The Darker Spectrum: Shostakovich, Prokofiev & Kurbatov

Folio: The Seattle Athenaeum is delighted to welcome pianist Michelle Huang, violist Erin Wight, and cellist Chris Young for an evening of tumultuous musical storytelling.

The program features three works by Russian composers, each exploring the unique expressive power of the darker end of the sonic spectrum. Shostakovich’s deeply personal swan song for viola and piano and virtuosic arrangements from Prokofiev’s iconic Romeo and Juliet are paired with contemporary composer Alexei Kurbatov’s spellbinding, unusually voiced trio—guiding listeners on an intimate journey of pathos, tenderness, and transcendence.

A native of Taiwan, pianist Michelle Huang enjoys a rewarding career as a dynamic soloist and chamber musician. She is equally at home performing music ranging from the esteemed masters to the novel voices. Since moving to Seattle in 2021, she has collaborated with musicians from the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Philharmonic, and Seattle Pro Musica, curating and presenting innovative programs that allow her to storytell, to make…