New York, NY — On Tuesday, March 3 at 7:00 pm, New York-based Modus Operandi Orchestra (MOO) moonyc.orginvites audiences to their 5th concert of music at Merkin Hall. This upcoming concert, conducted by Maestro Justin Bischof, will feature a contrasting program of works by master composer Johannes Brahms and by Boston based award-winning composer Rachel Burckardt.
Works will include Brahms’ iconic Tragic Overture and Symphony No. 4, as well as world premieres of Burckardt including 3 Psalms and October Fanfare.
Born and raised in Manhattan, the Bronx and Mt. Vernon, Rachel Burckardt (woodharbormusic.net) is a prolific composer. Currently based in Boston, she blends over 45 years both as a church musician/composer and a civil engineer involved in a variety of projects focusing mostly on transportation, including railroads, transit, and roadways.
According to Modus Operandi Orchestra’s founder and artistic director Justin Bischof, (justinbischof.com)
“This program is exciting because it places Brahms’ profound emotional architecture alongside the living, breathing voice of Rachel Burckardt, reminding us that the symphonic tradition is not a museum, but a living art form.” Bischof adds: “Audiences will experience both the timeless power of Brahms and the excitement of hearing new music born in our own time, performed by artists who believe deeply in sharing discovery, beauty, and meaning on stage.”
COMPLETE PROGRAM:
J. BRAHMS – Tragic Overture
J. BRAHMS – Symphony No. 4
R. BURCKARDT – October Fanfare (world premiere)
R. BURCKARDT – Aire Mount Auburn (world premiere of this adaptation)
R. BURCKARDT – Variations on Afternoon Light (world premiere)
Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 7:30 PM Merkin Hall, Kaufman Music Center Features works Chopin, Liszt and by living composers Ketty Nez (NYC Premiere), Zhao Zhang and Rodney Lister
New York, NY — Forte International Group is proud to present a solo recital by pianist Chengcheng Ma (chengchengma.com) on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 7:30 PM at Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center. The performance features the New York Premiere of suite française (2024) by composer Ketty Nez, alongside masterworks by Chopin, Liszt, and a revival by Rodney Lister, and concludes with Zhao Zhang’s electrifying Hua Yi Dance for piano four-hands with guest pianist Yimiao Fang.
This wide-ranging program highlights Ma’s dynamic artistry and deep commitment to championing contemporary music, presenting ambitious repertoire that bridges centuries, cultures, and musical aesthetics.
The performance takes place at Merkin Hall, 129 West 67th Street, New York, NY. Tickets are $25, with discounted $10 student tickets available by calling the box office at 212-501-3330. Visit www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org for tickets.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
New York Premiere — Ketty Nez: suite française (2024) Inspired by the ornate keyboard language of French Baroque master François Couperin, Nez’s suite française is a vibrant, modern reflection on Baroque elegance, interlacing Couperin’s motifs with her own rich harmonic and textural imagination. Following its world premiere in Bismarck, ND, and Boston premiere at First Church Boston, Merkin Hall hosts the work’s highly anticipated New York debut.
Chopin: Twelve Études, Op. 10 Among the most iconic works in piano literature, Chopin’s Op. 10 Études fuse revolutionary technical design with profound poetic expression. Ma performs the complete set, showcasing his broad tonal palette and expressive virtuosity.
Rodney Lister: Many’s the Time I’ve Seen Her Nude at the Piano (1990) A dazzling, virtuosic “modern toccata,” Lister’s piece—rarely performed due to its staggering difficulty—receives a brilliant revival through Ma’s advocacy. Lister, who wrote the work for pianist Kathleen Supove, praises Ma for bringing the piece vividly back to life.
Liszt: Après une lecture du Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata Liszt’s dramatic “Dante Sonata” transforms visions from Dante’s Divine Comedy into a monumental pianistic journey from inferno to transcendence.
Zhao Zhang: Hua Yi Dance for Piano Four-Hands (2014) Joined by distinguished pianist and cultural leader Yimiao Fang, Ma closes the recital with Zhao’s exuberant four-hands work inspired by the rhythms and spirit of the Yi ethnic traditions of China.
ABOUT CHENGCHENG MA
Praised by Fanfare Magazine for his “superlative” artistry, “exquisitely blended sonority,” and “beautiful, moving” interpretations, pianist Chengcheng Ma has emerged as a compelling voice in both classical and contemporary music. A student of renowned pianist Boaz Sharon, Ma has performed concertos with major orchestras including Sinfonia da Camera, Brookline Symphony Orchestra, Boston University Symphony Orchestra, and Hebei Symphony Orchestra.
A committed collaborator with living composers, Ma has premiered works by Ketty Nez, Rodney Lister, and others, and recently recorded 21 choral works for the 2025 album OF MERE BEING (comp. Rodney Lister). His musical interests span classical repertoire, contemporary works, and historically-informed jazz research. More at chengchengma.com.
ABOUT GUEST ARTIST YIMIAO FANG
Pianist, educator, and cultural ambassador Yimiao Fang is Founder and Artistic Director of the Shanghai International Forte Yearly Music Festival and leads both Forte International Group (NYC) and Fym Cultural Media (Nanjing). Her performances—praised for “precision” and “crystalline, heartfelt expression”—have appeared at Carnegie Hall, Shanghai Oriental Art Center, and Harvard University, and she has guided students to major international competition successes.
ABOUT THE COMPOSERS
Ketty Nez, composer and pianist, teaches at Boston University School of Music and is known for her genre-blending works, including The Fiddler and the Old Woman of Rumelia and the piano concerto thresholds. Rodney Lister, composer, pianist, and scholar, has been supported by leading foundations, and his works have been performed at Tanglewood, the Library of Congress, and international festivals. Zhao Zhang, one of China’s most prominent contemporary composers, integrates ethnic influences with modern craftsmanship; his works are published by Schott and performed worldwide.
ABOUT FORTE INTERNATIONAL GROUP (NEW YORK CITY)
Forte International Group is a global cultural enterprise dedicated to fostering artistic exchange between China and the United States. Through concert production, competitions, and international collaboration, the Group provides transformative opportunities for the next generation of artists and supports a global network of performers, educators, and institutions.
New York, NY — Experience a powerful evening of music as Orchestra for People presents Azarashvili, Mozart and Elgar on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 7:30 PM at NYC’s Merkin Hall. Under the baton of conductor Hahnsol Kim, the program introduces a vibrant dialogue between Georgian and European masterworks, featuring acclaimed soloists Sandro Sidamonidze (cello) and Sam Boutris (clarinet) in a bold and moving lineup that bridges centuries and continents.
A highlight of the evening is the U.S. Premiere of Vaja Azarashvili’s Cello Concerto, performed by Sandro Sidamonidze. This concert introduces American audiences to one of Georgia’s most significant contemporary voices, music noted for lyricism, clarity, and emotional depth. Also featured are Mozart’s iconic Clarinet Concerto with Sam Boutris, the dramatic Symphony No. 40, and Edward Elgar’s virtuosic Introduction and Allegro for Strings.
The performance takes place at Merkin Hall, 129 West 67th Street, New York, NY. Tickets are $25, with discounted $15 student tickets available by calling the box office at 212-501-3330. Visit www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org for tickets.
Complete Program:
VAJA AZARASHVILI – Cello Concerto (U.S. Premiere)
W.A. MOZART – Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K. 622
Intermission
W.A. MOZART – Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550
EDWARD ELGAR – Introduction and Allegro for Strings, Op. 47
According to Hahnsol Kim, Founder of Orchestra for People: “This program beautifully captures what we hope to share with our audience as musicians. From the U.S. premiere of Azarashvili’s Cello Concerto to Mozart’s beloved Clarinet Concerto and symphony number 40, cherished by listeners for generations, it reflects what we value most at Orchestra For People: giving voice to music and musicians who deserve to be heard. With Azarashvili’s concerto performed in the U.S. for the first time, this concert celebrates the artistry of remarkable young musicians whose voices should resonate far beyond the stage.”
Cziffra Festival and Liszt Institute New York Presents:
Hungarian Pianist János Balázs
Carnegie Hall Debut Concert
November 9, 2025
performing works by Chopin, Liszt, Eötvös and more
New York, NY — This November, the Cziffra Festival and the Liszt Institute New York will proudly present a special performance by acclaimed Hungarian pianist János Balázs. A recipient of the prestigious Kossuth Prize and a Young Steinway Artist, Balázs is recognized as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary piano performance. Renowned for his dynamic stage presence and distinctive improvisational style, he masterfully blends classical tradition with elements of jazz and world music. New York audiences will remember Mr. Balázs as the winner of the New York International Music Grand Prix in 2022.
The concert represents the artist’s Carnegie Hall debut and will be held at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, located at 154 West 57th Street & Seventh Avenue, New York on Sunday, November 9 at 7:30pm. Tickets start at $46. Purchase tickets at https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2025/11/09/Janos-Balazs-Piano-0730PM
This concert program honors the legendary 20th-century Hungarian pianist György Cziffra. It begins with water-themed works by Chopin, Liszt, and Strauss, followed by Liszt’s monumental Dante Sonata—a frequent feature in Cziffra’s repertoire. The focus then shifts to Hungarian music and improvisation, with an original improvisation by János Balázs and character pieces by two renowned contemporary Hungarian composers. The evening concludes with Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6, inspired by Hungarian gypsy music and celebrated by Cziffra as a program highlight.
Complete Program:
Chopin: Barcarolle in F-sharp major, Op. 60
Liszt: The Fountains of the Villa d’Este
Strauss–Cziffra–Balázs: The Blue Danube (Paraphrases)
Wagner-Liszt: Isolde’s Liebestod
Liszt: Dante Sonata S. 161
Balázs: Improvisation on Hungarian folk songs
Peter Eötvös: Dances of the Brush-Footed Butterfly
László Dubrovay: Swallow Songs
Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6
The Cziffra Festival, an international cultural initiative based in Budapest, Hungary, has presented distinguished concerts and events over the past decade, showcasing exceptional artistry and celebrating the legacy of György Cziffra. For more information about the Cziffra Festival, visit https://cziffrafesztival.hu/en/the-gyorgy-cziffra-festival/.
Modus Plays Mozart at Merkin with violinist Chloé Kiffer
October 15, 2025
New York, NY — Get ready for an unforgettable “rush hour” concert on Wednesday, October 15 at 6:30 pm, as the New York-based Modus Operandi Orchestra (MOO) takes the stage at Merkin Hall for an electrifying evening of Mozart masterpieces. Under the baton of Maestro Justin Bischof, the orchestra will be joined by the violinist Chloé Kiffer, who will perform Mozart’s Violin Concerto #5. Designed to be compact, this concert will feature a short intermission and will conclude by 8:00p.m. allowing patrons to return home early in the evening.
Complete Program (all works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart):
Symphony No. 40, K550
Violin Concerto #5, K219
Symphony No. 41 “Jupiter”, K551
“In one evening, we traverse the brilliance of Mozart’s evolution: the stormy emotional depth of Symphony No. 40, the Turkish flair and elegance of the Violin Concerto No. 5, and the staggering contrapuntal mastery of the ‘Jupiter’ Symphony — a true summit of classical genius.”
— Justin Bischof, Conductor
Franco-American violinist Chloé Kiffer has received enthusiastic praise by The New York Times for her “pure and beautiful tone” and The Greenwich Sentinel for being “…a star in every sense: performance, exquisite technique and beauty””.
Kiffer is a laureate of the Bleustein-Blanchet Foundation. She graduated from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris and earned postgraduate degrees from the Manhattan School of Music under Patinka Kopec and Pinchas Zukerman. Kiffer received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Stony Brook University. Kiffer has appeared at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, Beethoven Hall in Bonn, Frankfurt Radio Symphony Hall, Tel Aviv Opera, and Beijing National Center. In October 2015, Kiffer made her Carnegie Hall debut performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in Stern Auditorium.
Chloé Kiffer performs on a violin that was made for her by luthier Samuel Zygmuntowicz (Brooklyn, NY, 2023).
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