James Kim joins the ensemble, succeeding Michael Katz, who has been appointed to the Philadelphia Orchestra cello section

Lysander by Irina Rozovsky 65

Photo: Irina Rozovsky

The Lysander Piano Trio: Itamar Zorman, Liza Stepanova and James Kim

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The Lysander Piano Trio has announced the appointment of James Kim as its new cellist. Kim succeeds Michael Katz, who joined the trio in 2010 and leaves to join the Philadelphia Orchestra in April 2025.

Kim joins original members Itamar Zorman and pianist Liza Stepanova, who is on faculty at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, University of Georgia in Athens, GA, where Kim is assistant professor of cello.

’I am delighted to join the Lysander Piano Trio in future concerts and projects,’ said Kim. ’Our rehearsals produce a joy I look forward to sharing with audiences. Our pursuit of bringing music to life through meaning and conversation embodies my ideal life as a musician, so I am immensely excited to start this new chapter.’

Zorman and Stepanova thanked Katz for his 15 years of service, describing his departure as ‘bittersweet.’

’We are very excited to welcome James to our group. Reading with him late in the autumn, and starting to perform together this January, it was clear right away that this was an excellent musical fit.

’We think about phrasing, colours, and making chamber music in a similar way. And, he just sounds fantastic! We are looking forward to working together from our joint homebase at the University of Georgia in Athens, which will allow for in-depth rehearsing as well as some exciting recording opportunities!’

The trio will collaborate with Franklin Pond Chamber Music in Atlanta to present an educational workshop and performance on 9 February. Next season’s highlights thus far include collaborations with Argentine bandoneonist JP Jofre and a new concert program with visual artist Kevork Mourad, as well as performances in New York, New Mexico, California, a tour of the US Southeast, and more.

The Lysander Piano Trio was formed at The Juilliard School. The trio studied with Ronald Copes of the Juilliard Quartet, the late Joseph Kalichstein, and Seymour Lipkin. Early in its career, the trio became a standout at competitions, with top honours at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, the Coleman Chamber Ensemble Competition (Grand Prize), the J. C. Arriaga Chamber Music Competition (First Prize), and the Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition.

Watch the Lysander Piano Trio perform Beethoven Piano Trio in D major op.70 no.1 ‘Ghost’ movement one:

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