News

String Theory, in partnership with Lee University and the Hunter Museum of American Art, is proud to announce Season 12, beginning with String Theory @ Home, featuring two virtual concerts, one with the Chien-Kim-Watkins Trio in October and one with Alexander Sitkovetsky and Wu Qian in November.

“Even though we are not able to gather in our beautiful home at the Hunter Museum just yet, I am so grateful to continue presenting music in new and exciting ways,” said String Theory Artistic Director Gloria Chien.

The first concert will premiere online with pianist Gloria Chien, violinist Soovin Kim, and cellist Paul Watkins on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 6:30 p.m. on String Theory’s website, Facebook page, and YouTube.

String Theory was founded in 2009 by Chien with the mission of exposing new audiences to chamber music, invigorating the local classical music scene, and cultivating a future generation of music lovers.

The virtual concert, sponsored by Hefferlin and Kronenberg Architects, will celebrate Beethoven’s 250th anniversary with the composer’s Piano Trio in E-flat major and G major. The event will also feature a post-concert interview with the artists.

Chien is the co-artistic director of Chamber Music Northwest in Portland, Oregon, as well as the Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival in Burlington, Vermont, along with her husband, Kim. For the last decade, she was the director of the Chamber Music Institute at Music@Menlo. Chien frequently appears with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and is a Steinway Artist. She is currently an artist-in-residence at Lee University.

Kim received first prize at the Paganini International Competition, launching his international concert career at the age of 20. He regularly performs repertoire such as Bach sonatas and Paganini caprices for solo violin; sonatas for violin and piano by Beethoven, Brahms, and Ives; string quartets, Mozart and Haydn concertos and symphonies as a conductor; and new world-premiere works almost every season. Kim founded the Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival in Vermont and is co-artistic director of Chamber Music Northwest with Chien.

Watkins has been acclaimed for his performances and eloquent musicianship as a concerto soloist, chamber musician, and conductor. He is a member of the renowned Emerson String Quartet. He has collaborated with legendary conductors including Sir Mark Elder, Sir Charles Mackerras, Andris Nelsons, and Gianandrea Noseda. Since winning the 2002 Leeds Conducting Competition, Watkins has conducted all major British orchestras. He currently serves as artistic director of the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival in Detroit and is an exclusive recording artist with Chandos Records.

There will be no fee for the String Theory @ Home concerts and all are welcome to view.

The concert will be available for one week after it premieres on the website, Facebook page, and YouTube. It will also be rebroadcasted on WTCI Rebroadcast Channel 45 on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 4 p.m. and WSMC 90.5 FM on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 4 p.m.

Season 12’s String Theory @ Home will continue on Tuesday, Nov. 24, with husband-wife duo Alexander Sitkovetsky and Wu Qian for the second installment of the virtual concert, which will also have free access.

String Theory will host three more concerts in Spring 2021 and the dates will be announced this December.

To attend the virtual concert, visit stringtheorymusic.org/watch, facebook.com/stringtheorycms, or search “String Theory at the Hunter” on YouTube.

For more information on String Theory at the Hunter, call (423) 414-2525 or visit String Theory.