Dr. Gloria Chien
Soovin Kim
Paul Watkins
String Theory’s final 2019 performance will feature an encore of two Beethoven piano trios with Gloria Chien, piano, Soovin Kim, violin, and Paul Watkins, cello. The concert will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 6:30 p.m. at the Hunter Museum of Art.
String Theory was founded in 2009 by Artistic Director Gloria Chien with the mission of exposing new audiences to chamber music, invigorating the local classical music scene, and cultivating a future generation of music lovers.
The performance, sponsored by Hefferlin and Kronenberg Architects, will celebrate Beethoven’s 250th anniversary with the composer’s “Variations on an Original Theme” in E-flat and “Piano Trio” in B-flat (“Archduke”).
Prior to the concert, Musical Dialogues will take place at 6 p.m., featuring in-depth conversations with the artists on their lives, inspirations, and the masterpiece being performed that evening.
Dr. Chien is the co-artistic director of Chamber Music Northwest in Portland, Or., as well as the Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival in Burlington, Vt., with her husband, Mr. Kim. For the last decade, she was the director of the Chamber Music Institute at Music@Menlo. Dr. Chien frequently appears with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and is a Steinway Artist. She is currently an artist-in-residence at Lee University.
Mr. Kim received first prize at the Paganini International Competition, launching his international concert career at the age of 20. He regularly performs repertoire such as Bach sonatas and Paganini caprices for solo violin; sonatas for violin and piano by Beethoven, Brahms, and Ives; string quartets, Mozart and Haydn concertos and symphonies as a conductor; and new world-premiere works almost every season. Mr. Kim founded the Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival in Vermont and is co-artistic director of Chamber Music Northwest with Chien. For 20 years, he was the 1st violinist of the Johannes String Quartet.
Mr. Watkins has been acclaimed for his performances and eloquent musicianship as a concerto soloist, chamber musician, and conductor. He is a member of the renowned Emerson String Quartet, which performed at the String Theory Gala this past January. He has collaborated with legendary conductors including Sir Mark Elder, Sir Charles Mackerras, Andris Nelsons, and Gianandrea Noseda. Since winning the 2002 Leeds Conducting Competition, Mr. Watkins has conducted all major British orchestras. He currently serves as artistic director of the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival in Detroit and is an exclusive recording artist with Chandos Records.
Individual concert tickets are $35 for Hunter members, $45 for non-members, $10 for students with a valid student ID, and $25 for groups of 20 or more people.
For more information on String Theory at the Hunter or to purchase tickets, call 414-2525 or visit http://stringtheorymusic.org.