Get ready to be mesmerized by world-renowned violinist Sirena Huang, winner of the 2022 Indianapolis Violin Competition, as she takes the stage at NV Hall accompanied by pianist Min Young Kang. Sirena's exceptional talent and technique have earned her numerous accolades, and her captivating performances have wowed audiences worldwide. This is an incredible opportunity to experience the dynamic interplay between Sirena's violin and Min Young's piano in an intimate setting. Be prepared to be transported by their virtuosic precision and spectacular artistry. Don't miss this unforgettable evening of classical music on June 5th at NV Hall. Tickets are selling out fast, so book yours now to avoid disappointment!
Program
Igor Stravinsky - Suite italienne
Maurice Ravel Sonata No. 2 in G major
Sergei Prokofiev Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 80
Jean Sibelius Humoresque No. 5 in E-flat, Op. 89, No. 3
Jean Sibelius Romance, Op. 78, No. 2
Henri Vieuxtemps Souvenir d’Amérique, Variations burlesques sur “Yankee Doodle”
Sirena Huang, violin
Praised by The Baltimore Sun for her “impeccable technique…deeply expressive phrasing…and poetic weight," Sirena Huang is one of her generation’s most celebrated violinists. She brings not only technical brilliance and powerful artistry to the stage, but also a profound sense of connection to her audience.
Sirena has been the recipient of numerous accolades and awards. She is the 2022 Gold Medalist of the 11th Quadrennial International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, and was also awarded eight of the eleven special prizes. In 2017, she was awarded First Prize at the Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition and later that year, she was the winner of the New York Concert Artist Worldwide Debut Audition. In 2009, she won First Prize Gold Medalist of the 6th International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians. She won First Prize and the Audience Award at the Cooper International Competition in 2011. That same year, she was also named the first Artist-in-Residence of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. In 2013, she was awarded the Hannloser Prize for Violin at the Verbier Music Festival in Switzerland. She is also a top prize winner at the Singapore International Violin Competition as well as the Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin Competition.
Sirena made her solo debut with the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra in 2004 at the age of nine and has performed in twenty countries across three continents. She has been a soloist with numerous prestigious ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Baltimore, Shanghai, Russian, and Singapore symphony orchestras, and the Staatskapelle Weimar in Germany. She has performed in leading venues including Berliner Philharmonie, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, the Kravis Center, Esplanade-Theatres on the Bay, Shanghai Concert Hall, and the Taiwan National Concert Hall. She has appeared as a guest artist at the Verbier Music Festival, Marlboro Music Festival, Ravinia Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Newport Music Festival, Music in the Mountains Festival, Eastern Music Festival, Sarasota Arts Series, “The Great Music for a Great City” series in New York City, and many others.
Motivated by a deep wish to inspire peace and harmony with her music, Sirena has performed before world leaders, thinkers and humanitarians. She has appeared at the World Peace Conference held in Petra and at the Opening Ceremony of the “Forum 2000 World Conference” in Prague.
In addition to her TED Talk in 2006, Sirena has been featured on numerous radio and television broadcasts, including WQXR’s McGraw-Hill Young Artists Showcase, and NPR’s From the Top as well as interviews with WNPR, CNBC, WTNH, WTIC, WB20 and Beethoven Radio.
Sirena performs on a Guarneri del Gesù violin, Cremona 1739 “Kortschak”, which is on loan from Dr. Ryuji Ueno and Rare Violins In Consortium, Artists and Benefactors Collaborative.
Min Young Kang, piano
Praised as “an absolute gem” by Montecito Journal, Korean-born pianist Min Young Kang enjoys a versatile career as a chamber musician, collaborative pianist, and music director. For the past ten years, Min Young has performed in concerts and recitals throughout the United States, France and South Korea, at venues that include Weill Recital Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, Château de Fontainebleau, and the Sejong Center M Theater. She has shared the stage with prominent artists including Ani Kavafian, Ettore Causa, Ole Akahoshi, David Geber, Linda Chesis, Nicholas Mann, Alan Kay, and Stephen Taylor.
Min Young recently released her first record “Remembering Russia” with PENTATONE with Spanish Violist Jesus Rodolfo in Oct 2021 and her playing was described as 'sensitive' and 'nuanced with a lyrical right hand' in the review by Tarraco Culture Club.
Min Young is a Founder/Artistic Director of Kallos Chamber Music Series(www.kalloscms.org) based in New Haven, CT. Hailed "resonant with the time, and offering understanding, catharsis, and consolation" by New Haven Independent, Kallos Chamber Music Series's mission is to cultivate a thriving community around a vibrant, intimate, and profound chamber music experience.
A prize winner at both the J.C. Arriaga Chamber Music Competition, Artur Balsam Duo Competition, and Lillian Fuchs Chamber Music Competition, Kang has also been recognized with numerous awards and scholarships, including the Talisman Energy Emerging Artist Award, Kraeuter Musical Foundation Award, Prix special du Directeur and Prix de Musique de chambre from Ecoles D’Art Americaines de Fontainbleau, the Renee and Richard Hawley Scholarship and the Manhattan School of Music’s President’s Award Scholarship.
Min Young has extensive collaborative experience, having worked with musicians of all “stripes” - strings, woodwinds, brass, vocal. She has worked as one of the recommended collaborative pianists for a prestigious international competition such as Naumburg International Competition and Long-thibaud Violin Competition (New York Regional). She has also served as an official piano collaborator for the entrance auditions at Yale School of Music, Manhattan School of Music, and Mannes School of Music. As a vocal pianist, she has worked with the Center of Contemporary Opera and Manhattan Summer Voice Festival.
In summers past, Min Young served as a Collaborative Piano Fellow at the Music Academy of the West, and as a Vocal Piano Fellow at both SongFest and Aspen Music Festival and School, having studied closely with Graham Johnson, Alan Smith, Jonathan Feldman and Andrew Harley. She has also worked as a collaborative pianist at several other renowned summer music festivals, such as Ecoles D’Art Americaines de Fontainbleau, Banff International Music Festival.
Kang appeared at various masterclasses led by internationally recognized musicians such as Bruno Rigutto, Craig Rutenberg, Dominique Merlet, Graham Johnson, Gyorgy Sandor, Marilyn Horne, Jonathan Feldman, Margo Gerret, Lucy Shelton, Philipp Entremont, and Thomas Hampson.
Kang received a Master of Music (MM) as a full scholarship student from Eastman School of Music, where she studied collaborative piano and chamber music with Dr. Jean Barr. She completed a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in collaborative piano with a full scholarship and Kraeuter Musical Foundation Award from Manhattan School of Music under the tutelage of Dr. Heasook Rhee.
Min Young completed a Collaborative Piano Fellowship at the Yale School of Music, where she worked with instrumental students in recitals, lessons, and master classes, while also providing rehearsal coaching. She is a Founder/Artistic Director of Kallos Chamber Music Series in New Haven, CT, and also a current staff pianist at Mannes School of Music in NYC.