String Theory at the Hunter, in partnership with Lee University, announces the return of in-person performances for its 13th season, featuring some of the world’s most sought-after musicians.
“I am filled with joy and anticipation as we look forward to being back at the Hunter Museum, experiencing superb musical performances together, live and in person,” said Dr. Gloria Chien, String Theory founder and artistic director.
String Theory is a chamber music series that brings artists from around the world to perform in the Hunter Museum of American Art. The 2021-22 season, beginning in October, will feature five world class concerts with 21 musicians, eight of which are making their Chattanooga debut.
String Theory will open on Tuesday, Oct. 19, with the much-anticipated world premiere of Patrick Castillo’s Winter Light performed by musicians from Music@Menlo. The group includes violinists Kristin Lee and Sean Lee, cellist Dmitri Atapine, and pianists Hyeyon Park and Dr. Chien.
Horn virtuoso Radovan Vlatkovic will make his Chattanooga debut for the Nov. 16 concert, joined by violinist Soovin Kim and Dr. Chien. Their performance will include Braham’s nostalgic Horn Trio, Bahuslav Martinu’s Variations on a Theme of Rossini, Beethoven’s Horn Sonata Op. 17, and Eugène-Auguste Ysaÿe’s Sonata No. 4 for Solo Violin.
The first concert of 2022, taking place Feb. 8, will feature chamber music by Josef Suk, Zoltán Kodály, and Bedrich Smetana to present a Bohemian Rhapsody with Dr. Chien, violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky, and cellist David Requiro.
Before the October, November, and February performances, String Theory will host “Musical Dialogues,” featuring a conversation with the musicians on their lives, inspirations, and the masterpieces being performed at the concert.
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will present Magical Schubert on March 1, 2022, a celebration of the composer Franz Schubert. Dr. Chien will be joined by pianist Alessio Bax, violinist Benjamin Beilman, and cellist David Requiro.
Wrapping up the 2021-22 season on April 5, 2022, String Theory will welcome violinists Arnaud Sussmann and Chad Hoopes, violists Matthew Lipman and Tien-Hsin Cindy Wu, and cellists Nick Canellakis and Colin Carr for a piano concerto featuring Chien. They will perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.12 in A major and Brahms’ Sextet in B-flat Major.
Prior to the March and April performances, “Art Connections” will take place, giving attendees the opportunity to engage with the intersection of art and music in the Hunter galleries. Former Hunter Chief Curator Ellen Simak and Maestro Robert Bernhardt will compare works from the Hunter collection to the music featured in the concert.
The week of Jan. 25-30, pianist Mika Sasaki and violinist Rebecca Anderson will take part in String Theory’s Annual Outreach Week, bringing classical music to all corners of the Chattanooga community. The week of school and community performances will culminate in the Annual Family Concert on Jan. 30 at the Hunter, which is free and open to all ages.
“I am counting down the days until I can be back at the Hunter Museum sharing music with the community again,” said Dr. Chien. “This season will bring some of the most beloved chamber music repertoire to the stage, and we are excited to present a vibrant year of outreach initiatives.”
Tickets are available now. Individual concert tickets are $35 for Hunter members, $45 for non-members, $10 for students and music teachers with ID, and $25 for groups of 20 or more. Individual tickets can be purchased up until the day of the concert. Season subscriptions are available for $175 for Hunter members, $225 for non-members, and $50 for students and music teachers. Season subscriptions can be purchased up until the first concert, Oct. 19.
The Hunter Museum of American Art currently requires all guests over the age of five to wear a mask while inside the museum. They ask anyone with symptoms or exposure to COVID-19 to stay at home. They have cleaning protocols including hand sanitizer stations and cleaning of frequently touched surfaces in place.
For more information on String Theory at the Hunter or to purchase tickets, call 414-2525, or go to stringtheorymusic.org.