The Program

Schumann:  Intermezzo from the FAE Sonata
Schubert:  Sonata in A Minor, D. 385
Schumann:  Three Romances, Op. 94
Webern:  Four Pieces, Op. 7
Schumann:  Violin Sonata in D Minor, Op. 121

The Artists

Miriam Fried has been recognized for many years as one of the world’s preeminent violinists. A consummate musician – equally accomplished as recitalist, concerto soloist or chamber musician – she has been heralded for her “fiery intensity and emotional depth” (Musical America) as well as for her technical mastery. Her supreme blend of artistry and musicianship continues to inspire audiences worldwide. Ms. Fried has played with virtually every major orchestra in the United States and Europe, and chamber music has long played an important role in her musical life. She was  recently the first violinist of the Mendelssohn String Quartet and collaborates regularly with her son, pianist  Jonathan Biss. Miriam Fried continues her tenure as Artistic Director of the Steans Insitutes at Ravinia and is also on the faculty of the New England Conservatory. plays a particularly noteworthy violin, a 1718 Stradivarius that is said to have been the favorite of its 18th-century owner, the composer-conductor Louis Spohr.

Jonathan Biss began his piano studies at age six, first collaborating with his mother, violinist Miriam Fried, and his father, violist/violinist Paul Biss. At the age of 17, he went to the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Leon Fleisher. He made his New York recital debut at the 92nd Street Y in 2000 and has since given recitals throughout the country. Abroad he has performed with the BBC Symphony, the Munich Philharmonic and the Staatskapelle Berlin and at the Verbier and Bad Kissingen Festivals; he has also given recitals in London and Zurich, at the Spoleto Festival in Italy and at the Klavier-Festival Ruhr in Germany. Mr. Biss was an artist-in-residence on NPR's Performance Today and has been recognized with numerous awards, including Lincoln Center's Martin E. Segal Award, an Avery Fisher Career Grant and the 2003 Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award. Following an album of Schubert Sonatas—A Major, D. 959 and C Major, D. 840—and four acclaimed recordings for EMI Classics, Mr. Biss recently released the first CD in a nine-year, nine-disc recording cycle of Beethoven's complete sonatas. For more information on Jonathan Biss, visit www.jonathanbiss.com.