Join us for another exciting year of Presenting Series chamber arts presentations. Since opening in 2004, the Center has become known for featuring performances by some of classical and contemporary classical music’s most forward-thinking recital artists and emerging ensembles.
Just in time for this 15th anniversary season, an opportunity arose to enhance the experience for both artists and audiences. The result is a programming initiative that increases the locations where Presenting Series events take place, in a new venue scaled perfectly for the chamber arts genre, without compromising the acoustic excellence music lovers expect.
Associate Director of Programming and Engagement Sean Martin said, “Chamber music has always been an integral part of the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center Presenting Series. After the 2018–2019 inaugural year of events at the O’Neill Hall of Music LaBar Recital Hall, it seemed like the perfect time to enter into a partnership with the Department of Music that commits to the ongoing presentation of chamber arts.
“In a collaborative process, a committee made up of music faculty and DPAC staff selects a series of artists for each season. These artists will, of course, perform at the highest level but are also being selected based on their ability to teach and work with students. The intimacy of the LaBar Recital Hall paired with the purity of chamber music will make for a series of performances not to be missed.”
2019–2020 Chamber Arts Events
Conrad Tao, piano
Sunday, September 29 at 4 p.m.
Conrad Tao has appeared worldwide as a pianist and composer and has been dubbed a musician of “probing intellect and open-hearted vision” by The New York Times, who also cited him “one of five classical music faces to watch” in the 2018–2019 season. Tao is a recipient of the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant, and was named a Gilmore Young Artist—an honor awarded every two years highlighting the most promising American pianists of the new generation.
Merz Trio
Sunday, October 13 at 2 p.m.
Composed of players hailed as “impressive” (New York Times), “impeccable” (Fanfare Magazine), and praised for “a sense of joyful virtuosity” (South Florida Classical Review), Merz Trio has been described as “riveting” with “fresh and surprising interpretations” (Reading Eagle).
Formed in 2017 by pianist Lee Dionne, violinist Brigid Coleridge, and cellist Julia Yang, the Trio has quickly emerged as a unique and award-winning ensemble, garnering the First Prize at the 2019 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and the First Prize and Audience Prize at the 2018 Chesapeake International Chamber Music Competition.
Jennifer Koh, violin
Saturday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Recognized for intense, commanding performances, delivered with dazzling virtuosity and technical assurance, violinist Jennifer Koh is a forward-thinking artist dedicated to exploring a broad and eclectic repertoire, while promoting diversity and inclusivity in classical music. She has expanded the contemporary violin repertoire through a wide range of commissioning projects and has premiered more than 70 works written especially for her. Her quest for the new and unusual, sense of endless curiosity, and ability to lead and inspire a host of multidisciplinary collaborators, truly set her apart.
Koh continues her critically acclaimed series this season, including Limitless, The New American Concerto, Shared Madness, Bach and Beyond, and Bridge to Beethoven. Initiated in 2018 at Brooklyn’s National Sawdust, Limitless is a commissioning project that engages leading composer-performers to write duo compositions that explore the artistic relationship between composer and performer.
