Benjamin Beilman
String Theory at the Hunter, in collaboration with Lee University and the Hunter Museum of American Art, will present a concert on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 6:30 p.m. Featuring world-class violinist Benjamin Beilman and String Theory artistic director Gloria Chien on piano, this performance promises to be a dynamic celebration of musical artistry and passion, said officials.
“I am excited to bring this extraordinary program to the stage alongside Benjamin Beilman, whose talent is truly remarkable,” says Dr. Chien. “I look forward to sharing this intimate experience with the audience and celebrating the power of music to connect us all.”
The performance will include pieces such as Eugène Ysaÿe’s “Solo Sonata No.3, Ballade,” Chris Rogerson’s “Arietta for Violin and Piano,” and César Franck’s “Violin Sonata.”
Mr. Beilman has received international praise for his passionate performances and deep rich tone which the Washington Post called “mightily impressive” and the Strad described as “pure poetry.” He has performed with many major orchestras worldwide, including the Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Oslo Philharmonic, Taipei Symphony, and Frankfurt Radio Symphony. He has also extensively toured Australia in recital under Musica Aviva, and in 2022, became one of the youngest artists to be appointed to the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music.
Mr. Beilman’s commitment and passion for contemporary music has led to new works written for him by Frederic Rzewski and Gabriella Smith. He has also given multiple performances of Jennifer Higdon’s violin concertos and recorded Thomas Larcher’s concerto with Hannu Lintu and the Tonkünstler Orchester, as well as premiered Chris Rogerson’s Violin Concerto with the Kansas City Symphony and Gemma New.
Mr. Beilman studied at the Curtis Institute of Music with Ida Kavafian and Pamela Frank, and with Christian Tetzlaff at the Kronberg Academy. He has received many prestigious accolades including a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship, an Avery Fisher Career Grant, and a London Music Masters Award. He has also recorded works by Stravinsky, Janácek, and Schubert for Warner Classics.
Dr. Chien has one of the most diverse musical lives as a noted performer, concert presenter, and educator. She was selected by the Boston Globe as one of its superior pianists of the year, “…who appears to excel in everything.”
Dr. Chien made her orchestral debut at the age of 16 with the Boston Symphony Orchestra with Thomas Dausgaard and performed again with the BSO with Keith Lockhart. In recent seasons, she has performed as a recitalist and chamber musician at Alice Tully Hall, the Library of Congress, the Phillips Collection, the Kissinger Sommer festival, the Dresden Chamber Music Festival, and the National Concert Hall in Taiwan. A former member of CMS Two, she performs frequently with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
Dr. Chien serves as the co-artistic director of Chamber Music Northwest in Portland, Or., as well as the Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival in Burlington, Vt., along with her husband, Soovin Kim. She earned her Doctor of Musical Arts from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Dr. Chien is a Steinway Artist and an artist in residence at Lee University.
Prior to the concert, “Pregame with Bob” will take place at 5:45 p.m., where Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Music Director Emeritus Bob Bernhardt will discuss the evening’s program, offering an in-depth look at the featured composers and works, including interviews with the artists.
String Theory was founded in 2009 by Dr. Chien to expose new audiences to chamber music, invigorate the local classical scene, and cultivate a future generation of music lovers.
Tickets for the Tuesday evening performance are $54 for non-members, $42 for Hunter members, and $10 for students and music teachers with ID.
To purchase tickets or for more information, please visit www.stringtheorymusic.org/, contact info@stringtheorymusic.org, or call 414-2525.
Dr. Gloria Chien