As the first concert of the 2025-2026 season, the Bridge Street Chamber Players will present two large scale chamber works for plucked instrument and piano. Ekterina Skliar will perform a contemporary work, Alexander Tsgankov's Sonata for domra and piano.  

 

Alexander Tsygankov (b. 1955) is one of Russia’s foremost domra virtuosos and composers, widely recognized for expanding the instrument’s solo repertoire and elevating its role in concert performance. His Sonata for Domra and Piano blends lyrical expressiveness with dazzling technical writing, highlighting the domra’s unique timbre while creating a vivid dialogue with the piano. The work reflects Tsygankov’s deep connection to Russian folk traditions. It consists of four movements:
I. Ballad

II. Capriccio

III. Russian Song

IV. Finale

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Gabriel Locati will perform Johann Hummel's Sonata for Mandolin and Piano op. 37a (c. 1810). While the most important contribution form Hummel to the mandolin repertoire was his Mandolin Concerto, this sonata presents an equally compelling take on the capabilities of the mandolin in the time period. A full three movement work, the piece stands apart from most other mandolin compositions of the the time period which are typically miniatures or otherwise small in scope. A virtuoso pianist himself, Hummel did not leave the piano to be a simple accompaniment, the result is a piece which is a true chamber work which highlights the strengths of both instruments.

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Ekaterina and Gabriel will be joined by pianist Thomas Weaver who is currently on faculty at Curtis Institute of Music and Boston University Tanglewood Institute and is serving as Music Director of the Marian Anderson Historical Society.