Sophie Shao and Friends

Applauded by the New York Times for her “eloquent, powerful” interpretations, cellist Sophie Shao has a gift for assembling impromptu chamber ensembles that are brimming with passion and talent. If you’ve never heard her play before, or if you’re a veteran of her concerts, you’ll realize why no season is complete without one of her marvelous performances! The concert program will include Messiaen’s Quartet for The End of Time, and Vermont composer David Ludwig’s Spiral Galaxy.

Winner of the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant and top prizes at the Rostropovich and Tchaikovsky competitions, Shao is a versatile and passionate artist whose performances the New York Times has described as “beautifully phrased and interestingly textured,” the LA Times noted as “impressive,” and the Washington Post called “deeply satisfying.” She has performed to critical acclaim as soloist and in ensembles throughout the U.S., the U.K., and in Japan. When not touring, she teaches on the faculty of the University of Connecticut. She plays on a cello made by Honore Derazey from 1855 once owned by celebrated cello legend Pablo Casals. 

“Eyes closed, Shao produced a mellow tone… and moved on to show a very even sound throughout her instrument’s range…. She built chords with great sensitivity, giving each added note individual respect.”—The Saratogian 

Learn more about the artist: https://sophieshao.squarespace.com/ 

Watch a video: https://youtu.be/1fGLkJLoAC0 

Program: 
Jennifer Frautschi, Violin
Bixby Kennedy, Clarinet
Sophie Shao, Cello
Orion Weiss, Piano

Olivier Messiaen: Quartet for The End of Time
David Ludwig: Spiral Galaxy

Tickets: $25 general public | $20 Middlebury ID holders | $10 Youth (Under 21) | $5 Middlebury students. General admission. Approximate running time: 90 minutes including intermission. Buy tickets: http://go.middlebury.edu/tickets

Performance subject to change.