A Performance a Century in Making Ben Beilman and concertnova Celebrate Ysaÿe’s Cincinnati Legacy FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CINCINNATI, OH – On Friday, May 9, 2025, concertnova presents Ysaÿe in Cincinnati, an evening of music, history, and conversation honoring the life and legacy of Eugène Ysaÿe, a towering and transformative figure in the history of both violin performance and Cincinnati's early cultural transformation. The performance takes place at the elegant Peterloon Estate and features internationally renowned violinist Benjamin Beilman performing on the very same Guarneri “del Gesù” violin that once belonged to Ysaÿe himself. Ysaÿe served as Music Director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra from 1918 to 1922, but his influence stretched far beyond his brief tenure. He was hand-picked by the women who founded the orchestra, and under his direction, the CSO quickly earned a reputation for adventurous programming, expressive style, and uncompromising musical quality. That spirit still defines the ensemble today. More than a century later, Beilman brings that legacy to life, on Ysaÿe’s actual violin, no less. The instrument, a Giuseppe Guarneri “del Gesù” made in the 1740s, was displayed above Ysaÿe’s casket at his funeral. It remains one of the most precious violins in the world and a powerful symbol of Ysaÿe’s artistic identity. Beilman, hailed as one of the most compelling violinists of his generation, is performing on major stages around the world this season, from Carnegie Hall to Tokyo, and his appearance with concertnova offers a rare chance to hear him in an intimate setting. Up close, his virtuosity and emotional depth are even more astonishing. The evening begins at 6:30 pm with a pre-concert conversation between Beilman and Thea Tjepkema, Ysaÿe scholar and board member of the Friends of Music Hall. Together, they will reflect on Ysaÿe’s lasting impact on Cincinnati and the global music world. The concert begins at 7:30 pm and features Beilman alongside pianist Gloria Chien and the Poiesis Quartet, a rising ensemble already making waves on the national stage. Every work on the program reflects Ysaÿe’s musical world. César Franck’s Violin Sonata was a wedding gift to Ysaÿe and his wife. Ernest Chausson, a close friend, composed his Concert for Violin, Piano, and String Quartet with Ysaÿe in mind. The program also includes music by Ysaÿe himself and a work by Chris Rogerson, representing the next chapter in the living legacy Ysaÿe helped build. Part tribute, part time capsule, and part jaw-dropping performance, Ysaÿe in Cincinnati is a rare opportunity to experience some of the finest music-making Cincinnati will see all year. About concertnova: concertnova is a Cincinnati-based chamber music ensemble dedicated to pushing the boundaries of classical music through innovative programming, collaborations, and community engagement. By blending art forms and amplifying diverse voices, concertnova creates immersive musical experiences that resonate with modern audiences. WHO: concertnova, Ben Beilman, Gloria Chien, Poiesis Quartet WHAT: Ysaÿe in Cincinnati WHEN: Friday, May 9, 2025 | 7:30 pm WHERE: Peterloon Estate | 8605 Hopewell Road Cincinnati, OH, 45242 TICKETS: Available at concertnova.com ABOUT: click here for press kit | click here for info on concertnova | CONTACT: Brianna Matzke (info@concertnova.com) or Sara Danner Dukic (sara@maiarts.it) ####