Ursula Oppens, one of the foremost pianists of her generation, and the rising-star string quartet The Hemphill Stringtet present a new collaboration that melds avant-jazz and improvisation with contemporary classical music.
The program features the world premiere of a new piano quintet by Christian Wolff, as well as several works by Julius Hemphill, including the piano quintet One Atmosphere and Oppens’ solo performance of Parchment—both written for her.
The program also features new quintet and quartet arrangements of Hemphill’s music, including his classic Dogon A.D.
Ursula Oppens piano
Josh Henderson violin
Sam Bardfeld violln
Stephanie Griffin viola
Christopher Hoffman cello
“The formidable pianist Ursula Oppens played beautifully.” – Anthony Tommassini, The New York Times
“One of the foremost interpreters of contemporary classical music…Throughout, Oppens played with authority and panache.” – Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News
“The Stringtet strikes a gorgeous balance between order and disorder, moving as one while soloing independently.” – Larry Blumenfeld, Wall St. Journal
A towering figure in American music, Ursula Oppens is celebrated for her original and perceptive interpretations of contemporary repertoire as well as her deep command of the classical canon. No other pianist has commissioned and premiered more new works that have entered the permanent repertoire. She has introduced major pieces by John Adams, Luciano Berio, Anthony Braxton, Elliott Carter, John Corigliano, John Harbison, Julius Hemphill, Conlon Nancarrow, Charles Wuorinen, and many others. A five‑time Grammy nominee — including two nominations for her seminal recordings of Frederic Rzewski’s The People United Will Never Be Defeated! — Oppens has appeared as guest soloist with nearly all of the world’s leading orchestras, including the Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Berlin Symphony, and London Philharmonic.
The Hemphill Stringtet is a string quartet devoted to performing the music of composer and saxophonist Julius Hemphill, whom The New York Times called “one of the most important musicians of his generation.” The group’s 2025 debut album, The Hemphill Stringtet Plays the Music of Julius Hemphill (OYOH Records), received wide acclaim. Writing in The Wall Street Journal, Larry Blumenfeld praised the ensemble for striking “a gorgeous balance between order and disorder,” and pianist‑journalist Ethan Iverson called the record “a major event.”
Founded in 2021 by violinist Sam Bardfeld and cellist Tomeka Reid, and originally including violist Stephanie Griffin and violinist Curtis Stewart, the Stringtet has appeared at the Berlin Jazz Festival, NYC Winter Jazzfest, Ann Arbor’s Edgefest, and the Chicago Frequency Festival, among others. The current lineup features Bardfeld and Griffin alongside violinist Josh Henderson and cellist Christopher Hoffman.
