What do relationships, inner struggles, deepest desires, and societal expectations look like in the
19th century? In the so-called height of Romantic Era, how do they portray love, especially forbidden love? In this program, we trace back to the letters exchanged between Johannes Brahms and Clara Schumann, and listen to the hidden longings inside the musical notes of these two celebrated musicians who deeply admire and influence each other, yet were separated by fate.

The show will be held at Community Hall in the Third Street Center.

Meet the Musicians

Jay Yiu, viola

Jay Yiu

Hailed by The New York Times as “ravishing,” Taiwanese-born Canadian violist Chieh-Fan Yiu performs at festivals all around the world, from Taipei to Verbier, from Carnegie Hall in New York City to Teatro Cervantes in Spain. He is artist-in-residence at chamber series like Philosonia and New York Classical Players, and appeared in Music@Menlo Live, medici.tv, and BBC News. Dr. Yiu is the violist of the Deka Quartet, continuing to serve as Artists-in-Residence at the State University of New York Rockefeller Institute of Government. He has also starred in over 70 theatrical productions of Ensemble for the Romantic Century. Dr. Yiu is a triple-prize winner at the Lionel Tertis Competition.

Michael Graham, cello

Michael Graham

Michael Graham’s playing has been hailed by the San Francisco Classical Voice for  “almost painfully pretty…expressive richness”, and by the San Jose Mercury News as “super-good”.  He has toured, performed and recorded with artists including Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Yo-Yo Ma, Joan Baez, John Williams, Rita Moreno, Isaac Hayes, and Weird Al Yankovic.   Television appearances include NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and he can be heard on Van Morrison’s album “Astral Weeks Live from Hollywood Bowl.”   Mr. Graham performs with the Oakland Symphony, the funk chamber collective Vitamin Em, and Taiwan’s acclaimed Ben Feng Music Studio.  He teaches at Mills College.

MinTze Wu, curator and violin

MinTze Wu

MinTze Wu is a violinist of many passions, and a visionary with illuminating artistry. A native of Taiwan and deeply rooted in the richness of classical music, MinTze embraces the word “BenFeng” (running with free spirit) as her way of exploring the world and the music. Expanding on the ideals of chamber music, MinTze interweaves words, movements, and other theatrical elements to create a compelling narrative and a multi-dimensional experience for performers and audiences alike. Infused with spirit, precision, and soulfulness, MinTze founded BenFeng Music Productions and played the role as producer and artistic director to several notable productions including Kreutzer, Beneath, Xu Zhimo & His Transfigured Night, and Death of the Pugilist.

Chih-Long Hu, piano

Chih-Long Hu

Hailed by The New York Times as “ravishing,” Taiwanese-born Canadian violist Chieh-Fan Yiu performs at festivals all around the world, from Taipei to Verbier, from Carnegie Hall in New York City to Teatro Cervantes in Spain. He is artist-in-residence at chamber series like Philosonia and New York Classical Players, and appeared in Music@Menlo Live, medici.tv, and BBC News. Dr. Yiu is the violist of the Deka Quartet, continuing to serve as Artists-in-Residence at the State University of New York Rockefeller Institute of Government. He has also starred in over 70 theatrical productions of Ensemble for the Romantic Century. Dr. Yiu is a triple-prize winner at the Lionel Tertis Competition, and a founding member of BenFeng Music Productions.