Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Returns for Free Concert Sept. 24


September 11, 2023

David Finckel plays the cello and Wu Han plays the piano

“Unimpeachable quality.”—The New York Times

The annual Payne Memorial Concert on the UGA Presents series is a free event celebrating the cultural life of the university and the community. This year’s performance, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24 in Hodgson Concert Hall, marks the return of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS) and its co-artistic directors, pianist Wu Han and cellist David Finckel. They will be joined by violinist Arnaud Sussman and violist Paul Neubauer in a program of music by Beethoven, Ysaÿe and Dvořák.

Wu Han and Finckel have led the CMS since 2004, two years after starting the innovative Silicon Valley chamber music festival Music@Menlo. In 1997, they founded ArtistLed, the first internet-based, artist-controlled classical music label, and in 2012, they were named Musical America’s Musicians of the Year.

Sussman is the winner of a 2009 Avery Fisher Career Grant, and is artistic director of the Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach. Minnesota’s Pioneer Press writes, “Sussmann has an old-school sound reminiscent of what you’ll hear on vintage recordings by Jascha Heifetz or Fritz Kreisler, a rare combination of sweet and smooth that can hypnotize a listener.” Neubauer, called a “master musician” by the New York Times, is among the most prominent violists of his generation, having appeared as soloist with more than 100 orchestras worldwide.

Though admission to this performance is free, tickets are required. See below for details.

PERFORMANCE TALK

Join us for a free pre-performance talk by Theresa Chafin in Ramsey Concert Hall from 2:15-2:45 p.m.

PAYNE MEMORIAL CONCERT

The Payne Memorial Concert is named in honor of Dr. William Jackson “Jack” Payne, former Dean of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, who founded the Franklin College Chamber Music Series in 1978. Dean Payne had a great love of the arts and his wish was that the college should make a significant contribution to the cultural life of both the University and the Athens community through the chamber music series. In honor of his efforts, the Payne Memorial Concert is presented free to the public once each season.

PROGRAM

BEETHOVEN: Sonata in G Major for Violin and Piano, Op. 30, No. 3
BEETHOVEN: Trio in C Minor for Violin, Viola, and Cello, Op. 9, No. 3
YSAŸE: Rêve d’enfant for Violin and Piano, Op. 14
DVOŘÁK: Quartet in E-flat Major for Piano, Violin, Viola, and Cello, Op. 87

SPONSORS

M. Jean Lauth and the late Thomas P. Lauth
Jane Payne
WUGA 91.7 and 94.5 FM

THREE WAYS TO ORDER TICKETS

  1. Purchase tickets online 24/7 online here.
  2. Call the Performing Arts Center Box Office at (706) 542-4400, Mon.-Fri., 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
  3. Visit the UGA Performing Arts Center Box Office, Mon.-Fri., 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (5 minute parking is available in the drop off circle at the Performing Arts Center for purchasing or picking up tickets.)

Photo: Tristan Cook