Espressivo Piano Quartet
Anna Polonsky, piano
Jaime Laredo, violin
Milena Pájaro-van de Stadt, viola
Sharon Robinson, cello
PROGRAM:
Wolfgang A. Mozart Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat Major, K. 493
Nokuthula Ngwenyama Joy Stepping – World Premiere
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Johannes Brahms Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 25
The Espressivo Piano Quartet performs a program featuring the music of Mozart, known to be the father of the piano quartet, and a work by Brahms famous for its folk-inspired, tour de force finale. Nokuthula Ngwenyama’s music has garnered national acclaim and great enthusiasm from Linton audiences. The world premiere of her newest work serves as a highlight of these opening concerts.
This concert is approximately 1.75 hours, including intermission.
The world premiere of Ngwenyama’s Joy Steppin’, commissioned by Linton Chamber Music with the generous support of Ann and Harry Santen (world premiere), Apex Concerts, Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, Brattleboro Music Center, Chamber Music Albuquerque, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, Denver Friends of Chamber Music, El Paso Pro Musica, Emory Chamber Music Society, Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival, Hudson Valley Chamber Music Circle, International Violin Competition of Indianapolis and Ensemble Music Society of Indianapolis, Kansas City Friends of Music, Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival, Peoples’ Symphony Concerts, Phoenix Chamber Music Society, Portland Ovations, Schubert Club, Seattle Chamber Music Society and Syracuse Friends of Chamber Music through the International Arts Foundation, Inc.
Espressivo Piano Quartet
Anna Polonsky, piano
Jaime Laredo, violin
Milena Pájaro-van de Stadt, viola
Sharon Robinson, cello
PROGRAM:
Wolfgang A. Mozart Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat Major, K. 493
Nokuthula Ngwenyama Joy Stepping – World Premiere
—
Johannes Brahms Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 25
The Espressivo Piano Quartet performs a program featuring the music of Mozart, known to be the father of the piano quartet, and a work by Brahms famous for its folk-inspired, tour de force finale. Nokuthula Ngwenyama’s music has garnered national acclaim and great enthusiasm from Linton audiences. The world premiere of her newest work serves as a highlight of these opening concerts.
This concert is approximately 1.75 hours, including intermission.
The world premiere of Ngwenyama’s Joy Steppin’, commissioned by Linton Chamber Music with the generous support of Ann and Harry Santen (world premiere), Apex Concerts, Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, Brattleboro Music Center, Chamber Music Albuquerque,Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, Denver Friends of Chamber Music, El Paso Pro Musica, Emory Chamber Music Society, Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival, Hudson Valley Chamber Music Circle, International Violin Competition of Indianapolis and Ensemble Music Society of Indianapolis, Kansas City Friends of Music, Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival, Peoples’ Symphony Concerts, Phoenix Chamber Music Society, Portland Ovations, Schubert Club, Seattle Chamber Music Society and Syracuse Friends of Chamber Music through the International Arts Foundation, Inc.
Espressivo Piano Quartet
Anna Polonsky, piano
Jaime Laredo, violin
Milena Pájaro-van de Stadt, viola
Sharon Robinson, cello
PROGRAM:
Wolfgang A. Mozart Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat Major, K. 493
Nokuthula Ngwenyama Joy Steppin’ – World Premiere
—
Johannes Brahms Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 25
The Espressivo Piano Quartet performs a program featuring the music of Mozart, known to be the father of the piano quartet, and a work by Brahms famous for its folk-inspired, tour de force finale. Nokuthula Ngwenyama’s music has garnered national acclaim. This performance of her newest work is also an Indiana, streaming and on demand premiere.
This concert is approximately 1.75 hours, including intermission.
The world premiere of Ngwenyama’s Joy Steppin’, commissioned by Linton Chamber Music with the generous support of Ann and Harry Santen (world premiere), Apex Concerts, Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, Brattleboro Music Center, Chamber Music Albuquerque,Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, Denver Friends of Chamber Music, El Paso Pro Musica, Emory Chamber Music Society, Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival, Hudson Valley Chamber Music Circle, International Violin Competition of Indianapolis and Ensemble Music Society of Indianapolis, Kansas City Friends of Music, Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival, Peoples’ Symphony Concerts, Phoenix Chamber Music Society, Portland Ovations, Schubert Club, Seattle Chamber Music Society and Syracuse Friends of Chamber Music through the International Arts Foundation, Inc.
I am proud to join the jury of the 2024 YCA Susan Wadsworth International Auditions. The closed semifinal rounds bring some of the most promising young musicians from around the globe to NYC to audition for the opportunity to join YCA’s esteemed roster.
Join me in experiencing the excitement of the Finals on October 27, streamed live beginning at 10 AM (EST) on the Violin Channel and the YCA YouTube and Facebook channels:
*Sponsored by the Linda and Isaac Stern Charitable Foundation
I am proud to join the jury of the 2024 YCA Susan Wadsworth International Auditions. The semifinal and final rounds bring some of the most promising young musicians from around the globe to NYC to audition for the opportunity to join YCA’s esteemed roster. Join me in experiencing the excitement of the Finals on October 27, streamed live beginning at 10 AM (EST) on the Violin Channel and the YCA YouTube and Facebook channels:
*Sponsored by the Linda and Isaac Stern Charitable Foundation
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SUMMER OF ANGELS CONCERT #3 – July 12th, 2025 – 5:00 PM
Joaquin Turina (1882-1949) La Oracion Del Torero
Allegro moderato
New Hollywood String Quartet
Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951) String Sextet – Verklärte Nacht Op.4
Alban Gerhardt – Cello
Nokuthula Ngwenyama – Viola
New Hollywood String Quartet
Intermission
Robert Schumann (1810-1856) Piano Quintet in E-flat major, Op.44
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Allegro brillante
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In modo d’una Marcia – Un poco largamente
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Scherzo – Molto vivace
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Allegro ma non troppo
Olga Zado – Piano
New Hollywood String Quartet
Composer’s Choice
Nokuthula Ngwenyama
with the Los Angeles Piano Trio
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 2:00 p.m.
Pasternack Salon – Dana Cheryl Beitscher Salon
745 E Maryland Ave, Phoenix, AZ
Wine and hors d’oeuvres
Phoenix Chamber Music Society co-presents a program curated by composer-in-residence and acclaimed viola soloist Nokuthula Ngwenyama.
This annual show features contemporary composers as well as women composers. This is not a typical classical music concert; it’s a peek into the craft of working musicians today.

Nokuthula Ngwenyama, viola
Los Angeles Piano Trio
