Friday, March 7th, 2025 @ 8 PM - Orange County (map)
The Weinstein Performance Space at Chamber Music OC

If your soul could use a cathartic chakric cleanse, do not miss this hair-raising, spine-tingling, psyche-throttling musical rollercoaster. Dmitri Shostakovich’s Piano Trio  No. 2 and String Quartet No. 8 are his best-known and most electrifyingly recognizable chamber works. More than many of his other works, they grab you by the spiritual jugular and don’t let go. (And that’s saying a lot; IYKYK.) 

Complimentary wine and hors-d’oeuvre reception with the artists to follow. More info on our venues and parking here.

Friday, March 7th, 6:30 - 7 PM: Early Access for Members at the Supporter + Level

Program:
Dmitri Shostakovich: Piano Trio No. 2
Dmitri Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 8

Artists:
Kevin Kumar and Maia Jasper White, Co-Artistic Directors and Violinists
Meredith Crawford, Resident Violist
Yoshika Masuda, Resident Cellist
HyeJin Kim, Resident Pianist
Brian Lauritzen, Resident Host

Did Mozart really laugh like that? Was Salieri truly such a jealous, murderous jerk? Real musicians weigh in on the veracity of Peter Shaffer’s iconic film.

Our roundtable discussion includes Josh Shaw, the charismatic and knowledgeable Artistic Director of Pacific Opera Project — which will produce Salieri’s La Scuola de’ Gelosi in mid-January. Share your thoughts and ask us anything as active participants in the conversation — or simply listen in.

You can watch the movie beforehand or press play at 6 PM sharp, chatting with us on Zoom. We’ll then take a quick bathroom and snack-refill break and reconvene on Zoom at 9:05 for the discussion.

You can rent the Director’s Cut on Amazon Prime Video here for $3.79. It’s free to join us on Zoom. You must register by clicking the button below to receive the Zoom link.

On this mystical compline program, Salastina’s Composer Mentor Derrick Skye’s latest string quartet Deliverance is a portal to another time. Its musical DNA came from select works of other Baroque composers whose works share the program. Together, the program illustrates centuries-old music's timeless resonance – and the endless possibilities for re-imagining its magic and mystery. 

A complimentary wine reception with the artists will follow. More info on Mary Chapel and parking here.

Program:
Hildegard von Bingen: O Frondens Virga
Thomas Tallis: Audivi Vocem
Giovanni Pierluigi de Palestrina: Missa Nigra Sum - Sanctus
Johann Sebastian Bach: Passacaglia and Fugue in c minor
Derrick Skye: Deliverance (West Coast premiere)
Gregorio Allegri: Miserere

Artists:
Kevin Kumar and Maia Jasper White, Co-Artistic Directors and Resident Violinists
Yoshika Masuda, Resident Cellist
Derrick Skye, Resident Composer
Luke Maurer, Guest Violist

6:30 PM - 7 PM: Early Access for Members at the Supporter + Level

Salastina proudly presents this performance, sponsored by the Music Department at Mount Saint Mary’s University.

A few months ago, Salastina’s Resident Cellist Yoshika Masuda and Resident Pianist HyeJin Kim released Hidden Flame on Avie Records. The album contains music by Amy Beach, Clara Schumann, Rita Strohl, Nadia Boulanger, Maria Theresia Paradis, and a world-premiere by Reena Esmail. Yoshi described the album's purpose: “musicians and music lovers often feel confident that great works must already be a part of the standard repertoire. However, this album proves that there are hidden gems that deserve more recognition out there!" For this Happy Hour, audiences will be treated to Yoshi and HyeJin performing select works featured on the album live. Throughout, Co-Artistic Director Maia Jasper White hosts a conversation between Yoshi, HyeJin, and the audience about repertoire selection and the recording process as a whole.

Mimosa and pastry reception with the artists to follow.

Program:
Frédéric Chopin: Waltz in A minor (West Coast Premiere) Amy Beach: Romance Op. 23
Reena Esmail: one word makes a world
Rita Strohl: Great Dramatic Sonata, "Titus et Bérénice"

Artists:
Yoshika Masuda, Resident Cellist
HyeJin Kim, Resident Pianist

10 AM: Early Access for Members at the Supporter + Level

Inspired by a documentary, Salastina’s Resident Flutist Benjamin Smolen sought out and befriended Walter Arlen — an Austrian-born, gay Jewish composer who fled the Nazis, ultimately spending most of his life and career in Southern California.

Sadly, Ben did not have the chance to perform Walter’s music before the composer passed away last September at age 103.

Ben curates this posthumous celebration of the works and friendships of a man who continues to inspire him. 

Mimosa and pastry reception with the artists to follow.

Program:
Walter Arlen: Monotypes
Roy Harris: American Ballads
Hector Villa Lobos: Jet Whistle
Carlos Chavez: Lento from String Quartet No. 3
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Ein Quartett-Satz on the Name of Walter Arlen
Walter Arlen: Sonnett for Violin and Piano

Artists:
Benjamin Smolen, Resident Flutist
Kevin Kumar and Maia Jasper White, Co-Artistic Directors and Resident Violinists
Meredith Crawford, Resident Violist
Yoshika Masuda, Resident Cellist
HyeJin Kim, Resident Pianist

10 AM: Early Access for Members at the Supporter + Level

Please note that this concert is now taking place at Barrett Hall at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music.

Want to fill your heart, mind, and soul to bursting? If you can handle the intensity of an all-day marathon of the complete piano trios of Johannes Brahms, consider this your formal invitation.

Concert 1 @ 3:30 PM

Concert 1 includes the beloved B Major Piano Trio and the epic E Flat Major Trio for Piano, Violin, and Horn. Take a dinner break at any Pasadena restaurant nearby (many great ones are within walking distance) before indulging in another gluttonous feast of Brahms’ German Romanticism.

Complimentary wine reception with the artists to follow each performance.

Program: Concert 1
Johannes Brahms: Piano Trio No. 1 in B major, Op. 8
Johannes Brahms: Horn Trio in E-flat major, Op. 40

Artists: Concert 1
Kevin Kumar, Co-Artistic Director and Resident Violinist
Zach Mowitz, Guest Cellist
David Cooper, Guest Horn Player
Rodolfo Leone, Guest Pianist
Brian Lauritzen, Resident Host

3 PM: Early Access for Members at the Supporter + Level

Concert 2 @ 7:30 PM

Save room for dessert: Concert 2 includes the C Major and C Minor Piano Trios and the Trio for Piano, Clarinet, and Cello.

Complimentary wine reception with the artists to follow each performance.

Due to our guest artist’s contractual obligations, we regret that we cannot livestream Concert 2.

Program: Concert 2
Johannes Brahms: Piano Trio No. 3 in C minor, Op. 101
Johannes Brahms: Clarinet Trio in A minor, Op. 114
Johannes Brahms: Piano Trio No. 2 in C Major, Op. 87

Artists: Concert 2
Randall Goosby, Guest Violinist
Yoshika Masuda, Resident Cellist
HyeJin Kim, Resident Pianist
Sergio Coelho, Guest Clarinetist
Brian Lauritzen, Resident Host

6:30 PM: Early Access for Members at the Supporter + Level

Join us for our virtual event for conversation with and world premieres from this year’s Sounds Promising cohort. This year’s young composers were based in New Zealand, Prague, Indiana, London, and both US Coasts. Featuring premieres by Mathis Saunier, Sydney Wang, Shane Scott Cook, Luca Pasquini, and Jackson A. Waters.

Read more about our Sounds Promising cohort here.

Join us for our virtual event for conversation with and world premieres from this year’s Sounds Promising cohort. This year’s young composers were based in New Zealand, Prague, Indiana, London, and both US Coasts. Featuring premieres by Yuxuan Lin, Benjamin Beckman, Kirsten Strom, Chloe Liuyan Liu, and Austin Ali.

Read more about our Sounds Promising cohort here.

Few musicians possess the cojones and humility to perform music blind. And by “blind,” we do NOT mean sightreading; the musicians have practiced and rehearsed!

Rather, we mean the musicians don’t know what they’re playing. Not the composer, the piece title, when and where it was written… nada.

Sounds Mysterious is a musical scavenger hunt in which the musicians and audience solve those mysteries together.

This time, all of Salastina’s Resident Artists have chosen a short piece to stump everyone else in the ensemble.

The music our Resident Artists have chosen is readily accessible, consummately listenable, and delightfully unexpected. We can't be more specific about the repertoire. But we can promise:

• laughter, collegiality, and plenty of razzing amongst the musicians

• ample opportunities to hear audience members’ intuitions and insights -- and share your own

• the joy of musical discovery

Mimosa and pastry reception with the artists to follow.

Artists:
Kevin Kumar and Maia Jasper White, Co-Artistic Directors and Resident Violinists
Meredith Crawford, Resident Violist
Yoshika Masuda, Resident Cellist
HyeJin Kim, Resident Pianist
Benjamin Smolen, Resident Flutist
Brian Lauritzen, Resident Host

Program:
Mystery Work for Flute, Violin, and Piano, chosen by Benjamin Smolen (Nino Rota Trio - I. Allegro non troppo)
Mystery Work for Flute, Violin, and Piano, chosen by HyeJin Kim (Mel Bonis Suite en trio, Op. 59 II. Pastorale)
Mystery Work for Violin and Viola, chosen by Brian Lauritzen (Courtney Bryan And What I Mean is This)
Mystery Work for Violin and Piano, chosen by Yoshika Masuda (Rita Strohl, Solitude)
Mystery Work for Cello and Piano, chosen by Maia Jasper White (Leone Sinigaglia 2 Stücke, Op. 16: II. Humoreske)
Mystery Work for Piano Trio, chosen by Meredith Crawford (Ludwig Philipp Schawenka Piano Trio No. 1 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 100: II. Allegro)
Mystery Work for Piano Quintet, chosen by Kevin Kumar (Jean Cras Piano Quintet: II. Calme et paisible)

Sounds Mysterious is a game in which Brian assigns us a piece of music that none of us recognize. He even redacts the composer’s name. We rehearse it, perform it, and attempt to guess the composer along with you. The delight of surprise and interactive “whodunnit” guessing game make for an engaging spin on the live concert experience.

Artists:
Kevin Kumar and Maia Jasper White, Co-Artistic Directors and Violinists
Meredith Crawford, Resident Violist
Yoshika Masuda, Resident Cellist
HyeJin Kim, Resident Pianist
Brian Lauritzen, Resident Host

Salastina Members may watch the livestream for free in our Members-Only Lounge.

Slow your heartbeat and set it aflutter with a selection of soul-soothing and soul-stirring Romantic, pop, classical, and movie score favorites. The intimate, vibe-y, chandelier-lit venue in the heart of Hollywood puts you up close to the performers: a string quartet, pianist, and flutist who've recorded your favorite film soundtracks. Enjoy complimentary wine and chocolate-covered strawberries upon arrival, and mingle with the artists after the show.

Artists:
Kevin Kumar and Maia Jasper White, Co-Artistic Directors and Violinists
Meredith Crawford, Resident Violist
Yoshika Masuda, Resident Cellist
HyeJin Kim, Resident Pianist
Ben Smolen, Resident Flutist


Please note tickets need to be purchased in advance; there are no door sales or livestream for this concert.

$20 Reserve parking is available for purchase below.

A contemplative Happy Hour exploring the porous boundary between mortality and the beyond. Musical selections include the slow movement of Beethoven’s String Quartet Opus 132 and the world-premiere instrumental-only chamber arrangement of Eric Whitacre’s profoundly moving choral work, The Sacred Veil. The setting – a marble sanctuary suffused with the rainbow light of hundreds of stained glass windows – sets the scene. Reception with the artists to follow. 

Program:
Juhi Bansal: Cathedral of Light
Olivier Messiaen: Louange from The Quartet for the End of Time
Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet Op. 132, III "Heiliger Dankgesang eines Genesenen an die Gottheit, in der Lydischen Tonart," Molto adagio – Andante
Eric Whitacre: You Feel Like Home: Suite from The Sacred Veil for Piano Quintet

Artists:
Kevin Kumar and Maia Jasper White, Co-Artistic Directors and Violinists
Meredith Crawford, Resident Violist
Yoshika Masuda, Resident Cellist
HyeJin Kim, Resident Pianist
Eric Whitacre, Composer

Salastina Members may watch the livestream for free in our Members-Only Lounge.

Join us for a Virtual Watch Party of the newly-released film Maestro starring Bradley Cooper as Leonard Bernstein. A free Zoom roundtable discussion immediately follows.

The film is 2 hours and 9 minutes long; we will begin our roundtable discussion on Zoom at 8:15.

How to watch:

• stream on Netflix (requires your own subscription)

You may either:

• Join us in our Zoom room at 6 PM PT, hit “play” on the film on your own device at the same time as everyone else, and use Zoom’s chat box as we watch the film together

• OR watch the film on your own ahead of time, joining us on Zoom for the Roundtable Discussion only at 8:15 PM PT

If you haven't received a Zoom room link, please click the registration link in your ticket email receipt.

December 2, 2023 @ 2:30 PM - Pasadena
Doheny Mansion at Mount Saint Mary’s University
+ Livestream

One Performance Only!

All the glory of Handel’s timeless Messiah, but make it chamber music. This chestnut gets the one-on-a-part treatment – and the nimbleness and luminosity that affords. Salastina loyalists will enjoy the return of last season’s most popular Happy Hour guest, the effervescent Belgian soprano Laurence Servaes, alongside the return of stunning mezzo-soprano Clara Osowski. With Brian Lauritzen providing historical and emotional context along the way, you'll get to know the piece better than you ever have before. And yes: please sing along during the Hallelyou-know-what. Mulled wine reception to follow.

Salastina proudly presents this performance in partnership with The Da Camera Society in celebration of its 50th Anniversary Season.

Program:
George Frideric Handel: Messiah

Artists:
Kevin Kumar, Co-Artistic Director and Violinist
Tereza Stanislav, Guest Violinist
Meredith Crawford, Resident Violist
Charlie Tyler, Guest Cellist
HyeJin Kim, Resident Pianist (… on harpsichord)
Brian Lauritzen, Resident Host
Laurence Servaes, Soprano
Clara Osowski, Mezzo-Soprano
Richard Pittsinger, Tenor
Johnathan McCullough, Bass-baritone

Salastina Members may watch the livestream for free in our Members-Only Lounge.

In-person tickets are currently SOLD OUT. Please sign up for the waitlist below.

Join us for our rescheduled Part 2 of our conversation with and world premieres from this year’s Sounds Promising cohort. The young composers featured in this Happy Hour: Mieke Doezama (Hawaii), William Jae (Rochester, NY), Zygmund de Somogyi (London, UK), Isaac Uria de Silva (Ecuador), and Aaron Israel Levin (New Haven, CT). Read more about our Sounds Promising cohort here.

Members Early-Access at 1:30 PM

Find the world premieres of our Sounds Promising composers below.

Salastina’s contribution to the statewide California Festival of contemporary classical music is in partnership with Leela Dance Collective, a Hindustani Kathak dance company. Encounters With Beauty is a world-premiere piece of choreography set to music by our dear friends and LA-based composers Derrick Skye and Reena Esmail. Drinks reception, replete with Indian munchies, to follow.

What to Know Before You Go at the Edye Second Space

Artists:
Saavani Thigale, Hindustani vocalist
Kevin Kumar and Maia Jasper White, Co-Artistic Directors and Violinists
Meredith Crawford, Resident Violist
Yoshika Masuda, Resident Cellist
Derrick Skye, Composer

Leela Dance Collective
Rukhmani Mehta and Seibi Lee, Co-Artistic Directors and Dancers
Rachna Nivas, Dancer
Joanna Meinl, Dancer
Sonali Toppur, Dancer
Ahana Mukherjee, Dancer
Carrie Jennings, Dancer

Salastina Members may watch the livestream for free in our Members-Only Lounge.

Paris-based rockstar of the harpsichord Jean Rondeau performs a full live, in-person recital of works by Haydn, Clementi, and Mozart. The event includes conversation with the artist and a mimosa and pastry reception.

Program:
Joseph Haydn: Piano Sonata No. 31
Muzio Clementi: Gradus ad Paranassum op. 44, N°45 - Preludio Andante malinconico in C minor
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Sonata No.16 in C Major, K. 545
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Rondo in A minor K. 511
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Fantaisie in D minor K. 397

Salastina Members may watch the livestream for free in our Members-Only Lounge. Please note this special performance is ONLY available to rewatch for 72 hours.

Join us for our rescheduled event in our virtual room for conversation with and world premieres from this year’s Sounds Promising cohort. The young composers featured in this Happy Hour: Riccardo Perugini (Florence, Italy), Jazreel Low (Singapore), Jonah Cohen (New York City), Celina Kintscher (Los Angeles), and Nicholas Ma (Montreal).

Read more about our Sounds Promising cohort here, and see the playlist of their world premieres below.

Members Early-Access at 1:30 PM

Find our Sounds Promising composers world premieres below.

Salastina’s Resident Flutist Benjamin Smolen guides us through the flute works of Shostakovich’s BFF, Mieczysław Weinberg, a composer with whom he became enamored while studying in Moscow. Mimosa and pastry reception to follow.

Program:
Mieczysław Weinberg: 12 Miniatures for Flute and Strings
Mieczysław Weinberg: Flute Concerto No. 1, Op. 75

Artists:
Ben Smolen, Resident Flutist and Soloist
Kevin Kumar and Maia Jasper White, Co-Artistic Directors and Violinists
Meredith Crawford, Resident Violist
Yoshika Masuda, Resident Cellist
Ted Botsford, Guest Bassist

Salastina Members may watch the livestream for free in our Members-Only Lounge.

Salastina Member’s are invited to be a fly of the wall for our 2023 Sounds Promising Composer Workshops.

Members can rewatch this workshop in the Members Lounge.

Salastina Member’s are invited to be a fly of the wall for our 2023 Sounds Promising Composer Workshops.

Members can rewatch this workshop in the Members Lounge.

Salastina Member’s are invited to be a fly of the wall for our 2023 Sounds Promising Composer Workshops.

Members can rewatch this workshop in the Members Lounge.

Salastina Member’s are invited to be a fly of the wall for our 2023 Sounds Promising Composer Workshops.

Members can rewatch this workshop in the Members Lounge.

Salastina Member’s are invited to be a fly of the wall for our 2023 Sounds Promising Composer Workshops.

Please join via the Zoom link in the Member’s Lounge.