PROGRAM
Pohádka (Fairy Tale) for Cello & Piano
Leoš Janáček
I. Con moto. Andante
II. Con moto. Adagio
III. Allegro
Violin Sonata in A Major (trans. cello)
César Franck
I. Allegro ben moderato
II. Allegro
III. Recitativo-fantasia (Ben moderato – Molto lento)
IV. Allegretto poco mosso
Lieux retrouvés, Op. 26
Thomas Adès
I. Les eaux
II. La montagne
III. Les champs
IV. La ville — cancan macabre
Cello Sonata No. 3, H. 340
Bohuslav Martinů
I. Poco andante-Moderato
II. Andante
III. Allegro, ma non presto
VIDEO
BRANNON CHO
Praised for his “burnished tone, spellbinding technique, and probing musical mind” (Boston Classical Review), cellist Brannon Cho has emerged as an outstanding artist of his generation. He is the First Prize winner of the prestigious 6th International Paulo Cello Competition, and is also a top prize winner of the Queen Elisabeth, Naumburg, and Cassadó International Cello Competitions.
Most recently, Brannon Cho is the recipient of the 2020 Janos Starker Foundation Award, the Landgraf von Hessen Prize from Kronberg Academy, the 2019 Ivan Galamian Award previously held by James Ehnes, and is a scholarship holder in the Anne-Sophie Mutter Foundation.
Brannon Cho has appeared as a soloist with many of the top orchestras around the world, including the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Belgian National Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Brussels Philharmonic, and Orchestre Philharmonique Royale Liège, under world-renowned conductors such as Susanna Mälkki, Stéphane Denève, Christian Arming, and Hugh Wolff.
As a lover of chamber music, Brannon Cho is a founding member of two groups: Trio Seoul with violinist Jinjoo Cho and pianist Kyu Yeon Kim, and a string trio with violinist Stella Chen and violist Matthew Lipman. Trio Seoul's upcoming performances will take place in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toronto, and Montreal, among others. The string trio had its debut recital at Kronberg Academy's 2023 Alumni Festival to critical acclaim, and has upcoming performances in Boston, Toronto, and Chicago.
Brannon Cho’s recent and upcoming performance highlights include Carnegie Hall's Zankel and Weill Halls, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Rheingau Musik Festival, Arte Amanti Festival, Cello Biënnale Amsterdam, and Seoul Arts Center. Recently, he replaced Alisa Weilerstein in Prokofiev’s Sinfonia Concertante with the Belgian National Orchestra to critical acclaim.
Born in New Jersey, Brannon Cho received his Bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music under Hans Jørgen Jensen. He was awarded the prestigious Artist Diploma from New England Conservatory, where he studied with Laurence Lesser. In 2023, he completed the Professional Studies program at Kronberg Academy, under the tutelage of Frans Helmerson.
Brannon Cho is sponsored by Thomastik-Infeld, and performs on a rare cello made by Antonio Casini in 1668 in Modena, Italy.
JANICE CARISSA
A Gilmore Young Artist and winner of Salon de Virtuosi, Janice Carissa has “the multicolored highlights of a mature pianist“ (Philly Inquirer) and “strong, sure hands” (Voice of America) that “conveys a vivid story rather than a mere showpiece.” (Chicago Classical Review) She has garnered great acclaims at renowned concert halls, including the Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, United Nations, Kennedy Center, Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, Louis Vuitton Foundation, Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
Following her Philadelphia Orchestra debut at age sixteen, Janice has substituted Andre Watts as soloist with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and gone on to perform with the Kansas City, Amarillo, Des Moines, John Hopkins, St. Peters by the Sea, Symphony in C, Eastern Wind, Bay Atlantic and Midwest Young Artist symphonies. In 2023, she will be a featured soloist with Sacramento Philharmonic, Promusica Chamber Orchestra, Curtis Symphony Orchestra, and the Tacoma and Battlecreek symphonies.
Janice's passion for chamber music has lead her to performances with Brooklyn Chamber Music Society and Jupiter Chamber Concert Series; collaborations with Vadim Gluzman, Miriam Fried, Paul Neuebauer, Lucy Shelton, Marcy Rosen, David Shifrin, Jennifer Cano, Peter Wiley, among other distinguished musicians; and appearances at Marlboro, North Shore, Ravinia, Caramoor, and Kneisel Hall festivals.
A pupil of Gary Graffman and Robert McDonald, Janice left Indonesia in 2013 and entered the Curtis Institute of Music with full scholarship from Gerry and Marguerite Lenfest. Now graduated with Bachelor’s Degree, she is presently pursuing her Master’s Degree at The Juilliard School with Robert McDonald. When away from the piano, Janice is an avid foodie and loves going on strolls with her camera.