The Clickable Chamber Music Newsletter from Southern California
No.1057 - Friday, May 16, 2025 - Sunday, June 1, 2025
Next issue: Friday, May 30, 2025
The latest issue is always posted on the website of Classical Crossroads:
http://www.palosverdes.com/ClassicalCrossroads/CCMN.html
The Clickable Chamber Music Newsletter only includes announcements for recommended concerts with a
streaming option. If you’re not already a subscriber, subscribe (it’s free) and have the newsletter delivered
via Mailchimp to your email inbox by clicking:
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“ . . . live-streamed events have generated moments of startling power. . . . One could instead sample archived
professional-quality videos that opera houses, orchestras, and other organizations have placed online. For me,
though, the live or freshly recorded happenings matter more. They document, with the oblique power that the arts
possess, an extraordinary human phase in history. Their mere existence is bracing. . . .” ~ Alex Ross, The New
Yorker
A condensed version of the Clickable Chamber Music Newsletter is now available on Substack. It has a
link to the entire online version hosted by Mailchimp. Subscribe and have the condensed version delivered
free to your inbox, or view it online here:
https://jimeninger.substack.com/
For a comprehensive listing of all chamber music concerts in Southern California — live-audience and
streamed — visit Mike Napoli’s website, PerformingArtsLIVE.com. (Performing artists and concert
presenters: Upload your concert announcements.)
http://bit.ly/PerformingArtsLIVE-ChamberMusic
In This Issue
****************************************
Table of Contents
Quickly Scan the Newsletter Contents in This Section
Scroll down to the body of the newsletter for complete information
including performers’ bios and concert programs
I. Highlights and Hidden Gems
Select Live-Audience & Streamed Concerts
1. Reprise of Classical Crossroads’ May 2025
“Classical Interludes” Concert
Winner of the 2025 Peninsula Symphony
Edith Knox Performance Competition
Cellist Yul Yang
~ with ~
Pianist Inyoung Huh
Recorded at & livestreamed from
First Lutheran Church and School in Torrance CA
on Saturday, May 3, 2025
Live-Audience & Simultaneously Livestreamed
Click the link below to reprise the livestream
on Classical Crossroads’ Vimeo Showcase.
(Select 1 of 2 videos from the drop-down menu in the upper left.)
https://vimeo.com/showcase/classicalcrossroads
Alternatively, link directly to the video by clicking:
https://vimeo.com/1081388605
2. Reprise of Classical Crossroads’ May 2025
“Second Sundays at Two” Concert
Acclaimed Canadian Pianists
from the USC Thornton School Faculty Duo Pianists
Bernadene Blaha & Kevin Fitz-Gerald
Recorded at and livestreamed from
Rolling Hills United Methodist Church
in Rolling Hills Estates CA
on Sunday, May 11, 2025
Live-Audience & Simultaneously Livestreamed
Click the link below to reprise the livestream
on Classical Crossroads’ Vimeo Showcase.
(Select 1 of 2 videos from the drop-down menu in the upper left.)
https://vimeo.com/showcase/classicalcrossroads
Alternatively, link directly to the video by clicking:
https://vimeo.com/1083724148
3. London’s Wigmore Hall Livestreamed Concerts
Wigmore Hall - London, UK
Friday, May 16, 2025 - 9:15 AM ~ 3:45 PM London (in-person)
The livestream starts at 9:15 AM London - 1:15 AM Pacific
CAVATINA Intercollegiate Chamber Music Competition
Eight string quartets from leading UK Conservatoires
compete for First, Second, and Audience Prizes playing
Beethoven’s Quartet No.7 in F Major, Op.59 No.1
https://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/whats-on/202505160915
Sunday, May 18, 2025 - 7:30 PM London (in-person)
The livestream starts at 7:30 PM London - 11:30 AM Pacific
Roman Rabinovich piano
https://www.romanrabinovich.net/#bio
The Program
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750):
Goldberg Variations, BWV988
https://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/whats-on/202505181930
Saturday, May 24, 2025 - 7:30 PM London (in-person)
The livestream starts at 8:00 PM London - 12:00 PM Pacific
Benjamin Grosvenor piano
https://www.benjamingrosvenor.co.uk/
The Program
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): Three Intermezzos, Op.117
Robert Schumann (1810-1856): Fantasie in C Major, Op.17
Modest Musorgsky (1839-1881): Pictures from an Exhibition
https://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/whats-on/202505241930
Live-Audience & Simultaneously Livestreamed
In-Person: £18 - £40 - Free to Livestream
4. First Congregational Church of Los Angeles
Organ Prelude Concert
UCLA Professor & First Church Organist Christoph Bull
on the Great Organs of First Congregational Church of Los Angeles
Every Sunday - 10:30-11:00 AM Pacific - Free
Live-Audience & Simultaneously Livestreamed
Available afterward to stream-on-demand at the link below.
https://www.fccla.org/live
5. Great Music at St. James
Classical Sundays at Six
Sunday, May 18, 2025 - 6:00 PM Pacific
The Magnificent Seven Ensemble
Phillip Levy violin, Nicolas Valencia viola,
John Walz cello, Edward Meares bass,
Michele Zukovsky clarinet, Judith Farmer bassoon,
Amy Jo Rhine horn
St. James’ In-The-City Episcopal Church
Wilshire Blvd (near Western) - Los Angeles CA
The Program
Beethoven: Septet in E-flat Major, Op.20
Live-Audience & Simultaneously Livestreamed
https://youtu.be/SiKUSvw2UCs
6. Music at St Mary’s Perivale
St Mary’s Perivale - West London UK
Jim’s Picks of Two Recent Gems at St Mary’s Perivale
Livestreamed Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Gabriele Sutkute piano
Selections by Rameau; Scriabin, Janácek, Schubert / Liszt,
and Rachmaninoff
https://st-marys-perivale.org.uk/events-2025-05-06.shtml
Watch now:
https://youtu.be/UzZ4GIayqAM?t=1021
Livestreamed Thursday, May 8, 2025
Nikita Lukinov piano
Selections by J.S. Bach, Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky,
and Debussy
https://st-marys-perivale.org.uk/events-2025-05-08.shtml
Watch now:
https://youtu.be/tMxBpbyHoYA?t=1080
Upcoming Concerts
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 - 2:00 PM London - 6:00 AM Pacific
Cristian Sandrin piano
Three Beethoven Piano Sonatas
https://st-marys-perivale.org.uk/events-2025-05-20.shtml
Thursday, May 22, 2025 - 2:00 PM London - 6:00 AM Pacific
Eva Zavaro violin, Simone Tavoni piano
Selections by Szymanowski, Eva Zavaro, Mendelssohn, and Franck
https://st-marys-perivale.org.uk/events-2025-05-22.shtml
Sunday, May 25, 2025 - 3:00 PM London - 7:00 AM Pacific
The Cygnus Trio
Javier Montañana violin, Hannah Lewis cello,
Cesar Saura piano
Turina: Piano Trio in B Minor
Beethoven: Piano Trio in B-flat Major, Op.97, “Archduke”
https://st-marys-perivale.org.uk/events-2025-05-25.shtml
Tuesday, May 27, 2025 - 2:00 PM London - 6:00 AM Pacific
Michal Szymanowski piano
Selections by Chopin, Rózycki, and Liszt
https://st-marys-perivale.org.uk/events-2025-05-27.shtml
Thursday, May 29, 2025 - 2:00 PM London - 6:00 AM Pacific
The Ineza Jazz Quartet
Ineza vocals, Alex Webb piano, Flo Moore bass,
Katie Patterson drums
https://st-marys-perivale.org.uk/events-2025-05-29.shtml
Sunday, June 1, 2025 - 3:00 PM London - 7:00 AM Pacific
Michael Petrov cello, Rosie Richardson piano
J.S. Bach: Sonata in G Minor BWV1029
Chopin: Sonata in G Minor, Op.65
https://st-marys-perivale.org.uk/events-2025-06-01.shtml
Live-Audience & Simultaneously Livestreamed
Find the links to the upcoming and past livestreamed concerts by clicking:
https://www.youtube.com/@stmarysperivale2842/streams
7. The Juilliard School
The Deans’ Commencement Chamber Music Recital
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 - 7:30 PM ET - 4:30 PM Pacific
Paul Hall - The Juilliard School - New York NY
Live-Audience & Simultaneously Livestreamed
In-Person: Free - Livestream: Free
For concert information and to watch the livestream, at concert time, click:
https://bit.ly/Juilliard-DeansCommencementRecital
8. Philadelphia Chamber Music Society presents
Hye-Jin Kim violin, Peter Stumpf cello, Cynthia Raim piano
Thursday, May 22, 2025 - 7:30 PM ET - 4:30 PM Pacific
American Philosophical Society - Benjamin Franklin Hall
The Program
Selections by Ravel (1875-1937)
Live-Audience & Simultaneously Livestreamed
In-person tickets: $30
Livestream: offered on a pay-what-you-wish basis
https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/kim-stumpf-raim/
9. UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music presents - Free
David L. Abell Piano Masters Series
Featuring Corey Hamm
Thursday, May 22, 2025 - 6:00 PM Pacific
Lani Hall - Schoenberg Music Building - UCLA
The Program
Frederic Rzewski (1938-2021):
The People United Will Never Be Defeated (1975)
(Sections)
Live-Audience & Simultaneously Livestreamed
(The livestream is available only during the concert.)
https://bit.ly/UCLA-CoreyHamm
II. Reviews and Other Items of High Interest
on the Southland Chamber Music Scene
A. Music critic Barbara Glazer’s review on LA Opus
“USC Chamber Virtuosi Shine at April’s ‘Second Sunday’”
at Rolling Hills United Methodist Church
https://bit.ly/LAOpus-BarbaraGlazer002
B. Music critic Truman C. Wang’s review on Classical Voice
“An Inspiring Sunday Afternoon in OC
with Mutter-Ferrández-Bronfman Piano Trio”
https://bit.ly/ClassicalVoice-TrumanWang007
C. 2025-2026 Beverly Hills National Auditions Winners Announced
See the winners by clicking:
https://c-cmp-socal.org/beverly-hills-national-auditions-winners/
D. Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition Winners Announced
https://bit.ly/FischoffCopetition-2025Winners
Grand Prize Winner ($15,000)
Katarina String Quartet – The Julliard School
Watch the Katarina String Quartet’s final-round performance
Joseph Haydn: String Quartet in C Major, Op.50 No.2, Hob.III (1787)
I. Vivace
Vivian Fung: String Quartet No.3 (2013)
Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet No.8 in E Minor, Op. 59 No.2 (1806)
IV. Finale: Presto
https://youtu.be/QrNkM-jf_ZY?t=4219
E. Music Critic Mark Swed writes in the Los Angeles Times
“Is there a Los Angeles musical style?”
In front of the paywall on Newsbreak:
https://bit.ly/LATimes-MarkSwed010
Newsletter Begins
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Greetings, Chamber Music Aficionados
I. Highlights and Hidden Gems
Select Live-Audience & Streamed Concerts
for Chamber Music Aficionados
1. Reprise of Classical Crossroads’ May 2025
“Classical Interludes” Concert
Winner of the 2025 Peninsula Symphony
Edith Knox Performance Competition
Cellist Yul Yang
~ with ~
Pianist Inyoung Huh
Recorded at & livestreamed from
First Lutheran Church and School in Torrance CA
on Saturday, May 3, 2025
The Program
Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849):
Introduction & Polonaise Brillante in C Major, Op.3
(1829/1830)
Quentin Kim (b.1976):
Hanobæknyôn Variations in F Minor (2013)
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827):
Cello Sonata No.4 in C Major, Op.102 No.1 (1815)
2. Adagio-Tempo d'andante-Allegro vivace
Reena Esmail (b.1983): Varsha, for solo cello (2019)
Gregor Piatigorsky (1903-1976):
Variations on a Theme of Paganini
Variation 1 (Pablo Casals)
Variation 2 (Paul Hindemith)
Variation 3 (Raya Garbousova)
Variation 5 (Felix Salmond)
Variation 6 (Joseph Szigeti)
Variation 7 (Yehudi Menuhin)
Variation 9 (Fritz Kreisler)
Variation 13 (Ennio Bolognini)
Variation 14 (Jascha Heifetz)
Tempo di Marcia (Vladimir Horowitz)
Program Notes
Chopin wrote this polonaise in October 1829 while visiting Prince Antoni Radziwill, governor of the
Principality of Poznan and an amateur cellist. The piece may have been intended as a practice piece for
him and his pianist daughter, Wanda. Chopin added the introduction in April 1830.
While Chopin's rare excursion into chamber music (but always with piano) dates from early in his career,
in contrast, the last two of Beethoven's five cello sonatas, of which today we hear the second and final
movement of the penultimate sonata, are generally regarded as the start of his visionary "third period" of composition.
Both 21st-century pieces in today's program have historical roots. "Hanobæknyôn" means "about five
hundred years" in Korean, and the traditional melody upon which Quentin Kim based his set of variations
laments the fate of the Old Koryo dynasty (918-1392) "that could not last five hundred years."
The American-Indian Reena Esmail found her stimulus closer in time. One of seven composers
commissioned by Juilliard415 (the school's primary period-instrument ensemble) to write interludes to the
movements of Haydn's Seven Last Words of Christ, Hob.XX, she composed Varsha to be played between
Sonata V (Sitio—“I Thirst") and Sonata VI (Consummatum Est—"It is finished").
The great Russian-born cellist Gregor Piatigorsky also composed throughout his life and wrote his
Variations on a Theme of Paganini (yes, that theme!) in tribute to and encapsulating the musical
characteristics of 14 of his most illustrious contemporaries (and slotting himself in at 10th place). Today,
we hear 10 of those portraits.
The Artists
Emerson (Yul) Yang is a junior at Northwood High School in Irvine, California, and an accomplished
cellist recognized in national and international competitions. He was one of six American semi-finalists in
The XI International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians (2022) and, besides the Edith Knox
Performance Competition (2025), has won top prizes in competitions such as the Grand Virtuoso
International Music Competition (2021), and South Coast Symphony Young Stars of the Future (2023). A
dedicated performer, he has been featured in the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra (2022–2024) and the
California All-State Orchestra (2023, 2024). He was featured on From the Top Daily Joy (April 2025, Earth Day).
Yul has studied at the Musique Chambre en Normandie Académie Musicale in Vernon, Normandie, under
Michel Strauss and Jan-Ype Nota. He is currently studying cello with Sarah Koo Freeman. Outside of
music, he is a competitive swimmer and a Kendo 1st-kyu holder.
Inyoung Huh made her debut as a soloist at age sixteen with the Korean Youth Symphony Orchestra. As
one of the youngest pianists to win First Prize at the Joong Ang Daily Music Competition, the most
prestigious competition in Korea, she received immediate recognition as a promising young artist. She
continued to receive many prizes and awards, including First Prize at the Corpus Christi Young Artists
International Competition and First Place at the USC Concerto Competition. Ms. Huh has appeared as a
soloist with the Pacific Symphony Orchestra and the USC Thornton Symphony Orchestra. She received
her Bachelor of Music degree from Seoul National University, her Master of Music degree from the New
England Conservatory, and her Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from USC. Read about
Inyoung Huh by clicking:
http://noontimeconcerts.org/musicians/in-young-huh-piano/
For concert series information and online donations, click:
https://palosverdes.com/ClassicalCrossroads/ClassicalInterludes.htm
Live-Audience & Simultaneously Livestreamed
Click the link below to reprise the livestream on Classical Crossroads' Vimeo Showcase. (Select 1 of 2
videos from the drop-down menu in the upper left.)
https://vimeo.com/showcase/classicalcrossroads
Alternatively, link directly to the video by clicking:
https://vimeo.com/1081388605
2. Reprise of Classical Crossroads’ May 2025
“Second Sundays at Two” Concert
Acclaimed Canadian Pianists
from the USC Thornton School Faculty Duo Pianists
Bernadene Blaha & Kevin Fitz-Gerald
Recorded at and livestreamed from
Rolling Hills United Methodist Church
in Rolling Hills Estates CA
on Sunday, May 11, 2025
The Program
Franz Schubert (1797-1828):
Fantasie in F Minor, D940, Op.103 (1828)
I. Allegro molto moderato
II. Largo
III. Allegro vivace
IV. Tempo I
Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943): Six Morceaux (1894)
I. Barcarolle. Moderato
II. Scherzo. Allegro
III. Thème russe. Andantino cantabile
IV. Tempo di Valse
V. Romance. Andante con anima
VI. Slava! (Glory). Allegro moderato
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921): Danse Macabre, Op.40 (1874)
The Artists
Canadian pianists Bernadene Blaha and Kevin Fitz-Gerald are much-loved treasures of the Southern
California music scene. Internationally recognized as gifted recitalists, concerto soloists, and chamber
musicians, they appear in leading concert series on world-renowned stages as soloists, collaborating
chamber music artists, and duo pianists. Their partnership in four-hand and two-piano repertoire arose
from an invitation to tour classical music for the Royal Viking Cruise line shortly after they were married in
1987. These excursions took them to China, Japan, Korea, Hawaii, and the Mediterranean and were so
successful that the artists expanded their repertoire to include all the major works for four hands and two
pianos. Based in Los Angeles, both pianists are faculty members at the University of Southern California’s
Thornton School of Music.
Read about the artists by clicking:
https://music.usc.edu/bernadene-blaha/
and
https://music.usc.edu/kevin-fitz-gerald/
Program Notes
Franz Schubert’s Fantasia in F Minor (1828)
Of all the masterpieces that Schubert produced in what Benjamin Britten called the “richest and most
productive 18 months in our music history,” this Fantasie is as profound as any and arguably the most
original. No “heavenly lengths” here: Schubert packs a huge range of texture, pace, and dynamic into its
19-minute span of four linked movements. In the first, an opening melody of haunting unearthliness is
repeatedly punctuated by an angrier mood, which entirely takes over when the music cadences into the
Largo, an outburst of fist-shaking but frustrated rage. The con delicatezza “trio” provides only passing
relief within the otherwise headlong “scherzo,” which is arrested by the opening theme’s spectral return.
After varied returns to the first movement turmoil, the work grinds to an end as uncompromisingly bleak as
any in music.
Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Six Morceaux (1894)
Rachmaninoff’s slender output of music for piano 4 hands seems to been relatively neglected compared
to his suites for two pianos — let alone his imposing catalog of solo works. Nonetheless, these youthful
pieces are delightfully varied and immediate, and by no means insubstantial, as you will hear. Anyone
familiar with Mussorgsky’s Boris Godunov will enjoy a jolt of recognition when they hear the last of them.
Camille Saint-Saëns’ Danse macabre, (1874)
Saint-Saëns’ eternally popular evocation of the dead conjured from their graves on Hallowe’en by Death’s
fiddle started life as an orchestral symphonic poem, but has had countless arrangements by the composer
and many others, including this version for piano 4 hands by Ernest Guiraud (1837-1892).
For concert series information and online donations, click:
http://www.palosverdes.com/ClassicalCrossroads/SecondSundays.htm
Live-Audience & Simultaneously Livestreamed
Click the link below to reprise the livestream on Classical Crossroads’ Vimeo Showcase. (Select 1 of 2
videos from the drop-down menu in the upper left.)
https://vimeo.com/showcase/classicalcrossroads
Alternatively, link directly to the video by clicking:
https://vimeo.com/1083724148
3. London’s Wigmore Hall Livestreamed Concerts
Wigmore Hall
36 Wigmore St, London, UK
https://goo.gl/maps/yWjtaiJfc3MCJk4m8
Friday, May 16, 2025 - 9:15 AM ~ 3:45 PM London (in-person)
The livestream starts at 9:15 AM London - 1:15 AM Pacific
CAVATINA Intercollegiate Chamber Music Competition
Eight string quartets from leading UK Conservatoires
compete for First, Second, and Audience Prizes playing
Beethoven’s Quartet No.7 in F Major, Op.59 No.1
09:15 AM Karelia String Quartet (Royal Academy of Music)
10:00 AM Kayu Quartet (Royal College of Music)
10:45 AM Tamesis Quartet (Guildhall School of Music)
11:45 AM Holtág Quartet (Trinity Laban)
12.30 PM LANO Quartet (Royal Birmingham Conservatoire)
01:15 PM Teplitz Quartet (Royal Welsh College of Music)
02:15 PM Heartwood Quartet (Royal Northern College of Music)
03:00 PM Waverley Quartet (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland)
https://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/whats-on/202505160915
Sunday, May 18, 2025 - 7:30 PM London (in-person)
The livestream starts at 7:30 PM London - 11:30 AM Pacific
Roman Rabinovich piano
Hailed by The New York Times for his “uncommon
sensitivity and feeling,” he is the winner of
the 12th Arthur Rubinstein International
Piano Master Competition.
https://www.romanrabinovich.net/#bio
The Program
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750):
Goldberg Variations, BWV988
https://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/whats-on/202505181930
Saturday, May 24, 2025 - 7:30 PM London (in-person)
The livestream starts at 8:00 PM London - 12:00 PM Pacific
Benjamin Grosvenor piano
The British pianist has an acclaimed international
career as a soloist and chamber musician.
https://www.benjamingrosvenor.co.uk/
The Program
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): Three Intermezzos, Op.117
Robert Schumann (1810-1856): Fantasie in C Major, Op.17
Modest Musorgsky (1839-1881): Pictures from an Exhibition
https://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/whats-on/202505241930
You’ll need a free account to stream video from Wigmore Hall. If you don’t yet have one, you’ll be directed
to create one when you attempt to stream.
Watch reprises of livestreams you’ve missed by clicking:
https://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/video-library
Find forthcoming livestreams by clicking:
https://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/forthcoming-live-streams
Live-Audience & Simultaneously Livestreamed
In-Person: £18 - £40
Free to Livestream
Find the links for in-person tickets and livestreaming at the links above. Available on-demand after the concert.
4. First Congregational Church of Los Angeles
Organ Prelude Concert
UCLA Professor & First Church Organist Christoph Bull
on the Great Organs of First Congregational Church
of Los Angeles
Every Sunday - 10:30-11:00 AM Pacific - Free
First Congregational Church of Los Angeles
540 S. Commonwealth Ave. (at Sixth St.), Los Angeles CA
For a Google map, click:
http://goo.gl/7g1N2f
The Organ Prelude Concert programs are posted a few days ahead in the Order of Worship. Check and
download by clicking:
https://www.fccla.org/live
Organist Christoph Bull’s free, half-hour, live-audience & live-streamed Prelude Concerts on Sunday
mornings, beginning at 10:30 AM on the Great Organs of First Church, are an inspiring way to start your
week of amazing musical offerings. Attend in person or stay tuned in for the live stream of the First Church
Sunday Service, featuring the superb professional chamber choir Laude and Cathedral Choir, directed by
David Harris, as well as the organ Postlude. Donations appreciated. Read about organist Christoph Bull
by clicking:
https://schoolofmusic.ucla.edu/people/christoph-bull/
Live-Audience & Simultaneously Livestreamed
Available afterward to stream-on-demand at the link below.
Click at concert time to watch the livestream and find the program:
https://www.fccla.org/live
5. Great Music at St. James
Classical Sundays at Six
Sunday, May 18, 2025 - 6:00 PM Pacific
The Magnificent Seven Ensemble
Phillip Levy violin, Nicolas Valencia viola,
John Walz cello, Edward Meares bass,
Michele Zukovsky clarinet, Judith Farmer bassoon,
Amy Jo Rhine horn
St. James’ In-The-City Episcopal Church
3903 Wilshire Blvd (near Western)
Los Angeles CA
For a Google map, click:
https://goo.gl/maps/8LVFMmdU65tsHA9a9
For parking directions, click:
https://stjla.org/parking/
The Program
Beethoven: Septet in E-flat Major, Op.20
“Classical Sundays at Six” and its predecessor, “Sundays Live,” at LACMA have been a mainstay of
Southern California’s classical music scene, primarily due to the dedication of its Artistic Director, Bill
Vestal. Dennis Bade’s incomparable broadcast commentary, beginning with an excerpt from Mozart’s
“Hunt” quartet, is as iconic to Southern California classical music lovers as the Hollywood sign. Bill writes
these nostalgic and sad words:
Dear Friends of Sundays Live and Classical Sundays at Six,
Sunday, May 18, marks the end of a musical era: the last concert under the auspices of Sundays
Live/Classical Sundays at Six, which is pausing as it searches for a new place in the musical life of Los
Angeles. The concert features Beethoven’s Septet in E-flat, Opus 20, performed by the “Magnificent
Seven” ensemble, veterans and dear friends of this series over the past 40 years. We hope you will join us
at 6:00 PM at St. James for the concert, followed by a short reception.
With my warmest regards,
Bill Vestal
Beginning in 1948 at Exposition Park and continuing at LACMA, Sundays Live has been presented at St.
James in-the-City as Classical Sundays at Six, part of the broader musical offerings of Great Music at
Saint James. It is Southern California’s oldest broadcast chamber music series under Bill Vestal’s
leadership as Artistic Director.
Live-Audience & Simultaneously Livestreamed
Available afterward to stream-on-demand at:
https://www.youtube.com/@GreatMusicLA
Free admission. At concert time, find the “Watch Live” link at the top of the concert series webpage by
clicking:
Live-Audience & Simultaneously Livestreamed
https://youtu.be/SiKUSvw2UCs
6. Music at St Mary’s Perivale
Chamber Music and Recitals
St Mary’s Perivale
Perivale Lane, Perivale, West London UK
For a Google map, click:
https://goo.gl/maps/KdaP2qduGyv8ccYV7
Jim’s Picks of a Recent Gems at St Mary’s Perivale
Livestreamed Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Gabriele Sutkute piano
Rameau: Three excerpts from
Suite in D Major (Pièces de Clavecin)
1. Les Tendres Plaintes (Rondeau)
5. La Follette (Rondeau)
4. La Joyeuse (Rondeau)
Scriabin: Piano Sonata No.2 in G-sharp Minor, Op.19
Andante / Presto
Janácek: Piano Sonata, 1.X.1905, “From the Street”
1. The Presentiment - Con moto
2. The Death (Smrt) - Adagio
Schubert / Liszt: Litanei Auf das Fest Aller Seelen, D343
(Litany for the Feast of All Souls)
Rachmaninoff: Four Etudes-Tableaux from Op.39
No.1 in C Minor - Allegro agitato
No.5 in E-flat Minor - Appassionato
No.8 in D Minor - Allegro moderato
No.9 in D Major - Tempo di marcia
https://st-marys-perivale.org.uk/events-2025-05-06.shtml
Watch now:
https://youtu.be/UzZ4GIayqAM?t=1021
Livestreamed Thursday, May 8, 2025
Nikita Lukinov piano
J.S. Bach: Prelude and Fugue in C-sharp Minor, WTC Book 1
Tchaikovsky: The Seasons - May and June
Mussorgsky: Night on a Bald Mountain
Debussy: Reflets dans l’eau from Images Book 1
Debussy: Ondine from Preludes Book 2
Babadjanian: Six Pictures for Piano
Mussorgsky: Ballet of Unhatched Chicks
from Pictures at an Exhibition
https://st-marys-perivale.org.uk/events-2025-05-08.shtml
Watch now:
https://youtu.be/tMxBpbyHoYA?t=1080
Upcoming Concerts
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 - 2:00 PM London - 6:00 AM Pacific
Cristian Sandrin piano
Beethoven: Piano Sonata in F Minor, Op.2 No.1
Beethoven: Piano Sonata in A Major, Op.2 No.2
Beethoven: Piano Sonata in C Major, Op.2 No.3
https://st-marys-perivale.org.uk/events-2025-05-20.shtml
Thursday, May 22, 2025 - 2:00 PM London - 6:00 AM Pacific
Eva Zavaro violin, Simone Tavoni piano
Szymanowski: Violin Sonata in D Minor, Op.9
Eva Zavaro: Spirale
Mendelssohn: Fantasia on “The last rose of summer,” Op.15
Franck: Violin Sonata in A Major
https://st-marys-perivale.org.uk/events-2025-05-22.shtml
Sunday, May 25, 2025 - 3:00 PM London - 7:00 AM Pacific
The Cygnus Trio
Javier Montañana violin, Hannah Lewis cello,
Cesar Saura piano
Turina: Piano Trio in B Minor
Beethoven: Piano Trio in B-flat Major, Op.97, “Archduke”
https://st-marys-perivale.org.uk/events-2025-05-25.shtml
Tuesday, May 27, 2025 - 2:00 PM London - 6:00 AM Pacific
Michal Szymanowski piano
Chopin: Nocturne in D-flat Major, Op.27 No.2
Chopin: Scherzo No.2 in B-flat Minor, Op.31
Chopin: Impromptu No.2 in F-sharp Major Op.36
Chopin: Polonaise in F-sharp Minor, Op.44
Chopin: Prelude in C-sharp Minor, Op.45
Chopin: Barcarolle in F-sharp Major, Op.60
Rózycki: Lagune, Op.36
Debussy: Two Preludes
La cathédrale engloutie
Minstrels
Liszt: Six Chants polonais de Frédéric Chopin, S480
1. The Maiden’s Wish
https://st-marys-perivale.org.uk/events-2025-05-27.shtml
Thursday, May 29, 2025 - 2:00 PM London - 6:00 AM Pacific
The Ineza Jazz Quartet
Ineza vocals, Alex Webb piano, Flo Moore bass,
Katie Patterson drums
https://st-marys-perivale.org.uk/events-2025-05-29.shtml
Sunday, June 1, 2025 - 3:00 PM London - 7:00 AM Pacific
Michael Petrov cello, Rosie Richardson piano
J.S. Bach: Sonata in G Minor BWV1029
Chopin: Sonata in G Minor, Op.65
https://st-marys-perivale.org.uk/events-2025-06-01.shtml
St Mary’s Perivale is a small church dating back to the 12th century, which was active until being declared
redundant in 1972. Since then, it has been operated by Friends of St Mary’s Perivale as a concert venue
and arts center. The UK and Europe’s classical artists typically appear in three in-person and livestreamed
concerts a week. Since 2006, the ancient venue has been transformed into a high-quality broadcasting
center. Explore and discover concert gems by clicking:
https://st-marys-perivale.org.uk/
Find upcoming artists and ensembles through March 2026 by clicking:
https://st-marys-perivale.org.uk/events-001.shtml
Live-Audience & Simultaneously Livestreamed
Available afterward to stream-on-demand
Find the links to the upcoming and past livestreamed concerts by clicking:
https://www.youtube.com/@stmarysperivale2842/streams
7. The Juilliard School
The Deans’ Commencement Chamber Music Recital
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 - 7:30 PM ET - 4:30 PM Pacific
Paul Hall
The Juilliard School
155 W. 65th St., New York, NY
https://maps.app.goo.gl/dq3RUQyRo1kTodzCA
The Deans’ Commencement Chamber Recitals celebrate the achievements of Juilliard’s chamber
music with a program spanning centuries, including works by current students and alumni composers.
Curated by Deans of Music and Chamber Music, David Serkin Ludwig and Merry Peckham, the recitals
highlight graduating students in a lively mix of complete short works and selected movements from longer ones.
The Program
Béla Bartók: Selection from String Quartet No.4 in C Major
Candide Quartet
Chili Ekman and Henry Rogers violins,
Amelia Krinke viola, Vanny Hu Cello
Coaches: Daniel Phillips and David Finckel
Elliott Carter: Woodwind Quintet
Phoebe Rawn flute, Peter Davies oboe,
Jonathan Decker clarinet, Michael Nunes horn,
Alexis Cerise bassoon
Coaches: Eric Reed and Kim Laskowski
Johannes Brahms: Selection from
String Quartet No.3 in B-flat Major, Op.67
Yiran Wang and Tien-Yin Lang violins,
William Sotiriou viola, Stacey Chung cello
Coach: Merry Peckham
Yuxuan LIN*: Of Drift and Pulse
Minwu Hu flute and Ziggy Johnston guitar
Leoš Janácek: Selection from
String Quartet No.2, “Intimate Letters”
Coco Mi and Sophia Werner violins,
Jeremy Klein viola, Camden Archambeau cello
Coaches: Joel Krosnick and Laurie Smukler
Anton Arensky: Selection from
Piano Trio No.1 in D Minor, Op.32
Dylan Hamme violin, Elisabeth Chang cello,
Jiahao Han piano
Coaches: Nadia Sirota and Orli Shaham
*Juilliard composition student
Note: A free subscription and account are required to stream concerts from Juilliard. If you haven’t already
subscribed, when you click the link below, you’ll see a webpage to subscribe and create an account. (If
you have subscribed, you’ll be taken to a page to browse archived concerts.) Subscribe by clicking:
https://www.juilliard.live/checkout/subscribe
Live-Audience & Simultaneously Livestreamed
(available only during the performance)
In-Person: Free - Livestream: Free
For concert information and to watch the livestream, at concert time, click:
https://bit.ly/Juilliard-DeansCommencementRecital
8. Philadelphia Chamber Music Society presents
Hye-Jin Kim violin, Peter Stumpf cello,
Cynthia Raim piano
Thursday, May 22, 2025 - 7:30 PM ET - 4:30 PM Pacific
American Philosophical Society
Benjamin Franklin Hall
427 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
For a Google map, click:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7iCzYkWv3TSkwDwj7
The Program
Ravel (1875-1937): Sonata for Violin and Cello
Ravel: Menuet sur le nom de Haydn
Ravel: Prelude in A Minor
Ravel: Vocalise-Étude en forme de Habanera
Ravel: Sonatine
Ravel: Piano Trio in A Minor
The mission of the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society is to engage its community in a life more
beautiful through the shared experience of chamber music.
Available to stream afterward at the PCMS YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@pcmsconcerts/streams
Live-Audience & Simultaneously Livestreamed
In-person tickets: $30
Livestream: offered on a pay-what-you-wish basis
For concert and artist information and to watch the livestream, click:
https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/kim-stumpf-raim/
9. UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music presents - Free
David L. Abell Piano Masters Series
Featuring Corey Hamm
Thursday, May 22, 2025 - 6:00 PM Pacific
Lani Hall, Schoenberg Music Building, UCLA
For directions and parking, click:
https://map.ucla.edu/?k=false&id=83901
The Program
Frederic Rzewski (1938-2021):
The People United Will Never Be Defeated (1975)
(Sections)
The People United Will Never Be Defeated is a set of 36 variations that received its world premiere by
Ursula Oppens in 1976 as part of the Bi-Centennial Piano Series at the John F. Kennedy Center for the
Performing Arts Concert Hall.
Canadian-based pianist Corey Hamm is known for his interpretation of Frederic Rzewski’s People United
Will Never Be Defeated. Read about Corey Hamm, Associate Professor of Piano at the University of
British Columbia, by clicking:
https://coreyhammpiano.com/biography/
The David L. Abell Piano Master Series features renowned artists visiting UCLA to perform and work with
the piano students.
Live-Audience & Simultaneously Livestreamed
(The livestream is available only during the concert.)
Free admission. For concert information and the livestream link, click:
https://bit.ly/UCLA-CoreyHamm
II. Reviews and Other Items of High Interest
on the Southland Chamber Music Scene
A. Music critic Barbara Glazer’s review on LA Opus
“USC Chamber Virtuosi Shine at April’s ‘Second Sunday’”
at Rolling Hills United Methodist Church
https://bit.ly/LAOpus-BarbaraGlazer002
Music critic Barbara Glazer concludes, “”Altogether this was a marvelous showcase for the talents of
these young musicians and a tribute to the exalted standards of their teachers and of USC Thornton . . .
Fortunately you don’t have to take my word for how good this recital was, as you can enjoy the whole thing
on Vimeo [click below], masterfully recorded by Classical Crossroads. Watching and rewatching, I felt as
totally engaged as if I were in the audience, each time finding new and deeper appreciation of a wonderful concert.”
https://vimeo.com/1075563912
B. Music critic Truman C. Wang’s review on Classical Voice
“An Inspiring Sunday Afternoon in OC with Mutter-Ferrández-Bronfman Piano Trio”
https://bit.ly/ClassicalVoice-TrumanWang007
C. 2025-2026 Beverly Hills National Auditions Winners Announced
Talented artists and ensembles selected in April at the Beverly Hills National Auditions will be presented in
2026 by the City of Beverly Hills as part of the Music In The Mansion series at the historic Greystone
Mansion, as well as receive engagement considerations from members of the Consortium of Chamber
Music Presenters of Southern California. See the winners by clicking:
https://c-cmp-socal.org/beverly-hills-national-auditions-winners/
D. Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition Winners Announced
https://bit.ly/FischoffCopetition-2025Winners
Grand Prize Winner ($15,000)
Katarina String Quartet – The Julliard School
Jeanel Liang and Jérôme Chiasson violins
Celia Morin viola, Maya Enstad cello
Watch the Katarina String Quartet’s final-round performance
Joseph Haydn: String Quartet in C Major, Op.50 No.2, Hob.III (1787)
I. Vivace
Vivian Fung: String Quartet No.3 (2013)
Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet No.8 in E Minor, Op. 59 No.2 (1806)
IV. Finale: Presto
https://youtu.be/QrNkM-jf_ZY?t=4219
E. Music Critic Mark Swed writes in the Los Angeles Times
“Is there a Los Angeles musical style?”
In front of the paywall on Newsbreak:
https://bit.ly/LATimes-MarkSwed010
Best wishes and take care,
Jim Eninger, Editor-in-Chief
Clickable Chamber Music Newsletter from Southern California
“... invaluable ...” ~ Mark Swed, The Los Angeles Times