Poetry at the Keyboard - Masterworks by Rachmaninoff and Mendelssohn

Violinist Xiachu Song, cellist Tsun-yuet Emmanuel Kwok, and pianist Xinzhuo Li will present an intimate chamber music concert at the Kawai Piano Gallery, celebrating masterworks that place the piano at the heart of the musical dialogue. The program features Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio in D minor, a cornerstone of the Romantic chamber repertoire, alongside Rachmaninoff’s Sonata for Cello and Piano, a richly expressive work that highlights the piano’s sweeping lyricism and orchestral depth. Together, these works showcase the piano not only as a collaborator, but as a driving force within the chamber ensemble. About the Artists: Xiachu Song, Violin Violinist Xiachu Song is an active soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer based in the United States. She has appeared with ensembles including the Plano Symphony Orchestra, Richardson Symphony Orchestra, Abilene Philharmonic, Waco Symphony Orchestra, and Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, and has held concertmaster positions with the University of North Texas Symphony Orchestra, UNT Lab Orchestra, and the Round Top Music Festival. Her solo and chamber performances have taken place at prominent venues such as Kulas Hall at Oberlin Conservatory, recital halls at Indiana University and the University of North Texas, and Dallas College. An avid chamber musician, Xiachu has participated in festivals including ENCORE Chamber Music Institute, Festival del Lago, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, Texas Chamber Music Festival, and Round Top Music Festival, where she served as concertmaster and principal second violin in 2025. She has collaborated with conductors such as JoAnn Falletta, Robert Spano, Carl St. Clair, and Michelle Merrill, who praised her exceptional musical preparation and artistic maturity. Xiachu holds degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and Indiana University and is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of North Texas. Tsun-yuet Emmanuel Kwok, Cello Cellist Tsun-yuet Emmanuel Kwok maintains an active international career as a soloist, recitalist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer. He has appeared across the United States, Europe, and Asia, including a solo debut at Carnegie Hall in June 2023, and has participated in more than thirty world premieres of contemporary works. As a soloist, he has performed with orchestras throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Kwok serves as Adjunct Professor of Cello and String Area Coordinator at Nelson University and as String Faculty at Tarrant County College. He is Assistant Principal Cellist of the McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra and a member of the Dallas Chamber Symphony and Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, with regular performances throughout North Texas. He was recently appointed Guest Principal Cellist of the South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Recent and upcoming projects include performances of the Dvořák Cello Concerto and Beethoven’s Triple Concerto, as well as recital tours with pianist Xinzhuo Li. Beyond the classical stage, he has collaborated extensively with worship ministries and pop artists across Southeast Asia, recording over ten albums as a solo cellist. Xinzhuo Li, Piano Pianist Xinzhuo Li is recognized for her expressive musicianship and versatility as a soloist and chamber collaborator. She has performed in major cities across China and the United States, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Boston, Manhattan, and Washington, D.C. Her repertoire spans classical masterworks to contemporary music, and she is particularly sought after for her dynamic chamber music collaborations. Li is a prizewinner at international competitions, including First Prize in Piano Solo and Second Prize in Chamber Music at the 2024 SWISS International Music Competition. She appears regularly in recitals, festivals, and collaborative projects, and has worked closely with composers and performers in contemporary music settings. Alongside her performance career, she is active as an educator, sharing her passion for music with students of all ages while continuing to expand her artistic voice on the concert stage.

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Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3426737-0

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