Kaufman Music Center Announces 2024-2025 Season at Merkin Hall 

New York, NY: July 17th, 2024 — Today, Kaufman Music Center announces its 2024-2025 season at Merkin Hall, featuring an eclectic lineup of world-class performances, including critically acclaimed musicians, groundbreaking ensembles, and innovative curators. The season promises an extraordinary journey through a diverse array of genres, styles, and cultural influences. Including ongoing series such as "Tuesday Matinees," "What Makes It Great?" "Broadway Close Up," and more, each show brings a distinct speciality, from classical and contemporary music to Broadway previews and intimate song recitals. See season highlights & a full list of shows below. 

For tickets visit: https://www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org/mch/

Additionally, today, Kaufman Music Center announces the 2024-25 Artists-in-Residence: visionary composer, singer, director and choreographer Meredith Monk, Grammy-nominated violinist and composer Curtis Stewart, and Grammy-nominated pianist Simone Dinnerstein. 

Artists-in-Residence are pioneering composers, performers and ensembles who are developing groundbreaking multidisciplinary projects as well as educational opportunities to mentor and inspire. From masterclasses to imaginative performance experiences, you’ll find them on stage at Merkin Hall, in classrooms and out in the community participating in dynamic and engaging learning experiences with students across Kaufman Music Center’s various programs. 

2024-2025 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21ST, 2024: Darius Jones:

Saxophonist and composer Darius Jones bridges the landscape between the New York avant-jazz scene and contemporary composition. He brings these musical worlds together for the first time at a performance featuring his two most iconic works: Samesoul Maker and fLuXkit Vancouver. Samesoul Maker for voices, bells and vibraphone transports listeners into a mythical alien world, creating a realm of sound, syntax and speech patterns expressing the hope and truth that real communication lies beyond the realm of words and the familiar. A radiant manifesto of artistic freedom, fLuXkit Vancouver was #1 on The Wire’s 2023 Best Jazz list and made NPR’s Top 50 of 2023.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND, 2024: Galvin Cello Quartet:

Returning to Merkin Hall after their sold-out show last fall, the prizewinning cello quartet performs the world premiere of a cello quartet by Brazilian composer André Mehmari, plus world premieres of new arrangements of music by Niccolò Paganini, L.V. Beethoven and David Popper. With members from China, Brazil, South Korea and the U.S., Galvin Cello Quartet explores the limitless range of a cello ensemble by bringing together new works from diverse cultural backgrounds. They burst onto the scene after capturing the silver medal at the 2021 Fischoff Competition, followed shortly by winning the 2022 Victor Elmaleh Competition and joining the Concert Artists Guild roster. Co-presented with Concert Artists Guild.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 10TH, 2025: Njioma Grievous:

The acclaimed violinist and Avery Fisher career grant winner Njioma Grevious shares a deeply personal and intimate mediation on the theme of remembrance including works by Coleridge-Taylor and a new violin duo by Curtis Stewart with the composer as guest performer. Each of these works are influenced by genres that were created by African Americans beginning in the 19th century, echoing themes of struggle, hopes, dreams, freedom and creativity. Grievous will also delve into a palette of emotions and reminiscence through Prokofiev’s Violin Sonata No. 2 and Mozart Violin Sonata in E Minor K. 304. She will pair her musical offerings with audio visuals to provide a multi-sensory connection with the audience and window into some of her reflections. 

THURSDAY, APRIL 17TH, 2025: Mikael Darmanie:

Pianist and composer Mikael Darmanie performs an eclectic program showcasing the musical perspectives that have most influenced his own, from Olivier Messiaen, Robert Schumann and Alexander Scriabin to Erykah Badu. Darmanie says, “At first glance it’s giving music-streaming-app-playlist-on-shuffle vibes, but at its core, it represents the intersection of two disparate systems: the eclecticism of today’s algorithmic based society and the indifference of nature.” As a member of Warp Trio, Darmanie performs throughout the world in genres ranging from jazz to hip-hop, rock, fusion and electronic music.

FRIDAY, APRIL 25TH, 2025: Curtis Stewart: 

Curtis Stewart, violin with musicians from the Gateways Music Festival

The four-time Grammy-nominated violinist and composer gives the world premiere of his 24 American Caprices, a recomposition of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons as the frame for an Afrofuturist meditation on climate change, class and the nature of digital memory. The piece includes recorded interviews with the unhoused population about the heavy impact of climate change on their daily lives. Praised for “combining omnivory and brilliance” (The New York Times), Stewart translates stories of American self-determination to the concert stage. As a solo violinist, composer, Artistic Director of the American Composers Orchestra, professor at The Juilliard School, and member of award-winning ensembles PUBLIQuartet and The Mighty Third Rail, he realizes a vision to find personal and powerful connections between styles, cultures and musics.

MONDAY, MAY 12TH, 2025: Simone Dinnerstein with Brooklyn Orchestra:

The Grammy-nominated pianist celebrated for her originality, elegance and spellbinding playing performs three Philip Glass works for piano and orchestra: The Hours, Mad Rush and Tirol Concerto. The Washington Post has called Dinnerstein “an artist of strikingly original ideas and irrefutable integrity.” She first came to wider public attention in 2007 through her recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations and is celebrated as “a unique voice in the forest of Bach interpretation” (The New York Times). Dinnerstein has played with orchestras ranging from the New York Philharmonic and Montreal Symphony Orchestra to the London Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale Rai and has made 13 albums, all of which topped the Billboard charts.

FRIDAY, MAY 30TH, 2025: Meredith Monk with Alarm Will Sound:

Recognized as one of the most unique and influential artists of our time, Meredith Monk and members of her acclaimed Vocal Ensemble join forces with new music supergroup Alarm Will Sound for a night of works spanning her singular career, including Night, Realm Variations and the world premiere of The Five Jewels and Hands in the Dirt from Indra’s Net (instrumental suite), an all-orchestral adaptation of music from her latest evening-length performance work. A composer, singer, director/choreographer and creator of new opera, music-theater works, films and installations, Monk is a pioneer who has been hailed as one of National Public Radio’s 50 Great Voices and “one of America’s coolest composers.”

SEPTEMBER 2024 PERFORMANCES:

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH AT 7:30PM ET: ETHEL, Featuring Allison Loggins-Hull: Persist - The genre-defying string quartet performs brand new commissions from four brilliant early-career composers: Migiwa “Miggy” Miyajima, Xavier Muzik, Sam Wu and Leilehua Lanzilotti. Co-presented with New Sounds Live.

OCTOBER 2024 PERFORMANCES:

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1ST AT 2PM ET: Daniel Hsu, piano - A matinee featuring works by Bach-Busoni, Liszt, Mendelssohn, and Chopin.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7TH AT 7:30PM ET: What Makes it Great: Magnificent Madrigals – Monteverdi’s Greatest Choral Music - Rob Kapilow hosts an exploration of Monteverdi's choral music with the Fourth Wall Ensemble.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8TH AT 7:30PM ET: Marcos Balter: Three Enigmas - A night of avant-garde chamber music curated by Marcos Balter.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 8PM ET: Carlos Núñez - Traditional music with the world’s most famous player of the gaita, the bagpipes of Spain’s Galicia. Co-presented with World Music Institute.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 28TH AT 7:30 PM ET: Broadway Close Up: Bound for Broadway - A sneak peek at upcoming Broadway shows hosted by Liz Callaway.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29TH & WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30TH AT 7:30PM ET: VOCES8- The Grammy-nominated ensemble returns with "Nightfall" and an additional program to be announced.

NOVEMBER 2024 PERFORMANCES: 

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH, AT 2:00PM ET: Daniel Rafimayeri, violin - A matinee featuring the the gold medalist at the Stulberg International String Competition performing music by Beethoven, Wieniawski, de Falla, and Janáček.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH AT 7:30PM ET: Attacca Quartet - The two-time Grammy winners perform music by Jessie Montgomery, Caroline Shaw, Ravel and more. 

Co-presented with the John J. Cali School of Music.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH AT 7:30PM ET: Lisa Moore, piano - Works by Janáček, Scriabin, Ives, and the NY premiere of Meadow Bridgham's "Seventeen Years - the life cycle of a cicada." Piano Dialogues series.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH AT 7:30PM ET: Hey, Look Me Over - The lyrics of Carolyn Leigh - Discover the genius of the lyricist for Peter Pan and Little Me, and hit songs like “Witchcraft” and “Young At Heart.” Broadway Close Up series.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH AT 8:00PM ET: New York Festival of Song: My Brother’s Keeper - A program exploring brotherly love among Black men through art song, soul, gospel, and opera. Featuring Justin Austin, Joshua Blue, Will Liverman, Joseph Parrish, Jorell Williams and Chaz'men Williams-Ali.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21ST AT 7:30PM ET: Darius Jones - performance featuring "Samesoul Maker" and "fLuXkit Vancouver."

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND AT 7:30PM ET: Galvin Cello Quartet - Featuring new works and arrangements by Paganini, Beethoven, and Popper. Co-presented with Concert Artists Guild.

DECEMBER 2024 PERFORMANCES:

MONDAY, DECEMBER 2ND AT 7:30PM ET: What Makes it Great: The Nutcracker - Exploring Tchaikovsky’s holiday masterpiece hosted by Rob Kapilow with the Manhattan School of Music Camerata Nova.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5TH AT 7:30PM ET: Hub Mix Tape - Hub New Music performs new works by composers Jessica Meyer, Tyshawn Sorey, Nico Muhly, Angélica Negrón, Donnacha Dennehy, Marcos Balter, Sage Shurman, Andrew Norman.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 9TH AT 7:30PM ET: Broadway Close Up: Broadway Super Smackdown - Concluding the Broadway Close Up 2024 season with spirited and slightly wacky competition for the Greatest Musical of All Time.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1OTH AT 2:00PM ET: Tuesday Matinees: Golka-Park-Speltz Trio- A matinee featuring works by Beethoven, Dvorák, and Bloch. Performed by Grace Park, cellist Brook Speltz and pianist Adam Golka. 

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12TH AT 7:30PM ET: Pedja Mužijević, piano - An interactive performance of music from Haydn to Cowell. Piano Dialogues series.

JANUARY 2025 PERFORMANCES:

FRIDAY, JANUARY 10TH AT 7:30PM ET: Njioma Grevious, violin - The Avery Fisher Career Grant winner performs a deeply personal program of music by Curtis Stewart, Coleridge-Taylor, Prokofiev and Mozart. Co-presented with Concert Artists Guild.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 14TH AT 2:00PM ET: Tuesday Matinees: CAG On Tour - Violinist Nathan Meltzer, violist Jordan Bak, cellist Sydney Lee and pianist Wynona Wang perform works by Caroline Shaw, Antonín Dvořák, and Gabriel Fauré.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 23RD AT 7:30PM ET: Washington National Opera: American Opera Initiative - Premieres of three all-original one-act operas.

FEBRUARY 2025 PERFORMANCES:

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH AT 2:00PM ET: Tuesday Matinees: Aristo Sham, piano - A matinee featuring Chopin, Saariaho, Brahms, and Ireland.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH AT 7:30PM ET: George Xiaoyuan Fu, piano - Works by Dutilleux, Debussy, Boulez, Andres, and Waley-Cohen. Piano Dialogues series.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH AT 7:30PM ET: The Westerlies - The NYC-based brass quartet explores jazz, roots and chamber music influences. Co-presented with the John J. Cali School of Music.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH AT 7:30PM ET: What Makes It Great: Haydn’s String Quartet Op. 76, No. 1 - Host Rob Kapilow and the Balourdet Quartet explore Haydn’s pivotal piece. 

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH AT 8:00PM ET: New York Festival of Song: Tour de France - A musical voyage to the four corners of France with songs by Poulenc, Mahler, and more.

MARCH 2025 PERFORMANCES:

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5TH AT 7:30PM ET: J’Nai Bridges - The two-time Grammy-winning American mezzo-soprano performs cornerstones of the art song repertoire. Co-presented with the John J. Cali School of Music.

MONDAY, MARCH 10TH AT 7:30PM ET: What Makes It Great: Lerner & Loewe’s Greatest Hits - Songs from My Fair Lady, Camelot, and Brigadoon with host Rob Kapilow and vocalists Emily Albrink and Ben Jones.

THURSDAY, MARCH 13TH AT 7:30PM ET: Derek Bermel with Ying Quartet & Aaron Diehl - Music by Bermel alongside Leonard Bernstein, Da Wei, Thelonius Monk and Andreia Pinto Correia. 

THURSDAY, MARCH 20TH AT 8:00PM ET: New York Festival of Song: Beginner’s Luck – The Artist’s Journey - Caramoor’s 2025 Schwab Vocal Rising Stars perform music from German Lieder to Bob Dylan.

APRIL 2025 PERFORMANCES:

FRIDAY, APRIL 4TH AT 7:30PM ET: The ArcoStrum Experience - The dynamic violin-guitar duo re-imagines Chinese traditional music, rock and classical masterworks. Co-presented with Concert Artists Guild.

TUESDAY, APRIL 8TH AT 2:00PM ET: Tuesday Matinees: Hina Khuong-Huu, violin - A matinee featuring works by Franck, Ravel, and Saint-Säens. 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9TH AT 8:00PM ET: New York Festival of Song: Other Worlds – Songs of Fantasy - Songs by R. Schumann, Spohr, Sibelius and more.

THURSDAY, APRIL 10TH AT 7:30PM ET: Chanticleer - The Grammy-winning vocal ensemble explores music’s power throughout the ages, from the Renaissance to jazz standards.

THURSDAY, APRIL 17TH AT 7:30PM ET: Mikael Darmaine, piano - The celebrated composer-pianist performs an eclectic program ranging from Messiaen and Schumann to Erykah Badu. Piano Dialogues series.

FRIDAY, APRIL 25TH AT 7:30PM ET: Curtis Stewart, violin - Stewart and musicians from the Gateway Music Festival perform the world premiere of Stewart’s 24 American Caprices, a Afrofuturist recomposition of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Co-presented with Gateways Music Festival.

MAY 2025 PERFORMANCES:

FRIDAY, MAY 9TH AT 7:30PM ET: Nina Bernat, double bass & Evren Ozel, piano - A world premiere by Lara Poe and works by Alan Blank, Fauré, Mendelssohn, Prokofiev and Beethoven. Co-presented with Concert Artists Guild.

MONDAY, MAY 12TH AT 7:30PM ET: Simone Dinnerstein with Brooklyn Orchestra - Three works by Philip Glass: The Hours, Mad Rush and Tirol Concerto. Piano Dialogues series.

TUESDAY, MAY 13TH AT 2:00PM ET: Tuesday Matinees: Taylor Raven, mezzo-soprano - A matinee featuring works by Price, Duparc, and Mahler.

MONDAY, MAY 19TH AT 7:30PM ET: What Makes It Great: Ella Fitzgerald & Oscar Peterson - Rob Kapilow hosts an exploration of how tradition gets passed on through reimaginations by Oscar and Ella.

FRIDAY, MAY 30TH AT 7:30PM ET: Meredith Monk & Vocal Ensemble with Alarm Will Sound - An evening of works spanning Monk’s singular career, including Night, Realm Variations and the world premiere of The Five Jewels and Hands in the Dirt from Indra’s Net.  

ABOUT KAUFMAN MUSIC CENTER:

Established with the mission of providing access without barriers, Kaufman Music Center proudly programs a comprehensive musical experience for students, performers and audiences in New York and beyond. Merkin Hall, the Center’s intimate performance venue, provides unparalleled access to today’s most compelling artists, workshops and competitions, offering students, artists and audiences alike the chance to share music at the highest level. Its acclaimed Artist-in-Residence program also gives those performers the resources to develop groundbreaking, multidisciplinary projects as well as educational opportunities to mentor and inspire. Kaufman Music Center continuously cultivates and nurtures new generations of artists through Special Music School, New York’s only K-12 public school prioritizing an intensive, immersive and musically-focused education without financial barriers, as well as Lucy Moses School, Manhattan’s largest community performing arts school for students of all ages.

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