Concerts & Tickets

Born of Korean parents, American violinist, Jennifer Koh, began playing the violin by chance, choosing the instrument in a Suzuki-method program only because spaces for cello and piano had been filled. She made her debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at age 11 and went on to win the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, the Concert Artists Guild Competition, and an Avery Fisher Career Grant all when she was only 18 years old. She is recognized for her intense, commanding performances, delivered with dazzling virtuosity and technical assurance.

For this recital, she will be joined by internationally recognized Israeli pianist Shai Wosner,  both making their debuts on this series. The New York Times declared that “Mr. Wosner’s singing tone and expressive musicality complemented Ms. Koh’s insightful, richly hued playing,” and The San Jose Mercury News raved of a recent concert that “Koh's impetuous, bright-toned phrasing was attractively set against Wosner's flowing, articulate pianism.”

Avi Avital is an Israeli mandolinist, composer, and performer best known for his renditions of well-known Baroque and folk music, much of which was originally written for other instruments. Acknowledged by The New York Times for his "exquisitely sensitive playing" and “stunning agility,” Avi Avital is the first mandolin player to receive a GRAMMY nomination in the category “Best Instrumental Soloist.” After a wildly successful performance with Schubert Club Mix in 2016, we are delighted to welcome him back to hear another side of his playing.

Sérgio and Odair Assad are Brazilian-born brothers who have taken the classical guitar world by storm. Their exceptional artistry and uncanny ensemble playing come from both a family rich in Brazilian musical tradition and from studies with the guitar/lutenist Monina Távora (1921-2011), a disciple of Andrés Segovia. In addition to setting new performance standards, the Assads have played a major role in creating and introducing new music for two guitars. Their virtuosity has inspired a wide range of composers to write for them including Astor Piazzolla, Terry Riley, Radamés Gnattali, Marlos Nobre, and many others. The Assads last performed on our Music in the Park Series to a sold-out audience in May 2015. Hearing the musical talents of all three musicians together, all making their debuts on this series, will be a magical event.

Avi Avital is an Israeli mandolinist, composer, and performer best known for his renditions of well-known Baroque and folk music, much of which was originally written for other instruments. Acknowledged by The New York Times for his "exquisitely sensitive playing" and “stunning agility,” Avi Avital is the first mandolin player to receive a GRAMMY nomination in the category “Best Instrumental Soloist.” After a wildly successful performance with Schubert Club Mix in 2016, we are delighted to welcome him back to hear another side of his playing.

Sérgio and Odair Assad are Brazilian-born brothers who have taken the classical guitar world by storm. Their exceptional artistry and uncanny ensemble playing come from both a family rich in Brazilian musical tradition and from studies with the guitar/lutenist Monina Távora (1921-2011), a disciple of Andrés Segovia. In addition to setting new performance standards, the Assads have played a major role in creating and introducing new music for two guitars. Their virtuosity has inspired a wide range of composers to write for them including Astor Piazzolla, Terry Riley, Radamés Gnattali, Marlos Nobre, and many others. The Assads last performed on our Music in the Park Series to a sold-out audience in May 2015. Hearing the musical talents of all three musicians together, all making their debuts on this series, will be a magical event.

This International Artist Series concert will feature vocalists Eric Owens and Clara Osowski in an all-Schubert program in the Ordway Concert Hall. Bass-baritone Eric Owens is loved for his rich, velvety voice and is a regular at major opera companies like the Metropolitan Opera and Lyric Opera Chicago. Clara Osowski, recent winner of the Richard Tauber Prize for the best interpretation of Schubert Lieder at London’s 2017 Wigmore Hall Song Competition, is a much-loved mezzo-soprano based in the Twin Cities. In addition to her recent success in London, she placed second at Thomas Quasthoff’s International Das Lied Competition in Heidelberg, Germany in 2016. 

This International Artist Series concert will feature vocalists Eric Owens and Clara Osowski in an all-Schubert program in the Ordway Concert Hall. Bass-baritone Eric Owens is loved for his rich, velvety voice and is a regular at major opera companies like the Metropolitan Opera and Lyric Opera Chicago. Clara Osowski, recent winner of the Richard Tauber Prize for the best interpretation of Schubert Lieder at London’s 2017 Wigmore Hall Song Competition, is a much-loved mezzo-soprano based in the Twin Cities. In addition to her recent success in London, she placed second at Thomas Quasthoff’s International Das Lied Competition in Heidelberg, Germany in 2016. 

Despite a flourishing international career that includes performances at such legendary venues as Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, London's Royal Festival Hall and the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in his native Paris, pianist Alexandre Tharaud only played in the U.S. for the first time in January 2015. Clearly, it was well worth the wait. NY Times critic Vivien Schweitzer hailed his debut performance at Carnegie Hall as full of both “articulation and wild exuberance.” As the son of a dance teacher at the Opéra de Paris and the grandson of a violinist, it should come as no surprise that Tharaud’s technical expertise, his “range of touch and colour, and his sheer enthusiasm, shine through every jewel-like piece” (The Guardian.) What is a bit strange, perhaps, is that Tharaud refuses to keep a piano at his own residence for fear that he will come to prefer improvisation and experimentation to rigorous practice. All the better for his audiences who continually delight in his "crisply articulated and vividly etched” (NY Times) renditions of Bach and others. The Schubert Club is proud to welcome Alexandre Tharaud to the Ordway Concert Hall stage for two dates in April 2017 for his International Artist Series debut.

Despite a flourishing international career that includes performances at such legendary venues as Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, London's Royal Festival Hall and the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in his native Paris, pianist Alexandre Tharaud only played in the U.S. for the first time in January 2015. Clearly, it was well worth the wait. NY Times critic Vivien Schweitzer hailed his debut performance at Carnegie Hall as full of both “articulation and wild exuberance.” As the son of a dance teacher at the Opéra de Paris and the grandson of a violinist, it should come as no surprise that Tharaud’s technical expertise, his “range of touch and colour, and his sheer enthusiasm, shine through every jewel-like piece” (The Guardian.) What is a bit strange, perhaps, is that Tharaud refuses to keep a piano at his own residence for fear that he will come to prefer improvisation and experimentation to rigorous practice. All the better for his audiences who continually delight in his "crisply articulated and vividly etched” (NY Times) renditions of Bach and others. The Schubert Club is proud to welcome Alexandre Tharaud to the Ordway Concert Hall stage for two dates in April 2017 for his International Artist Series debut.

As a member of the Royal Swedish Opera, soprano Miah Persson has wowed audiences with “spine-tingling moments of vocal splendour” (Edinburgh Spotlight), while the effusive and natural brightness of her voice beguiles listeners with a “sense of gentle repose . . . mixing charm, depth and romantic ardour” (The Sunday Times).

As a member of the Royal Swedish Opera, soprano Miah Persson has wowed audiences with “spine-tingling moments of vocal splendour” (Edinburgh Spotlight), while the effusive and natural brightness of her voice beguiles listeners with a “sense of gentle repose . . . mixing charm, depth and romantic ardour” (The Sunday Times).