Cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han are recognized worldwide as two of the most distinguished and influential figures in classical music. In recognition of their exceptional artistry and leadership, they jointly received Musical America’s Musician of the Year Award for their transformative impact on the field of chamber music. Their repertoire spans the classical canon for cello and piano, includes commissioned works from contemporary composers, and covers virtually the entire chamber music literature for their instruments.

David Finckel stands among the most distinguished and influential cellists of his generation, celebrated worldwide as a performer, recording artist, educator, and artistic leader. In addition to performing extensively with his longtime musical partner, pianist Wu Han, he has appeared on the world’s stages as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician. During thirty-four seasons with the Emerson String Quartet, he garnered nine Grammy Awards, the Avery Fisher Prize, and universal acclaim for complete quartet cycles of Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Bartók, Shostakovich, in addition to notable collaborative projects and commissioned works. Finckel’s 100-part video series, Cello Talks, attracts a global audience of musicians.

Pianist Wu Han is an influential figure in the classical music world who has won international acclaim as a concert performer, recording artist, educator, arts administrator and cultural entrepreneur. Born in Taiwan, Wu Han began her musical journey in Taipei and went on to study with legendary pianists such as Lilian Kallir, Rudolf Serkin, and Menahem Pressler—figures who deeply influenced her evolution into one of today’s most respected and dynamic performing artists. She is a recipient of the prestigious Andrew Wolf Award.

As artistic directors of several major arts organizations, Finckel and Han collaboratively curate more than 300 concerts each year, shaping the chamber music landscape. Since 2004, David Finckel and Wu Han have served as Artistic Directors of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS), the largest presenter and producer of chamber music in the world greatly expanding the organization’s reach. In 2025, they were appointed Co-Artistic Directors of South Mountain Concerts in Massachusetts, one of the nation’s most historic and cherished chamber music series. Beyond the concert stage, David Finckel and Wu Han founded ArtistLed, the first internet-based, artist-controlled classical recording label. As founders and Artistic Directors of Silicon Valley’s Music@Menlo, David Finckel and Wu Han have established the festival as a model of innovative thematic programming and educational excellence, earning international acclaim.

Known world-wide for their deft touch with all things chamber music these two virtuosi will provide an afternoon of musical pleasure. They will perform their Russian program featuring works by Myaskovsky, Prokofiev, and Rachmaninoff.

At 2 pm, hear a preconcert lecture by Brent Stevens presented courtesy of the Rosalie Heller Annual Memorial Lecture Endowment held by the Los Alamos Community Foundation.