Palm Beach, FL – (March 20, 2025) – The Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach (CMSPB) is excited to present two extraordinary evenings of music this April. These concerts, hosted at the Norton Museum of Art, will bring together internationally renowned musicians for performances that celebrate the artistry and brilliance of chamber music featuring masterful works by Mozart, Françaix, Schubert, and Farrenc. Single tickets are available for $75 and can be purchased at chambermusicpalmbeach.org or by calling (561)379-6773.
Whit & Whimsy: Trios of Mozart and Françaix
April 3, 2025
A night of elegance and charm awaits on April 3 as chamber music legends including violinist Arnaud Sussmann, violist Paul Neubauer, and cellist Paul Watkins take the stage for a program that pairs the inventive beauty of Mozart with the rhythmic wit of Françaix. The luminous interplay between the instruments will captivate audiences, revealing the depth and playfulness embedded in these masterpieces.
Program:
Jean Françaix: String Trio in C Major, Op. 2
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Divertimento in E-flat major, K. 563
Schubert’s Trout Quintet: Masterworks Revealed and Revisited
April 24, 2025
On April 24, CMSPB presents a dazzling evening featuring Schubert’s beloved Trout Quintet, performed by an all-star ensemble including violinist Arnaud Sussmann, violist Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, cellist Clive Greensmith, bassist Blake Hinson, and pianist Gloria Chien. This program explores the evolution of chamber music, juxtaposing Schubert’s timeless work with a hidden gem by 19th-century trailblazer Louise Farrenc. The richness of piano and strings showcases the two masterpieces with resounding brilliance.
Program:
Louise Farrenc: Piano Quintet No. 1, Op. 30
Franz Schubert: Piano Quintet in A Major, D. 667 “Trout”
Why Attend?
Audiences will experience unparalleled musical storytelling by some of today’s most esteemed musicians, set within the inspiring atmosphere of the Norton Museum of Art. These two concerts highlight chamber music’s boundless expressiveness, from the refined elegance of Mozart and the delightful charm of Françaix to the resounding radiance of Schubert and the artistry of Farrenc.
Artist Bios
(Listed alphabetically)
Gloria Chien, piano
Taiwanese-born pianist Gloria Chien is an internationally celebrated performer, concert presenter, and educator. She has performed at renowned venues such as Alice Tully Hall, the Library of Congress, and the National Concert Hall in Taiwan. A Steinway Artist and Artist-in-Residence at Lee University, Chien is also the founder of String Theory, one of Tennessee’s premier chamber music series.
Clive Greensmith, cello
A former member of the legendary Tokyo String Quartet, Clive Greensmith has performed at major international venues, including Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and the Berlin Philharmonie. He has collaborated with luminaries such as András Schiff and Pinchas Zukerman and is a professor of cello at the Colburn School, mentoring the next generation of chamber musicians.
Blake Hinson, bass
New York Philharmonic bassist Blake Hinson is a Curtis Institute of Music graduate who has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Grand Rapids Symphony. Hinson has won top prizes in international bass competitions and frequently teaches masterclasses and clinics across the United States.
Paul Neubauer, viola
A Grammy-nominated violist with an illustrious career, Paul Neubauer was the youngest-ever principal violist of the New York Philharmonic at age 21. He has performed with over 100 major orchestras worldwide and frequently collaborates with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, viola
Formerly the violist of the award-winning Dover Quartet, Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt has appeared as a soloist with the Tokyo Philharmonic and the Jacksonville Symphony. A sought-after chamber musician, she teaches at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music and the Curtis Institute of Music.
Arnaud Sussmann, violin
A recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant, violinist Arnaud Sussmann has been hailed for his old-school sound and breathtaking musicianship. He has performed as a soloist with the Mariinsky Orchestra and New World Symphony and is the Artistic Director of CMSPB.
Paul Watkins, cello
Former cellist of the Emerson String Quartet, Paul Watkins is a celebrated soloist and conductor. He has appeared with major orchestras worldwide, including the BBC Symphony and the Netherlands Philharmonic. He is also the Artistic Director of the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival and a Visiting Professor at Yale School of Music.
About CMSPB
The Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach (CMSPB), a nonprofit organization, has brought extraordinary chamber music performances and educational programming to Palm Beach County and the wider South Florida region since 2013. CMSPB has presented over 150 artists, including the Emerson and Harlem string quartets, violinists James Ehnes and Pinchas Zuckerman, pianists Anne-Marie McDermott and Inon Barnatan, and members of the New York Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Philadelphia Orchestra, among many others. Each season, CMSPB provides nearly 1,000 students and young musicians hands-on access to some of the world’s finest artists and music educators. Through master classes, in-school performances, and open rehearsals, CMSPB aims to fuel the creativity and curiosity of young people and nurture the artists of tomorrow. The renowned Boscobel Chamber Music Festival was launched in partnership with the Boscobel House and Gardens. The festival programming features school and community outreach, open rehearsals, lectures, and main-stage concerts. Today, they continue to be a leader in musical artistry and educational impact, connecting people across our community with the transformative power of chamber music. For more information, visit cmspb.org.
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CALENDAR LISTINGS:
Thursday, April 3, 2025 – 7 p.m. — Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach presents Whit & Whimsy: Trios of Mozart and Françaix at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, FL. This captivating concert features chamber music legends, including violinist Arnaud Sussmann, violist Paul Neubauer, and cellist Paul Watkins, performing Mozart’s Divertimento in E-flat major, K. 563 and Françaix’s String Trio in C Major, Op. 2. Single tickets are $75 and can be purchased at chambermusicpalmbeach.org.
Thursday, April 24, 2025 – 7 p.m. — Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach presents Schubert’s Trout Quintet: Masterworks Revealed and Revisited at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, FL. Featuring a stellar ensemble—violinist Arnaud Sussmann, violist Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, cellist Clive Greensmith, bassist Blake Hinson, and pianist Gloria Chien—this concert brings together two groundbreaking piano quintets with the trailblazing Piano Quintet No. 1, Op. 30 by Louise Farrenc and Schubert’s iconic Trout Quintet. Single tickets are $75 and can be purchased at chambermusicpalmbeach.org.