2023-2024 Performances

Recital soloists for the Matinée Musicale Cincinnati’s 110th concert season in 2023-2024.

2024 Scholarship Winners

Greenacres Concert & Luncheon

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Matinée Musicale hosted its annual Greenacres Celebration for members and recital subscribers on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Judy Martin, the Administrative Director of Matinée Musicale, welcomed everyone.

Nancy Bailey, a Matinée Musicale Board member, spoke about the Nancy F. Walker Memorial Scholarship Competition, which was initiated in memory of our long time president Nancy F. Walker in 2018. For more information, go to Scholarship Winners 2024.

Several student winners of this year’s competition performed, and then we were treated to a delicious lunch.

Image Gallery

Photography by Gayna Bassin

Judy Martin, Administrative Director of Matinée Musicale Cincinnati, welcomed everyone to the

Greenacres Arts Center.

Meredith Leslie, Executive Director of

Greenacres Foundation

Nancy Bailey, Matinée Musicale Scholarship Chair

Ella Clark, mezzo-soprano, and Toni Sheffer, piano, performed songs by Mozart and Jake Heggie.

Keliang Yao, piano, performed “Prelude and Fugue in D-flat Major by Shostakovich.

Natalie Marshall, soprano, and Toni Sheffer, piano, performed songs by Scarlatti and Quilter.

Erica Nam, violin, and Ming-Li Liu, piano, performed a sonata by Beethoven and “Carmen Fantasy” by Hubay.

Natalie Corrigan, mezzo-soprano, and Joe Stevens, piano, performed “DIe junge Nonne” by Schubert.

Vera Tianyi Lu, piano, performed “Pi Huang (Beijing Opera)” by Zhao Zhang.

Abigail Leidy, cello, and Ming-Li Liu, piano, performed “Shelomo” by Ernest Bloch.

Lea Nayak, soprano, and Joe Stevens, piano, performed songs by Ned Rorem and Maurice Ravel.

The 2024 Scholarship Winners who performed today:

Natalie Marshall, Erica Nam, Vera Tianyi Lu, Natalie Corrigan, Keliang Yao, Lea Nayak, Abigail Leidy, and Ella Clark.

Greenacres Concert & Luncheon 4-10-24 Read More »

Amina Edris, soprano, and Pene Pati, tenor

Amina Edris, Soprano

Pene Pati, Tenor

Robert Mollicone, Piano

Sunday, April 21, 2024 | 3 pm

Memorial Hall, OTR

Pene Pati won both hearts and accolades from his Matinée Musicale Cincinnati recitals in 2019 and 2021. Both he and his wife Amina Edris have risen quickly in prominence in the international opera world. Now MMC is delighted to present them in a long-awaited performance together. For those who were hoping to purchase Pati’s CD when he was here in 2019 and 2021, here’s you chance! His first solo CD was released in 2022! Click here to listen and/or purchase!

Samoan tenor Pene Pati was hailed as “the most exceptional tenor discovery of the last decade” (Opéra-Online) after his early debuts in Rigoletto (ll Duca di Mantova) at San Francisco Opera under Nicola Luisotti, in Anna Bolena (Percy) at Opéra National de Bordeaux under Paul Daniel and is now one of the most sought-after and admired tenors of his generation.

An exclusive recording artist for Warner Classics, Pene Pati’s self-titled debut album of Italian and French arias, recorded with Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine and Emmanuel Villaume, was released in 2022 to a glittering array of five-star reviews and earned him the Opus Klassik Newcomer of the Year Award and the Opera Magazine Readers’ Award at the International Opera Awards.

Recent seasons have seen Pati make numerous acclaimed debuts including in L’elisir d’amore (Nemorino) at Opéra National de Paris; Roméo et Juliette (Roméo) at San Francisco Opera, Opéra Comique and Opéra National de Bordeaux; La traviata (Alfredo) at Staatsoper Berlin, Dutch National Opera and Bolshoi Theatre; Manon (des Grieux) at Gran Teatre del Liceu; Lucia di Lammermoor (Edgardo) at Teatro San Carlo di Napoli; Anna Bolena (Percy) at Wiener Staatsoper; Rigoletto (Duca) at Opéra de Rouen Normandie and Teatro San Carlo di Napoli and Moïse et Pharaon (Amenophis) at Festival d’Aix-en-Provence.

Last season Pati further broadened his repertoire with triumphant first performances as Rodolfo in Puccini’s La bohème at Théâtre des Champs-Elysées under Lorenzo Passerini, as Fernand in Donizetti’s La Favorite at Opéra National de Bordeaux under Paolo Olmi, as Mozart’s Mitridate, re di Ponto at Staatsoper Berlin under Marc Minkowski and in Berlioz’s La Damnation de Faust at Opéra Monte-Carlo under Kazuki Yamada.

VIDEOS

Cherry Duet from L’amico Fritz by Pietro Mascagni sung by Amina Edris and Pene Pati

As part of his 2023/24 season, Pati makes anticipated returns to Opéra national de Paris in Beatrice di Tenda under Mark Wigglesworth and to Staatsoper Berlin in Rigoletto under Giedrė Šlekytė. He makes debuts at Staatsoper Hamburg in Manon and at Deutsche Opera Berlin in La Traviata, and on the other side of the Atlantic he stars in productions of La Bohème at Canadian Opera Company and L’elisir d’amore at San Francisco Opera.

Equally at home on the concert platform, Pati joined Franz Welser-Möst and The Cleveland Orchestra in Verdi’s Otello (Cassio), Hans Graf and Tonkünstler Orchester for Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde, Mikko Franck and Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France for Beethoven’s Symphony No.9 and, as part of Les Grands Voix series, Pierre Bleuse and l’Orchestre National de France in Massenet’s Thaïs. He opened San Francisco Opera’s Centennial Season as guest soloist in a celebratory concert under Music Director Eun Sun Kim, and his recent sell-out Gala concert at Prague’s Rudolfinum with Prague Philharmonia and Łukasz Borowicz was recorded and broadcast via medici.tv. In the current season Pati collaborates again with Kazuki Yamada in Das Lied von der Erde with Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte Carlo and, as part of a residency with CBSO, in both La Damnation de Faust and Madama Butterfly.

Pene Pati’s warm and winning personality has helped endear him to audiences around the world and contributed to great competition success in his formative years taking top prizes and audience choice awards at several competitions including Operalia and Neue Stimmen.

Soprano Amina Edris has been hailed as a “revelation” (Forum Opera) and praised for her “lustrous” tone (Opera News). Born in Egypt and raised in New Zealand, she has blended her cultural background to create her own unique artistic identity, performing a variety of roles ranging from baroque music to world premieres with a focus on French repertoire. Recent career highlights include Manon and Juliette at the Opéra National de Paris, Cleopatra in the world premiere of John Adams’ Antony and Cleopatra at San Francisco Opera, and Alice in the acclaimed recording of Meyerbeer’s Robert le Diable.

Amina’s 2023/24 season includes four role debuts and several house debuts. She begins her season with a return to the Canadian Opera Company where she debuts the role of Mimi in La bohème. She continues with her second role debut of the season, as Liu in Puccini’s Turandot at Teatro di San Carlo in Naples. Amina then adds another role to her French repertoire: the title-role in Massenet’s Thaïs at Opéra de Toulon in concert under the baton of Victorien Vanoosten. At Opéra National de Paris, she performs the role of Beatriz in the French premiere of Thomas Adès’ The Exterminating Angel, conducted by the composer himself, and in the Spring, she embarks on a recital tour of North America alongside tenor Pene Pati and pianist Robert Mollicone. On the concert stage, she performs Beethoven’s 9th Symphony for the first time with the Philharmonie Luxembourg, conducted by Laurence Equilbey.

In previous seasons, Amina performed the role of Cleopatra in the world premiere of John Adams’ Antony and Cleopatra at the opening of San Francisco Opera’s centennial season. She also debuted the role of Manon (Manon) to great critical acclaim at the Opéra National de Bordeaux, and later performed the role at Opéra National de Paris, and at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona. She debuted the role of Adalgisa (Norma) in concert at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, performed the role of La Folie (Platée) under the baton of Marc Minkowski at Opéra National de Paris, and made her debut at the Grand-Théâtre de Genève as Fatime (Les Indes galantes) in a new production by Lydia Steier.

She has also performed Musetta (La bohème) at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, the title-role in Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette at the San Francisco Opera and Opéra de Paris, Marguerite in Gounod’s Faust at Detroit Opera, Glycère in Gounod’s Sapho with Washington Concert Opera, Micaëla in Bizet’s Carmen at the Opéra du Rhin and Violetta in Verdi’s La Traviata both at Opéra de Limoges and the Canadian Opera Company.

Equally dazzling on the concert stage, Amina’s appearances include Fauré’s Requiem, Mozart’s Requiem with the Orchestre de chambre de Paris, Mahler’s Symphony no. 4, gala concerts at the Opéra National de Bordeaux, the Rudolfinum in Prague and with Real Filharmonia de Galicia, Ravel’s Sheherazade with the Stuttgarter Philharmoniker and the Schwabacher Recital series with San Francisco Opera.

She is featured as Alice (Robert le diable) on the critically acclaimed recording of Robert le diable, which was released on the Palazzetto Bru Zane in 2022, and the title-role in Massenet’s Ariane with the Bayerischen Rundfunks (recorded by Palazzetto Bru Zane for release in September 2023).

Amina holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Canterbury New Zealand, a Masters from the Wales International Academy of Voice and a post-graduate diploma from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. After completing her studies, Amina participated in the Merola Opera Program, subsequently becoming an Adler Fellow at the San Francisco Opera. She can be found on instagram @amina_edris.

“…the round and sunshine-filled voice of the tenor [Pene Pati], its caressing colors, its amber high notes, the beauty of its style and the

perfection of its prosody amazed and seduced.”

— Le Monde

“…Edris provides an emotional continuum of commanding intensity, while maintaining extraordinary articulation and clarity.”

— Adventures in Music

(AIM)

“Pene Pati surprises with his scenic ease, the dazzling light of one of the most beautiful tenor voices of the moment…”

Christophe Rizoud, Forum Opera

“Amina Edris…has a youthful freshness in her timbre and a touching simplicity in her attitude.”

— Forum Opera

“There are performers whose magnetic presence immediately catalyzes the viewer’s attention. The Samoan singer is one of them…”

Camillo Faverzani, Première Lodge

“Edris took top honors in the cast… smart & irresistibly funny.”

“A magnetic presence.”

— Opera News

Robert Mollicone, Piano

Sought after for his ‘finely-calibrated leadership’ and ‘ebullient performance[s]’, conductor, recitalist and coach Robert Mollicone has become a familiar face in opera houses across the US and Europe. As a member of San Francisco Opera’s music staff, he has acted in capacities including assistant to former Music Director Nicola Luisotti, assistant conductor, prompter and coach/pianist, and has worked on 40+ productions spanning the breadth of the repertoire, including Rusalka, Der Ring des Nibelungen, Les Troyens, and Don Carlo. Equally committed to the development of the American operatic canon, he has helped bring several new operas by composers such as Jake Heggie, Tobias Picker, and John Adams to life.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, he has conducted performances with Opera San Jose (Where Angels Fear to Tread, Silent Night), San Francisco Opera (Opera in the Park 2014/2019, Christmas with Sol3 Mio), and West Edge Opera (Elizabeth Cree, L’arbore di Diana), where he “presided […] with a fine feeling for pacing and detail”. He made his house debut at Festival Opera conducting Carmen in August 2023.

Other recent debuts include Austin Opera (Ariadne auf Naxos) and Florentine Opera (L’enfant et les sortilèges), where he will return to conduct Songbird/La Périchole in 2024. Additionally he served as cover conductor for the European premiere of John Adams’ Girls of the Golden West at De Nationale Opera in Amsterdam and for La Damnation de Faust at St. Louis Symphony under Stéphane Denève.

Mollicone also regularly shares the recital stage with artists including Denyce Graves, Joyce El-Khoury, Brian Jagde, Ailyn Pérez, Nicholas Phan, and Jamie Barton, with whom he was lauded for ‘miracles of sensitive expression’. He made his Carnegie Hall debut alongside soprano Melody Moore in May 2016. He is also engaged to train emerging artists as faculty member of the Adler Fellowship and Boston Wagner Institute, and is a regular guest coach at San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

He is a graduate of San Francisco Opera’s Adler Fellowship, as well as of the Cafritz Young Artist Program at Washington National Opera. He holds a M. Mus. from Boston University, where he studied with Shiela Kibbe.

PROGRAM


Pokarekare ana …………………………………………..MAORI TRADITIONAL 

Hine e hine

Te iwi e

    Pene Pati

Earth’s Call ……………………………………………………..JOHN IRELAND ( 1879 – 1962)

     Amina Edris

O Waly Waly …………………………………………………..BENJAMIN BRITTEN (1913 1976)

The Last Rose of Summer

Seascape (from On This Island)

The Choirmaster’s Burial (from Winter Words)

  Pene Pati

 

From Cabaret Songs: ………………………………WILLIAM BOLCOM (1938)

Toothbrush Time

Waitin’

Over the Piano

   Amina Edris

That I did always love, from Newer Every Day ……..JAKE HEGGIE (1961)

 Pene Pati

 

From Clairières dans le ciel: …………………………LILI BOULANGER (1893 – 1918)

Elle etait descendue au bas de la prairie

Elle est gravement gaie

Parfois, je suis triste

  Pene Pati

La vie anterieure ……………………………………………………HENRI DUPARC (1848 – 1933)

L’invitation au voyage

Phidylé

  Amina Edris

 

Two Samoan Spirituals ……………………………………….TRADITIONAL 

Two Egyptian Songs

    Pene Pati

Act 1 Duet from Manon …………………………………….JULES MASSENET (1842 – 1912)

   Amina Edris and Pene Pati

ENCORE

Duet after the Wedding Night from Romeo et Juliette………………………..CHARLES GOUNOD (1818 – 1893)

Photography by Gayna Bassin

Amina Edris, Soprano, and Pene Pati, Tenor Read More »

Yun Zeng, French Horn

Yun Zeng, French Horn

Michael Chertock, Piano

Sunday, March 3, 2024

3 pm

Memorial Hall, OTR

Recently appointed Principal Horn of the Berlin Philharmonic, Yun Zeng has been  Principal Horn of the Staatskapelle Berlin since November 2022.

Born into a musical Chinese family in 1999, he started learning French horn with his father, Jie Zeng, at age six. In 2012, he was selected to the ‘Best of Best project’, specially provided to young talented musicians by the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, China. As a soloist, Yun Zeng has performed some of the most renowned French horn repertoire with symphony orchestras and is currently shining on international stages.

He has had a chain of successes in international competitions: 2nd prize at the International Competition of Young Musicians in Vladivostok, Russia in 2012; 2nd prize at the Jeju International Brass Competition in South Korea – the youngest prize winner in its history; 2nd prize in the Professional Division of the 2015 International Horn Competition of America; 1st prize at the Lieksa International Horn Competition in Finland in 2016; 1st prize at the International Competition “Città di Porcia” in 2017; and 2nd prize at the Prague Spring International Competition in 2018.

In 2019 Zeng won first prize in the newly introduced brass instrument category of the International Tchaikovsky Competition, and in 2021 he was awarded 2nd Prize in the horn category at the ARD International Music Competition in Munich, Germany. In 2022, at age 22, Zeng won the audition for principal horn of one of the oldest orchestras in the world (founded in 1570), Staatskapelle Berlin, a much-coveted post for any brass player.

“Playing the French horn is like dancing on a high wire” Yun Zeng has observed, adding it is “difficult to play and probably the most difficult of all orchestral instruments… It’s not only about technique but also about a sense of beauty up there.”

The biggest surprise of the competition in the new categories was the young French horn player from China, Yun Zeng,”

— Maestro Valery Gergiev, commenting on Yun Zeng’s First Prize win in the inaugural Brass Category of the 2019 Tchaikovsky Competition

“…a wonderful horn player.”

— Maestro Valery Gergiev, commenting on Yun Zeng’s First Prize win in the inaugural Brass Category of the 2019 Tchaikovsky Competition

He took part in the opening ceremony of the first Beijing Youth Art Festival

Michael Chertock, Piano

Fashioning a successful career as a piano soloist, Michael Chertock has collaborated with conductors such as Keith Lockhart, Jack Everly, Robert Bernhardt, John Morris Russell, Thomas Wilkins, Carmon DeLeone, and the late Erich Kunzel. His many orchestral appearances include solo performances with the Philadelphia Orchestra, l’Orchestre Symphonique du Montreal, the Toronto Symphony, the Dallas Symphony, the Altanta Symphony, the Baltimore Symphony, the Naples Philharmonic, the Detroit Symphony, the Chattanooga Symphony, the Utah Symphony, the Oregon Symphony, the Indianapolis Symphony, the Louiseville Orchestra and the Dayton Philharmonic.

Chertock has recorded the John Alden Carpenter’s Concertino for Piano and Orchestra with the BBC Concert Orchestra, Abbey Road Studio; the Roger Davis Piano Concerto in F, with the Sofia Philharmonic; and the Rhapsodies of Piano and Orchestra of William Perry with the RTE Orchestra of Dublin, Ireland.

Chertock made his debut at the age of 17, performing the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3 with Andrew Litton conducting. Chertock made his Carnegie Hall debut in 1999 with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, performing Duke Ellington’s New World A’Comin’. Chertock has toured Asia with the Boston Pops, and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. His 2003 performance on the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s recording of Petrouchka with Paavo Järvi turned in rave reviews in Gramophone and American Record Guide. In 2005, Chertock performed Gershwin’s Concerto in F Major with Maestro Lockhart and the National Youth Orchestra of London. Later that year, Chertock performed the world premiere of “Jeux Deux” for hyper-piano and orchestra by Todd Machover, commissioned by the Boston Pops expressly for Mr. Chertock.

Claude Gingras of La Presse, Montreal, said of pianist Michael Chertock: “Chertock revealed himself as a first-rate pianist and an interpreter of noticeable interest through the freshness that he brought to these familiar scores….(he) displayed the sensitivity of a Chopin interpreter.” The Boston Globe, with guest critic Anthony Tommasini (currently chief music critic of the NY Times), called his playing “unmannered, zestful, and lovely.” The Cincinnati Enquirer has described Chertock’s playing as “intelligent and disciplined…noble…finely finished…expressive and well-controlled.” The Salt Lake City Deseret News said “Chertock… is a musical performer with an immense technical command of the piano.”

Chertock began conducting in 2001 when he stepped in for Maestro Carmon De Leone in performances of Cincinnati Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Chertock is the conductor of the Blue Ash-Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, located in suburban Cincinnati, Ohio, and he frequently composes and arranges music for the orchestra’s concerts. He has conducted the Columbus Symphony (Ohio) and the Cincinnati Symphony in performances of The Nutcracker. In 2015, 2016, and 2017, Chertock conducted the State Symphony Orchestra of Moscow and the Moscow Conservatory Orchestra in programs devoted to the music of George Gershwin.

He has garnered numerous awards at major competitions, among them the top prize in the 1989 Joanna Hodges International Piano Competition (Brahms Division,) and the grand prize in the 1993 St. Charles International Piano Competition. He also shared the silver medal in the 1991 World Piano Competition of the American Music Scholarship Association. He received the Rildia B. O’Bryon Cliburn Scholarship in 1986.

In 1994, Chertock released his first CD on the Telarc label, a collection of his original arrangements of music from movies entitled Cinematic Piano. American Record Guide said “(Chertock) plays beautifully, and Telarc’s lush sonics bathe the listener in an intoxicating wash of piano sonorities.” Cincinnati Enquirer critic Janelle Gelfand called it “one of the most gorgeous discs of the summer”, citing his “elegant techniques…just the right poetic tone.” The recording has sold more than 30,000 units worldwide. Since then, he has recorded three more discs with Telarc: Palace of the Winds, Christmas at the Movies and Love At the Movies, which have been praised for their lush, original arrangements and exquisite technical facility.

In 2004 Chertock joined the faculty of the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, where he is currently chair of the Piano Department. Chertock makes his home in Mason, Ohio, with his wife Maaike. Most Sundays you can find him playing piano and organ for services at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church.

PROGRAM


En Forêt, Op.40…………………………………………Eugène Bozza (1905 – 1991)

Sonata for Horn and Piano, Op.17……..Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827)

2 Romances, Op.36 & 67……………………Camille Saint-Säens (1835 – 1921)

Romanian Folk Dances, Sz.68…………..Béla Bartók (1881 – 1945) 

Andante Cantabile, arr. by Maxi Santos……..Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 – 1893)

Sonata for Horn and Piano in E Flat (1943)……..Paul Hindemith (1895 – 1963)

ENCORES

Variations on “Carnival of Venice”

Jazz Horn Solo

Photography by Gayna Bassin

Yun Zeng, French Horn Read More »

Kate Kilgus and Kang Ning Yong

Members Program

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

The last Matinée Musicale Members Program of 2023 was held at Christ Church UCC in Fort Thomas, KY. Administrative Director Judy Martin welcomed everyone, and pianist Marjorie Fryxell began the program with the Sonata No. 6 in C by Franz Joseph Hayden. Then Kate Kilgus, clarinet, and Kang Ning Yong, piano, played “Solo de Concours” by André Messager and “Three Preludes” by George Gershwin. Soprano Kristen Whalen sang songs by Antonin Dvorak, Richard Strauss and Richard Rodgers, accompanied by pianist Toni Sheffer. Finally, cellist Ellen Stephens closed the program with the Sonata No. 1 in e minor, Op. 38 by Johannes Brahms.

Before adjourning to the social hall for a delicious box lunch, two of our Grant recipients spoke about how our grants helped them to expand and extend their educational programs. Then, several members of the Board updated us about upcoming events, including our 2024 Scholarship Competition.

Image Gallery

Photography by Gayna Bassin

Judy Martin, Matinée Musicale Administrative Director, welcomed everyone.

Marjorie Fryxell, piano, performed two movements of the Sonata No. 6 in C by Franz Joseph Haydn. Toni Sheffer turned pages for her.

Kate Kilgus, clarinet, and Kang Ning Yong, piano, performed “Solo de Concours” by André Messager and “Three Preludes” by George Gershwin

Kate Kilgus, clarinet, is also Matinée’s Social Media director!

Kristen Whalen, soprano, and Toni Sheffer, piano, performed songs by Antonin Dvorak, Richard Strauss and Richard Rodgers.

The audience.

Ellen Stephens, cello, and Lana Krayterman, piano, closed the program with the stirring Sonata No. 1 for Cello and Piano by Johannes Brahms.

Ellen Stephens, cello, and Lana Krayterman, piano, in the festive sanctuary of Christ Church UCC.

Nat Chaitkin spoke about how the 4-Way String Quartet used our grant to expand their educational instrumental programs.

Brad Caldwell, from Cincinnati Fusion Ensemble, talked about how our grant enabled his organization to expand their choral programs.

Nancy Bailey talked about our upcoming 2024 Nancy F. Walker Scholarship Competition.

Toni Sheffer and Howard Halvey, who won a book of art by Beverly Erschell in our raffle.

Members Program 12-6-23 Read More »

Jasmine Choi, flute

Our 2023-2024 Season!

Sunday, March 3, 2024

Westwood First Presbyterian Church

Jasmine Choi

FLUTE

Changyong Shin

PIANO

Praised as “the goddess of flute” by The Korea Times and described as “a living history” by Echelon Press, Choi is celebrated worldwide for her extraordinary virtuosity, acclaimed recordings, and robust online presence that reaches over one million followers across social media. Renowned for pushing the instrument’s traditional boundaries, she has become an icon of the flute in the twenty-first century.

Born in Korea into a third-generation family of musicians, Choi discovered the flute at nine and by 12 was studying in Seoul. At 16, she moved to the United States, training at the Curtis Institute of Music with Julius Baker and Jeffrey Khaner, followed by graduate studies at The Juilliard School. Her career began as associate principal flute of the Cincinnati Symphony under Paavo Järvi and, in 2012, principal flute of the Vienna Symphony under Fabio Luisi, the first female woodwind principal in the orchestra’s history.

As a soloist, Choi has appeared with leading ensembles, including the Vienna Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Salzburg Mozarteum, Berlin Symphony, Czech Philharmonic, and Seoul Philharmonic. She has performed on primary stages across Europe, Asia, and North America, and her performance of “Arirang” at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics remains a cultural milestone. Chamber collaborations with artists such as Martha Argerich, Robert Levin, Kit Armstrong, Julien Quentin, Sumi Jo, and the Schumann Quartet showcase her versatility, from intimate recitals to dynamic ensemble projects.

Her discography spans Sony Classical releases, solo albums, and original arrangements, with more than 15 flute concertos composed for her. Beyond performance, she designed her own signature flute case, praised for its innovation, and has published best-selling educational works with Theodore Presser Company.

Dedicated to mentorship, Choi has taught master classes at The Juilliard School, Curtis Institute of Music, Jacobs School of Music, Harvard University, and Vienna’s Universität für Musik. A cultural ambassador for her hometown of Daejeon, she launched the Heredium Concert Series: Jasmine & Friends in 2025-26.

“Anyone who hears Jasmine Choi’s performance will encounter a totally new level of flute playing.”

— Nikkei Daily Newspaper, Japan

“Jasmine Choi captivates the listener from start to finish…

Choi displays a wide range of emotion within a palette of just-right color. Her vibrato is subtle and her sense of timing spontaneous.”

— WRTI, Philadelphia, USA

“One of the 10 best flutists in the history of music”

— Sinfini Music, UK

Changyong Shin, Piano

Passionate, inspired performances and brilliant technique are the hallmark of pianist Changyong Shin, First Prize Winner of the Gina Bachauer International Artist Competition, Seoul International Music Competition, and the Hilton Head International Piano Competition.

He has given numerous solo performances throughout Asia, North America and Europe, including recitals at Carnegie Weill Hall, WQXR-FM’s Midday Masterpieces Series, Steinway Hall Artist Series, Newport Music Festival, Italy’s Barletta Piano Festival, Klavier- Festival Ruhr (Ruhr Piano Festival) in Essen, Germany, Kumho Cultural Foundation’s Artist series and Rising Star series at Kumho Art Hall, Paris’s Salle Cortot Hall, Lotte Concert Hall in Korea, Concert Hall at Seoul Art Center, IBK Chamber Hall in Korea, Evelyn Miller Young Pianists Series, Green Lake Festival of Music, Rose Wagner Center in Utah, Salt Lake City, Coastal Carolina University Guest Artist Series.

He has appeared as a soloist with many orchestras, including Utah Symphony, Hilton Head Symphony, Oakland Symphony, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, KBS Symphony Orchestra, Korean Chamber Orchestra, Daegu Philharmonic Orchestra, Gwacheon Philharmonic Orchestra, Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra, Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra, and Daejeon Philharmonic Orchestra, Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra, and among others.

Mr. Shin is also a recording artist, where his debut CD was listed as one of the “Best New Recordings of 2018” by WQXR. His second album of Beethoven, Chopin, and Liszt which was released on Steinway & Sons Label, received rave reviews from ClassicToday. His latest album <Gaspard de la Nuit> was released on Stomp Music label in Korea, received high praise from Classical Music Journal “Pizzicato”.

An accomplished chamber musician, Mr. Shin has given chamber music recitals across the United States and in Seoul, Korea and Paris, France. Performances of note include a recital at the invitation of Kumho Art Hall, and a special performance of a new work by Korean composer Young-jo Lee at the Recital Hall in Seoul Art Center as a member of Korea National Institute for the Gifted in Arts. He has appeared in recital in such renowned venues as Seoul Art Center, Kumho Art Hall in Seoul, Daegu Concert House, Sejong Art Center, Louvre Museum, New York City’s The Greene Space, Philadelphia’s Holy Trinity Church, and Sonoma State University’s Green Music Center in California among others.

A native of South Korea, Changyong Shin received his Bachelor of Music from the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Robert McDonald. Mr. Shin also earned his Master of Music and Artist Diploma program at The Juilliard School as a full-scholarship candidate and studied with Robert McDonald.

PROGRAM


Morceau de Concours…………………………….Gabriel Fauré (1845 – 1924)

Serenade……………………………………………………….Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827)

Four Souvenirs…………………………………………….Paul Schoenfield (1947 – )

INTERMISSION

Sonata Op. 94 in D Major……………………….Sergei Prokofiev (1891 – 1953)

ENCORES

Nocturne in C# Minor …………………………….Frédéric François Chopin (1810 – 1849)

Zeguenerweisen (Gypsy Aires) …………..Pablo de Sarasate (1844 – 1908)

Photography by Gayna Bassin

Judy Martin, Administrative Director of Matinée Musicale Cincinnati, welcomed everyone to the recital at Westwood First Presbyterian Church.

Judy asked all the music students in the audience to stand.

Jasmine Choi, flute, & Changyong Shin, piano

Jasmine Choi, flute, & Changyong Shin, piano

Jasmine Choi, flute, & Changyong Shin, piano

Jasmine Choi, flute, & Changyong Shin, piano

A standing ovation and 2 encores!

Post concert reception

Girls gave flowers to Jasmine at the reception after the concert

Jasmine & her fans

Changyong Shin & friends

The receiving line at the reception

Jasmine Choi and students from University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music

Jasmine Choi, Flute Read More »

Julian Schwarz, cello

Julian Schwarz, Cello

Marika Bournaki, Piano

Sunday, October 29, 2023

3 pm

Memorial Hall, OTR

Julian Schwarz was born into a multigenerational musical family. His powerful tone, effortless virtuosity and extraordinarily large color palette are hallmarks of his style. After making his concerto debut at the age of 11 with the Seattle Symphony and his father Gerard Schwarz on the podium, he made his U.S. touring debut with the Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra in 2010. Since being awarded 1st Prize at the inaugural Schoenfield International String Competition in 2013, he has led an active career as soloist, performing internationally.

As a chamber musician, Mr. Schwarz performs extensively in recital with his wife, pianist Marika Bournaki. In 2016 the duo was awarded 1st Prize at the inaugural Boulder International String Competition’s “The Art of Duo” before embarking on an extensive 10-recital tour of China in 2017. Mr. Schwarz is a founding member of the New York based Frisson Ensemble (a mixed nonet of winds and strings) and the Mile –End Trio with violinist Jeff Multer and Ms. Bournaki. He collaborates often throughout the country with a number of musicians.

An ardent supporter of new music, he has premiered concertos by Richard Danielpour and Samuel Jones, among others. His recordings include an album of concertos with the Seattle Symphony. A devoted teacher, Mr. Schwarz serves as Assistant Professor of Cello at Shenandoah Conservatory of Shenandoah University in Virginia and on the artist faculty of New York University – Steinhardt.

A mass of soaring lines, intricate technique, and heroic aplomb, Schwarz executed all with a fluency of ease that was simply astounding. … Schwarz’s ability to spin the musical line with a fire and musicianship left the audience on its feet.”

— Toledo Blade

“It was cellist Julian Schwarz who had the most challenging, high-

flying passages…and he played them all with impeccable intonation

and artistry.”

— Classical Voice of Los Angeles

“Cellist Julian Schwarz’s deep tone shoots straight to the heart of a listener.”

— Shepherd Express, November 2017

Marika Bournaki, Piano

Described as “the Celine Dion of classical” by The Huffington Post, Marika Bournaki is at once a world-class performer, dazzling pianist, vivacious young woman and one of the freshest faces on the classical music scene. Ms. Bournaki not only brings distinctive interpretations to favorite standards, but extends her passion for music by commissioning works from younger composers and collaborating with artists from various fields.

Marika Bournaki’s current season includes her debuts with the Bozeman, Duluth Superior, Springfield (MO) and Topeka symphony orchestras, a chamber music program with the Palm Beach Symphony, returns to Boca Raton’s The SYMPHONIA and Canada’s Sinfonia Toronto and programs with her duo partner, cellist Julian Schwarz. Of special note is her continuing survey of Beethoven’s complete 32-work piano sonata cycle, presented by the distinguished Bargemusic in Brooklyn.

Marika Bournaki has appeared as guest soloist with the symphony orchestras of Montréal, Quebec and St. Petersburg along with Romania’s Timisoara Filharmonica, Switzerland’s Verbier Chamber Orchestra and Canada’s Orchestre Métropolitain. In addition to a benefit recital for the Glenn Gould Foundation at New York City’s Carnegie Hall, she has been presented in solo recitals and chamber music collaborations throughout the United States, Canada and the world, including Belgium, England, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, Switzerland and South Korea.

A devoted chamber musician, Marika Bournaki performs regularly at Brooklyn’s Bargemusic, the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival and the Frankly Music series in Milwaukee, while serving on the faculties of the Eastern Music Festival and Canada’s Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance. She tours internationally with duo partner cellist Julian Schwarz, and together won 1st prize in the 2016 Boulder International Chamber Music Competition’s “The Art of Duo.” Ms. Bournaki is also a member of the Mile-End Trio with Mr. Schwarz and violinist Jeffrey Multer.

The award-winning documentary “I am Not a Rock Star,” featuring Marika Bounaki and directed by Bobbi Jo Hart, has captivated international audiences of all ages. The feature-length film chronicles Ms. Bournaki’s evolution as an artist from the age of 12 to 20. A runaway success at multiple film festivals throughout the world, screenings of “I am Not a Rock Star” and solo performances were recently presented in Chicago, Dallas, Memphis, Miami, Napa Valley, Palm Springs, Toronto and Vancouver, as well as in Greece, México and Spain. The film has also been seen in Greece (ERT), The Netherlands (NTS), Norway (NRK), Sweden (SVT) theUnited Kingdom (BBC4), Australia (SBS) and New Zealand (Sky). The documentary is the recipient of awards for Best Arts Documentary and Best Editing from the 2014 Canadian Screen Awards.

Marika Bournaki’s innovative approach to her art and performance is reflected in a number of multimedia projects intended to reach out to new audiences. Additionally, her role as Ambassador to the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal’s summer event, “A Cool Classical Journey,” afforded new and stimulating ways to share her music with the public.

Marika Bournaki holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from The Juilliard School, where her principal teachers were Yoheved Kaplinsky and Matti Raekallio. She makes her home in New York City.

PROGRAM


Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70……………………………………..Robert Schumann (1810-1856)

Sonata No. 1 in E MinorOp. 38………………………………Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

INTERMISSION

silent for the rain……………………………………………………………..Alex Weiser (b. 1989)

Much Ado About Nothing Suite……………………………….Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957)

(trans. Julian Schwarz)

Meditation Hebraique…………………………………………………….Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)

Introduction and Polonaise Brillante in C Major, Op. 3………..Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)

Photography by Gayna Bassin

Judy Martin, Administrative Director of Matinée Musicale

Julian Schwarz, cello, and Marika Bournaki, piano

Two CCM cello students in the audience

People in the balcony enjoying the performance

Julian Schwarz spoke about the compositions he performed.

A standing ovation for our guest artists!

There was a reception with cookies, apple cider and water after the concert.

Members of Matinée Musicale served the refreshments.

Nancy Martin passed out packages of M&Ms with stickers of upcoming recitals on them.

Marika Bournaki and Julian Schwarz

at the reception.

Emily Hodges and Charles Spencer

Judy Martin with the Shertzers

Deborah Grove and Ellen Stephens

Carolmae Katz, Janelle Gelfand, Gayna Bassin & Ellen Shertzer

Julian and Marika enjoyed meeting audience members at the reception.

Dinner at Seasons 52 restaurant after the recital with

Marika, Julian and Matinée Musicale members.

Julian Schwarz, Cello Read More »

Sara Daneshpour, piano

Sara Daneshpour, Piano

Sunday, September 17, 2023

3 pm

Memorial Hall

Still in her early 20s, Sara Daneshpour has performed not only in her native city of Washington, DC, but also in New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Russia, Germany, Finland, Estonia, Denmark and Sweden on stages of prestigious venues. She also has been featured nationwide on 160 public radio stations, including the venerable WGBH in Boston.

Ms. Daneshpour has received many awards in international competitions including, among others, 3rd prize at the 2017 Arthur Rubenstein International Piano Competition; 1st prize at the XII Concours International de Musique du Maroc; 2013 Laureate of the ProLiance Engery Classical Fellowship Awards of the American Pianists Association; 1st Prize, Gold Medal and the Audience Award at the 2007 International Piano Competition in San Jose, California; Gold Medal at the 2007 International Russian Music Piano Competition; and a medal at the Maria Canals International Piano Competition in Barcelona.

In concerts with orchestra and solo recitals, she stuns audiences with an unusually wide repertoire ranging from Bach to Boulez, with her dazzling technique and an exceptional level of artistic depth and sincerity. Her performances have earned high accolades from audiences and critics alike.

Ms. Daneshpour has studied under the direction of Leon Fleisher at the Curtis Institute of Music, with Yoheved Kaplinsky and Oleg Volkov at The Juilliard School and with Sergei Babayan at the Cleveland Institute of Music. She will join the faculty at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music this fall.

“She created transfixing poetry.”

— The Washington Post

“…blazing technique, power, expressivity, imagination and stage presence.”

— The New York Concert Review

Program


JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685 – 1750)

  • Das Wolhtemperierte Clavier (The Well-Tempered Clavier), Book One
  • Prelude and Fugue No. 1, in C Major, BWV 846
  • Prelude and Fugue No. 2, in C Minor, BWV 847
  • Prelude and Fugue No. 3, in C-Sharp Major, BWV 848
  • Prelude and Fugue No. 4, in C-Sharp Minor, BWV 849
  • Prelude and Fugue No. 5, in D Major, BWV 850
  • Prelude and Fugue No. 6, in D Minor, BWV 851
  • Prelude and Fugue No. 7, in E-Flat Major, BWV 852
  • Prelude and Fugue No. 8, in E-Flat Minor, BWV 853
  • Prelude and Fugue No. 9, in E Major, BWV 854

Intermission

Frédéric Chopin (1810 – 1849)

  • 12 Etudes, Op.25

Photography by Constance Sanders

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