The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center has come to enchant Beijing. Led by pianist Wu Han and cellist David Finckel, the musicians presented two concerts at the Forbidden City Concert Hall, showcasing the best of chamber music.   

An intense evening of Brahms, from violin sonata, piano and horn, to sextet; each piece was written with its own voice, and they have proven their extraordinary power to move, exhilarate, delight and captivate audiences today.  

Wu Han, pianist and one of the artistic directors of the Chamber Music Society (CMS) said: "We have violin sonata or horn trio and the string sextet. So, it really shows a broad spectrum of Brahms's chamber music works, which is a big trunk of his creative output. So, it's very important for the music lovers to understand and enjoy the music repertoire."    

The CMS debuted in China in 2015 at the International Beijing Modern Music Festival.   

The troupe has won critical acclaim for their lightness of touch and ability to communicate the different voices in the concertos. 

This time, Wu said she’s thrilled to see people’s enthusiasm growing in chamber music during the past few years.   

Wu Han, pianist and one of the artistic directors of the CMS said: "I remembered they seemed to enjoy the encore piece specifically. I feel the audiences are (more) friendly this time, and because the music is so spectacular, I know that they truly enjoy it because as a performer on stage.  I actually can sense the interaction coming from the audience."  

Cellist David Finckel said chamber music’s charm also comes from the chemistry between the musicians on stage. 

It requires the performing ensemble to be not only capable of individual techniques but also to establish an intertwined connection with each other, to give the music its ultimate representation.  

"I was telling someone the other day, a violinist, who says I have to practice, I don't have time for chamber music, I have to practice my solo repertoire. Well, Beethoven wrote only one violin concerto, but he wrote 16 string quartets. So, if you want to learn music, if you love Beethoven, Schuman or Dvorak, you can learn more from chamber music, you can learn it from a very young age, you can learn it right away. If you want a string quartet, all you need is three more people, you don't have to find an orchestra," Finckel shared.  

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will head to Taipei next concluding their Asian tour.