Light in the Dark: Piano Trios

About this event

The program

Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires) for Piano Trio

Astor Piazzola (1921-1992)

IV. Invierno Porteño

F ive Pieces for Two Violins and Piano

Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975)

Arranged for piano trio by Levon Atovmyan

I. Prelude

II. Gavotte

III. Elegy

IV. Waltz

V. Polka

Fratres for Cello and Piano

Arvo Pärt (b. 1935)

Suite Italienne for Violin and Piano

Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)

I. Introduzione. Allegro moderato

II. Serenata. Larghetto

Café Music for Piano Trio

Paul Schoenfield (1947-2024)

I. Allegro

II. Rubato - Andante moderato

III. Presto

The trio: pianist Christoper Turbessi, cellist Rea Drewett, and violinist Daniel Yang.

Christopher Turbessi is a regular member of the music staff at the Wolf Trap Opera Company in Vienna, Va., and the faculty of the Collaborative Piano Institute in Ann Arbor, Mich. Recent recital appearances include concerts with flutist María Fernanda Castillo at the University of Michigan, tubist Charlie Goodman at Louisiana State University, and multiple performances partnering with oboe, bassoon, and English horn in various combinations at the International Double Reed Society Midsouth Regional Symposium. He particularly enjoys playing continuo on the harpsichord or fortepiano for opera; this summer, he could be heard on the fortepiano for performances of Rossini’s La Cenerentola at Wolf Trap.

Rea Drewett started her musical journey on piano at 3, winning several local competitions in Louisiana and Arizona, before turning to the cello. She began playing in youth orchestras in 2014, performing with the Metropolitan, Phoenix, and Southwest youth symphonies before graduating from Arcadia High School in 2023. She recently developed a multimedia project called "the rhythm of life,” combining film, spoken word, and improvisation in a single performative experience. With a few avant-garde collaborations under her belt, she hopes to continue making thought-provoking projects.

Daniel Yang has been recognized for his expressive musicianship and versatility as a soloist, chamber musician, and collaborative artist. A first-prize winner of the NTHU Concerto Competition, he has appeared as a soloist with MusicaNova Orchestra and Orchestra of Northern Arizona, and has performed major concerto repertoire including the Brahms Double Concerto at Katzin Concert Hall and Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1 with the NTHU Orchestra. As a dedicated educator, Daniel maintains a private studio with students actively participating in ensembles such as the Metropolitan Youth Symphony. Originally from Taiwan, his artistic work is further informed by his research on contemporary Taiwanese violin repertoire.