In partnership with the Naumburg Foundation, SFCM presents the winner of the Naumburg Foundation's 2025 Chamber Music Competition: The Terra String Quartet.

This series is generously underwritten by Mr. Sin-Tung Chiu in memory of his parents Bella and P.P. Chiu, and celebrates the family's long time friendship with Robert and Lucy Mann who led the Naumburg Foundation for more than 50 years. Robert Mann was Sin-Tung's mentor and this concert honors their close friendship.

Program

All pieces in this program are played by the Terra String Quartet.

Juri Seo: String Quartet No.2, "Overgrown Paths"

Alexander Borodin: String Quartet No.2 in D Major
     I. Allegro moderato
     II. Scherzo. Allegro
     III. Notturno. Andante
     IV. Finale. Andante - Vivace

- Intermission -

Franz Schubert: String Quartet No. 13 in A Minor, D. 804, "Rosamunde"
     I. Allegro ma non troppo
     II. Andante
     III. Menuetto. Allegretto - Trio
     IV. Allegro moderato

Felix Mendelssohn: Octet in E-flat Major, Op.20 
     I. Allegro Moderato ma con fuoco
Mark Chen, violin 2
Cuna Kim, violin 3
Klara Kotarsky, viola 2
Calvin Kung, cello 2

Featured Artists

Terra String Quartet
     Harriet Langley, violin
     Amelia Dietrich, violin
     Chih-Ta Chen, viola
     Audrey Chen, cello
 

About the Walter W. Naumburg Foundation

The Walter W. Naumburg Foundation, founded in 1926 by Walter W. Naumburg, continues today in the pursuit of ideals set out by Mr. Naumburg.  His desire to assist gifted young musicians in America has made possible a long-standing program of competitions and awards in solo, chamber music performance, and commissions.  It was Mr. Naumburg's firm belief that such competitions were not only for the benefit of new stars but would also be for those talented young musicians who would become the prime movers in the development of the highest standards of musical excellence throughout America.  

Past winners of the Naumburg Viola award include Misha Amory, Paul Coletti, Paul Neubauer and Thomas Riebl. Other award winners include Clarinetist Charles Neidich, Flutist Carol Wincenc, Violinists Leonidas Kavakos and Frank Huang; Pianists Stephen Hough, Gilles Vonsattel, and Awadagin Pratt; Vocalists Julia Bullock, Lucy Shelton, and Dawn Upshaw, as well as eighth blackbird and the American, Brentano and Pacifica String Quartets.

See here for the full history.
 

About the Chiu Family

The Chiu Family met Robert Mann and the Juilliard String Quartet in 1961 in Hong Kong during their maiden tour to the Far East. Robert and P. P. and Bella bonded immediately and this loving friendship lasted throughout their lives.

The Naumburg Foundation teamed up with the Chiu Family and Ruth Felt of San Francisco Performances to sponsor the first annual winner’s Debut recital in 1998 in San Francisco. It is gratifying to be part of the new collaboration between the Naumburg Foundation and SFCM.

On a personal note, Sin-Tung Chiu is forever grateful to Robert Mann for having been his mentor, coach and friend at The Juilliard School.