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Press Releases
Seattle Chamber Music Society Announces 2027 Winter Festival, Jan. 22-31
Festival Highlights Include Performance of All Three Robert Schumann String Quartets
Pictured (from left): James Ehnes, Orion Weiss, Efe Baltacigil, Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt (Credit: Jenna Poppe)
The Seattle Chamber Music Society (SCMS) announces the programming for its 2027 Winter Festival, running January 22-31 at Nordstrom Recital Hall. Over the course of six concerts, a stellar lineup of internationally renowned musicians will perform six works by Robert Schumann, including his three string quartets in one weekend, alongside magnificent chamber music by composers including Bach, Borodin, Grieg, Kodály, Mozart, Schubert, Suk, and Tchaikovsky. The Festival is programmed by violinist James Ehnes, SCMS’s Gilbert Omenn and Martha Darling Artistic Director.
Musicians joining Ehnes at the 2027 SCMS Winter Festival include pianists Charles Richard-Hamelin and Tom Borrow, and violinists Erin Keefe and Josef Špacek. A full list of artists follows.
“Through our Winter Festival each year, we are able to gather with esteemed colleagues from around the world and explore fascinating musical themes. This January, we have a particular focus on Schumann. At the heart of this is his gift for creating musical characters and scenes. Even in his works without a specific narrative, there is often a sense of portraiture – people, places and personalities coming vividly to life. We carry that idea throughout the Festival, from Schumann and Grieg to Kodály, Debussy and Ravel. Older works by Bach and Mozart are part of this line. They give us a language that continues to inspire composers and performers to create music that is deeply human and evocative.” says Ehnes.
Two programmed works, Joseph Suk’s Piano Quintet in G minor, Op. 8 (January 23) and Alexander Borodin’s String Quintet in F minor (January 31), honor the legacy of SCMS founder Toby Saks. Saks was a passionate champion of lesser-known music of the Romantic era, and for Ehnes both pieces hold a special association with her.
Each concert features a free pre-concert program an hour before the concert; on the January 23 pre-concert show, musicians of SCMS Academy for Chamber Music will perform. Through SCMS Virtual Concert Hall, fans of chamber music worldwide may watch the concert live, stream it in the 24-hour period following the performance, or access the concerts within a 30-day period beginning two weeks after the concert date. Produced by Simon Kiln, the Virtual Concert Hall captures concerts from high-definition camera angles and takes audiences behind the scenes with introductions from the artists and live intermission interviews.
Through its Winter Festival, five-week Summer Festival, and seven-concert Signature Series, SCMS makes chamber music a vital part of Seattle’s cultural life while helping establish the city as a premier destination for the art form. SCMS is also extending its reach beyond the concert hall through The Concert Truck®, a traveling music venue acquired last season that brings chamber music to communities across the country, and the Balourdet Quartet, SCMS’s first String Quartet in Residence, which has returned for a second season of performances and community engagement across King County.
This past spring, SCMS launched the SCMS Record label, further expanding the audience for performances with digital, streaming and physical format releases. The label’s third release, Franck Quintet and Enescu Octet, arrives October 2, following Brahms Violin Sonatas and Dvorák String Quintets earlier this year. SCMS also recently announced plans for a new Center for Chamber Music in downtown Seattle. The first permanent Seattle venue purpose-built specifically for chamber music, the Center will create a new home for performance, education, recording, and community engagement.
SCMS Winter Festival program details follow. Discounted season subscriptions are on sale now here; single tickets go on sale October 27. Visit seattlechambermusic.org.
Seattle Chamber Music Society: 2027 Winter Festival
January 22–31
Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall
Musicians: Julie Albers, Edward Arron, Ani Aznavoorian, Efe Baltacigil, Luka Coetzee, and Bion Tsang (cello); Jeffrey Fair (horn); Tom Borrow, Charles Richard-Hamelin, Jeewon Park, and Orion Weiss (piano); James Ehnes, Erin Keefe, Amy Schwartz Moretti, Grace Park, Simone Porter, Josef Špacek, and Andrew Wan (violin), Che-Yen Chen, Blythe Teh Engstroem, Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, and Jonathan Vinocour (viola).
The 2027 Winter Festival marks SCMS debuts for pianist Tom Borrow, violist Blythe Teh Engstroem, and violinist Josef Špacek.
—FRIDAY, JANUARY 22—
Preconcert
Frédéric Chopin — Nocturne in A-flat Major, Op. 32, No. 2
Charles Richard-Hamelin, piano
Robert Schumann — Carnaval, Op. 9
Charles Richard-Hamelin, piano
Concert
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — Piano Trio in E Major, K. 542
Charles Richard-Hamelin, piano; Grace Park, violin; Julie Albers, cello
Igor Stravinsky — Duo Concertant
Simone Porter, violin; Orion Weiss, piano
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky — String Sextet in D minor, Op. 70, “Souvenir de Florence”
James Ehnes & Andrew Wan, violins; Jonathan Vinocour & Blythe Teh Engstroem, violas; Ani Aznavoorian & Efe Baltacigil, cellos
—SATURDAY, JANUARY 23—
Preconcert
Musicians of the SCMS Academy for Chamber Music
Concert
Johann Sebastian Bach — Sonata No. 1 for Viola da Gamba in G Major, BWV 1027
Julie Albers, cello; Charles Richard-Hamelin, piano
Dmitri Shostakovich — String Quartet No. 10 in A-flat Major, Op. 118
Andrew Wan & Simone Porter, violins; Jonathan Vinocour, viola; Efe Baltacigil, cello
Josef Suk — Piano Quintet in G minor, Op. 8
Orion Weiss, piano; James Ehnes & Grace Park, violins; Blythe Teh Engstroem, viola; Ani Aznavoorian, cello
—SUNDAY, JANUARY 24—
Preconcert
Franz Schubert — Violin Sonata in A Major, D. 574
Andrew Wan, violin; Charles Richard-Hamelin, piano
Franz Schubert — Rondo in B Minor, D. 895
Andrew Wan, violin; Charles Richard-Hamelin, piano
Concert
Robert Schumann — Andante und Variationen, Op. 46 (WoO 10)
Charles Richard-Hamelin & Orion Weiss, pianos; Efe Baltacigil & Ani Aznavoorian, cellos; Jeffrey Fair, horn
Zoltán Kodály — Serenade, Op. 12 for Two Violins and Viola
James Ehnes & Andrew Wan, violins; Jonathan Vinocour, viola
Edvard Grieg — String Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 27
Simone Porter & Grace Park, violins; Blythe Teh Engstroem, viola; Julie Albers, cello
—FRIDAY, JANUARY 29—
Preconcert
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — String Quartet No. 18 in A Major, K. 464
James Ehnes & Amy Schwartz Moretti, violins; Che-Yen Chen, viola; Edward Arron, cello
Concert
Sergei Prokofiev — Cello Sonata in C Major, Op. 119
Luka Coetzee, cello; Jeewon Park, piano
Robert Schumann — String Quartet No. 3 in A Major, Op. 41, No. 3
James Ehnes & Amy Schwartz Moretti, violins; Che-Yen Chen, viola; Edward Arron, cello
Antonín Dvorák — Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 81, B. 155
Tom Borrow, piano; Josef Špacek & Erin Keefe, violins; Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, viola; Bion Tsang, cello
—SATURDAY, JANUARY 30—
Preconcert
Frédéric Chopin — Nocturne, Op. 15, No. 1 in F Major
Tom Borrow, piano
Frédéric Chopin — Nocturne, Op. 15, No. 2 in F-sharp Major
Tom Borrow, piano
Franz Liszt — Réminiscences de Don Juan, S. 418
Tom Borrow, piano
Concert
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478
Tom Borrow, piano; Erin Keefe, violin; Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, viola; Bion Tsang, cello
Robert Schumann — String Quartet No. 2 in F Major, Op. 41, No. 2
James Ehnes & Amy Schwartz Moretti, violins; Che-Yen Chen, viola; Edward Arron, cello
Dmitri Shostakovich — Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67
Jeewon Park, piano; Josef Špacek, violin; Luka Coetzee, cello
—SUNDAY, JANUARY 31—
Preconcert
Robert Schumann — Fantasie in C, Op. 17
Jeewon Park, piano
Concert
Claude Debussy — Petite Suite, L. 65
Tom Borrow & Jeewon Park, pianos
Alexander Borodin — String Quintet in F minor
Erin Keefe & Josef Špacek, violins; Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, viola; Bion Tsang & Luka Coetzee, cellos
Maurice Ravel — Ma mère l’Oye
Jeewon Park & Tom Borrow, pianos
Robert Schumann — String Quartet No. 1 in A minor, Op. 41, No. 1
James Ehnes & Amy Schwartz Moretti, violins; Che-Yen Chen, viola; Edward Arron, cello
About Seattle Chamber Music Society
The mission of Seattle Chamber Music Society is to cultivate a deep appreciation for chamber music by presenting exceptional performances in welcoming and accessible formats. Through education, community engagement, and a commitment to excellence, SCMS seeks to position chamber music as a central cultural force, both locally and globally, while ensuring its enduring relevance and sustainability.
Each year, SCMS presents a Winter Festival in January and a Summer Festival in July, bringing the world’s finest classical musicians to the stage. These intimate chamber music performances captivate both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers alike. In addition to its renowned festivals, SCMS offers an expanded year-round lineup, including the new Signature Series, Crescendo Concerts in Seattle’s most stunning homes, and Concerts at the Center for Chamber Music, providing unparalleled access to extraordinary musical experiences.
SCMS also enriches the community through dynamic engagement programs designed for audiences of all ages. From inspiring young learners in elementary schools to enriching lives in retirement communities, and from performances in hospitals and parks to concerts on wheels, SCMS remains steadfast in its mission to bring world-class chamber music to every corner of our community. seattlechambermusic.org
Festival Highlights Include Performance of All Three Robert Schumann String Quartets
The Seattle Chamber Music Society (SCMS) announces the programming for its 2027 Winter Festival, running January 22-31 at Nordstrom Recital Hall. Over the course of six concerts, a stellar lineup of internationally renowned musicians will perform six works by Robert Schumann, including his three string quartets in one weekend, alongside magnificent chamber music by composers including Bach, Borodin, Grieg, Kodály, Mozart, Schubert, Suk, and Tchaikovsky. The Festival is programmed by violinist James Ehnes, SCMS’s Gilbert Omenn and Martha Darling Artistic Director.
Musicians joining Ehnes at the 2027 SCMS Winter Festival include pianists Charles Richard-Hamelin and Tom Borrow, and violinists Erin Keefe and Josef Špacek. A full list of artists follows.
“Through our Winter Festival each year, we are able to gather with esteemed colleagues from around the world and explore fascinating musical themes. This January, we have a particular focus on Schumann. At the heart of this is his gift for creating musical characters and scenes. Even in his works without a specific narrative, there is often a sense of portraiture – people, places and personalities coming vividly to life. We carry that idea throughout the Festival, from Schumann and Grieg to Kodály, Debussy and Ravel. Older works by Bach and Mozart are part of this line. They give us a language that continues to inspire composers and performers to create music that is deeply human and evocative.” says Ehnes.
Two programmed works, Joseph Suk’s Piano Quintet in G minor, Op. 8 (January 23) and Alexander Borodin’s String Quintet in F minor (January 31), honor the legacy of SCMS founder Toby Saks. Saks was a passionate champion of lesser-known music of the Romantic era, and for Ehnes both pieces hold a special association with her.
Each concert features a free pre-concert program an hour before the concert; on the January 23 pre-concert show, musicians of SCMS Academy for Chamber Music will perform. Through SCMS Virtual Concert Hall, fans of chamber music worldwide may watch the concert live, stream it in the 24-hour period following the performance, or access the concerts within a 30-day period beginning two weeks after the concert date. Produced by Simon Kiln, the Virtual Concert Hall captures concerts from high-definition camera angles and takes audiences behind the scenes with introductions from the artists and live intermission interviews.
Through its Winter Festival, five-week Summer Festival, and seven-concert Signature Series, SCMS makes chamber music a vital part of Seattle’s cultural life while helping establish the city as a premier destination for the art form. SCMS is also extending its reach beyond the concert hall through The Concert Truck®, a traveling music venue acquired last season that brings chamber music to communities across the country, and the Balourdet Quartet, SCMS’s first String Quartet in Residence, which has returned for a second season of performances and community engagement across King County.
This past spring, SCMS launched the SCMS Record label, further expanding the audience for performances with digital, streaming and physical format releases. The label’s third release, Franck Quintet and Enescu Octet, arrives October 2, following Brahms Violin Sonatas and Dvorák String Quintets earlier this year. SCMS also recently announced plans for a new Center for Chamber Music in downtown Seattle. The first permanent Seattle venue purpose-built specifically for chamber music, the Center will create a new home for performance, education, recording, and community engagement.
SCMS Winter Festival program details follow. Discounted season subscriptions are on sale now here; single tickets go on sale October 27. Visit seattlechambermusic.org.
Seattle Chamber Music Society: 2027 Winter Festival
January 22–31
Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall
Musicians: Julie Albers, Edward Arron, Ani Aznavoorian, Efe Baltacigil, Luka Coetzee, and Bion Tsang (cello); Jeffrey Fair (horn); Tom Borrow, Charles Richard-Hamelin, Jeewon Park, and Orion Weiss (piano); James Ehnes, Erin Keefe, Amy Schwartz Moretti, Grace Park, Simone Porter, Josef Špacek, and Andrew Wan (violin), Che-Yen Chen, Blythe Teh Engstroem, Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, and Jonathan Vinocour (viola).
The 2027 Winter Festival marks SCMS debuts for pianist Tom Borrow, violist Blythe Teh Engstroem, and violinist Josef Špacek.
—FRIDAY, JANUARY 22—
Preconcert
Frédéric Chopin — Nocturne in A-flat Major, Op. 32, No. 2
Charles Richard-Hamelin, piano
Robert Schumann — Carnaval, Op. 9
Charles Richard-Hamelin, piano
Concert
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — Piano Trio in E Major, K. 542
Charles Richard-Hamelin, piano; Grace Park, violin; Julie Albers, cello
Igor Stravinsky — Duo Concertant
Simone Porter, violin; Orion Weiss, piano
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky — String Sextet in D minor, Op. 70, “Souvenir de Florence”
James Ehnes & Andrew Wan, violins; Jonathan Vinocour & Blythe Teh Engstroem, violas; Ani Aznavoorian & Efe Baltacigil, cellos
—SATURDAY, JANUARY 23—
Preconcert
Musicians of the SCMS Academy for Chamber Music
Concert
Johann Sebastian Bach — Sonata No. 1 for Viola da Gamba in G Major, BWV 1027
Julie Albers, cello; Charles Richard-Hamelin, piano
Dmitri Shostakovich — String Quartet No. 10 in A-flat Major, Op. 118
Andrew Wan & Simone Porter, violins; Jonathan Vinocour, viola; Efe Baltacigil, cello
Josef Suk — Piano Quintet in G minor, Op. 8
Orion Weiss, piano; James Ehnes & Grace Park, violins; Blythe Teh Engstroem, viola; Ani Aznavoorian, cello
—SUNDAY, JANUARY 24—
Preconcert
Franz Schubert — Violin Sonata in A Major, D. 574
Andrew Wan, violin; Charles Richard-Hamelin, piano
Franz Schubert — Rondo in B Minor, D. 895
Andrew Wan, violin; Charles Richard-Hamelin, piano
Concert
Robert Schumann — Andante und Variationen, Op. 46 (WoO 10)
Charles Richard-Hamelin & Orion Weiss, pianos; Efe Baltacigil & Ani Aznavoorian, cellos; Jeffrey Fair, horn
Zoltán Kodály — Serenade, Op. 12 for Two Violins and Viola
James Ehnes & Andrew Wan, violins; Jonathan Vinocour, viola
Edvard Grieg — String Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 27
Simone Porter & Grace Park, violins; Blythe Teh Engstroem, viola; Julie Albers, cello
—FRIDAY, JANUARY 29—
Preconcert
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — String Quartet No. 18 in A Major, K. 464
James Ehnes & Amy Schwartz Moretti, violins; Che-Yen Chen, viola; Edward Arron, cello
Concert
Sergei Prokofiev — Cello Sonata in C Major, Op. 119
Luka Coetzee, cello; Jeewon Park, piano
Robert Schumann — String Quartet No. 3 in A Major, Op. 41, No. 3
James Ehnes & Amy Schwartz Moretti, violins; Che-Yen Chen, viola; Edward Arron, cello
Antonín Dvorák — Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 81, B. 155
Tom Borrow, piano; Josef Špacek & Erin Keefe, violins; Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, viola; Bion Tsang, cello
—SATURDAY, JANUARY 30—
Preconcert
Frédéric Chopin — Nocturne, Op. 15, No. 1 in F Major
Tom Borrow, piano
Frédéric Chopin — Nocturne, Op. 15, No. 2 in F-sharp Major
Tom Borrow, piano
Franz Liszt — Réminiscences de Don Juan, S. 418
Tom Borrow, piano
Concert
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478
Tom Borrow, piano; Erin Keefe, violin; Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, viola; Bion Tsang, cello
Robert Schumann — String Quartet No. 2 in F Major, Op. 41, No. 2
James Ehnes & Amy Schwartz Moretti, violins; Che-Yen Chen, viola; Edward Arron, cello
Dmitri Shostakovich — Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67
Jeewon Park, piano; Josef Špacek, violin; Luka Coetzee, cello
—SUNDAY, JANUARY 31—
Preconcert
Robert Schumann — Fantasie in C, Op. 17
Jeewon Park, piano
Concert
Claude Debussy — Petite Suite, L. 65
Tom Borrow & Jeewon Park, pianos
Alexander Borodin — String Quintet in F minor
Erin Keefe & Josef Špacek, violins; Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, viola; Bion Tsang & Luka Coetzee, cellos
Maurice Ravel — Ma mère l’Oye
Jeewon Park & Tom Borrow, pianos
Robert Schumann — String Quartet No. 1 in A minor, Op. 41, No. 1
James Ehnes & Amy Schwartz Moretti, violins; Che-Yen Chen, viola; Edward Arron, cello
About Seattle Chamber Music Society
The mission of Seattle Chamber Music Society is to cultivate a deep appreciation for chamber music by presenting exceptional performances in welcoming and accessible formats. Through education, community engagement, and a commitment to excellence, SCMS seeks to position chamber music as a central cultural force, both locally and globally, while ensuring its enduring relevance and sustainability.
Each year, SCMS presents a Winter Festival in January and a Summer Festival in July, bringing the world’s finest classical musicians to the stage. These intimate chamber music performances captivate both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers alike. In addition to its renowned festivals, SCMS offers an expanded year-round lineup, including the new Signature Series, Crescendo Concerts in Seattle’s most stunning homes, and Concerts at the Center for Chamber Music, providing unparalleled access to extraordinary musical experiences.
SCMS also enriches the community through dynamic engagement programs designed for audiences of all ages. From inspiring young learners in elementary schools to enriching lives in retirement communities, and from performances in hospitals and parks to concerts on wheels, SCMS remains steadfast in its mission to bring world-class chamber music to every corner of our community. seattlechambermusic.org
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