Classical

Conrad Tao, piano

“The kind of musician who is shaping the future of classical music.” NEW YORK MAGAZINE Conrad Tao has, “the chops to play anything and the ideas to make it compelling,” says New York Classical Review. Dubbed an artist of “probing intellect and open-hearted vision” by The New York Times, pianist and composer Conrad Tao has … Read more

Nathalie Joachim

“A fresh an invigorating cross-cultural voice.” THE NATION Grammy-nominated musician and composer Nathalie Joachim — hailed as “powerful and unpretentious” by The New York Times — is breathing new life into music inspired by her classical training, contemporary music practice and Haitian heritage. Performing with her trio, Joachim brings to Ovations a dynamic live interpretation … Read more

Gather Hear Portland

“The classical concerts that made me fall in love with live music again.” BOSTON GLOBE Pianist Miki Sawada, whose performance made The Boston Globe’s Best of Arts 2021 list, is a fearless musician taking classical music where others have not. Through her signature project Gather Hear, Sawada travels the country with a piano in a … Read more

ESPRESSIVO! Piano Quartet

“… with sweep, color and authority, the entire performance was vibrant and exciting.” NEW YORK TIMES Four celebrated musicians, the lauded Sharon Robinson (cello) and Jaime Laredo (violin), stellar violist Milena Pájaro-van de Stadt (formerly of the Dover Quartet) and award-winning pianist Anna Polonsky come together to form a new quartet that showcases their wonderfully expressive playing, … Read more

“The Nightingale’s Sonata”

“A sensitive, perceptive biography. A captivating story of passion and music.” KIRKUS REVIEWS Part storytelling, part live music, The Nightingale’s Sonata is a wholly unique narrated concert experience. Accompanied by two acclaimed musicians and the projection of over 100 historical photographs, author Thomas Wolf recounts the life of Lea Luboshutz, the first internationally known female … Read more

Jerusalem Quartet

“Passion, precision, warmth, a gold blend: these are the trademarks of this excellent Israeli string quartet.” NEW YORK TIMES PROGRAM NOTES READ LISTEN ON YOUTUBE LISTEN ON SPOTIFY The Jerusalem Quartet is renowned for their remarkable individual versatility in addition to their exceptional musical teamwork. Their seamless blend and richly characterized performances make them an … Read more

Handel and Haydn Society

“The group pulled off the marathon concert with aplomb, shining with delightful liveliness.” THE BOSTON MUSICAL INTELLIGENCER PROGRAM NOTES BY PHILIP CARLSEN READ WATCH ON YOUTUBE LISTEN ON SPOTIFY Could there be a more perfect collection of concertos than the Brandenburgs? Johann Sebastian Bach’s treasury of instrumental music — dazzlingly inventive, virtuosic, exuberant — when … Read more

“Sirocco”: Manchester Collective & Abel Selaocoe

“‘Sirocco’ is a once in a lifetime experience.” PLAYS TO SEE PROGRAM NOTES BY PHILIP CARLSEN READ LISTEN ON YOUTUBE LISTEN ON SPOTIFY Sirocco is pure joy and energy — a great storm of music that celebrates the warmth and diversity of music and cultural traditions from across the globe. Guest directed and narrated by … Read more

Palaver Strings + little house dance: “Noisefloor”

“One of the most compelling things I’ve seen on stage in a while.” ODC DANCE STORIES “Lively and emotional performances given without a conductor.” THE GUARDIAN Palaver Strings joins forces with contemporary dance collective, little house dance, to present Noisefloor an immersive physical, visual, and musical experience with the performers activating the stage as well … Read more

Zlata Chochieva, piano

“I can think of few piano recitals finer than this.” SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM NOTES BY PHILIP CARLSEN READ LISTEN ON YOUTUBE LISTEN ON SPOTIFY Hailed by Gramophone magazine as “one of the most consistently inspired, masterfully executed and beautiful-sounding versions I can recall” and included in Gramophone’s list of 10 Greatest Frédéric Chopin … Read more