Pinchas Zukerman

Violin

Sayaka Shoji

Violin

Ori Kam

Viola

Bryan Cheng

Cello

Canadian-born, Berlin-based cellist Bryan Cheng is making international waves as one of the most compelling artists of his generation, praised for both the “incredible intensity and urgency” (Tagesspiegel) and “otherworldly intimacy” (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung) of his playing.

Following historic successes as the only prizewinner of both the Queen Elisabeth and Geneva International Music Competitions in 40 years, he continues to distinguish himself with wholly committed interpretations and daringly original repertoire choices, earning “immense admiration…for his musical finesse and subtle sensitivity” (Le Devoir) from leading musicians, orchestras, festivals, and concert series worldwide.

In the 2025/26 season, he debuts with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe (Sir András Schiff), NDR Radiophilharmonie Hannover (Michael Sanderling), Musikkollegium Winterthur (Michael Sanderling), Nürnberger Symphoniker (Jonathan Darlington), Sinfonieorchester Wuppertal (Patrick Hahn), Baltimore Chamber Orchestra (Robert Moody), Orchestre symphonique de Québec (Christian Kluxen).

Furthermore, he returns to the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin for their celebrated New Year’s concerts, Janaček Philharmonic Ostrava (Daniel Raiskin) for his Amsterdam Concertgebouw debut, National Arts Centre Orchestra Ottawa (Teddy Abrams) in a world premiere by Samy Moussa, Johannesburg Philharmonic and Winnipeg Symphony.

In chamber music, Bryan is the 2025/26 Musician-in-Residence of Halifax’s Cecilia Concerts, curating three wide-ranging concerts featuring his closest international collaborators.

Bryan has released a trilogy of critically-acclaimed albums on German classical label audite: *Russian Legends* (2019), *Violonchelo del fuego* (2018), and *Violoncelle français* (2016), and his newest recital album *Portrait* (2023) on Centre discs, featuring commissioned works and own arrangements by composers of diverse Asian heritage, was nominated for 2 JUNO awards.

Bryan plays the 1696 Bonjour Stradivari cello generously on loan from the Canada Council Musical Instrument Bank.

Sergei Babayan

Piano