Carmel Music Society presents guitarist Manuel Barrueco

by Jordi Faxon
May 5, 2019

Manuel Barrueco

On May 5, 2019, at Sunset Center in Carmel, classical guitarist Manuel Barrueco sat on his throne, guitar in hand, and positively wowed audiences at the Sunset Center. Playing various selections by Isaac Albéniz, Enrique Granados, and Ignacio Cervantes, his Spanish and Cuban music was like a warm and intimate embrace, each note plucked as if it was loved individually and played explicitly for each member of the audience.

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Archived in these categories: 20th Century, Baroque, Carmel Music Society, Guitar

Pianist Wu Han performs for Carmel Music Society

by Lyn Bronson
March 26, 2019

Pianist Wu Han is no stranger to Sunset Center, for she has frequently appeared in ensemble with her cellist husband David Finckel, and violinist partner Philip Setzer. However, yesterday afternoon we heard her in all her glory as a piano soloist performing for the Carmel Music Society. Speaking to the audience from the stage, Wu explained that the two extended works she was performing for us in this recital had special significance as pieces to which she has a long and emotional connection.

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Archived in these categories: Carmel Music Society, Romantic Era

Brentano Quartet & Pianist Yekwon Sunwoo at Sunset Center

by Lyn Bronson
February 11, 2019

It was a pleasure to welcome back the Brentano Quartet for a return engagement after its highly acclaimed performance for the Carmel Music Society in 2013. On this occasion, the quartet was joined by 29-year-old pianist Yekwon Sunwoo, Gold Medalist at the Fifteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, who had recently appeared on the Carmel Music Society’s series in September 2018.

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Archived in these categories: Carmel Music Society, Chamber music, Classical Era, Piano trio

Kevin Lee Sun — Winner of the 2018 Carmel Music Society Piano Competition

by Lyn Bronson
January 14, 2019

2018 Carmel Music Society Biennial Piano Competition winner Kevin Lee Sun appeared in recital yesterday afternoon at Sunset Center. It was, in retrospect, an oddly chosen program. The works on the first half, consisting of a Prelude & Fugue from Bach’s WTC II, the Fantasia nach J.S. Bach by Busoni and Schubert’s “Wanderer Fantasy,” were totally involving and demonstrated Sun’s ability to paint with a stunningly beautiful palette of colors while demonstrating a seemingly effortless total keyboard mastery. At the end of the first half, spontaneous bravos erupted from members of the audience, and he received a thunderous standing ovation.

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Archived in these categories: 20th Century, Carmel Music Society, Competition, Piano, Romantic Era

Carmel Music Society’s 2018 Piano Competition Awards Concert

by Lyn Bronson
June 10, 2018

1st Prize Winner Kevin Sun, 2nd Prize Winner Xiao Chen, 3rd Prize Winner Christopher Richardson

It was a grand occasion for local piano buffs yesterday when the Carmel Music Society held its 40th Piano Competition at Sunset Center. Six finalists competed from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm, each playing a half-hour solo program. At 3:30 Dr. Anne Thorp, Co-President of the Carmel Music Society announced that the judges had selected 24-year-old Kevin Lee Sun from Sacramento as the Grand Prize Winner, who, in addition to his cash award, will be returning to Sunset Center at 3:00 pm on Sunday, January 13, 2019 to perform a full recital on the CMS regular subscription series. Dr. Thorp then announced that 29-year-old Xiao Chen, who holds a Master of Music degree from Juilliard and a DMA from UCLA, was awarded Second Prize, and 19-year-old Christopher Richardson, a much lauded competition winner who is currently a pre-med student at UC Berkeley, was awarded Third Prize. Read full story →

Archived in these categories: 20th Century, Carmel Music Society, Piano