Experience CAG’s concert series Musicians on the Rise, in which tomorrow’s stars expand the possibilities of a 21st-century concert. CAG's citizen musicians push beyond the boundaries of a traditional performance and weave together unique elements to express a personal connection to the music. Dovetailing established and adventurous repertoire with dynamic non-musical elements, each experiential program reflects the performer’s distinctive imagination and artistry.
Galvin Cello Quartet
ANDRÉ MEHMARI – World Premiere
NICCOLÒ PAGANINI – TBA
L.V. BEETHOVEN – 12 variations on a Theme
DAVID POPPER – Concert Polonaise, Op. 14
Returning to Merkin Hall after their sold-out show last fall, the prizewinning cello quartet performs the world premiere of a cello quartet by Brazilian composer André Mehmari, plus world premieres of new arrangements of music by Niccolò Paganini, L.V. Beethoven, and David Popper. With members from China, Brazil, South Korea, and the U.S., Galvin Cello Quartet explores the limitless range of a cello ensemble by bringing together new works from diverse cultural backgrounds. They burst onto the scene after capturing the silver medal at the 2021 Fischoff Competition, followed shortly by winning the 2022 Victor Elmaleh Competition and joining the Concert Artists Guild roster.
Njioma Grevious
Guest Performer: Curtis Stewart
The acclaimed violinist and Avery Fisher career grant winner Njioma Grevious shares a deeply personal and intimate mediation on the theme of remembrance including works by Coleridge-Taylor and a new violin duo by Curtis Stewart with the composer as guest performer. Each of these works are influenced by genres that were created by African Americans beginning in the 19th century, echoing themes of struggle, hopes, dreams, freedom and creativity. Grevious will also delve into a palette of emotions and reminiscence through Prokofiev’s Violin Sonata No. 2 and Mozart's Violin Sonata in E Minor K. 304. She will pair her musical offerings with audio visuals to provide a multi-sensory connection with the audience and window into some of her reflections.
ArcoStrum
The dynamic violin-guitar duo reimagines Chinese traditional music, modern rock and classical masterworks, combining comedic inventiveness, pop sensibility and classical virtuosity for a night of unexpected magic. Winner and Audience Prize recipient of the 2023 Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition, ArcoStrum comprises the international prize-winning violinist Strauss Shi (violin, erhu, dizi) and TY Zhang (classical guitar, electric guitar), Grand Prize Winner of Guitar Foundation of America’s International Concert Artist Competition.
Nina Bernat, double bass & Anthony Ratinov, piano
LAURA POE – World Premiere
ALAN BLANK – Poems from the Holocaust
J.S. BACH – Cello Suite No. 2 in D Minor TBD
GABRIEL FAURÉ – Sonata G major
SERGEI PROKOFIEV – Five Melodies
FELIX MENDELSSOHN – Su Leika
L.V. BEETHOVEN – Cello Sonata No. 5
The acclaimed double bassist and Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient Nina Bernat and pianist Anthony Ratinov perform a recital celebrating female strength and empowerment through music for piano, mezzo-soprano and bass accompanied by images from Bernat’s grandmother’s post-war life. It features a world premiere by Lara Poe and Alan Blank’s Poems from the Holocaust, plus music by Gabriel Fauré, Felix Mendelssohn and Sergei Prokofiev, culminating in Beethoven’s Cello Sonata No. 5.