PRINCETON NJ Announcement

PRINCETON, NJ—Princeton University Concerts (PUC)'s 2026-27 season offers more unique opportunities to experience the world's most celebrated musicians, among friends. From September 2026-May 2027, 17 performances span diverse artists, repertoire, and formats in which to experience chamber music, with 14 artists making their Princeton University Concerts debut. Curated series include:

• Pianists in Recital Series [New]: Building on a legacy of more than a century of presenting chamber music, this newly imagined series celebrates the singular artistry of the solo pianist. Responding to a growing audience for piano recitals, the series brings together extraordinary artists from across the season into one compelling arc: Sir Stephen Hough, Tony Siqi Yun, and Mitsuko Uchida.

• Concert Classics Series: A tradition since 1894, this mainstage series presents world-renowned chamber musicians in the intimacy of Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall: the Brentano, Ébène, and Danish String Quartets; cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras with pianist Alexandre Tharaud; violinist Nemanja Radulovi? with the Double Sens Chamber Orchestra; soprano Asmik Grigorian with pianist Lukas Geniušas; pianist Stephen Hough; and a trio comprised of violinist Hilary Hahn, cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, and pianist Benjamin Grosvenor.

• Performances Up Close Series: This one-of-kind series invites audiences on stage with performers for informal, hour-long concerts repeated twice in an evening. This season's programming includes the Sandeep Das Trio; mezzo-soprano Ema Nikolovska with guitarist Sean Shibe; pianist Tony Siqi Yun; the Junction Trio; and violinist Isabelle Faust with harpsichordist Kristian Bezeidenhout.

• Music and Healing Series: A thought-provoking exploration of the intersection of music, healing, and the human experience. The series' fifth season features renowned artists such as actor Alec Baldwin, jazz pianist Brad Mehldau, and pianist Mishka Rushdie Momen.

• Special Event: An intimate evening with world-renowned pianist, Mitsuko Uchida.

• Community Engagement: Princeton University Concerts continues to partner with the many excellent musicians on campus through masterclasses and other events; and engage with the community through Do-Re-Meet pre-concert social events; documentary screenings at the Princeton Garden Theater; and free programs including Live Music Meditations, the Annual Chamber Jam, and book discussions at the Princeton Public Library.

CONCERT CLASSICS SERIES

"Our Concert Classics Series is built on relationships that deepen over time—between artists and audiences," says PUC Director Marna Seltzer. "This season brings that idea into focus, pairing Princeton debuts with the return of musicians and ensembles our audiences have fallen in love with—artists whose journeys we've had the privilege to witness. Made all the more special by our intimate, acoustical gem of a concert hall—beloved by artists and audiences alike—these concerts balance the spark of first encounters with the richness of familiarity, creating a season that feels both immediate and full of discovery."

We open Princeton University Concerts' 133rd Concert Classics Series with a dream come true: the beloved Brentano String Quartet returns to their former home stage (1999–2014) for an evening of quiet wonder on October 1, 2026, inviting us to begin another season of inspiring music together.

Then, on November 5, 2026, French cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras and pianist Alexandre Tharaud bring decades of friendship and shared curiosity to Princeton University Concerts. Queyras, long cherished by our audiences, makes his long-awaited recital debut with Tharaud as the duo celebrates thirty years of musical partnership. The Montrealer calls them "a duo whose chemistry is almost sibling-like."

Sir Stephen Hough returns on January 28, 2027, for a long-awaited solo recital after dazzling as both pianist and composer alongside the Tákàcs Quartet in 2025. Beloved familiar melodies are refracted through jaw-dropping pianistic imagination; the line between concert hall and fantasy blurs. Sir Hough effortlessly explores the world through the multi-focal lens of pianist, composer, writer, thinker.

February and March will bring more PUC favorites. On Wednesday, February 10, 2027, The Danish String Quartet—GRAMMY®-nominated and somehow still radiating the vibe of four friends who wandered onstage and decided to casually redefine chamber music—is back by popular demand. Then on Wednesday, March 31, 2027, the Ébène String Quartet, one of the most revelatory, fan-favorite ensembles in our recent history, return to mark Beethoven's 200th anniversary with a program that moves from the wit and invention of his early quartets to the depth and daring of his late works.

Princeton University Concerts is also excited to introduce audiences to brilliant newcomers making their PUC debuts.

Serbian-French violinist Nemanja Radulovi?—as close to a rock star as classical music gets—fearless, electrifying, and utterly captivating, makes his long-awaited Princeton debut on November 11, 2026, with his sparkling Double Sens Chamber Orchestra. Crowned "International Revelation of the Year" at the Victoires de la Musique and winner of the 2024 OPUS KLASSIK Award, Radulovi? is celebrated for his fiery virtuosity, spontaneous energy, and infectious joy on stage.

On December 3, 2026, internationally acclaimed opera superstar Asmik Grigorian and pianist Lukas Geniušas—two of the most thrilling young artists on the global stage—invite audiences into the intimate, emotional world of Russian song. Together, they bring to life a world of longing, distance, and bittersweet dreams, transforming intimate emotion into unforgettable musical drama.

Violinist Hilary Hahn—making her long-awaited Princeton University Concerts debut—joins two beloved returning artists, cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason and pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, to conclude the Concert Classics series on April 26, 2026. One of preciously few engagements for the trio, this exciting new collaboration continues the celebration of Beethoven's 200th anniversary by exploring his early chamber music that bursts with a sense of discovery and daring similar to that of this rare artistic meeting.

SPECIAL EVENT

A singular piano recital brings the 2026–27 season to a close: pianist Mitsuko Uchida returns to PUC for an intimate solo performance on Tuesday, May 11, 2027, at 7:30PM offering an introspective program centered on late works and distilled expressions by Haydn, Mozart, Schoenberg and Schubert.

"Mitsuko Uchida has a unique ability to draw audiences into the inner world of the music," says Seltzer. "Over many visits, she has built a special connection with PUC audiences, and it feels especially meaningful to welcome her back for a solo recital that closes the season in such a reflective and personal way."

PERFORMANCES UP CLOSE SERIES

This beloved series, where audiences sit on stage alongside the artists for hour-long performances at 6:00 and 8:30 PM, continues with a season celebrating its innovative spirit. Beginning in collaboration with the Princeton University Department of Mathematics on Thursday, October 15, 2026, PUC presents the Sandeep Das Trio and the intricate rhythmic structures of Shastriya Sangeet—classical music of the Indian subcontinent; next, PUC offers the exciting artistic pairing of Mezzo-Soprano Ema Nikolovska and guitarist Sean Shibe (October 27, 2026) for a program inspired by Virginia Woolf's "Orlando;" and PUC ends the calendar year with energetic, emerging star pianist, Tony Siqi Yun on December 9, 2026. The Junction Trio, bringing together PUC favorites pianist Conrad Tao, violinist Stefan Jackiw, and cellist Jay Campbell— individually acclaimed and collectively electric—livens the stage on February 3, 2027 with fresh new works; and the series concludes on March 3, 2027, with Isabelle Faust on violin and Kristian Bezuidenhout on harpsichord, treating us to Bach, Biber, and Froberger.

Do-Re-Meet social events for music lovers, including pre-concert speed-dating, speed-friending, and an LGBTQIA+ Mingle, will be paired with select concerts in this series as an extension of the community-building heart of the Performances Up Close series. These events are available for priority registration to curated series subscribers and will become available to the public when single tickets go on sale.

MUSIC & HEALING SERIES

PUC's Music & Healing series celebrates its fifth anniversary this season, and it continues to delve deeply into the intersection of music, healing, and the human experience through events combining conversation, film, and performance. The 2026–27 season builds on this exploration of how, in an everchanging world, music can serve as a constant point of reflection—helping us consider how we understand ourselves, and how we relate to others—while also offering moments of focus, perspective, and renewal.

On Friday, September 25, 2026, legendary actor Alec Baldwin will join us for an intimate conversation about how, through the challenges of a very public life, classical music has remained a constant refuge—a space for reflection, renewal, and quiet clarity.

On Sunday afternoon, November 1, 2026, pianist Mishka Rushdie Momen explores music as an act of empathy, resilience, and human connection. Having come of age witnessing the persecution of her uncle, author Salman Rushdie, and in the aftermath of the horrific attack against him, the decision to devote her life to the arts carries particular weight.

The fifth anniversary series concludes in partnership with the Princeton University Art Museum on Monday, April 19, 2027, as jazz pianist Brad Mehldau joins us in the intimacy of the new museum's Grand Hall for a conversation inspired by his recent memoir, permeated by live performance. Reflecting on the years when artistic discovery and personal crisis unfolded side by side, he traces the influences that shaped him and speaks candidly about addiction, loss, and rebuilding a life through music. He considers how music became not an escape from difficulty, but a way through it, inviting audiences to reflect on how lived experience is carried into the art we make and the art we love.

"After last season's meaningful exploration of grief and loss, we turn now to the ways in which we can find ourselves again in music," says series curator Dasha Koltunyuk. "It is wonderfully uplifting to invite you to join us for a season of renewal and connection!"

SUBSCRIPTION & TICKET INFORMATION

Princeton University Concerts continues to offer the lowest ticket prices in the region.

Curated Series Subscriptions are now available, including the Concert Classics Subscription (8 concerts starting at $248), Performances Up Close Subscription (5 concerts for $200), Music & Healing Subscription (3 events for $66) and Pianists in Recital Subscriptions (3 events $112-$151), with the option to add on events to any series. Beginning July 1, audiences can create their own packages by selecting three or more concerts across series at a 5% discount. Single tickets go on sale August 3 online and September 8 by phone. More details at puc.princeton.edu.

Patrons enrolled in qualifying aid programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, and public housing, as well as to NJ Families First Discovery Pass holders, are encouraged to enroll in PUC's Admit All program. Admit All provides access to discounted tickets for $11 or less at select concerts throughout the season. Those interested in participating in the Admit All program can visit puc.princeton.edu/admit-all or call the PUC office at 609-258-2800 to learn more.

Free opportunities, including Live Music Meditations, Book Group discussions at the Princeton Public Library, and the Annual Chamber Jam, will be announced at a later date.

For more information, please visit puc.princeton.edu or call 609-258-2800.

THE 2026–27 SEASON

(Organized by series, then chronologically)

*Denotes Princeton University Concerts debut

 All events are held at Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall on the Princeton University campus unless otherwise noted.

CONCERT CLASSICS SERIES (8 CONCERTS)

Hear the world's most vibrant and celebrated classical musicians—both fan favorites and long-awaited debuts— within the intimacy of Richardson Auditorium on our mainstage series.

Thursday, October 1, 2026| 7:30PM

BRENTANO STRING QUARTET

Sponsored by Bob & Marion Pollack

Haydn String Quartet in F-Major, Op. 50, No. 5 "The Dream" | P?teris Vasks, Meditation from Quartet No. 4 | Beethoven, String Quartet No. 8 in E Minor, Op. 59, No. 2

Thursday, November 5, 2026| 7:30PM

JEAN-GUIHEN QUEYRAS, Cello

ALEXANDRE THARAUD *, Piano

Poulenc, Suite Française| Brahms, Cello Sonata Op. 38, No. 1| Schubert, Vier Stücke, Op. 5 | Debussy, (arr. Léon Roques) Plus Que Lente| Fauré, Sicilienne, Op. 78 & Papillon, Op. 77| Brahms, (arr. Queyras/Tharaud), Hungarian Dances Nos. 1 in G Minor, 5 in F-sharp minor, and 7 in A Major, WoO 1

Thursday, November 12, 2026| 7:30PM

DOUBLE SENS*, Chamber Orchestra

NEMANJA RADULOVIC*, Leader

Charles M. Robinson Memorial Concert

Beethoven (arr. Radulovi?), Violin Sonata in A Major, Op. 47 ("Kreutzer")| Bach, Chaconne from Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004|Rimsky-Korsakov, Scheherazade

Thursday, December 3, 2026| 7:30PM

ASMIK GRIGORIAN*, Mezzo-soprano

LUKAS GENIUSAS*, Piano

Songs from Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff

Thursday, January 28, 2027| 7:30PM

Sir STEPHEN HOUGH, PIANO

Schubert, Klavierstücke No. 2 in E-flat Major, D. 946| Brahms, Klavierstücke in E-flat Minor,

Op. 118, No. 6| Schoenberg, Sechs kleine Klavierstücke, Op. 19| Stockhausen, Klavierstücke III|Beethoven, Bagatelle in A Minor, Op. 119, No. 10|, Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53, ("Waldstein") | Schumann, Carnaval, Op. 9| Richard Sherman / Stephen Hough, Mary Poppins Suite

Wednesday, February 10, 2027| 7:30PM

DANISH STRING QUARTET

Gabriella Smith (former Princeton PhD student), Carrot Revolution| Shostakovich, String Quartet No. 14 in F-sharp Major, Op. 142| Arr. Danish String Quartet, Nordic Folk Music

Wednesday, March 31, 2027| 7:30PM

ÉBÈNE STRING QUARTET

Sponsored by Mike & Jeanette Timmons

All Beethoven, String Quartet No. 5 in A Major, Op. 18, No. 5; String Quartet No. 4 in C Minor, Op. 18, No. 4; String Quartet No. 12 in E-flat Major, Op. 127

Monday, April 26, 2027| 7:30PM

HILARY HAHN*, Violin

SHEKU KANNEH-MASON, Cello

BENJAMIN GROSVENOR, Piano

Paderewski Memorial Concert

All Beethoven, Seven Variations in E-flat Major for Cello and Piano on Mozart's "Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen,"; Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 5, No. 2; Piano Trio in G Major, Op. 1, No. 2

PERFORMANCES UP CLOSE SERIES (5 CONCERTS)

Sit on Stage! Experience these one-hour concerts up close in an intimate, immersive setting. Celebrate this beloved series—now available as a subscription. Enjoy music that's immediate, informal, and perfectly timed for your schedule. NEW this season: the later concerts now begin at 8:30 PM.

Thursday, October 15, 2026| 6PM & 8:30PM

SANDEEP DAS TRIO

In collaboration with the Princeton University Department of Mathematics

"Raga, Rhythm, and Rasa,"– program to be announced from the stage. Curated by Grammy Award–winning tabla virtuoso Sandeep Das alongside Jay Gandhi on bansuri flute and Abhik Mukherjee on sitar, the evening offers an immersive journey into a musical tradition shaped over four millennia which has inspired composers such as Messiaen, Philip Glass, and John Cage.

Tuesday, October 27, 2026| 6PM & 8:30PM

EMA NIKOLOVSKA, Mezzo-Soprano

SEAN SHIBE*, Guitar

"Orlando," Songs on love & identity, from John Dowland to Bob Dylan

Wednesday, December 9, 2026| 6PM & 8:30PM

TONY SIQI YUN*, Piano

Bach/Busoni, Prelude 'Ich ruf zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ', BWV 639 | Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 27 in E Minor, Op. 90 | Liszt, from Harmonies poétiques et religieuses "Bénédiction de Dieu dans la solitude" | Bach/Busoni, Chaconne from Partita No. 2 in D Minor

Wednesday, February 3, 2027| 6PM & 8:30PM

JUNCTION TRIO* Stefan Jackiw, Violin / Jay Campbell, Cello / Conrad Tao, Piano

Andrew Norman New Work (PUC Co-Commission) | Schumann Piano Trio No.1 In D Minor Op. 63 

Wednesday, March 3, 2027| 6PM & 8:30PM

ISABELLE FAUST, VIOLIN

KRISTIAN BEZUIDENHOUT, HARPSICHORD*

Bach, Sonata for Violin & Harpsichord in B minor, BWV 1014 | Froberger, Suite in C major for Solo Harpsichord |Bach, Sonata for Violin & obbligato harpsichord in E major, BWV 1016|Biber, Sonata for Violin & Continuo in E minor, 1681| Bach, Sonata for Violin & Harpsichord in G major, BWV 1019

MUSIC & HEALING SERIES (3 EVENTS)

Explore the intersection of music, healing, and human experience through conversation and performance with multifaceted artists. This season, the series explores how music helps us find recognition and renewal—guiding us through difficult times and shaping our personal evolution.

Friday, September 18, 2027| 7:30PM

ACTOR ALEC BALDWIN*: In Conversation on Music

Alec Baldwin's life has been lived very publicly, from acclaimed roles on stage and screen to personal experiences often shared in the media. Amid it all, classical music has remained a constant refuge. Join us for an intimate conversation about how music has guided him through life's challenges and the enduring power of listening, reflection, and creativity.

Sunday, November 1, 2026| 3PM

PIANIST MISHKA RUSHDIE MOMEN*: In Conversation & Performance

Join "one of the most thoughtful and sensitive of British pianists" (The Times) for an evening of conversation and performance. This evening considers what it means to choose an artistic life in a world that can be hostile to creative expression, and how artistic identity is shaped by family, moral courage, and the responsibility to listen deeply interwoven with live performance that reveals music as a space beyond words, where creativity itself becomes an empathetic act.

Monday, April 19, 2027| 7:30PM

PIANIST BRAD MEHLDAU: In Conversation & Performance
In partnership with the Princeton University Art Museum

Join jazz legend Brad Mehldau for a conversation inspired by his recent memoir, Formation: Building a Personal Canon, Part I—a searching reflection on the years when artistic discovery and personal crisis unfolded side by side. This evening invites audiences to reflect on how we carry our struggles into the art we make and the art we love, and how, in hearing our own stories echoed in sound, we may find both recognition and renewal.

SPECIAL EVENT

Tuesday, May 11, 2026| 7:30PM

MITSUKO UCHIDA, Piano        

Haydn, Variations in F Minor, Hob. XVII:6 | Schoenberg, Six Little Piano Pieces, Op. 19|

Mozart, Rondo in A Minor, K. 511| Schubert, Piano Sonata No. 22 in A Major, D. 959

PIANISTS IN RECITAL (3 EVENTS)

Building on a legacy of more than a century of presenting chamber music, this newly imagined series celebrates the singular artistry of the solo pianist. Responding to a growing audience for piano recitals, the series brings together extraordinary artists from across the season into a subscription series.

Thursday, January 28, 2027|7:30PM

SIR STEPHEN HOUGH, Piano

Schubert, Klavierstücke No. 2 in E-flat Major, D. 946| Brahms, Klavierstücke in E-flat Minor, Op. 118, No. 6|

Schoenberg, Sechs kleine Klavierstücke, Op. 19| Stockhausen, Klavierstücke III|Beethoven, Bagatelle in A Minor, Op. 119, No. 10|, Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53, ("Waldstein")| Schumann, Carnaval, Op. 9| Richard Sherman / Stephen Hough, Mary Poppins Suite

Wednesday, December 9, 2026| 6PM & 8:30PM

TONY SIQI YUN *, Piano

Bach/Busoni, Prelude 'Ich ruf zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ', BWV 639 I Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 27 in E Minor, Op. 90 I Liszt, from Harmonies poétiques et religieuses "Bénédiction de Dieu dans la solitude" | Bach/Busoni, Chaconne from Partita No. 2 in D Minor

Tuesday, May 11, 2027|7:30PM

MITSUKO UCHIDA, Piano

Haydn, Variations in F Minor, Hob. XVII:6 | Schoenberg, Six Little Piano Pieces, Op. 19|

Mozart, Rondo in A Minor, K. 511| Schubert, Piano Sonata No. 22 in A Major, D. 959

LIVE MUSIC MEDITATION

PUC's internationally acclaimed, groundbreaking initiative, a partnership with the Princeton University Office of Religious Life, pairs guided meditation with live performance by the world's greatest musicians. The hour-long, free sessions are held throughout the year. Dates and times TBD.

ANNUAL CHAMBER JAM

Princeton University Concerts' Annual Chamber Jam is an opportunity for amateur musicians of all ages and levels to make music alongside professional artists. Past participants include members of the Berlin Philharmonic with conductor Gustavo Dudamel, Chicago Symphony Winds, East Coast Chamber Orchestra, Escher String Quartet, St. Lawrence String Quartet, Takács String Quartet, and the Tenebrae Choir. The 2026-27 Chamber Jam artists are to be announced.

DO-RE-MEET

Concertgoers can extend their experience with pre-concert social events for music lovers. Presented by Princeton University Concerts in partnership with Risa Grimaldi of TheSinglesGroup.com. These events are held at the historic Maclean House on the Princeton University campus, just steps away from the concert hall. Do-Re-Meet events are available for priority registration to Performances Up Close series subscribers and will become available to single ticket buyers at a later date.

AT THE MOVIES

Enjoy films related to the programs and artists on our series through our partnership with the Princeton Garden Theatre, the community's local nonprofit arthouse theater. Screenings TBA.

AT THE PRINCETON PUBLIC LIBRARY

Delve into books related to the programs and artists on our series through our partnership with the Princeton Public Library. Book group events TBA.

CAMPUS CONNECTIONS

Tabla maestro Sandeep Das will explore the idea of making mathematics in music tangible, translating abstract mathematical concepts into sound through an innovative collaboration with the Princeton University Department of Mathematics. Further details will be announced at a later date.

12026–2027 SEASON CONCERTS AT-A-GLANCE

*Denotes Princeton University Concerts debut

All concerts are held at Richardson Auditorium,

Alexander Hall on the Princeton University campus,

unless otherwise noted.