Classical Arts Society of Washington performs music by composers that experienced deafness

Now in their second season, the Classical Arts Society of Washington continues with more standout performances at the Arts Club of Washington. Led by pianist Christopher Schmitt, the ensemble seeks to meet audiences where they are, celebrate the diverse sounds in music, and also reach students in educational outreach. 

Described as "carefully colored" and "sensitive" by The Washington Post, pianist Christopher Schmitt was also hailed as a “formidable talent” and “mature beyond his years” by The Santa Barbara News-Press, regarding his performance of Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Having completed his doctorate at The Juilliard School in 2016, he has been sponsored for concerts by The Chopin Foundation of the United States, The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation, and The Embassy Series.

Siwoo Kim is an “incisive” and “compelling” (Zachary Woolfe, The New York Times) violinist who plays with “stylistic sensitivity and generous tonal nuance” (John von Rhein, Chicago Tribune). Siwoo performs as soloist and chamber musician, and he is the co-founding artistic director of VIVO Music Festival in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.

A related Op-Ed by composer Gabriela Lena Frank: I think Beethoven Encoded His Deafness in His Music.