Vieness Piano Duo and The Solasta Piano Trio concert, Dec. 8

Enjoy a celebration of the season with piano duos and a piano trio offering a program of classic and contemporary holiday pieces performed by internationally acclaimed pianists. Musicians pianists Eva Schaumkell and Vijay Venkatesh, virtuoso violinist Niv Ashkenazi and celloist Zach will offer an entertaining evening of holiday music on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 4 p.m at the Ridgecrest Methodist Church, 639 N. Norma St.

The Vieness Piano Duo, Eva Schaumkell and Vijay Venkatesh, has toured North America and Europe. Dr. Eva Schaumkell is a brilliant soloist and collaborator praised for her "astonishing combination of depth of expression and thrilling virtuosity afforded to only a few" by the Nassauische Neue Presse. Dr. Schaumkell garnered international acclaim after winning Gold Medals in five competitions including the International James Ramos, International Siegfried Weishaupt, Coeur d'Alene, Thürmer and Jugend Musiziert competitions. She is a recipient of the Carl Maria von Weber Scholarship, the Deutschlandstipendium and the Drosihn Prize. Vijay Venkatesh has been recognized on three continents as a pianist with profound musicianship, sparkling pianism and an innate sense of partnership. Vijay has rapidly established a major international reputation as top prizewinner in the San Jose, Seattle, Zimmerli, World Pianomand Waring International Piano Competitions.

The Solasta Piano Trio follows the traditional format, featuring maestro musicians, pianist Eva Schaumkell, violinist Niv Ashkenazi and cellist Zack Reaves. Violinist and recording artist Niv Ashkenazi has made several Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Center appearances in addition to performing in Europe, the Middle East and across North America. Niv has performed with members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Juilliard String Quartet among other notable collaborations. His 2020 debut album, "Violins of Hope," was named one of the 10 best classical recordings of 2020 by the Chicago Tribune and was a featured soloist alongside Yo-Yo-Ma for the PBS documentary "Harbor from the Holocaust." Cellist, arranger and recording artist Zack Reaves has performed internationally with the award winning Altius Quartet. Zack has served as visiting music director and principal cellist of the Oklahoma Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra and assistant principal cellist of the Boulder Philharmonic.

The program promises to be an afternoon of delightful classical and holiday piano music, including "The Nutcracker Suite."