Schedule
HostsWays to Give
HomePlaylistSchedule
HostsEventsOn DemandOur StoryOur TeamWays to Give Become a Sponsor
How to ListenVisit Help CenterContact Us

Find Us on Social Media:

Logo image

Find Us on Social Media:

Download Our Mobile App:

google play icon

About

HomePlaylistSchedule
HostsOn DemandOur StoryOur Team

Community

EventsWays to Give Become a SponsorPressDiversity StatementCareersAnnual EEO ReportDigital Accessibility

Help

Visit Help CenterContact UsHow to Listen

©2025 Classical California

Sweepstakes RulesFCC ComplianceLocal Public FilesCPB ComplianceAnnual EEO ReportPrivacy PolicyCode of Integrity

articles / Pop Culture

The Intimacy of Chamber Music

Pop CultureThe State of the Arts

pinchas-zukerman-6x9

Violinist Pinchas Zukerman returns to the Bay Area for a performance with his trio at the Green Music Center on Friday, and then plays a program of sonatas in three area venues as part of Chamber Music San Francisco. He’s had a varied career, as soloist, conductor, and teacher, but says that the experiences of playing chamber music are formative for young players.

The Intimacy of Chamber Music
00:00

There’s more information about the concerts at the Green Music Center and Chamber Music San Francisco websites.

He’s joined in his trio by his wife, cellist Amanda Forsyth, and pianist Angela Cheng, and playing this repertoire reminds him of the experience of playing with Jaqueline du Pre and Daniel Barenboim in the 1970s. “To play chamber music with your own family, it’s fantastic. I recommend it highly.” Zukerman founded the Young Artists Program at Canada’s National Arts Center, and says the foundation for understanding music and people comes from playing in intimate groups. “Chamber music is the essence of it all.  We teach 9, 10, 11 year olds, immediately, they come to our program in Ottawa and they sit down and play chamber music. And within two or three days they’re actually talking to each other! All of a sudden an 11 year old, a 12 year old, 13, they’re all talking to each other, chamber music does that. It’s listening, it’s opening up all the channels of communication that you need as a musician, as a person.”

Zukerman and Angela Cheng will play a program of Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms at Herbst Theatre on Saturday, at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek Sunday afternoon, and at the Oshman Family JCC Monday night.

Pop CultureThe State of the Arts
Written by:
Jeffrey Freymann
Jeffrey Freymann
Published on 09.19.2017
Loading...

MORE LIKE THIS

Eight Hours of Free Chamber Music

Eight Hours of Free Chamber Music

SF Music Day returns with 33 ensembles performing free chamber music of all genres at the War Memorial Veteran’s Building. The event, organized by InterMusic SF, aims to blur genre boundaries.

05/11/2018
Chamber Music Among New Friends

Chamber Music Among New Friends

Bay Area pianist Audrey Vardanega reunites with fellow musicians from Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute for three chamber music concerts, featuring works by Brahms, Beethoven, and more.

05/11/2018
Music from the World of Leonardo

Music from the World of Leonardo

"Voices of Music presents a musical journey through Leonardo da Vinci's life, featuring Renaissance music he likely encountered in Italy and France, narrated by Larry Rosenwald."

05/11/2018
The Rigors of Coal Mining Set to Music

The Rigors of Coal Mining Set to Music

"Cal Performances presents Julia Wolfe's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, Anthracite Fields. The piece explores US coal mining history, featuring the Bang On a Can All-Stars and Cappella SF."

09/19/2017
The Drama of Mozart

The Drama of Mozart

Austrian pianist Rudolf Buchbinder explores Mozart's dramatic side with the San Francisco Symphony, emphasizing the importance of understanding a composer's life to truly grasp their music.

04/26/2017
The Perks of a Collaborative Chamber Orchestra

The Perks of a Collaborative Chamber Orchestra

One Found Sound, a conductor-less orchestra, is performing music by Enescu, Kodaly, and Copland this Friday. The ensemble's unique consensus-based decision-making allows for personal musical choices.

12/08/2016