Xian Zhang, features Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5, a work filled with the grandeur, heroism, satire, comedy, and lyricism of the complex era in which it was composed. The elegant and expressive pianist Andrew von Oeyen is guest soloist for Grieg’s only completed piano concerto—a work of driving, anthemic movements and a gorgeous adagio section, that has been popular from the moment it was first performed. Phoenix-based composer Nokuthula Ngwenyama composed Primal Message in 2020. This gripping fantasia, which opens the program, invites examination of human evolution.

Turning Points

Symphony Hall

Tribute to Joseph Kalichstein

Central United Methodist Church

Few ensembles in history have had the sustained artistry and success that the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio had for 45 years.  Jaime Laredo and Sharon Robinson are joined on this program by violist and composer Nokuthula Ngwenyama and pianist Anna Polonsky and will give the Arizona premiere of Elegy, an AFCM co-commission with several other presenters around the U.S. This concert will honor pianist Joseph Kalichstein, who passed away in March of 2022.

Concert Honoring Joseph Kalichstein

Tucson Convention Center

Jamie Laredo and Sharon Robinson are the remaining members of the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio. After four decades of success the world over, the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio continues to dazzle audiences and critics alike with its performances. Since making their debut at the White House for President Carter's Inauguration in January 1977, pianist Joseph Kalichstein, violinist Jaime Laredo and cellist Sharon Robinson have set the standard for performance of the piano trio literature, consistently bringing technical mastery, expressive depth, and magnetism to the concert stage. The Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio balances the careers of three internationally-acclaimed soloists while making annual appearances at many of the world's major concert halls, commissioning spectacular new works, and maintaining an active recording agenda.


Anna Polonsky is widely in demand as a soloist and chamber musician. She has appeared with the Moscow Virtuosi, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, the Memphis Symphony, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, the St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble, and many others. Ms. Polonsky has collaborated with the Guarneri, Orion, Daedalus, and Shanghai Quartets, and with such musicians as Mitsuko Uchida, Yo-Yo Ma, David Shifrin, Richard Goode, Emanuel Ax, Arnold Steinhardt, Peter Wiley, and Jaime Laredo.

Jaime Laredo, Sharon Robinson and friends with Anna Polonsky, piano, and Nokuthula Ngwenyama, viola

Sunset Center Theater

Prokofiev’s Sixth Symphony was a risky undertaking in post-World War II Russia: a personal meditation on suffering and loss that he described as agitated, lyrical and austere. Pianist Simon Trpčeski animates the romantic flourishes of Grieg’s Piano Concerto while Nokuthula Ngwenyama’s Primal Message is a fantasia inspired by the 1974 Aricebo interstellar radio transmission.

Grieg Piano Concerto & Prokofiev 6

Orchestra Hall

We are pleased to present, Nokuthula Ngwenyama as part of the Pasadena Symphony’s annual Composers Showcase, featuring works by both emerging and established contemporary composers at each concert.

Mozart Symphony No. 39

Ambassador Auditorium

Dedicated to the memory of pianist Joseph Kalichstein, founding member of the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio.

Laredo - Robinson - Ngwenyama - Polonsky

Tulsa Performing Arts Center

In his "New World" Symphony, Antonín Dvořák recounts his impressions of America and nods to the music he heard there, without straying too far from his Czech roots. Led by conductor Xian Zhang, the program includes two SF Symphony premieres: Nokuthula Ngwenyama’s deeply heartfelt "Primal Message" for percussion, harp, and strings, and Florence Price’s Piano Concerto, which deftly packs a broad emotional range into its single-movement span, featuring acclaimed jazz and classical pianist Aaron Diehl.

ZHANG CONDUCTS DVOŘÁK’S NEW WORLD SYMPHONY

Davies Symphony Hall

The Carnegie Mellon University Chamber Series brings together members of the CMU Faculty and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for outstanding music making in an intimate space.

Carnegie Mellon Chamber Series: Happening Now

Carnegie Mellon University

Discover the spirit of life through music that celebrates renewal and resilience with Mozart’s elegant Sinfonia Concertante for violin and viola, performed by New York Philharmonic Assistant Concertmaster Michelle Kim and Violist Nokuthula Ngwenyama, Ngwenyama’s dramatic Sonoran Storm, and Louise Farrenc’s inspiring Symphony No. 3.

Tales of Renewal and Life – Mozart’s “Sinfonia Concertante” and Ngwenyama’s “Sonoran Storm”

The Lincoln Center

Immerse yourself in an evening of classical music innovation with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's Chamber Series event, "VANGUARD: FARRENC’S NONET." This captivating concert series is set to enchant audiences on two consecutive nights, starting on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 7:30 pm at The Wallis in Beverly Hills, and continuing on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 7:30 pm at The Huntington's Rothenberg Hall in San Marino.

Under the artistic direction of Margaret Batjer, the Director of Chamber Music, this program is a celebration of women composers who have made significant contributions to chamber music. The evening will feature a selection of masterful works, including Clara Schumann's "Three Romances," Caroline Shaw's "Plan & Elevation," Nokuthula Ngwenyama's "Down," Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel's "String Quartet in E-flat major," and culminating with Louise Farrenc's magnum opus, "Nonet, Op. 38."

This event promises to be a feast of pièces de résistance, showcasing the hidden treasures of chamber music through the virtuosic string quartets by Shaw and Mendelssohn-Hensel, an innovative trio by Ngwenyama, and the timeless and heartfelt response of Clara Schumann to her spouse’s "Three Romances." Each piece has been thoughtfully curated by Margaret Batjer, offering a program of lauded contributions to chamber music by women composers.

Tickets are available for both venues, with options to purchase single tickets for Saturday, April 5, through The Wallis, and for Sunday, April 6, through The Huntington. Attendees are also encouraged to explore the 2024/25 Season subscription for more exquisite musical experiences.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the brilliance of classical music's past and present, performed by the talented soloists and ensemble of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Join us for "VANGUARD: FARRENC’S NONET" and be part of a memorable night that celebrates the legacy and future of chamber music.

Vanguard: Farrenc's Nonet

The Walls Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

Huntington Theatre

### 2025 Season Finale - Young Concert Artists

**Date:** Monday, May 12, 2025  
**Time:** 7:30 PM  
**Venue:** Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, 57th & 7th Avenue Entrance on 7th, New York, NY

Join us for an exciting evening of chamber music as we celebrate the 2025 Season Finale of Young Concert Artists. This special event will feature performances by our current roster artists alongside our accomplished and esteemed alumni, showcasing the best YCA has to offer. The program includes a fantastic selection of works by Mendelssohn, Prokofiev, Brahms, and Zhou Tian.

**Program:**
- **MENDELSSOHN:** String Octet in E-flat Major, Op. 20
- **PROKOFIEV:** Overture on Hebrew Themes, Op. 34
- **BRAHMS:** Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 52
- **ZHOU TIAN:** Viaje

**Performing Artists:**
- James Baik, cello
- Alex Fiterstein, clarinet
- Hsin-Yun Huang, viola
- Marya Martin, flute
- Chaeyoung Park, piano
- Nokuthula Ngwenyama, viola
- Randall Scarlata, baritone
- Benett Tsai, cello

**Ticket Information:**
- Single tickets starting at $20
- Tickets go on sale on October 3, 2024

Don't miss this opportunity to experience a night of exceptional music and celebrate the generations of musicians who began their careers on the YCA roster.

Nokuthula Ngwenyama

Composer, Violist

Events

Upcoming events

Feb 24, 2025

Carnegie Mellon Chamber Series: Happening Now · Carnegie Mellon University School of Music

Mar 1, 2025

Tales of Renewal and Life – Mozart’s “Sinfonia Concertante” and Ngwenyama’s “Sonoran Storm” · Fort Collins Symphony

5 - 6 Apr, 2025

Vanguard: Farrenc's Nonet · Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra

May 12, 2025

2025 Season Finale · Young Concert Artists

Past events

Nov 17, 2024

Espressivo! Piano Quartet · Chamber Music Albuquerque

Nov 14, 2024

Takács Quartet · Wigmore Hall

Future and recently performed repertoire

Viola in String Octet by Mendelssohn

Young Concert Artists

Viola in Viaje by Tian

Young Concert Artists

About

Nokuthula Ngwenyama hasn't added a bio