When legendary clarinetist Benny Goodman asked Francis Poulenc for a new work, the result became one of the most celebrated pieces in the instrument's repertoire. Join clarinetist Yu-Ting Cheng, associate director of NACMS, and pianist Yeontaek Oh as they explore this masterpiece and more—discovering how clarinet and piano become equal partners, constantly trading melody, accompaniment, and musical storytelling between two voices.
Come hear it live at a special summer location on the Upper West Side, where NACMS's monthly intimate Between the Bars Workshop invites you into the music—ask questions, share reactions, and experience the conversation up close.
In this event, you will hear selections from:
Francis Poulenc: Clarinet Sonata (FP 184)
Johannes Brahms: Clarinet Sonata Op. 120 No. 2
General Admission: $20 (Wine and snack will be served)
Free for NACMS Members
Featured Artists:
Yu-Ting Cheng, Clarinet
Hailed for her “extraordinary virtuosity” (CHIMEI Arts Award), as well as for her “sublime playing” and “radiant tone” (Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Corigliano), Dr. Yu-Ting Cheng is an artist of uncommon musical versatility. She has earned recognition as a solo artist by winning numerous top prizes in her career, including the 32nd Chimei Arts Award, the American Prize National Competitions in Instrumental Performance and the Ernst Bacon Award of American Music.
Yu-Ting frequently performs across the US, Europe and Asia. Her recent highlights include Webern Symphony and Boulez Polyphonie X with Lucerne Contemporary Orchestra at Berlin Philharmonie and Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre, The Chinese Now Music Festival Concert at Alice Tully Hall, Schubert Die Verschworenen with Maestro Phillip Nuzzo and Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra at Wien Musikverein, Butterfly Lovers Clarinet Concerto (world premiere) with BCO, off-Broadway opera "Watch Night”, "Salome" with Heartbeat Opera, album “Unseen” by composer Michael Torke.
A native of Taipei, Taiwan, Yu-Ting received two master’s degrees from Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University and Manhattan School of Music. She also holds a doctoral degree from Stony Brook University. Yu-Ting serves as Principal Clarinet of the Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra. She is currently the Music Director of the MusicON Festival.
Yeontaek Oh, Piano
Praised by critics for his "millimeter precision of touch," "full of contrasts and nuances" (Arts-Chipels, France), "rare sensitivity and dazzling virtuosity" (Le Progrès), "finesse of touch and technical mastery," and "brave administration of silence" (El Norte de Castilla, Spain)
Yeontaek Oh completed his musical education across four countries: Seoul National University, New England Conservatory of Music (Master’s degree with honors and a Gilbert Foundation scholarship), Hochschule für Musik Freiburg (Konzertexamen degree as a recipient of DAAD and a German Government Scholarship), Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris (Concertiste degree with a full scholarship), and Manhattan School of Music (Doctor of Musical Arts, Teaching Assistantship).
Additionally, he has won over ten international competitions, including first prize at the Rio de Janeiro International Piano Competition in Brazil and second prize at Prix de Bern (Interlaken Classics). After making his debut with the Wonju Philharmonic Orchestra, he has extensively performed worldwide, including in South America and Africa. Yeontaek Oh, a Young Steinway Artist, has joined the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music (Chamber and Collaborative Department) since January 2025.
General Admission: $20 (Wine and snack will be served)
Free for NACMS Members