Grammy-nominated violinist Anne Akiko Meyers, renowned for her global performances and collaborations with leading composers of the past fifty years, will headline the Sunday concert at the annual Newport Classical Music Festival.
Meyers, a celebrated musician and member of The Juilliard School’s board of trustees, is set to be inducted into the Asian Hall of Fame this October. She will be accompanied by the virtuosic pianist Max Levinson.
For her Newport debut, Meyers has curated a program featuring works by Corelli, Beethoven, and Morten Lauridsen. Additionally, she will perform one of the first renditions of a new piece composed for her by the iconic American composer Philip Glass.
Glass’s “New Chaconne” for violin and piano, premiered by Meyers last February, was specifically written for her and reflects her dedication to Glass and his enduring musical legacy.
Meyers and Glass developed a deep friendship through their musical collaboration, culminating in Glass attending her performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles in September 2023. This connection and mutual appreciation for music inspired the creation of the “New Chaconne,” which, as Richard Guérin notes in the program, reinvents traditional forms.
Meyers made her first national television appearances on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” at age 11, followed by performances on “Evening At Pops” with John Williams, “CBS Sunday Morning,” “Great Performances,” “Countdown with Keith Olbermann,” “The Emmy Awards,” and “The View.”
John Williams selected Meyers to perform “Schindler’s List” for a “Great Performances” PBS telecast, and Arvo Pärt invited her to be the guest soloist at the opening ceremony of his new center and concert hall in Estonia.
Beyond classical music, Meyers has collaborated with jazz icons Chris Botti and Wynton Marsalis, avant-garde musician Ryuichi Sakamoto, electronic music pioneer Isao Tomita, pop-era act Il Divo, and singer Michael Bolton.
Levinson, the first American winner of the Dublin International Piano Competition, has performed as a soloist with the Boston Pops and various symphony orchestras worldwide.
The Newport Classical Music Festival will feature 27 concerts in 11 historic venues over 18 days from July 4-21, showcasing 120 musicians from around the world.
For 55 years, Newport Classical has been a beacon of artistry, attracting countless concertgoers to enjoy exceptional performances in unique and intimate settings.
