Rebecca Fischer, violin, Laura Sacks, viola and Steve Beck, piano bring the lush sounds of the Romantic era to Downtown Music with the Piano Trio No. I of Max Reger and a transcription, for viola, of the Horn Trio in E-flat, Opus 40 of Johannes Brahms.
Praised for her “beautiful tone and nuanced phrasing” (Boston Musical Intelligencer), violinist Rebecca Fischer is sought after as a highly expressive, intuitive performer of solo, chamber music and chamber orchestra repertoire. Garnering attention for her compelling programs of solo violin and singing violinist music, Ms. Fischer has premiered solo works by composers Lisa Bielawa, Missy Mazzoli, Nico Muhly, Paola Prestini, Mathew Fuerst, Augusta Read Thomas, Byron Au Yong, Pierre Jalbert and others. Recent solo recital engagements include Columbia University’s Miller Theater Pop-Up series, The Stone, and the University of Oregon. She is the concertmaster of Ensemble Baroklyn, a group run by pianist Simone Dinnerstein specializing in the music of Bach, and she performs regularly with other ensembles based in New York City. Ms. Fischer is also a member of The Afield, a multidisciplinary collaboration with visual artist/writer Anthony Hawley combining new and original compositions for violin, voice, and electronics with video and other media. The Afield has performed at the Harare International Festival of the Arts in Zimbabwe, Carnegie Hall, and the Atlanta Contemporary Museum, and has published work in Art Papers.
Ms. Fischer’s book of personal essays “The Sound of Memory: Themes from a Violinist’s Life” (Mad Creek Books, the Ohio University State Press) was released in April of 2022. The “intimate and vulnerable” (Strings Magazine) collection has been featured on WNYC, and Ms. Fischer has given readings of her “personal, absorbing response to the author’s practical and creative journey” (Strad Magazine) at Rice University and the New School. Her writing on artistry and creativity has also been published in Strings Magazine and on online blogs. rebeccafischerviolin.com.
Laura Sacks is a New York City-based violist who enjoys a multifaceted career. She has recently performed with the Sarasota Opera, New York City Ballet, June in Buffalo, NOVUS, Albany Symphony, and the Chamber Orchestra of New York. Her chamber music series, Crystalline Chamber Collective is in its second season. Comfortable in many genres, Laura joined the Eagles on their North American tour in 2018 and was the violist on the Broadway National Tour of Miss Saigon. She has also subbed on Broadway in NYC. Highlights of this year include performances with Barry Manilow and Halsey.
She regularly records with the Grammy-winning 8 Bit Big Band and has performed in the house band on Saturday Night Live. Laura holds degrees from New York University, the Manhattan School of Music, and, most recently, completed her doctorate at Stony Brook University.
A recent New York concert by pianist Steven Beck was described as “exemplary” and “deeply satisfying” by Anthony Tommasini in the New York Times. He is a graduate of the Juilliard School. Mr. Beck made his concerto debut with the National Symphony Orchestra. His annual Christmas Eve performance of Bach’s Goldberg Variations at Bargemusic has become a New York institution. As an orchestral musician he has appeared with the New York Philharmonic and Orpheus.
Mr. Beck is an experienced performer of new music, having worked with Elliott Carter, Pierre Boulez, Henri Dutilleux, Charles Wuorinen, George Crumb, George Perle, and Fred Lerdahl. He is a member of the Knights, the Talea Ensemble, Quattro Mani, and the Da Capo Chamber Players. His discography includes George Walker’s piano sonatas, for Bridge Records, and Elliott Carter’s “Double Concerto” on Albany Records. He is a Steinway Artist, and is on the faculty of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.