Rembrandt Chamber Musicians Presents: Cynthia Yeh and the Art of Percussion

Rembrandt Chamber Musicians welcomes Cynthia Yeh, Principal Percussionist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, for a program exploring the remarkable expressive possibilities of percussion in chamber music. Joined by violinists John Macfarlane and Eleanor Bartsch, violist Carol Cook, and cellist Calum Cook, Yeh leads audiences through a diverse collection of contemporary works that blend rhythm, color, and melody in unexpected and captivating ways. The first half features Arvo Pärt’s meditative Fratres, Kenji Bunch’s energetic and lyrical Duo for the Verdant Valley, and Caroline Shaw’s imaginative Boris Kerner, each offering a unique perspective on musical dialogue and texture.

Following intermission, the full ensemble comes together for two substantial works that showcase percussion as an equal partner within the string quartet tradition. Andy Akiho’s Aluminous combines shimmering sonorities and driving rhythmic energy, while Samuel Adams’ Sundial closes the program with a sweeping and immersive sound world that unfolds with both intensity and grace. Together, these works highlight some of the most compelling voices in contemporary music and demonstrate the extraordinary versatility of chamber music in the twenty-first century.

PROGRAM

Arvo Pärt (b. 1935)
Fratres

Kenji Bunch (b. 1973)
Duo for the Verdant Kingdom
Movements II & III

Caroline Shaw (b. 1982)
Boris Kerner

Intermission

Andy Akiho (b. 1979)
Aluminous

Samuel Adams (b. 1985)
Sundial

ARTISTS

Cynthia Yeh, percussion
John Macfarlane, violin
Eleanor Bartsch, violin
Carol Cook, viola
Calum Cook, cello

REMBRANDT CHAMBER MUSICIANS
Now entering its 36th season, Rembrandt Chamber Musicians continues to build upon its distinguished legacy while expanding its artistic vision for the future. The ensemble will broaden its programming to include not only classical chamber music, but also jazz and improvised music, as well as contemporary classical works presented at a variety of venues throughout the Chicago-land area. This evolution reflects the organization’s longstanding commitment to innovation, collaboration, and artistic exploration while remaining rooted in the ensemble’s core mission of presenting engaging, accessible, and deeply personal musical experiences. Praised by Chicago Tribune critic John von Rhein as “one of the more notable success stories in Chicago chamber music,” Rembrandt continues to be recognized for performances filled with “infectious verve, spontaneity, and abundance of feeling,” with concerts regularly featured on WFMT and highlighted among Chicago’s top classical music events.