President’s Chamber Music Series: Cellist Tommy Mesa

Celebrated as one of the most charismatic and innovative classical performers of his generation, Cuban-American cellist Dr. Tommy Mesa brings technical brilliance and emotional depth to the stage. A recipient of Lincoln Center’s 2025 Avery Fisher Career Grant and the Sphinx Organization’s 2023 Medal of Excellence, Mesa has appeared with leading orchestras and premiered major new works for cello while expanding the instrument’s voice for today’s audiences.  Dr. Mesa will be accompanied by Pianist Silvie Cheng.

PROGRAM

Waltz and Celebration from Billy the Kid
Aaron Copland (1900–1990)

Cello Sonata (1915)
Claude Debussy (1862–1918)
– Prologue: Lent, sostenuto e molto risoluto
– Sérénade: Modérément animé
– Finale: Animé, léger et nerveux

Sonata No. 2 in G Minor for Cello and Piano, Op. 5, No. 2
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
– Adagio sostenuto ed espressivo – Allegro molto più tosto presto
– Rondo: Allegro

Trois Pièces for Cello and Piano
Nadia Boulanger (1887–1979)
– Modéré

– Sans vitesse et à l’aise
– Vite et nerveusement rythmé

Cello Sonata
Francis Poulenc (1899–1963)
– Allegro – Tempo di Marcia

– Cavatine
– Ballabile
– Finale