Bob Sherman: Hello everybody. I'm Bob Sherman. And today we head down to the city of brotherly love where the goals of Astral Artists, quote, "advancing classical music's emerging talents" mesh perfectly with our own broadcast mission. As we'll gather tonight on this edition of the Young Artist Showcase.

We're the seniors in our shared admission of showcasing musicians at early points in their emerging careers, since thanks to the generous underwriting of the Harold w McGraw Junior Family Foundation. That, however, in no way diminishes the significant achievement of Astral Artists, which was founded in 1992, Astral holds an annual competition then provides management help for the winners and finds concert opportunities for them.

I certainly expect to bring the 2016 Laureate to the showcase later on. But tonight and next week as well will be eavesdropping on four different Philadelphia concerts. And including now on this show, trios by Debussy and Beethoven. Claude Debussy was only 18 when he wrote a trio for the standard grouping of violin, cello, and piano.

But the form didn't seem to interest him again until very nearly the end of his life. Even then he chose the unexpected combination of flute, viola and harp, and dubbed the piece, not a trio, but a Sonata. Here in concert at the Trinity center for urban life, our violist Ayane Kosaza, harpist Caroline Cole, both of whom I'm proud to say are showcase alumni and in her WQXR debut flutist, Annie Wu, who was still in her teens when she won Astral's national auditions in 2015, and now the Debussy Sonata.

MUSIC - Debussy: Sonata for Flute, Viola, and Harp, L. 137 -- Annie Wu, flute; Ayane Kosaza, viola; Caroline Cole, harp

Bob Sherman: Gorgeous peace. Gracious performance too. Debussy's Sonata for flute, Viola and harp played by Astral Artist, Annie Wu, Ayane Kosaza, and Caroline Cole. Beethoven trio is next. So stay with us on the Young Artist Showcase.

I'm Bob Sherman and it was well not old timer's day, but at least the welcome back day in November of 2015, when violinist Ayano Ninomiya, cellist Clancy Newman and pianist, Alexander Moutouzkine, all former winners of Astral Artists, national competition, showcase alumni as well, came together to express their appreciation for the invaluable mentoring and concert opportunities from Astral that had really helped jumpstart their careers. Here's their take on Beethoven's G major trio for violin, cello, and piano.

MUSIC - Beethoven: Piano Trio in G Major, Op. 1, No. 2 -- Ayano Ninomiya, violin; Clancy Newman, cello; Alexander Moutouzkine, piano

Bob Sherman: Another scintillating performance at Philadelphia's Trinity center for urban life as returning alumni of Astral Artists and our own WQXR series, Ayano Ninomiya, Clancy Newman, and Alexander Moutouzkine played Beethoven's G major trio for violin, cello and piano. Well, we've enjoyed two trios so far tonight. Number three, coming up momentarily. On the Young Artists Showcase.

Completing our trio trifecta tonight on the showcase is a dance scored for violin, saxophone, and piano. By Marc Eychenne, who I believe is the only Algerian born composer we've ever represented on the showcase. The dance is one of Eychenne's earliest pieces written when he was still in his twenties, but it remains among his best known.

Hugh Sung, fine pianist, and another alumni of the showcase was at the keyboard joined by violinist Eunice Kim and an Alto sax and newcomer to our series, Jonathan Wintringham.

MUSIC - Eychenne: Dance for Violin, Saxophone, and Piano -- Eunice Kim, violin; Jonathan Wintringham, saxophone; Hugh Sung, piano

Bob Sherman: Marc Eychenne's rhythmically, fascinating dance for violin, saxophone, and piano composed in 1961 and played in Philadelphia last season by Astral Artist Eunice Kim, Jonathan Wintringham, and Hugh Sung. That energetic performance can also serve as a bit of a sneak preview of musical things to come next week, as I'll explain after our final greeting from our good friend, Terry.

There are many kinds of young artists on the Young Artist Showcase. We had an amazing 10 year old American pianist and an astonishing 16 year old violinist from China, while some major prize winners are emerging into greatness in their mid twenties. The point is that whenever great talents arise, it's our responsibility to spread the word.

And it's our joy to let you enjoy their music every week on WQXR. Thank you, Terry. The preview I spoke of a moment ago refers to the fact that last May saxophonist Jonathan Wintringham returned to Philadelphia for a full recital. And from that program, we will enjoy music from France, Spain, and Argentina.

We'll also introduce Luosha Fang, terrific young violinist playing Bach, Schnittke, and Enescu. So do come back with us then. Well right now, let me thank Leslie Johnson. Astral's director of artist services who made possible our first WQXR hearings tonight. It is of course Terry McGraw and the family foundation named for his dad, Harold W McGraw Jr., whose generous underwriting has kept our Young Artist Showcase coming to WQXR every week for nearly four decades. Merrin Lazyan is our production virtuoso. I'm Bob Sherman. Good night, everybody.

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