Rockport Chamber Music Festival: The Chooi Brothers

Internationally acclaimed violinists Nikki and Timothy Chooi bring a thrilling program of works by Corigliano, Shostakovich and Sarasate.  Both artists bring dynamic stage personas and established careers–Nikki is concertmaster of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Timothy is the First Prize winner of the Joachim International Violin Competition.

Program
MOSZKOWSKI: Suite in G Minor for two violins and piano, Op. 71
CHA KA NIN: Soulmate, for solo violin
CORIGLIANO: The Red Violin Caprices for solo violin
Intermission
PROKOFIEV: Sonata C major for two violins, Op.56
SHOSTAKOVICH: Five Pieces for two violins and piano (arr. Atovmyan)
SARASATE: “Navarra” for two violins and piano, Op. 33

Nikki Chooi, violin
Praised for his powerful and poetic performances, internationally-acclaimed violinist Nikki Chooi has established himself as an artist of rare versatility. Gramophone stated he performed with “total conviction and assurance.” Nikki is a Laureate of the Queen Elizabeth and Tchaikovsky Competitions, among others.  He has been a featured soloist with orchestras across North America, Europe and Asia. He has collaborated with esteemed artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Renée Fleming, Eric Owens and Time for Three. Nikki is currently Concertmaster of the Grammy award-winning Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under Music Director JoAnn Falletta and has appeared as guest concertmaster with several major orchestras, including as Concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

He has recorded for Naxos, Beau Fleuve, Atoll and Decca labels. A passionate educator, Nikki has presented numerous masterclasses. He completed his formal studies at the Curtis Institute and the Juilliard School. Nikki performs on a 1713 Stradivarius courtesy of CANIMEX INC. from Drummondville, Quebec, Canada, a 1749 G.B Guadagnini on extended loan through the Stradivari Society of Chicago, and a 2016 Joseph Curtin. Nikki proudly endorses Thomastik-Infeld strings.

Timothy Chooi, violin
Internationally acclaimed violinist Timothy Chooi, (pronounced as “Chewy,”) has captivated audiences worldwide with his virtuosic and finely nuanced performances. He is highly sought after for his passionate renditions and extensive repertoire, as well as his exceptional ability to connect with a global audience, amassing a media following of millions of viewers who have tuned in to his music.

Chooi gained international recognition by winning First Prize at the Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition and Second Prize at the Queen Elisabeth International Competition. He also received the prestigious classical music award, the “Yves Paternot Prize” at the Verbier Festival.

Chooi has performed with renowned orchestras such as the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Belgian National Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. Additionally, he has collaborated with esteemed artists including Anne-Sophie Mutter, Pinchas Zuckerman, Lang Lang and James Ehnes. In 2023, he recorded with Anne-Sophie Mutter and Mutter’s Virtuosi on Deutsche Grammophon.

Born in Canada to Indonesian parents and raised in the United States, Chooi embarked on his violin journey inspired by his older brother, Nikki Chooi. Currently, Chooi serves as the Professor of Violin at the University of Ottawa in Canada. He performs on two exceptionally rare violins: the Titan Guarneri Del Gesu violin from 1741, on loan from CANIMEX INC. in Drummondville, Quebec, Canada, and the Engleman Stradivarius violin from 1709, on loan from the Nippon Music Foundation in Japan.

Clayton Stephenson, piano
American pianist Clayton Stephenson’s love for music is immediately apparent in his joyous charisma onstage, expressive power, and natural ease at the instrument. Hailed for “extraordinary narrative and poetic gifts” and interpretations that are “fresh, incisive and characterfully alive” (Gramophone), he is committed to making an impact on the world through his music-making.

Growing up in New York City, Clayton started piano lessons at age 7 and was accepted into the Juilliard Outreach Music Advancement Program for underprivileged children the next year, advancing at the age of 10 to Juilliard’s elite Pre-College program.  He credits the generous support of community programs with providing him with musical inspiration and resources along the way.

He now studies in the Harvard-NEC Dual Degree Program, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in economics at Harvard and a master’s degree in piano performance at the New England Conservatory under Wha Kyung Byun. His accolades along the way have been numerous — in addition to being the first Black finalist at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2022, he was named a 2022 Gilmore Young Artist, as well as a 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts and a Young Scholar of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation. He also received a jury discretionary award at the 2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival.