Vieness Piano Duo: Yuletide Duets
Vijay Venkatesh & Eva Schaumkell
December 14 @ 3:00 pm
TCHAIKOVSKY Nutcracker Suite
ANDERSON Sleigh Ride
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Greensleeves
LEONTOVYCH Ukrainian Bell Carol
BERLIN White Christmas
SAFAN Down the Chimney Rag
and more!
Vieness Piano Duo has enthralled audiences in their electric and captivating performances of a wide range of repertoire. Husband and wife, Vijay Venkatesh and Eva Schaumkell’s intuition for conversation coupled with a commanding stage presence has made them regularly in demand throughout the world.
Eva Schaumkell, acclaimed for her “astonishing combination of depth of expression and thrilling virtuosity” (Nassauische Neue Presse), has achieved significant international recognition, including winning Gold medals at the 2018 International James Ramos and 2014 International Siegfried Weishaupt Piano Competitions. Her extensive performance career spans major venues across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, with recent highlights including appearances at the Cairo Opera House and the International Summer Academy of Music in Germany. Dr. Schaumkell holds a Doctorate with distinction from USC Thornton School of Music, and has also earned degrees from Hochschule für Musik Dresden and Guildhall School in London, receiving mentorship from several renowned pianists. In addition to her performance career, she is a sought-after teacher and chamber music coach, actively giving masterclasses, adjudicating competitions, and maintaining a private studio while being involved with professional music associations.
Vijay Venkatesh, acclaimed for his “dazzling pianism verging on the impossible” (Herald-Tribune), has earned a distinguished international reputation through top prizes in prestigious competitions such as San Jose, Seattle, and World Piano. Recognized as a Davidson Fellow Laureate and Grand Prize Winner of the Los Angeles Music Center’s Spotlight Awards, his performances have been highlighted on platforms like Performance Today® and NPR’s “From the Top.” Venkatesh has collaborated with renowned conductors and appeared as a soloist with major orchestras across the United States and Europe, including Seattle and Vienna, and at prominent festivals like Aspen and Brevard. As a versatile chamber musician, he frequently performs on Le Salon de Musiques and is represented by Colburn Artists, with additional features on Tonebase.
“Staggering technical prowess.”
“…Vieness…wore their hearts on their sleeves and took many of us along to rejoice with them.”
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