CMFW Artists’ Concert Summer 2020
presents
“The Beauty of Nature”
Violin and Piano Duo
by
Nick Hammel, violin
Joseph Choi, piano
Works By
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
J. S. Bach (1685 – 1750)
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
Because Music Is a Gift…
Classical Music For the World believes that artistic music, like the beauty of nature, should be available for all to enjoy, so our concerts are free of charge and open to everyone. However, tax-deductible donations are gratefully accepted to help continue our mission.
Adults and children of all ages are welcome.
Program Description by the Performers
The three pieces of the program were selected because each one holds its own simplicity, just like we see in nature. Even the most complex forms of life can be refined down to the simplest patterns if we view them cohesively.
Violin Sonata No. 1 in G major, Op.78 …………………………… Johannes Brahms (1833 – 1897)
Chaconne from Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004 ……………….…. J. S. Bach (1685 – 1750)
Sonatina, Op. 100 …………………………………………………….………… Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
I. Allegro risoluto
II. Larghetto
III. Scherzo. Molto vivace – Trio
IV. Finale. Allegro
About the Musicians
Nick Hammel, Violinist
Nick has recently graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with an undergraduate degree in violin performance under Sandy Yamamoto and is going to continue his studies at the New England Conservatory under Donald Weilerstein. He has soloed with orchestras such as the Richardson Symphony, Central Texas Medical Orchestra, and the Austin Civic Orchestra. Nick was a semi-finalist in the 2022 Young Texas Artists Music Competition and the 2022 Jefferson Symphony Young Artists Competition. Most recently, Nick won first prize in the 2022 Ann & Charles Eismann Young Artists Competition.
Nick is also an active chamber music performer, and has performed with artists such as Sandy Yamamoto, Bion Tsang, Andrew Brownell, Josh Gindele, John Largess, and Anton Nel. His most extensive chamber group, Trío En, won Silver Medal in the Senior Strings Division of the 2020 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, and placed first in the 2020 MTNA Chamber Music Competition. Nick was also second violinist of the Favola Quartet, which won Grand Prize in the 2020 Coltman Chamber Music Competition. In addition to playing solo and chamber music repertoire, Nick recently was titled principal second violin in the Austin Symphony Orchestra.
Joseph Choi, pianist
Korean-American pianist Joseph Choi is a multi-faceted artist of the 21st century. He has been praised for his sensitive, sincere and scintillating performances.
As a performer, Joey has competed on the international stage and has garnered awards such as the Second Prize in the 2014 NTD International Piano Competition, Finalist in the 2016 San Antonio International Piano Competition, where he was awarded the prize for Best Performance of a Baroque Composer, Second Prize in the 2012 Tuesday Musical Club Competition in San Antonio, and winner of the 2012 concerto competition at the University of Texas at Austin. He has performed in venues such as Zankel Hall in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the Benedict Music Tent at the Aspen Music Festival. Joey has also performed with groups such as the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Honolulu Symphony Orchestra, University of Texas Symphony Orchestra, Aeolus quartet and Inversion Ensemble.
As a music educator, Joey currently serves on the faculty of Concordia University Texas where he teaches piano, music theory and piano pedagogy. Furthermore, he continues to maintain a private studio in Austin where his students have gone on to win prizes in many competitions and have been featured on programs such as NPR’s “From the Top”.
As an advocate for the arts, Joey is the Artistic Director of the Classical Artists Concert Series where he works in conjunction with the Pflugerville Arts Council as a board member to bring international artists to the Central Texas region. Recently featured artists include the Cordova String Quartet, Miro String Quartet, Alexander Malikov, Michael Schneider and Francesco Mastromatteo.
After initial studies with Ellen Masaki, Joey continued his education with Anton Nel where he received both his Doctorate of Musical Arts and Bachelor of Music degrees at the University of Texas at Austin. His Master of Music degree was obtained at the Juilliard School working under Jerome Lowenthal and Matti Raekallio. Masterclass and further studies include Yoheved Kaplinsky, Robert McDonald, Julian Martin, John O’Conor, Dominique Weber, Robert Roux, Zenon Fishbein and Orli Shaham.
In his free time, Joey loves to compose music and ride his bicycle.