A New World-Class Series for InConcert Sierra debuts Feb. 8

Grass Valley:   InConcert Sierra will launch its new Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS) Residency Series on Saturday, February 8, at 2 PM.

Violinist Arnaud Sussmann, cellist David Finckel, and pianist Wu Han—three world-renowned musicians from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS)—will open the new CMS Residency Series. The new series features musicians exclusive to the CMS roster showcasing both seasoned masters and rising stars, all celebrated for their extraordinary artistry in chamber music.

Wu Han and David Finckel, known as the “power couple of chamber music,” are dynamic performers, renowned educators, and co-artistic directors of CMS and the Bay Area’s Music@Menlo. They are also acclaimed recording artists with their own label. Joining them is violinist Arnaud Sussmann, praised for his “sweet and smooth sound” reminiscent of the great Jascha Heifetz. Sussmann is a rising star who continues to captivate critics and audiences worldwide.

The trio’s program highlights the expressive possibilities of chamber music, featuring Haydn’s elegant “Trio in E Major,” Shostakovich’s poignant and powerful “Trio No. 2 in E Minor,” and Mendelssohn’s fiery and emotionally rich “Trio No. 2 in C Minor.” 

Wu Han will perform on one of InConcert Sierra’s two recently acquired Hamburg Steinway concert grand pianos, enhancing the concert with its tonal brilliance. The piano will be moved from its storage location to Peace Lutheran Church just for this concert. Eventually, the piano will have its new home at InConcert Sierra’s “Hardin Hall” at Crown Point Venues.

“We are delighted to be collaborating with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in many ways, and one is through this new residency series,” said Ken Hardin, ICS artistic director.

The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center is one of eleven constituents of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the largest performing arts complex in the world. Along with other constituents such as the New York Philharmonic, New York City Ballet, Lincoln Center Theater, and The Metropolitan Opera, the Chamber Music Society has its home at Lincoln Center, in Alice Tully Hall. Through its performance, education, and recording/broadcast activities, it draws more people to chamber music than any other organization of its kind.

InConcert Sierra will continue to offer its Third Sunday Chamber Series, Sierra Master Chorale and Orchestra concerts, and robust educational programs. The CMS Residency Series is in addition to the variety of great classical music ICS brings to the region. 

“The combination of the new venue with the incredibly wise and dedicated people steering the ship, plus the amazing, inspired audience of Grass Valley just can’t be beat. CMS is proud to be included in the [Crown Point Venues] project, which in so many ways is unlike any other. Our hats are off to everyone behind it, and our sincerest congratulations goes to the Grass Valley [Nevada City] community on a new asset of spectacular dimension,” says CMS Artistic Director Wu Han.

Learn more about the music, the musicians, the new pianos, and the collaboration at the pre-concert forum 45 minutes prior to the concert at Peace Lutheran Church, facilitated by Artistic Director Ken Hardin.

Since its founding in 1946, InConcert Sierra has brought world-class classical music to the Sierra Nevada Region. The organization offers outreach programs, educational opportunities, and collaborations to inspire a passion for classical music. ICS is currently constructing the Crown Point Venues, which will include a new acoustic concert hall, conference center, and black box theater.