[photo credit: Salastina]
The ensemble, founded in 2010 by violinists Kevin Kumar and Maia Jasper White, is renowned for its mission to make classical music relevant to a forward-looking society. “Our Salastina ‘home’ is an opulent, joyful place of beauty, splendor, and living tradition,” states the organization. “By day, we’re world-class performers and studio musicians who’ve played on your favorite films. By night, we’re on a mission to broaden the definition of what classical music was, is, and can be.” This commitment to both tradition and innovation is evident in their programming choices.
The concert’s repertoire includes Julius Röntgen’s Piano Quintet No. 2 in A minor, a work by the German-Dutch composer (1855-1932) who was a contemporary and friend to luminaries like Liszt and Brahms. Juxtaposing this historical piece is a world premiere piano quintet by American composer Nicholas Edwards. Edwards, known for his new concert music inspired by the natural world and his pursuit of the intersection of art and science, was commissioned for this piece as an alumnus of Salastina’s Composer Collective. The program is rounded out by Robert Schumann’s Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, a cornerstone of the Romantic era by the prominent German composer (1810-1856).
Salastina’s guiding principle for programming is simple yet profound: “we gotta love it, and we gotta wanna share it.” This philosophy ensures that each performance is not only technically brilliant but also deeply personal and passionately delivered. The blend of familiar works with forgotten treasures and fresh compositions offers a unique listening experience that celebrates the rich tapestry of classical music.
Need to Know: “Main Series No. 5: Familiar | Forgotten | Fresh” will take place on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Barrett Hall at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music. Tickets are $45, student tickets are $10, and members receive a 20% discount. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Arts People website.
