Experience music of the late 20th and 21st centuries, including premieres, in the intimate setting of the Rose Studio at CMS.

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Sonic Spectrum I

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center

The Alexander String Quartet stands among the world’s premier ensembles, having performed in the major music capitals of five continents. The quartet is a vital artistic presence in its home base of San Francisco, serving since 1989 as Ensemble-in-Residence of San Francisco Performances and as frequent performers for Music at Kohl Mansion. Widely admired for its interpretations of Beethoven, Mozart, and Shostakovich, the quartet’s recordings have won international critical acclaim. Founded in New York City in 1981, the Alexander String Quartet has maintained an unyielding and passionate commitment to education. For decades, the ensemble has trained generations of gifted performers, emerging string quartets, and talented young musicians destined to pass on their knowledge and love of music as teachers in schools across the globe.

Alexander String Quartet with pianist Jeffrey LaDeur

Mercy Center Burlingame

Mezzo-soprano and BBC New Generation Artist Fleur Barron—called “a knockout performer” by London’s The Times—brings “The Power and the Glory” to Weill Recital Hall in her Carnegie Hall debut. Across 150 years of music and poetry, plus several traditions, the program presents a diverse and empathetic reflection on empires and identities, exploring colonial history through works by Montsalvatge, Valcárcel, Messiaen, Lecuona, G. Mahler, Schoenberg, I. Weber, Weill/Brecht, Delage, Kamala Sankaram, Ravel, Zubaida Azezi / Edo Frenkel, and Huang Ruo, plus a US premiere by Kian Ravaei and traditional Chinese selections. Alongside pianist Kunal Lahiry, Barron has performed this powerful program at the Aix-en-Provence Festival and top venues in London, Barcelona, Berlin, and beyond.

Fleur Barron, Mezzo-Soprano Kunal Lahiry, Piano

Carnegie Hall

Join us for an extraordinary musical journey at the Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival with "Concert I: East to West" on Sunday, August 18, 2024. This unique concert experience will take place at the Elley-Long Music Center at St. Michael’s College, starting with a Pre-Concert Conversation with Soovin Kim and David Serkin Ludwig at 2:15 PM, followed by the concert commencement at 2:55 PM. 

"East to West" explores the rich tapestry of musical exchange and fusion across continents, from Persia through Azerbaijan and Austria to the United States, celebrating the influences that have shaped our musical heritage. The program includes a selection of works that embody this cultural journey, including Brahms’s beloved Hungarian Dances, showcasing the vibrant exchange of folk cultures along the ancient Silk Road and its modern implications in our globalized society.

Featured pieces include David Serkin Ludwig's "Berakhah 2020," Kian Ravaei's "Gulistan for soprano, cello, and piano 2023," selections from Brahms's Hungarian Dances, and Brahms's Viola Quintet in F major, Op. 88. These performances will be brought to life by an ensemble of talented artists, including Soovin Kim (violin), Gloria Chien (piano), Lucy Fitz Gibbon (soprano), and many more.

Tickets are available for general admission at $45, with special pricing for individuals under 30 at $20, and students at $5. Don't miss this opportunity to witness the live broadcast on Vermont Public Classical and immerse yourself in the musical dialogues that have traversed continents and centuries. A Reception and Meet-the-Artists will follow, offering a chance to engage with the performers and fellow music enthusiasts.

Mark your calendars for an unforgettable exploration of music's power to connect cultures and histories across "East to West."

Concert I: East to West

Saint Michael's College

Iconoclastic pianist and cultural visionary Lara Downes returns to Newport after a sold-out performance in 2021 to present THIS LAND, a probing, nuanced reflection on the kaleidoscopic diversity of stories and journeys that have converged and collided throughout American history, from an artist renowned for her musical explorations off the beaten path. Downes celebrates the beauty of the American experiment while offering an unflinching acknowledgment of its flaws and failings, ultimately embracing the power of hope and humanity as a pathway to common ground and a brighter future.

Closing Night with Pianist Lara Downes

The Breakers Newport

Join us for the finale concert featuring the Indianapolis Quartet, proudly presenting "Family Photos," winner of Zenith's Composition Competition by composer Kian Ravaei. This captivating musical collage takes listeners on a journey through childhood memories and ancestral heritage, from whimsical carnivals to Iranian classical melodies and mythical paradises. Don't miss this chance to experience Ravaei's evocative artistry with the Indianapolis Quartet. Sponsored in part by the Jordan Concert Series at Drake University.

Zenith’s 10th Season Finale

Drake University

Each year, Salastina selects up to 10 young composers worldwide to take part in its Sounds Promising Young Composers Program. The program is zero-cost for all participants, and has resulted in “life-changing” (their words, not ours!) professional development – and even high-profile commissions. Last year, we pledged to commission one participant from each year’s cohort. This concert includes world premieres by 2021 Sounds Promising Young Composer Kian Ravaei and a 2023 participant to be determined. Each composer will pen a piece for our entire ensemble – piano, string quartet, and flute – taking inspiration from Bach’s Chaconne. Resident Pianist HyeJin Kim opens the program with Busoni’s arrangement of the same work. Wine and munchies reception to follow.

Main Series No. 4: Youth at the Altar

Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center

**The Music of Iran: A Celebration of Persian Sounds**

Join us for a landmark event celebrating Persian music and Iranian-American cultural exchange with the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra (SMCO). This special concert series, titled "The Music of Iran," is set to take place on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 8:00 PM, and Sunday, April 21, 2024, at 2:00 PM. The performances will be held at two prestigious venues: the Kirkland Performance Center and The Forum at Town Hall Seattle.

This unique program features the works of multiple generations of Iranian and Iranian-American creators, blending traditional and contemporary Persian sounds. The evening will showcase the compositions of Reza Vali, including "Folk Songs: Set No. 8," "Folk Songs: Set No. 10," "Shoorafkand, Calligraphy No. 20," and Kian Ravaei's "Family Photos for String Quartet." These pieces represent a vibrant mix of Persian musical heritage with modern classical styles, offering audiences an immersive cultural experience.

The concert will feature performances by esteemed artists such as mezzo-soprano Janna Baty, santur master Hamid Taghavi, and SMCO Music Director Geoffrey Larson. Together, they will bring to life the rich, viola-like tones and luminous lyricism of Persian music, interpreted through the lens of contemporary and traditional compositions.

Event Details:
- **Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 8:00 PM**
  - Venue: Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, WA
  - Amenities: Free parking at Municipal Parking Garage. Bar on site, refreshments allowed in hall.

- **Sunday, April 21, 2024, at 2:00 PM**
  - Venue: The Forum at Town Hall Seattle, 1119 8th Ave, Seattle, WA
  - Amenities: Bar on site, refreshments allowed in hall.

Don't miss this extraordinary celebration of Persian music and culture, featuring the works of renowned composers and performers. Experience the beauty of Iranian musical traditions and their contemporary interpretations in a setting that promises to be both enriching and unforgettable.

The Music of Iran

Kirkland Performance Center

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of chamber music at Caramoor on Sunday, November 12, 2023, at 3:00pm, featuring the talented Abeo Quartet. This event marks the beginning of their year-long residency as the 2023-24 Ernst Stiefel String Quartet-in-Residence. The performance will take place in the intimate setting of the Chamber Music Music Room, offering a perfect acoustic experience.

The Abeo Quartet, known for their dynamic performances and engaging interpretations, will present a program that includes masterpieces by Felix Mendelssohn and Ludwig van Beethoven, alongside the New York premiere of "The Little Things" by the young Iranian-American composer Kian Ravaei. This piece, inspired by Emily Dickinson's poetry and her keen observation of nature's subtle beauties, promises to be a highlight of the concert.

The quartet, formed at Juilliard in 2018, has quickly risen to prominence, winning numerous competitions and receiving critical acclaim worldwide. Their name, Abeo, an expression of joy in a Nigerian dialect, reflects their passion for chamber music and their commitment to sharing it with audiences everywhere.

The concert will feature Njioma Grevious and Rebecca Benjamin on violin, James Kang on viola, and Brian Gadbow on cello. Following the performance, attendees are invited to stay for a meet-and-greet with the artists, accompanied by light refreshments.

This event is free for those who are 18 and under, making it an excellent opportunity for young music enthusiasts to experience world-class chamber music. Don't miss the chance to witness the Abeo Quartet as they embark on their residency at Caramoor, sharing their joy and love for music with all who attend.

For tickets and more information, please visit Caramoor's website or contact the box office. Join us at Caramoor, located at 149 Girdle Ridge Road, Katonah, NY 10536, for an afternoon of exquisite music that promises to inspire and delight.

Abeo Quartet

The Rosen House at Caramoor

2023 Summer Festival 8

Benaroya Hall

“Of California Ecology” features new works based on different facets of California’s natural world. The trio will perform compositions by ensemble members, Julie Herndon, and Sl(e)ight Ensemble’s 2020 call-for-scores winner Kian Ravaei. Drawing on the artists’ distinct backgrounds in jazz, band, and chamber music, the program is inspired by seismic activity, fungal biomes, waterways, and social ecology, among other natural phenomena. The result is a diverse set of works all created with the aim of bringing appreciation to California’s beautiful and delicate environment.

Sl(e)ight Ensemble: "Of California Ecology"

Ualbany Performing Arts Center

The boundary-defying Trio Afiori brings together three of today’s most dynamic artists—clarinetist Anthony McGill, mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron, and pianist Gloria Chien—in a vivid exploration of bold storytelling, collaboration, music, and cultural heritage. The trio actively commissions and premieres works by today’s leading composers, including Valerie Coleman, Gabriel Kahane, Julia Adolphe, Alex Ho, and Kian Ravaei. Blending classical traditions with folk, jazz, and contemporary influences, the trio creates performances that are both intimate and daring, where new voices and timeless influences meet in conversation. Anthony McGill will doubtless be remembered by Schubert Club audiences for his well-received performances in 2022 with pianist Anna Polonsky.

Trio Afiori

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

The boundary-defying Trio Afiori brings together three of today’s most dynamic artists: clarinetist Anthony McGill, mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron, and pianist Gloria Chien. Recognized individually with Grammy Awards and other honors, they unite for a vivid exploration of storytelling and cultural heritage. Their program juxtaposes lyrical works of today, including Valerie Coleman’s Angels, inspired by President Lincoln’s first inaugural address, with two cherished works by Brahms.

Trio Afiori (Baltimore Debut)

Johns Hopkins University

“Discover the youthful fire and Brahmsian lyricism of Béla Bartók in his rarely heard and passionately Romantic Piano Quintet, a remarkable early work written before his modernist transformation. The program also features the elegance and charm of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s luminous Oboe Quartet. Opening the concert is Family Photos by emerging composer Kian Ravaei, winner of Chamber Music Rochester’s 2026 Composition Competition.”

Kian Ravaei

Events

Upcoming events

Feb 23, 2027

Trio Afiori · Schubert Club

Feb 28, 2027

Trio Afiori (Baltimore Debut) · Shriver Hall Concert Series

Mar 14, 2027

Early Romanticism of Bartók · Society for Chamber Music in Rochester

Past events

Nov 6, 2025

Sonic Spectrum I · Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center

May 4, 2025

Alexander String Quartet with pianist Jeffrey LaDeur · Music at Kohl Mansion

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