Recital and Pre-College Master Class: Robert Koenig, piano

I. Nocturne
II. Tarantella

Approximate Duration: 0:10

Program Notes: Karol Szymanowski’s Nocturne and Tarantella, Op. 28, pairs two sharply contrasting movements that showcase both lyrical intimacy and dazzling virtuosity. The Nocturne unfolds in a dreamlike, sensuous atmosphere, reflecting Szymanowski’s fascination with impressionistic color and late-Romantic harmony. In contrast, the Tarantella erupts with rhythmic drive and fiery energy, drawing on the southern Italian dance traditionally associated with frenzy and exhilaration. Together, the two movements reveal Szymanowski’s distinctive voice at a pivotal moment in his career, blending expressive depth with brilliant technical demands.

Hailed as “lively and sensational” by Montreal’s Arts and Opinion, and “flawless” by New York Concert Review, prize-winning violinist Iryna Krechkovsky enjoys an international career as soloist, chamber music collaborator, educator, and arts executive. She has appeared on Classical KUSC, KABC-TV Los Angeles, the Korean Broadcasting System, National Public Radio, the Public Broadcasting Service, and as a speaker/performer at TEDxChapmanU. Born in Ukraine, Iryna Krechkovsky attended the Cleveland Institute of Music and holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Stony Brook University in New York where she was awarded the distinguished 40 Under Forty Alumni Award. She is Co-Founder and Executive Director of Chamber Music | OC where she curates the nationally recognized Pre-College Program, and is a founding member of the award-winning ensemble Trio Céleste with cellist Ross Gasworth and pianist Kevin Kwan Loucks.

Hailed for his “musical insight and technical prowess” (The New York Times), Canadian pianist Robert Koenig enjoys an international career as a collaborative artist, chamber musician, educator, and advocate for new music. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Boston’s Jordan Hall, Tokyo’s Suntory Hall, Paris’ Louvre Museum, Amsterdam’s Het Concertgebouw, and many other major venues worldwide. Koenig has collaborated with leading artists including Hilary Hahn, Pamela Frank, Ida Kavafian, Augustin Hadelich, Zuill Bailey, members of the Miro and St. Lawrence String Quartets, and the late Aaron Rosand, as well as longtime partner Elmar Oliveira. A native of Saskatchewan, Canada, he is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and has taught at the University of Kansas. Since 2007, he has served as Professor and Head of Collaborative Piano at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and directs collaborative piano at the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp.

I. Moderato
II. Andante espressivo
III. Passacaglia. Allegro moderato ma energico

Approximate Duration: 0:25

Program Notes: Respighi’s Violin Sonata in B minor (1917) is a richly expressive chamber work that highlights his early mastery of melody and texture. Structured in three movements—Moderato, Andante espressivo, and an Allegro moderato ma energico passacaglia—the sonata moves from searching lyricism to tranquil reflection, culminating in a fiery, rhythmically dynamic finale. Combining Italianate warmth with late-Romantic intensity, the work reveals Respighi’s command of both form and emotional depth, offering a vivid glimpse into his compositional voice beyond his famed orchestral works.

Hailed as “lively and sensational” by Montreal’s Arts and Opinion, and “flawless” by New York Concert Review, prize-winning violinist Iryna Krechkovsky enjoys an international career as soloist, chamber music collaborator, educator, and arts executive. She has appeared on Classical KUSC, KABC-TV Los Angeles, the Korean Broadcasting System, National Public Radio, the Public Broadcasting Service, and as a speaker/performer at TEDxChapmanU. Born in Ukraine, Iryna Krechkovsky attended the Cleveland Institute of Music and holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Stony Brook University in New York where she was awarded the distinguished 40 Under Forty Alumni Award. She is Co-Founder and Executive Director of Chamber Music | OC where she curates the nationally recognized Pre-College Program, and is a founding member of the award-winning ensemble Trio Céleste with cellist Ross Gasworth and pianist Kevin Kwan Loucks.

Hailed for his “musical insight and technical prowess” (The New York Times), Canadian pianist Robert Koenig enjoys an international career as a collaborative artist, chamber musician, educator, and advocate for new music. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Boston’s Jordan Hall, Tokyo’s Suntory Hall, Paris’ Louvre Museum, Amsterdam’s Het Concertgebouw, and many other major venues worldwide. Koenig has collaborated with leading artists including Hilary Hahn, Pamela Frank, Ida Kavafian, Augustin Hadelich, Zuill Bailey, members of the Miro and St. Lawrence String Quartets, and the late Aaron Rosand, as well as longtime partner Elmar Oliveira. A native of Saskatchewan, Canada, he is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and has taught at the University of Kansas. Since 2007, he has served as Professor and Head of Collaborative Piano at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and directs collaborative piano at the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp.

I. Allegro energico e con fuoco

Approximate Duration: 0:10

Program Notes: The first movement of Felix Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor, Op. 66, opens with a restless, urgent character that reflects the dramatic intensity of the work as a whole. From the outset, sweeping piano gestures and tightly woven string writing propel the music forward, balancing turbulence with Mendelssohn’s trademark lyricism. The movement’s driving rhythms, sharp contrasts, and impassioned development create a sense of constant motion, culminating in a powerful statement that sets the emotional tone for the entire trio.

Recognized by industry leaders and top performing arts institutions, Chamber Music | OC’s Pre-College Program is the only pre-professional classical music training program of its kind in Southern California. Open to promising young musicians between the ages of 10 and 18, Pre- College participants will join Chamber Music | OC’s vast professional network of performers, educators, and community advocates while developing essential skill sets guaranteed to bring success both on and off the concert hall stage. With four separate curriculum tracks, Pre-College participants curate the experience that best fits their needs and schedules. For questions or for more information, please visit http://chambermusicoc.org/pre-college.