Artist Series Concerts is kicking off its 26th season with renewed optimism, vigor, and hope for a full, safe, and inspiring concert season. The concert schedule, which runs from October 2021 through May 2022, boasts 29 performances at eight venues throughout Sarasota and Venice. The programs cover Artist Series Concerts’ trademark range of diverse musical offerings, including classical recitals, pops, jazz, chamber soirées, luncheon and dinner concerts, and even a bit of tango.

“There is so much to be thrilled about this season,” says Executive Director Marcy Miller. “In addition to resuming a full schedule of live performances by outstanding artists, we’re adding some exciting new venues (Bird Key Yacht Club and Temple Sinai), and also returning to a few past favorites like the one-of-a-kind Fischer-Weisenborne residence, the Sarasota Opera House, and the Historic Asolo Theater. We’re delighted to be collaborating as well with State College of Florida in their first-ever piano festival, Pianopalooza. But most of all, we are happy and grateful to be fulfilling our mission of presenting acknowledged stars of the next generation with a terrific assortment of exciting young ‘stars on the rise.’”

The season’s featured rising young stars include:

SooBeen Lee, violin, with Dina Vainshtein, piano

Just 20 years old and hailed as “Korea’s hottest violin prodigy,” Lee has been praised by the Washington Post for her “poised presence, luxurious sound, and a bow arm that will surely be the envy of her peers.”
For more information and tickets, click here.

Emmanuel Ceysson, harp

Ceysson sweeps away any clichés associated with his instrument. After stints as principal harpist for the Opéra National di Paris and the New York Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Ceysson now plays with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
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William Socolof, bass-baritone, with Gracie Francis, piano

An exciting young bass-baritone and winner of the 2020 Young Concert Artists International Auditions, Socolof performs song cycles by Schubert, Debussy, and Ibert.
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A Classic Christmas with Frisson

This dynamic eight-piece ensemble comprised of some of the best and brightest young players of classical music performs classical and classic holiday favorites.
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Merz Trio with Jordan Bak, viola

The newly crowned winners of this year’s Naumburg competition, the Merz Trio has won critical acclaim for its “fresh and surprising interpretations” and “stunning ensemble work.” Jamaican-American violist Jordan Bak has been hailed as “a star in the making.”
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Hanzhi Wang, accordion

The “staggering virtuosity” of this classical accordionist makes the accordion “sound like it was meant to play classical music.” Wang is the only accordionist to make the Young Concert Artists roster in 60 years.
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Anthony Trionfo, flute, with Albert Cano Smit, piano

The “prodigious” and “spellbinding” young flutist is joined by another “artist to watch,” Spanish/Dutch pianist and Trionfo’s fellow Young Concert Artists star Albert Cano Smit.
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NEXUS Chamber Music Chicago

Three acclaimed young musicians, including a former Artist Series Concerts competition winner, who are dedicated to creating modern chamber music experiences.
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Quartet Amabile

The high-flying virtuosity and sumptuous sound of this young Japanese quartet earned them first prize at the 2019 Young Concert Artists International Auditions.
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Steven Banks, classical saxophone (pianist to be announced)

Banks’s “breathtaking” performances are quickly establishing him as an important young artist on the saxophone, rarely heard as a solo concert instrument.
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Max Tan, violin, with Joseph Holt, piano

Taiwanese-American violinist Max Tan is another former Artist Series Concerts competition winner, an alumnus of the Perlman Music Program, and a member of the Sarasota Orchestra.
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Antonio Chen Guang, piano

Winner of the first Olga Kern International Piano Competition, the Scriabin Prize, and the Rome Prize, Antonio Chen Guang combines extraordinary technique, a precociously mature musical sensibility, and exceptional on-stage charisma.
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Lin Ye, piano, with Daniel Jordan and Samantha Bennett, violin; Rachel Halvorson, viola; Natalie Helm, cello; and John Miller, double bass

Artist Series Concerts welcomes the return of pianist Lin Ye, a former winner of the organization’s 2017 National Piano Competition.
For more information and tickets, click here.

Vieness Piano Duo (Eva Schaumkell and Vijay Venkatesh)

Each a prize-winning young artist in their own right, as the Vieness duo, Eva Schaumkell and Vijay Venkatesh have enthralled audiences around the world with their electric and captivating performances covering a wide range of repertoire.
For more information and tickets, click here.

More information about these performances and the rest of the 2021–22 season can be found at ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.

COVID-19 update: Artist Series Concerts is a partner in #SafeArts Sarasota and will be following the policies and protocols set forth by this initiative. Updates and Artist Series Concerts’ most recent COVID-19 statement can be seen at ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.