Smolder and spark: Seattle Chamber Music Society launches its 2025 summer festival

Not painting by the numbers: with a trio, a pair of quartets, and an octet, the Seattle Chamber Music Society offers more than the sum of its parts.

Violin virtuoso James Ehnes gave a concert of works by Béla Bartók on May 28th at the Montreal Chamber Music Festival. Just the day before, Ehnes had performed an equally challenging program of completely different repertoire - works by Ravel (the duo, the trio, and the quartet). Both performances were of the highest quality, and showcased a performer with unparalleled command of his instrument.

The classical equivalent to a pop “supergroup” assembles at the Southbank Centre for piano trios by Rachmaninov, Ravel and Beethoven. 

Late-career works by Lyadov, Bartók and Rachmaninov dominated the program, which featured Inon Barnatan as piano soloist.

Inon Barnatan hits the ground running with Ravel in his recital, concluding with his own transcription of Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances. 

Oksana Lyniv gets the best out of The Cleveland Orchestra, treating the audience to spellbinding versions of charming fables.