Biography | The Lincoln Trio

     "The Lincoln Trio sparkles as the concert season begins. The three musicians in the Lincoln Trio - violinist Desirée Ruhstrat, cellist David Cunliffe and pianist Marta Aznavoorian - are a pleasure to see and hear and we'll surely be hearing more from them as time goes on."
     - Dorothy Andries, Pioneer Press

     "After each time the Lincoln Trio performed for Music in the Loft , the effect on the audience has been extraordinary. They have let us know that they have been transported to a magical realm of music. The Lincoln Trio stands in the front rank of first class trios."
     - Fredda Hyman, executive and artistic director of Music in the Loft

The Lincoln Trio

Formed in 2003, the Lincoln Trio has emerged as one of Chicago’s most prominent and celebrated ensembles. Their crafted balance of repertoire and presentation has allowed the group to develop a loyal audience ranging from sophisticated concertgoers to people discovering chamber music for the very first time.

Bringing together performing experience spanning the globe, each member is an artist of international renown. Violinist Desirée Ruhstrat has performed throughout the US and Europe, appearing at the White House and performing on live radio broadcast heard around the world with the Berlin Radio Orchestra; cellist David Cunliffe has performed with the BBC and Royal Scottish orchestras as well as touring around the world as a member of the Balanescu Quartet; pianist Marta Aznavoorian has appeared with the Chicago Symphony and has performed at the Kennedy Center and the Sydney Opera House.

The Lincoln Trio has traveled throughout the United States appearing as guest artists of the Indianapolis Symphony Beethoven Series, Central Texas Orchestral Society and the Oakmont Concert Series in California.

In Chicago they are frequent guests of the WFMT classical radio station and have been featured at Music in the Loft, NEIU Jewel Box Series, Unity Temple, Sejong Cultural Society, Fazioli Concert Series, the Chicago Cultural Center, where the Trio was invited to perform for the 28th anniversary of the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert series, and the Music Institute of Chicago Artist Series, where they are currently the ensemble-in-residence.

A champion of contemporary music, the Lincoln Trio has performed several works written especially for them, including the world premier of “Moon Jig” by Augusta Read Thomas.

Most recently they recorded Pierre Jalbert’s Piano Trio for the Cedille Label; their performance was praised by Joe Milicia of the online magazine ‘Enjoy the Music’: “[Pierre Jalbert’s] piece works well as “pure” music, constantly inventive and splendidly played by the Lincoln Trio. The second movement, labeled “Agnus Dei”, is inspired by the Latin prayer…..this, too, is movingly performed.”

This May will see them back in the recording studio working on another project for Cedille featuring the works of poet Billy Collins.

As part of their 2008-09 Season the Lincoln Trio has been invited to perform the Beethoven Triple Concerto in Europe and Japan, and will be performing throughout Illinois the winning composition for the Ravinia Festival’s Lincoln Trio Composition Competition. The Lincoln Trio will make their Ravinia Festival debut in 2009.

Marta Aznavoorian | David Cunliffe | Desiree Ruhstrat

Ensemble-in-residence at the Music Institute of Chicago