NEW YORK EMPIRE TRIO 

The New York Empire Trio (found in 2007) is now composed by three experienced chamber musicians and soloists. The trio members have performed in major cities in the United States and abroad. Their repertoire ranges from the early classics to the music of today performing works from the standard chamber music literature and little known masterworks with great success. 

After making their highly acclaimed Carnegie Hall debut the trio was chosen to be Featured Artists of the Month at the Obama for Arts and Entertainment Organization.  Music critic Dennis Rooney writes in The STRAD Magazine: “Unlike the rather generic treatment that this work (Dvorák – Dumky Trio) often receives, this performance underscored the disjunctive elements of dumka’s unique form, highlighting the individual character of each succeeding section.”  The trio’s performances are also well-regarded at the New York Concert Review where Dr. Rorianne Schrade writes: “... the musicians exuded intensity, with bracing tempo and spirit. The performance was again impassioned and unified, with each instrument shining individually. … It was performed with gusto. … played with vigor … finished the concert on a high”.

Prior to their formation, the members of the trio were active soloists and chamber musicians performing in major music centers such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center - New York, Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, Phillips Collection and John F. Kennedy Center - Washington DC, Rudolfinum - Dvorak Hall - Prague, Bulgaria Hall – Sofia, etc. They have performed in numerous festivals and concert series in the United States and Europe and have premiered countless new works.

The New York Empire Trio is recognized for their innovative educational programs.  They have given chamber music master classes at universities other schools around the country on regular basis.  They have led residencies at Western Reserve Academy in Ohio and Brooklyn College in New York. Over the years they have developed a specialization on Eastern European composers in addition to the standard classical repertoire. They have worked closely with Bulgarian composer Roumi Petrova who composed Fanfare for Obama, which they performed at Weill Recital hall at Carnegie Hall in honor of the newly elected President Barack Obama. Their unique repertoire allows them much variety in presenting music to many different types of audiences.

The Trio members Natasha Lipkina – violin, Kalin Ivanov – cello, Margrit Zimmermann - piano are winners of many distinguished awards and have had prominent careers in their field. Natasha Lipkina, violinist, a graduate from the Moscow Conservatory and Indiana University, winner of Enescu Violin Competition (Romania) and Shostakovich Chamber Music Competition (Russia). She was featured on Saturday Night Live, the Today, David Letterman Show and collaborated with members of Borodin and Guarneri Quartets, and Beaux Arts Trio. Kalin Ivanov, cellist, is a prominent soloist, recitalist, chamber musician, and recording artist. Compared by the press to Rostropovich, Yo-Yo Ma, Piatigorsky and Jacqueline du Pré he has performed in major centers in Europe and United States with: “dramatic urgency and expressive tone” (The STRAD). Margrit Zimmermann, pianist was a winner of the Brahms Piano Competition, Austria and Roma Piano Competition, Italy. Her recordings for ASV and BIS labels in England and Sweden were highly praised in the Gramophone magazine (UK),”Das Orchester”  magazine(Germany) and Penn Sounds (USA) for a “deep musical sense and technical perfection”. She is artist in residence at Nayack College, NY.

Future plans of NY Empire Trio include tours in Europe, South America, and the United States as well as releasing a new CD. For more information on upcoming performances visit: www.NYEmpireTrio.com