Chamber Music Northwest presents a remarkable lineup of events for early 2025, showcasing the world’s finest chamber musicians. From the illustrious duo David Finckel & Wu Han's 'Russian Revelry' to the powerful storytelling in 'Lost Freedom: A Memory' narrated by George Takei, these events promise unforgettable experiences. The Hagen Quartet brings European elegance, while the educational 'Peter and the Wolf with WindSync' captivates young audiences. Violin virtuoso Soovin Kim pays tribute to Bach's sonorous works in a two-part evening. This season is a celebration of musical mastery and profound cultural narratives.

Chamber Music Northwest: A Harmony of Timeless Masterpieces and Cultural Reflections

Portland is set to host a sensational lineup of chamber music events, featuring renowned performers and captivating compositions, presented by Chamber Music Northwest. From the brilliant duo of David Finckel and Wu Han, to the legendary Hagen Quartet, and a poignant narrative with George Takei, these performances promise to mesmerize audiences. With a variety of engaging events, including educational family shows and thought-provoking narrations, Portland’s music scene is buzzing with excitement. Don't miss these unforgettable musical journeys that explore the depths of classical and contemporary music.

Portland's Chamber Music Extravaganza: An Artistic Odyssey

Since their summer at CMNW as our 2013 Protégé Ensemble, the dynamic precision and power of the two-time Grammy-nominated Dover Quartet has made them one of the world’s most lauded chamber ensembles. After being named one of the greatest string quartets of the last 100 years by BBC Music Magazine, the Dovers return to Portland for the first time since 2021. We will take in their masterful performances of Mendelssohn and Dvořák string quartets, as well as the Pacific Northwest Premiere of a new CMNW co-commissioned work by Chickasaw composer Jerod Impichcha̱achaaha’ Tate, written especially for them. This is a not-to-be-missed, rare opportunity to experience the fully astonishing Dover Quartet!

Dover Quartet: Triumphant Return & Range

The Old Church Concert Hall

The stars align for the final concert of our Summer Festival celebrating Beethoven’s profound influence on the evolution of music. Messiaen’s transcendent Interstellar Call and Ravel’s heroic and nearly orchestral Piano Trio capture both the grace and power he brought to music. Beethoven’s masterfully entertaining Septet in E-flat Major—arguably, the greatest septet ever written—expresses his exquisite wit and joy. Don’t miss this exciting Summer Festival finale!

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FESTIVAL FINALE: Celestial Virtuosity

Reed College

More than any previous composer, Beethoven challenged musicians to reach new heights, redefining musical virtuosity. Tonight’s program features soaring soloist masterworks, including Beethoven’s Cello Sonata No. 3, Jörg Widmann’s clarinet Fantasie, and Weber’s epic Clarinet Quintet arranged for chamber orchestra—performed by some of the world’s finest on their instruments.

SOARING SOLOISTS: Clarinet, Cello & Piano

Chamber Music Northwest is excited to partner with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra to bring the Columbia River Brass Quintet to Vancouver’s Marshall Park!

FREE COMMUNITY CONCERT with Columbia River Brass Quintet

Chamber Music Northwest

Meet our Protégé Ensemble, Opus13, in their first Portland appearance! This Swedish-Norwegian string quartet is one of Europe’s most promising young ensembles. Come enjoy a memorable summer evening filled with good music, food, wine, and company at one of Portland’s loveliest homes.

GARDEN CHAMBER PARTY: Featuring Protégé Ensemble, Opus13

Patricia Reser Center for the Arts

Go behind the scenes and observe CMNW’s world-class musicians working together to put the finishing touches on the music for upcoming performances. An informal Q&A follows the rehearsal.

FREE Open Rehearsal: JÖRG WIDMANN “180 Beats per Minute”

Mirroring Beethoven’s multifaceted mastery, revolutionary German composer, virtuosic clarinetist, and leading conductor Jörg Widmann is one of today’s greatest inheritors of Beethoven’s legacy. Widmann is considered one of the most versatile and intriguing artists of this generation, with his works ranging from chamber to symphonic and operatic. Experience Widmann’s impressive versatility, including the U.S. Premiere of his CMNW Co-Commissioned Ninth String Quartet, influenced by Beethoven’s elusive String Quartet No. 14.

NEW@NIGHT: The Genius of Jörg Widmann

The Old Church

Not one, but two of the world’s most acclaimed emerging musicians take the stage for this Protégé Spotlight Recital. Pianist Chloe Mun is the winner of both the prestigious Geneva International Competition and Italy’s Busoni Competition. Joining her is violinist Claire Wells, the 2021 winner of the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Prize. Prepare to be amazed by these accomplished musicians, who are already in demand from major orchestras and musical festivals across the globe.

PROTÉGÉ SPOTLIGHT: Claire Wells & Chloe Mun

Portland State University

Beethoven propelled the piano to the forefront of classical music, challenging both the instrument and pianists as never before. Bold and powerful, subtle and sublime, Beethoven, Robert Schumann, and Igor Stravinsky’s three powerful piano showpieces capture the piano’s full versatility in the hands of the world-renowned pianists Artistic Director Gloria Chien, Stewart Goodyear, and Chloe Mun.

KEYBOARD CONVERGENCE: Quintets, Quartets & Solos

Join one of the leading French horn players of all time, Radovan Vlatković, as he coaches several of our region’s best young hornists to help them improve their skill and technique. Whether you are a French horn player or enjoy learning more about how musicians learn and hone their skills, you’ll be inspired watching and hearing the growth that takes place in such a short time with this expert teacher.

French Horn Masterclass with Radovan Vlatković (2024)

Four all-star performers take on three exceptionally thrilling works for their instruments! World-renowned horn master Radovan Vlatković tackles Ligeti’s devilishly difficult Horn Trio. Portland’s own revolutionary flutist Amelia Lukas with the astounding pianist/composer Stewart Goodyear premiere his stunning The Torment of Marsyas. Then, Busoni and Geneva Piano Competitions winner Chloe Mun conquers Beethoven’s monumental “Hammerklavier.”

PREEMINENT PIANO: Beethoven, Ligeti & Goodyear

Prepare to be delighted by an impromptu program of music for cello and piano—both Stewart and Clancy are accomplished soloists and chamber music artists who will perform classical repertoire as well as their original compositions. This will be the perfect opportunity to get to know these personable stars of the chamber music world—Stewart Goodyear wowed CMNW audiences last summer, and this is Clancy’s first appearance in Portland. Guests will be treated to a lovely garden reception at Karen & Cliff Deveney’s classic Eastmoreland home in Southeast Portland.

[SOLD OUT] GARDEN CHAMBER PARTY: Cello & Piano Delights

Join CMNW commissioned composer Kyle Rivera as he coaches students from Fear No Music’s Young Composers Project (YCP); helping them improve their skill and technique. Whether you are a composer or enjoy learning more about the music-writing process, you’ll be inspired seeing the growth that takes place in such a short time with an expert teacher.

Composition Masterclass with Kyle Rivera

Lincoln Hall Room 225

Go behind the scenes and observe CMNW’s world-class musicians working together to put the finishing touches on the music for upcoming performances. An informal Q&A follows the rehearsal. 

FREE Open Rehearsal: GYÖRGY LIGETI Trio for Violin, Horn & Piano

Few realize that the piano is, technically, a percussion instrument. Tonight, we’ll explore percussive musical innovations inspired by Beethoven’s piano, including marimba, percussion, keyboard, piano, and even percussive cello. Experience these unique works by Keiko Abe, Clancy Newman, Juri Seo, and our CMNW Co-Commissioned World Premiere of Kyle Rivera’s new music for multiple keyboards and percussion—and meet the composer, as well!

NEW@NIGHT: Elemental Keyboards

Chamber Music Northwest is excited to bring acclaimed cellist/composer Clancy Newman and pianist/composer/improviser extraordinaire Stewart Goodyear to North Clackamas Park!

FREE COMMUNITY CONCERT with Clancy Newman & Stewart Goodyear

North Clackamas Park

CMNW’s Protégé Project has helped launch the careers of some of the world’s best emerging quartets—Dover, Kenari, Calidore, Viano—and now we turn to the Opus13 Quartet! Second prize winners of the prestigious 2022 Banff International String Quartet Competition, this exciting Swedish-Norwegian quartet is one of Europe’s, and the world’s, most promising, up-and-coming young ensembles. Join these electrifying, early-career superstars for a thrilling noontime recital of two of their favorite masterworks by Mozart and Grieg.

PROTÉGÉ SPOTLIGHT:  Opus13

Few artists creating music today embody the passion and fire of Beethoven quite like America’s greatest living woman composer, the incomparable Joan Tower. From our World Premiere of her dynamic To Sing or Dance for Violin and Percussion—featuring Artistic Director Soovin Kim and the exhilarating Sandbox Percussion—to Beethoven’s passionate “Kreutzer” Sonata, this concert will blaze.

INCANDESCENCE: Blazing Works by Joan Tower, Bartók & the “Kreutzer”

Join Grammy-nominated ensemble Sandbox Percussion as they coach several of our region’s best young percussionists to help them improve their skill and technique. Whether you are a percussionist or enjoy learning more about how musicians learn and hone their skills, you’ll be inspired watching and hearing the growth that takes place in such a short time with expert teachers.

Percussion Masterclass with Sandbox Percussion (2024)

Beethoven’s incendiary and revolutionary Grosse Fuge forever changed music. The almost incomprehensible genius of his “Great Fugue” has powered every genre of music since—from classical to jazz, Motown to heavy metal. We’ll explore equally fiery works by Brahms and Finnish composer Sebastian Fagerlund, inspired by the musical bonfire Beethoven ignited. After the Grosse Fuge, music would never be the same.

MUSIC ON FIRE: Beethoven, Brahms & Fagerlund

Chamber Music Northwest is excited to bring the Grammy-nominated percussion ensemble, Sandbox Percussion, out to Newberg’s Chehalem Cultural Center to kick off the Lavender Festival!


FREE COMMUNITY CONCERT with Sandbox Percussion

Be among the first to experience Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Luther Adams’s final major work for chamber ensemble! Prophecies of Fire will be premiered by the mesmerizing Sandbox Percussion—remembered for their stunning CMNW performances of George Crumb’s American Songbook II and Andy Akiho’s Seven Pillars two summers ago—for an utterly immersive musical experience.

SPECIAL EVENT: World Premiere of “Prophecies of Fire”

FREE Open Rehearsal: JOHN LUTHER ADAMS World Premiere of “Prophecies of Fire”

2024 CMNW Protégé Artist Nina Bernat is emerging as one of the most exciting double bassists in a generation. Acclaimed for her interpretive maturity, expressive depth, and technical clarity, she steps on to the world stage as a recipient of a 2023 Avery Fisher Career Grant, the Juilliard Double Bass Competition, and the 2019 International Society of Bassists Solo Competition

PROTÉGÉ SPOTLIGHT: Bassist Nina Bernat

Come, be astounded, and witness the next generation of virtuoso musicians performing highlights of four Beethoven String Quartets, and four World Premieres of short Beethoven-inspired mini quartets by young composers from Portland! This ensemble concert is the culmination of an intensive three-week program focused on offering promising young musicians the opportunity to hone their musicianship as soloists and quartets, and perform in a diverse range of settings.

FINALE CONCERT: 2024 Young Artist Institute

Netsuke—Japanese miniature carvings— are worlds unto themselves, and Stephen Hartke’s Netsuke explores all their intricacy. Two-time Grammy Award nominee, Jennifer Frautschi, and Portland’s own Monica Ohuchi traverse this captivating work, along with stunning works by Caroline Shaw and Krzysztof Penderecki.

NEW@NIGHT: Soundscapes of Hartke, Shaw & Penderecki

With ear-bending polyphonics, brain-twisting chords, and utterly unpredictable progressions, Beethoven completely redefined what music could sound like. For our second summer concert, beloved clarinetist David Shifrin, violinist Bella Hristova, pianist Alessio Bax, and oboist Frank Rosenwein join forces on three masterpieces that are powered by Beethoven’s unprecedented sonic palette. The program also features a new, groundbreaking Oboe Quartet by composer Marc Neikrug, and Felix Mendelssohn’s soaring Piano Trio in C Minor.

SONIC EVOLUTION: Mendelssohn, Bernstein & Neikrug

Opening Night of CMNW’s 54th Summer Festival will be a not-to-be missed event celebrating Beethoven’s influence on the last two centuries of chamber music! Our first concert of the summer features many of our favorite CMNW artists, including violist Paul Neubauer and renowned pianist Alessio Bax performing an exquisite Brahms Viola Sonata. We will “replay” the delightful Ralph’s Old Records by Portland’s own Kenji Bunch. A new arrangement for chamber ensemble of Beethoven’s stunning Second Symphony will conclude the evening. A truly epic start to the summer!

OPENING NIGHT: Beethoven, Brahms & Bunch!

In 2022, CMNW launched the Young Artist Institute (YAI), a new intensive education program for 16 talented string players from around the world, ages 14-18. Each week, we invite you to watch and support these incredible students, who showcase their amazing virtuosity around the city for the Portland community to enjoy.

FREE Young Artist Institute Solo Showcase #2

FREE Open Rehearsal: BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 2 in D Major

Join internationally renowned violist Paul Neubauer as he mentors and coaches the four violists of our Young Artist Institute. Our CMNW masterclasses offer a special behind-the-scenes learning experience that will increase your appreciation of the remarkable talent of our musicians—and your own musical skill, regardless of the instrument you play.

Viola Masterclass with Paul Neubauer (2024)

Mago Hunt Recital Hall

Join us for a fun, casual, and exceptionally inspiring celebration featuring the extraordinarily talented students and faculty of our revolutionary Young Artist Institute!

You’ll enjoy a beautiful benefit concert at The Redd on Salmon Street with these stars of tomorrow, with tasty indoor picnic and ice cream social from Devil’s Food Catering.

THE FUTURE IS NOW: A Benefit Event with Young Artist Institute to Support our Education Programs

The Redd on Salmon Street

FREE Young Artist Institute Solo Showcase #1

Pianist Mika Sasaki is back for her final community residency with Chamber Music Northwest—and NEW this year, she will be joined by cellist Mitch Lyon. The Lyon-Sasaki Duo will be spending a week working with community partners, and their residency will conclude with a FREE community recital!

FREE Community Recital with the Lyon-Sasaki Duo

Parklane Christian Reformed

After nearly a decade of musical friendship, it seems only fitting that the cult American singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane and iconic Finnish musician Pekka Kuusisto have formalized their collaboration under the moniker Council. Now, they present an evening of intimate and sonically varied songs and chamber music, written during several writing retreats in Northern Karelia and Portland, Oregon.

Gabriel Kahane + Pekka Kuusisto: Council

The dynamic, 2024 Grammy Award-winning Imani Winds return to collaborate with Portland’s own BodyVox on our latest chamber music and dance creation! Beautiful Everything will be an extraordinary evening of inspiring music and innovative dance celebrating beauty, hope, optimism, and joy. The Imani Winds will perform the West Coast Premiere of Shawn E. Okpebholo’s Rise for Wind Quintet, a CMNW co-commission. Sure to draw crowds, don’t miss this entertaining fusion of music and motion at the glorious Patricia Reser Center for the Arts!!

Imani Winds + BodyVox: Beautiful Everything

Come join us! Our hosts, Carl and Marge Abbott, have recently moved to their new home in Parkview (part of Terwilliger Plaza) and invite you to come for an intimate house concert performed by the glorious Imani Winds. Enjoy a tasty appetizer reception, chamber music for wind quintet in the Abbott’s beautiful living room, and get to know the remarkable Imani musicians. And yes, you will see for yourself that Parkview really does have a fantastic view!

Chamber Party: Party with the Imani Winds!

The dawn of a new century saw the emergence of a new era of music driven by the sheer genius of Ludwig van Beethoven. We’ve captured all its glory in this final concert of our festival. Constantly revising both his Op. 11 Trio (1792) and Kakadu Variations (1795), Beethoven incorporated many new ideas as they came to him so these pieces certainly evolved over time. These two works didn’t reach the final form that we will hear tonight until two decades after he first conceived them. They capture Beethoven’s delightful invention, wit, and charm. For our Mini Festival finale, you will experience all the power, grandeur, and majesty of Beethoven’s spectacular “Archduke” Trio—lauded and cherished by all as one of the greatest chamber works ever created!

Chien-Kim-Watkins Trio: Beethoven’s Complete Piano Trios "Triumph & Transcendence"

Perhaps more than any other composer in history, Beethoven charted a completely revolutionary course for what music could be. His boldly inventive and experimental dynamics, tonality, rhythms, and forms were unlike anything audiences had ever heard. This concert begins with his highly innovative Op. 44 variations from 1792, which some consider his first “piano trio”—even though it doesn’t quite follow the multi-movement form pioneered by his mentor, Haydn. Just a few years later, his Op. 1, Nos. 2 and 3 so startled and astonished audiences that Haydn himself recommended that Beethoven not publish them, or risk ruining his career. Prepare to be equally amazed by the wildly original, emerging musical master of the 18th century.

Chien-Kim-Watkins Trio: Beethoven’s Complete Piano Trios "Breaking Boundaries"

Listen in behind the scenes and observe a FREE open rehearsal with CMNW Artistic Directors Gloria Chien (piano), Soovin Kim (violin), and cellist Paul Watkins. Over three nights, the Chien-Kim-Watkins Trio is performing Beethoven’s Complete Piano Trios in a Beethoven Mini Festival March 9, 14, and 16. During this open rehearsal the trio will be putting the finishing touches on their March 14 program, “Breaking Boundaries.” An informal Q&A follows this hour-long rehearsal.

FREE Open Rehearsal featuring Chien-Kim-Watkins Trio

This first concert in our Mini Festival highlights what a dramatic departure Beethoven’s interpretation of the piano trio was from any of his predecessors. His first, full-fledged piano trio (Op. 1, No. 1) was composed in 1795, when the Viennese master Franz Joseph Haydn was still alive. While strongly influenced by Haydn’s own trios, we begin to hear some of the younger composer’s unique aesthetic. We’ll contrast this with two of Beethoven’s later trios (Op. 70) from 1808-09 that are Beethoven’s fully mature and distinctive voice, including his hauntingly beautiful “Ghost” Trio.

Chien-Kim-Watkins Trio: Beethoven’s Complete Piano Trios "Dawn of a New Age"

Meet the musicians of WindSync in an educational, family-friendly show that brings classical music to life with an unforgettable cast of characters. Complete with costumes and choreography, this engaging performance introduces the five wind instruments of the orchestra and concludes with an exciting retelling of Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev. Peter, the wolf, and their friends the duck, the cat, and the little bird will make a live appearance! This FREE event is presented by Chamber Music Northwest, no RSVP required.

Peter and the Wolf with WindSync at Powell’s Books

Powell's City of Books

WindSync’s signature concert program for children and families celebrates storytelling through music. The cornerstone is Sergei Prokofiev’s classic Peter and the Wolf. The musicians do triple duty as narrators, characters, and soundtrack in this fully staged adaptation, complete with costumes and choreography.

Sensory Friendly Concert with WindSync

1000 Broadway Building

Peter and the Wolf with WindSync at Tualatin Public Library

Nyberg Rivers

Hailed as one of the most exciting young string quartets in the world, the Goldmund Quartet brought the virtual house down during the pandemic with their CMNW AT-HOME concert debut from Germany’s Polling Abbey. Now, finally, they will be performing live in Portland! The Goldmund Quartet’s exquisitely refined playing has made them the rising stars of the European chamber music scene. You can experience their power, grace, and precision in this concert, one of a dozen scheduled for their second North American tour. The ensemble will perform masterworks by Haydn, Borodin, and Beethoven on the remarkable matched set of Stradivari instruments once owned by the legendary composer and violinist Niccolò Paganini.

Germany’s Dynamic Goldmund Quartet

When it comes to the greatest chamber musician pairings, few can hold a candle to the incomparable powerhouse duo of the esteemed cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han! Indefatigable titans of American chamber music as the artistic directors of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center since 2004, and Music@Menlo founders and artistic directors since 2002, this irrepressible husband and wife team (like our own artistic directors) are rock stars of the chamber music world. Their exquisite lyricism, superb virtuosity, theatrical flair, and musical insight will make for an evening of simply unforgettable mid-century Russian music.

David Finckel & Wu Han: Russian Revelry

Like American 21st century superstars, the Emerson Quartet, Europe’s Hagen Quartet has attained an unparalleled position among the finest chamber ensembles in the world. Declared “the pinnacle of musicality” (Die Presse) their European preeminence is resolute. Comprised of siblings Lukas, Veronika, and Clemens Hagen, with violinist Rainer Schmidt, this four-decades-strong Austrian sensation has performed throughout the world and amassed a storied discography of nearly 50 acclaimed recordings. For those who love the best-of-the-best, you’ll not want to miss one of the greatest string quartets of our time in this rare U.S. appearance, right here in Portland!

Hagen Quartet: Pinnacle of Musicality

Meet the musicians of WindSync in an educational, family-friendly show that brings classical music to life with an unforgettable cast of characters. Complete with costumes and choreography, this engaging, hour-long performance introduces the five wind instruments of the orchestra and concludes with an exciting retelling of Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev. Peter, the wolf, and their friends the duck, the cat, and the little bird will make a live appearance! This FREE event is presented by Chamber Music Northwest, no RSVP required.

Peter and the Wolf with WindSync

Artistic Director Soovin Kim will perform the Mount Everest for a violinist: Bach’s complete Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin, over two concert evenings.

Soovin Kim: Bach’s Tremendous Technique & Style | Part 1

Soovin Kim: Bach’s Melodic & Harmonic Brilliance | Part 2

Celebrated violinist Soovin Kim presents part one of a two-part residency with Oregon Bach Festival. Performing all of J.S. Bach’s works for solo violin, part one features Partita No. 3 in E Major, Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, and Partita No. 2 in D Minor. Part two will be presented during the OBF 2025 season. Presented in collaboration with Chamber Music Northwest.

Soovin Kim, violin

Beall Concert Hall

Inspired by autobiographical accounts of the incarceration of Japanese-American citizens in World War II, Lost Freedom: A Memory weaves together music and spoken word in a profound exploration of a chilling time in American history. Actor, author, and activist, George Takei (Star Trek), narrates his own story as one of the citizens forced from their homes and made to live in desolate camps thousands of miles away. Set to music by Oregon composer Kenji Bunch, this poignant program will also include music by Oregon’s Japanese-American composer/percussionist Andy Akiho.

Chamber Music Northwest

Feb 6, 2025

David Finckel & Wu Han: Russian Revelry

Feb 27, 2025

Hagen Quartet: Pinnacle of Musicality

Mar 15, 2025

Peter and the Wolf with WindSync

Apr 3, 2025

Soovin Kim: Bach’s Tremendous Technique & Style | Part 1

Apr 5, 2025

Soovin Kim: Bach’s Melodic & Harmonic Brilliance | Part 2

Nov 23, 2024

Dover Quartet: Triumphant Return & Range

Jul 28, 2024

FESTIVAL FINALE: Celestial Virtuosity

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