The Piano & Strings Program at the Steans Institute focuses on interpreting classical sonatas and chamber music through deep collaboration in small groups. Each season, about 30 violinists, violists, cellists, and pianists come together for an immersive experience. They engage in intensive rehearsals and receive guidance from leading artists, who help them refine their craft and enhance their interpretive skills and creative insights.
In addition to several afternoon and evening concerts presented during the summer, the musicians participate in a series of public master classes, where the faculty or a Ravinia guest artist provide in-the-moment insights on the fellows’ performances of excerpts from their repertoire, guiding both the growth of their interpretations and sharing the experience with all in attendance.
At this open rehearsal, Piano & Strings Artistic Director Midori will be working within an ensemble of fellows to refine their performance of passages from Benjamin Britten’s String Quartet No. 2 in C major, op. 36. Faculty cellist Timothy Eddy will rehearse with another ensemble of this season’s resident emerging musicians, sharing their preparation of Gabriel Fauré’s Piano Trio in D minor, op. 120.
