The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS) is one of the leading chamber music organizations in the United States and worldwide, renowned for its exceptional performance level, inspired programming, and as a global benchmark for chamber music. The BBC Music Channel stated that "The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center has an incredibly high reputation." One of the eleven constituents of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the largest performing arts complex in the world, CMS holds great performances of chamber music, alongside renowned organizations such as the New York Philharmonic, New York City Ballet, and the Metropolitan Opera. Each season, CMS reaches a global audience with more than 150 performances and education programs in their home at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, one of the world’s finest chamber music halls, and on tours nationwide and internationally. Through recordings in audio and video formats, online streaming, as well as broadcasts on radio and television channels, CMS brings the experience of extraordinary chamber music to a broader audience than any other organization of its kind. CMS’s tour to China is made possible by the generous support of US-China Cultural Institute in honor and memory of their dear friend Shirley Young.
Under the artistic leadership of pianist Wu Han and cellist David Finckel, who have served as CMS Co-Artistic Directors since 2004, the multi-generational and international performing artist roster of 140 of the world’s finest chamber musicians enables CMS to present chamber music of every instrumentation, style, and historical period. Recipient of Musical America’s Musician of the Year Award, Wu Han is the only Chinese female musician to receive this honor in over half a century, and she holds the distinction of being the only Chinese Artistic Director at Lincoln Center. David Finckel, the cellist of the Emerson String Quartet for 34 years, is a nine-time Grammy Award winner and is highly esteemed in the American chamber music community. In every touring performance, CMS consistently demonstrates a hallmark of artistic excellence. The touring programs presented to concert presenters are meticulously crafted and performed under the interpretation of world-renowned musicians, showcasing the pinnacle of chamber music expertise. Critics have acclaimed CMS as "an exploding star in the musical firmament" (Wall Street Journal).
CMS continuously strives to promote, educate, and cultivate a love and appreciation for chamber music. Its digital presence allows CMS to reach millions of viewers and listeners globally each year. This includes an ever-growing array of livestreamed programs, over 2,000 hours of performances and educational videos available for free viewing on its website, public broadcasting and television series nationwide in the United States, as well as online programs in China. The NY-Emmy-nominated documentary "Transcending: The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Celebrates 50 Years" and performance recordings are also featured on platforms like Medici.tv, Tencent, and SiriusXM. The Bowers Program, a competitive three-season residency, is dedicated to developing the chamber music leaders of the future and integrates this selection of extraordinary early-career musicians into every facet of CMS activities. Thousands of children, teens, and adults discover the joys of chamber music and deepen their knowledge and appreciation of this beautiful art form through CMS education and community engagement programs. CMS offers an extraordinary number of learning formats and experiences to engage and inform listeners of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of musical knowledge. This includes school-based programs for elementary school students, family concerts in both traditional and casual and accessible formats, teen-centered programs, master classes throughout the United States and internationally, pre-concert composer chats, and insightful lectures on the season’s repertoire.
