Our Season Seventeen opens with a joyful reunion: the return of the powerhouse Chien-Kim-Watkins Trio, featuring Artistic Director Gloria Chien, violinist Soovin Kim, and cellist Paul Watkins. Debuted at String Theory ten years ago, this trio brings both personal history and musical affinity to a program that explores love, loss and the Romantic spirit.

The evening begins with Saint-Saëns’ stunning transcription of Liszt’s symphonic poem Orpheus, a work glowing with lyricism and mythic grandeur. Originally written for orchestra, this seldom-heard version for piano trio casts the familiar tale in a more intimate, transparent light. Anchoring the evening is Dvořák’s Piano Trio in F Minor: a work of sweeping emotion and Slavic fire. This passionate masterpiece explores themes of longing and grief, offering a moving counterpart to the luminous beauty of Orpheus.

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Program

LISZT Orpheus, S98/R415
BEETHOVEN Piano Trio in E-flat major, Op. 70, No. 2
DVOŘÁK Piano Trio in F Minor

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Chien-Kim-Watkins Trio

Soovin Kim, violin
Paul Watkins, cello
Gloria Chien, piano