Acclaimed cellist Zlatomir Fung returns to String Theory in a recital centered on one of the most beloved monuments of the repertoire: Bach’s Cello Suites. Fung first gained international attention as the first American in four decades – and the youngest musician ever – to win First Prize in the cello division of the International Tchaikovsky Competition. Praised for his extraordinary virtuosity and expressive sensitivity, he has quickly emerged as one of the leading cellists of his generation.

Composed around 1717-1723, Bach’s Cello Suites transformed the possibilities of a single instrument, creating worlds of extraordinary richness and emotional range through melody, arpeggiated harmony, and dance. From the sunny openness of the First Suite and the shadowy rooms of the Second to the confidence and exuberance of the Third, these works move between contemplation and celebration, revealing Bach’s enduring ability to create profound expression from the simplest musical means.

American music masters Edgar Meyer and Mike Marshall have spent decades shaping a distinctive musical language together, creating works that blur boundaries between classical music, bluegrass, folk traditions, and improvisation. In this special concert, these longtime collaborators are joined by violinist George Meyer, Edgar’s son, for a performance that brings a new voice into an already-rich musical partnership.

Drawing from celebrated albums such as Short Trip Home and Uncommon Ritual, alongside new works by all three artists, the program brings music often heard on the summer bluegrass festival circuit into an intimate concert setting. Bringing together decades of collaboration with a fresh artistic perspective, the evening celebrates musical exchange between traditions, styles, and generations.

Embodying the quintessential elements of chamber music, the Danish String Quartet has established a reputation for their integrated sound, impeccable intonation and judicious balance. This legendary quartet returns to String Theory for a program pairing two chamber music masterpieces that reveal strikingly different musical worlds.

Ravel’s String Quartet in F Major is often considered the French composer’s first masterpiece and remains one of the most beloved works in the chamber music repertoire. Rich harmonies and vivid textures are elevated by Ravel’s remarkable command of color, using the four instruments with an almost orchestral imagination to create a sound world far larger than the ensemble itself.

Written during a period of political uncertainty, Shostakovich’s Piano Quintet unfolds through stark contrasts – from the solemn grandeur of its opening and searching fugue to passages of biting wit and unexpected warmth. Pianist Gloria Chien joins this celebrated quartet for this performance of one of the Russian composer’s most personal and enduring chamber works.

Violinists Richard Lin and Oliver Neubauer join violist Paul Neubauer, cellist Mihai Marica, and pianist Gloria Chien for a program that traces the many voices of American music – from folk traditions and spirituals to concert works shaped by jazz, folk, and romantic lyricism.

The program opens with Frolov’s virtuosic Fantasy on Themes from Porgy and Bess, transforming Gershwin’s beloved music into a dazzling showcase of the violin and piano. Paul Neubauer then leads a set of spirituals and folk songs, including Deep River and Shenandoah, offering music that has traveled through generations and become woven into the fabric of American musical life.

Mark O’Connor’s Appalachia Waltz and F.C.’s Jig follow, blending folk traditions with contemporary influences. All of the musicians come together for Amy Beach’s Piano Quintet, a milestone in chamber music literature that exemplifies Beach’s gift for soaring lyricism and grand harmonies rooted in the romantic tradition.

Renowned for their adventurous programming and extraordinary precision, Sandbox Percussion returns to String Theory with Andy Akiho’s Seven Pillars. Described by The New York Times as a “lush, brooding celebration of noise,” the work received nominations for two Grammy Awards and the Pulitzer Prize in Music, further establishing Akiho as one of today’s most distinctive musical voices.

Akiho and Sandbox Percussion’s collaboration on Seven Pillars evolved over nearly eight years, growing through an extended creative partnership between close friends and collaborators. Consisting of seven ensemble movements and individual solo movements for each member of Sandbox, Seven Pillars is a mesmerizing fusion of sound, light, and movement. Blending traditional percussion instruments such as vibraphone, glockenspiel, and marimba with found sounds including glass bottles and metal pipes, this ambitious work pushes Sandbox to its virtuosic and expressive limits.