Classical Music at its Peak: InConcert Sierra’s Season Finale

Grass Valley:  InConcert Sierra wraps up its spectacular 2024–25 season with a return visit from one of the most celebrated chamber music ensembles in the world—the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. The concert will feature four musical superstars: Wu Han, piano; Chad Hoopes, violin; Matt Lipman, viola; and Nicholas Canellakis, cello, on Friday, June 13 at 7:30pm.

The dazzling program of masterworks spans centuries and styles—from Beethoven’s bold and spirited Piano Trio to Jean Françaix’s witty and colorful String Trio, culminating in the lush, emotional sweep of Dvořák’s Piano Quartet. Together, these works showcase the full power and poetry of the chamber music repertoire.

Beethoven’s “Piano Trio in E-flat Major, Op. 1, No. 1” is more than just a lively opener—it’s a landmark. “It’s one of the most important piano trios in the history of chamber music,” says Wu Han. This piece helped redefine what a piano trio could be and paved the way for Romantic-era composers like Schubert, Mendelssohn, Brahms, and Dvořák.

Jean Françaix’s “Trio for Violin, Viola, and Cello” is an energetic and witty piece from the 20th-century French composer known for his sparkling textures and playful charm. The program concludes with Dvořák’s “Quartet in E-flat Major for Piano, Violin, Viola, and Cello,” a work that weaves Czech folk-inspired melodies with the rich lyricism and vitality of Romanticism, ending the program on a joyous, radiant note. 

Wu Han is not only a virtuosic pianist, but also the dynamic co-artistic director of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, a prominent presence in the classical world, and a passionate advocate for chamber music. Her vibrant playing and magnetic presence have captivated audiences worldwide. The audience can expect the same from this ensemble. The “players are all superstars of CMS,” Wu Han said.

This performance is part of InConcert Sierra’s Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Residency Series, part of a bold new collaboration. Quoting BBC Radio 3, “The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center is prestigious beyond belief.”

“We’re incredibly proud to be one of only twelve CMS residencies in the entire country—and the only one in California,” says Hardin. “To build a sustainable future for InConcert Sierra, we are fortunate to be partnering with world-class, nationally acclaimed classical music organizations such as CMS, while continuing to celebrate the remarkable talent in our own local community.”

To learn more about the artists and the music to be performed, there is a complimentary pre-concert forum at 6:45pm. The concert begins at 7:30.

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 an acoustic concert hall, conference center, and black box theater. The concert hall is part of the organization’s plan to create a sustainable future for classical and other acoustic music genres.