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The Muse: Dmitri Berlinsky (violin) and Jiarui Cheng (piano)

Concert details

Program

Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 1 in A minor, Op. 105
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)

I. Mit leidenschaftlichem Ausdruck
II. Allegretto
III. Lebhaft

Three Romances for Violin and Piano, Op. 22
Clara Schumann (1819-1896)

I. Andante molto
II. Allegretto
III. Leidenschaftlich schnell

Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 3 in D minor, Op. 108
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)    

I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Un poco presto e con sentimento
IV. Presto agitato
 

Performer bios

Dmitri Berlinsky, violin

Dmitri Berlinsky, professor of violin and artist teacher at the Michigan State University College of Music, has performed in major venues such as Carnegie and Avery Fisher Halls in New York, Kennedy Center in Washington DC, Tokyo’s Suntory Hall, Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Mariinsky Concert Hall.

Recent highlights include appearances as a soloist in Berlin Philharmonie Hall, Vienna Konzerthaus, Frankfurt Alte Opera House, Leipzig Gewandhaus, Munich Philharmonic, among others on European concert tour “Paganini Night” with Russian Philharmonic of St. Petersburg.

Last season Berlinsky performed and taught at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Royal Conservatory and Glen Gould School in Toronto, Tel Aviv University, Eastman School of Music, China Conservatory in Beijing, Xiamen and Fujian Universities in China, National University of Singapore and Institute of Music in Thailand.

In high demand as a teacher, Berlinsky has given Master Classes at the University of South California in Los Angeles, Menuhin School in London, Manhattan School, Temple University in Philhadelphia, DePaul and Roosevelt University in Chicago and served on the jury of Paganini International Competition, Washington International Competition, YCA and Astral Auditions.

Berlinsky is a founder of “Dorothy DeLay MasterClass Series” and Artistic Director of “International Chamber Soloists.” He is the co-founder of “Juventus ProMusica” concert series in New York City, providing chamber music experiences for young students alongside distinguished guest artists.

Berlinsky arrived on the international scene as the youngest winner in the history of the Paganini International Violin Competition in Genoa, Italy. This victory led to his performance on Nicolo Paganini's own Guarneri del Gesú instrument, a privilege shared by only a handful of artists in history. Subsequent triumphs at the Montreal International Violin Competition (Grand Prize), the International Tchaikovsky Competition and the Queen Elizabeth Competition in Brussels, led to appearances with major orchestras in Europe, Russia, the Far East, North and South America.

Jiarui Cheng, piano

Jiarui Cheng, from Nanjing, China, is known for his blend of artistic nuance and bravura pianism. He is hailed for his affinity for a wide range of stylist traditions. Jiarui Cheng has performed as concerto soloist and recitalist in China, United States and Europe. He has been featured as concerto soloist with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music Symphony Orchestra for the Conservatory’s 70th Anniversary Celebration Concert, performing Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 in Shanghai Symphony Hall.  He subsequently performed Beethoven No. 4 with the Grossetto Symphony Orchestra in Italy. 

Jiarui Cheng has been a prizewinner in multiple competitions including the Scriabin International Piano Competition and the National Piano Competition in Shanghai. In 2019 he performed Rachmaninoff 3rd Piano Concerto to great acclaim with The Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra as winner of the CIM Concerto Competition. As recipient of the Niu Ende Piano Scholarship, Jiarui Cheng studied at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music with Professor Jin Tang. He is currently studying with Stanislav Loudenitch who was the Gold Medalist of eleventh Van Cliburn international piano competition. He was one of semi-finalists of Cleveland International piano competition and Santander International piano competition. In 2023 he performed Grieg piano concerto with Aspen Conducting Academy orchestra as winner of Aspen concerto competition. He also performed Beethoven piano concerto No.4 with Tongyeong Music Festival Orchestra as prize winner of ISANGYUN International Piano Competition. Jiarui Cheng has studied piano with Margarita Shevchenko and Eric Zuber at Michigan State University’s College of Music.