Two great melodists, two young geniuses in one brilliant evening: Bubbly, like fine Champagne, Schubert’s “Trout” Quintet is one of the most joyous pieces ever written. A landmark of classical music, it weaves a net of enchantment with its catchy melodies and fresh exuberance. This piece has it all—elegance, beauty and irrepressible good humor; music from the pen of a 22-year-old prodigy inspired by the tragic-comic death of a fish that captures the glories of nature! The program also features Schumann’s miraculous Piano Quintet in E-flat Major—the first work ever conceived and written for this combination of instruments. An all-star ensemble that joins artistic director Yehuda Hanani includes returning Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Yekwon Sunwoo (“superbly assured pianism”—BBC Music) and violinist Giora Schmidt (“Impossible to resist, captivating with lyricism, tonal warmth, and boundless enthusiasm”— Cleveland Plain Dealer). So ends Season 31 of Close Encounters— bookended by the most sublime output of Franz Schubert.

Yekwon Sunwoo, piano;
Giora Schmidt and Helena Baillie, violin;
TBA, viola;
Yehuda Hanani, cello;
Jeremy McCoy, double bass