Grass Valley, California, September 3, 2025 – On Sunday, September 28th, Music in the Mountains welcomes internationally acclaimed pianists Vijay Venkatesh and Eva Schaumkell to the Center for the Arts for a very special two piano performance.
“Two pianos opens up an incredible range of color and power, the intimacy of chamber music combined with the richness of a full orchestra,” said Venkatesh.
The performance will feature five works that showcase the great variety and scope of the two piano genre. Audiences will be treated to large scale drama from Brahms, the playful dialogue of a Mozart sonata, and a fun contemporary piece – The Serpent’s Kiss from American composer William Bolcom – that will have our pianists stomping their feet and clicking their tongues like snakes.
Venkatesh and Schaumkell will set the stage before each piece with illuminating commentary, making the performance a perfect introduction to classical music, as well as a rare opportunity for classical music aficionados. Ryan Murray, artistic director for Music in the Mountains, is thrilled to bring world class talent to Nevada County. “These are artists that are playing in some of the world’s finest concert halls,” he said. “They are so excited to come here and play for our amazing Nevada County audience, and you get to experience these musicians in an intimate setting instead of a giant concert hall – it’s pretty incredible!” ”
Venkatesh has been recognized on three continents for his profound musicianship, sparkling pianism and an innate sense of partnership, qualities that make him especially well suited for a tandem performance. He has been named a Davidson Fellow Laureate at the Library of Congress, USC Thornton’s Discovery Scholar, and Grand Prize Winner of the Los Angeles Music Center’s Spotlight. Hi solo performances include appearances with the symphony orchestras of Seattle, Vienna, Sarasota, Pasadena, Columbus, Cincinnati, Bangor, Redlands, Roanoke, LaGrange, Rogue Valley, Santa Monica, and the Brevard Music Center.
Dr. Eva Schaumkell is an award-winning piano soloist and collaborator. She won gold medals at the 2018 International James Ramos Piano Competition and the 2014 International Siegfried Weishaupt Piano Competition, among many other prizes in international competition. She has performed at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Steinway Hall London, Luton Music Club, Buckingham Palace, the City of London Festival. This concert marks her debut at the Center for the Arts in Grass Valley.
Playing two pianos together requires exceptional precision. If the two pianists are not perfectly in sync, it is painfully obvious. Without the background of other orchestral instruments, there is no place to hide. “You have to feel and breathe as one person, “ shared Venkatesh. “It creates a wonderful symbiosis with full texture and sound.” Listening to a married couple perform together offers a glimpse into the intimacy of their relationship. “It’s wonderful and humbling, “ said Schaumkell, about playing with her husband. “You know each other deeply — that comes with challenges, but at the end there is a deep respect as people and as musicians.”
For the couple, the audience becomes part of the performance: “It’s not just playing the notes on a page, it’s about creating a shared emotional journey in real time,” Venkatesh asserts. Schaumkell concurs: “We approach music and performing as a living conversation, together with the audience — we feed off their energy just as they feed off ours.”
Music in the Mountains is delighted to welcome Venkatesh back to the stage after his thrilling 2023 performance of Rhapsody in Blue as a soloist with our festival orchestra. For Venkatesh, this program is also personal. “Brahms is the first piece we played together when we first met, so we are coming full circle,” he said. “To come back with my wife will be really special.”
Tickets are available through the Music in the Mountains website.
About Music in the Mountains
Music in the Mountains (MIM) inspires, engages, and connects the Nevada County community through extraordinary musical experiences. Each year, MIM presents approximately 20 concerts and community events, along with 10 educational programs that reach hundreds of local students. Founded in 1982, MIM has grown into one of Northern California’s leading cultural organizations, known for world-class performances, innovative collaborations, and a deep commitment to music education. Learn more at www.musicinthemountains.org.