Violinist Margaret Batjer has served as concertmaster of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) since 1998. She is renowned as a violin soloist, chamber musician and teacher, and she has established herself as a versatile and respected artist worldwide.
The dynamic violin-piano duo Yang and Olivia create unforgettable storytelling events in their programs, which feature Chinese folk and western classical music. Violinist Yang Liu is the first prize winner of the 2021 International Artists Award Competition, China's 5th National Competition, and prize winner of the 12th International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. Olivia is a frequent presenter at music festivals and conferences, promoting music of Chinese and Taiwanese heritage.
One of the most sought-after soloists in his generation of American musicians, the pianist Orion Weiss has performed with the major American orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony, Boston Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and New York Philharmonic.
Cellist Mark Kosower joined The Cleveland Orchestra as principal cello in 2010. Described as “a virtuoso of staggering prowess” by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, he is a consummate artist, equally known around the world as a recital and concerto soloist and chamber musician. Prior to his appointment in Cleveland, he was solo cellist of the Bamberg Symphony in Germany (2006–10).
Mr. Kosower is a sought-after teacher and regularly serves as faculty for Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America, Colorado College’s Summer Music Festival, and California’s Hidden Valley Music Seminars. Chicago area students will perform for Mr. Kosower at Guarneri Hall.
The Soto String Quartet takes its inspiration from famed Venezuelan artist Jesús Rafael Soto (1923-2005). Soto was a proponent of the kinetic art movement. He used a range of techniques to create a sense of movement in his work. The energy expressed in Soto’s art resonates with the members of the Soto quartet, who believe that the artist’s significant contribution to Venezuelan art deserves to be better known. The name Soto Quartet is intended to represent “Energy in Art,” in the name of this important Venezuelan artist.
Guarneri Hall
11 East Adams Street · 3rd Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60603
847.780.6720
Guarneri Hall is located in Chicago’s Loop, near Symphony Center and the Art Institute of Chicago. Convenient paid garage parking is available just east of the building at 17 East Adams. We are close to numerous bus and train routes; CTA Red and Blue Lines stop nearby at Jackson while Purple, Brown, Green, Orange, and Pink Lines are steps away at Adams and Wabash.