String Theory comes to a close at Hunter Museum

String Theory, the chamber music series that has been running at the Hunter Museum of American Art since October, comes to a close this week.

The brainchild of Lee University professor and pianist Gloria Chien, String Theory has been bringing respected musicians to the Scenic City for months.

In a December interview, artistic director Chien told the Chattanooga Times Free Press she believed Chattanoogans have an “enthusiasm and excitement about new things.”

The Wednesday concert will include pieces by French composers Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel and Olivier Messiaen. Chien will perform alongside clarinetist David Shifrin, cellist Andrés Díaz and violinist James Ehnes. Composer Patrick Castillo will give an introduction to the session.

“These are internationally known musicians,” said Katrina Craven, public relations manager for the Hunter.

Shifrin, one of only two wind players to receive the Avery Fisher Prize, is on faculty at Yale University. His recordings have also received three Grammy nominations.

Ehnes made his orchestral debut at age 13 and has performed on five continents. In 2006, he directed a complete recording of Mozart’s entire collection in celebration of the composer’s 250th birthday.

Díaz plays with a bow made by his father, Manuel. He is also a recipient of the Avery Fisher Grant.