Wow! This chamber music rocks! What a great selection of music! These modern choices refresh. Opening with Sam Wu's Mass Transit to grab our attention, Kaleidoscope never loses its grip. Despite a teetering ending on one of the pieces that they didn't quite stick, their passionate performances are, dare I say, somewhat existentially reaffirming. Here's my self-talk ... "What? What's going on here? A river of music flowing right into me. I am so lucky to be here. Not just in this room, but on this planet, alive. What a miracle that musicians can compose like this, play like this, create a flow that reminds me how ridiculously fortunate I am to have the ability to enjoy this beautiful thing humanity has created called music."

Composer Fabien Waksman was present to introduce his cosmic piece Le Braiser de la Mort. What an added joy to see the composer tapping his foot and rocking his head as these fine musicians brought his piece to life.

Kaleidoscope have no conductor, they're not glued to their sheet music, they're conversing. You'll find much more than a handful of musicians playing their parts, their performance is a lively musical discussion with passionately punctuated dynamics.

I spoke with Ben at Steinway, apparently this room is only rarely used for concerts like this. With a capacity around 50, it's quite an intimate setting. I was concerned that the grand piano might drown the strings in a room like this. Alas, the mix was perfect and the overall volume just right: all natural, no mics, no amps, from soundboxes to your ears.

Francesca Anderegg, violin (Duo with Makiko on David Bakerl; 1st violin: Schumann)
Ann Miller, violin (solo on Saariaho's Nocturne, 1st violin, Sam Wu & Fabien Waksman)
Jing Peng, viola
Rainer Crosett, cello
Makiko Hirata, piano