Maxim Vengerov, Violin
Polina Osetinskaya, Piano

His “technical wizardry is accompanied by a big dose of heart,” making him “one of the most brilliant violinists you’ll ever hear” (The Washington Post). Maxim Vengerov returns to Carnegie Hall for a program that features one of Mozart’s finest sonatas and a wonderfully inventive fantasy by Schubert. There’s also R. Strauss’s melodically splendid Violin Sonata and Ravel’s Tzigane, a virtuoso showpiece imbued with the gypsy spirit.

Emanuel Ax, Piano
Leonidas Kavakos, Violin
Yo-Yo Ma, Cello

Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos, and Yo-Yo Ma recall the great chamber music ensembles anchored by violinist Isaac Stern. Stern’s collaborations with pianist Eugene Istomin and cellist Leonard Rose were legendary, and this program echoes their history of celebrated performances of Beethoven works. Hear a dramatic cello sonata, a violin sonata whose genial tone belies the difficult circumstances in which it was written, and a soulful and inventive trio.

Sir András Schiff, Piano

The Beethoven piano sonatas on this program are marvels of concision. Nos. 24 and 25, written during Austria’s struggles with Napoleon, are two-movement, melodically rich gems that pulse with energy. From the same period comes “Les adieux,” a depiction of the sorrow of Beethoven’s patron fleeing Vienna and their eventual joy in reuniting. A pair of late sonatas—among the crown jewels of Beethoven’s career—round out this program performed by Sir András Schiff, a pianist revered for his “uncanny combination of elegance and intensity” (The New York Times).

Joyce DiDonato: My Favorite Things

Joyce DiDonato’s performances of Baroque- and Classical-era music are among the highlights of her illustrious career. In this concert, she reunites with Il Pomo d’Oro for a program that showcases her “melting tone and natural richness” (The New York Times) in the deeply expressive music of Monteverdi, Gluck, Handel, Purcell, and others.