Twenty Years of the Blavatnik Chamber Music Series at CJH
Thu, May 08
|New York
Phoenix Chamber Ensemble Performing Mozart and Mendelssohn in Celebration
Time & Location
May 08, 2025, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
New York, 15 W 16th St, New York, NY 10011, USA
About the event
The Phoenix Chamber Ensemble is thrilled to be celebrating its 20th anniversary at the Center for Jewish History with this special concert. Phoenix Chamber Ensemble pianists Vassa Shevel and Inessa Zaretsky with frequent guest artists, Tesla Quartet members Michelle Lie (violin) and Austin Fisher (cello).
Program:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Sonata for Piano 4 hands in C Major, K.V. 521
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdi Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 49
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano trio No. 5 in C Major, K. 548
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Hebriden Overture, Op. 26 arr. for Piano 4 hands, Violin and Cello by C. Burchard
Founded in 2005 by pianists Vassa Shevel and Inessa Zaretsky, the Phoenix Chamber Ensemble has, over the course of two decades, become a vital part of the New York classical community, presenting more than 70 public concerts at the Center for Jewish History. The ensemble has garnered a devoted following with its innovative programming and sensitive interpretations, earned an international reputation presenting concerts in Russia, Poland, Italy, and other European venues, and collaborated with numerous acclaimed guest artists, including clarinetist David Krakauer, the Grammy-nominated Enso Quartet, the Tesla Quartet, members of the Jasper String Quartet, the New York Little Opera Company, the Metropolitan Opera, and New York City Ballet.
Tickets:
In person: $10 general; $9 senior/student; $8 member; click here to register
YouTube: Pay what you wish; click here to register
Guest Artists
Michelle Lie, violin
As an active performer in comprehensive musical genres, Michelle has been featured in diverse performances throughout the country. Currently a violinist with the Tesla Quartet, she was a founding member of the Iannis String Quartet and received the Special Recognition award from the Plowman Chamber Music Competition in 2008. She has performed as first violinist with Aeolus String Quartet (Silver Medal winner of Fischoff Competition 2011) during its residency at the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival in the summer of 2010. Her other chamber music festival appearances include two fellowships at the Norfolk Yale Chamber Music Festival, Perlman Music Program, St. Lawrence String quartet seminar, and Sunflower Music Festival. Her particular interest in chamber music was greatly influenced by such world-renowned ensembles as the Tackács Quartet, Tokyo String Quartet, St. Lawrence String Quartet, Miró Quartet, Artis Quartet, and Brentano String Quartet.
Although her musical education in violin started at the age of 14 from the influence of her vocalist father, she was quickly recognized through various performances and awards. 1st prize winner of the 250th Anniversary of J.S. Bach Violin Competition in Seoul, 2nd Prize winner and Audience choice of the Ekstrand Competition 2012 she was featured as a soloist with various orchestras in South Korea and the United States. Also, recently Michelle received the Mrs. Hong Pham recognition award from Indiana University to celebrate her active role in premiering modern works. Known for her in-depth musical projects, Michelle performed a complete Beethoven Violin Sonata cycle in Kansas City in June, 2011. She also was featured at the Society of Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS) conference at the University of Florida in 2011 as well as the Schumann Society in Indiana in 2010. As an orchestral performer, she has appeared as a substitute with the Cleveland Orchestra in Severance Hall and on tour in Carnegie Hall 2006 - 2010. She has held concertmaster positions at various orchestras in Indiana, Ohio and Colorado at the Boulder Symphony Orchestra.
Michelle received her Bachelor’s Degree from Dankook University, where she studied with Deashik Kang, and her Master’s Degree from the New England Conservatory, where she studied with Eric Rosenblith. She also holds a Professional Studies certificate from the Cleveland Institute of Music with William Preucil. While she is performing with the Tesla Quartet, Michelle received her Doctor of Music Degree in 2013 with Mark Kaplan at Indiana University, where she was an Associate Violin Performance Instructor 2008-11.
Austin Fisher, cello
Austin Fisher, the newest member of the Tesla Quartet, resides in Brooklyn, NY and is the former Assistant Principal Cello of the Colorado Symphony. He served as Acting Principal Cello for the 2016-17 Season and made his solo debut with the Symphony performing Saint‐Saëns’ Cello Concerto No. 1.
Previously, he was a member of the New World Symphony in Miami under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. As a winner of New World’s concerto competition, Austin was a featured soloist in performances of Schumann’s Cello Concerto. Before his time at New World, Austin was Principal Cello of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago where he worked closely with Yo-Yo Ma and musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
An active soloist and chamber musician, Austin has been praised for his “virtuosity, refinement, and style” (South Florida Classical Review). Austin was the featured soloist in Dvorak’s Silent Woods with the Colorado Symphony and joined the Lakewood Symphony as soloist for a performance of Schumann’s Cello Concerto. He was a regular performer on the Englewood Arts Chamber Music Series, active in Denver’s newly emerging Groupmuse scene, and recently joined the Miami String Quartet for a performance of Schoenberg’s Verklarte Nacht in Fort Collins. Austin has also performed in concert at Banff’s Rolston Hall with members of the Miró Quartet.
Austin has attended festivals and master classes around the world, including IMS Prussia Cove, London Master Classes, and the Pacific Music Festival in Japan. He is Co-Principal Cello at the Lakes Area Music Festival in Minnesota, where he returns for his 13th season this summer, and regularly performs with the Strings Music Festival in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
Austin holds a Master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music and a Bachelor’s degree from the Eastman School of Music, studying under Hans Jørgen Jensen and Steven Doane. Important mentors include Yo‐Yo Ma, Silver Ainomäe, and the Miró Quartet. He plays on a French cello made by Francois Caussin, 1830.
Phoenix Chamber Ensemble 2023 ©