Naumber Foundation: Valentin Kovalev, 2022 Saxophone Award Winner

• Valentin Kovalev, saxophone
• Amy Yang, piano

The Walter W. Naumburg Foundation presents 2022 Saxophone Award Winner Valentin Kovalev, accompanied by pianist Amy Yang. The performance features the world premiere of a Naumburg Commission by Steven Mackey.

About The Walter W. Naumburg Foundation

The Walter W. Naumburg Foundation, founded in 1926, continues in the pursuit of ideals set out by Walter Naumburg. His desire to assist the young gifted musician in America has made possible a long-standing program of competitions and awards in solo and chamber music performance, composer recordings, conducting and commissions.

It was Mr. Naumburg's firm belief that such competitions were not only for the benefit of new stars, but very much for those talented young artists who would become prime movers in the development of the highest standards of musical excellence throughout America.

Previous winners of the International Naumburg Competition include Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Elmar Oliveira, Dawn Upshaw, Robert Mann, Leonidas Kavakos, Abbey Simon, William Kapell, Stephen Hough, and Harvey Shapiro. Winners of the Chamber Music Award include the American, Brentano, Miro, and Muir string quartets, and the Eroica Trio.

About Valentin Kovalev, saxophone

https://www.valentinkovalev.com/

About Amy Yang, piano

Ms. Yang, winner of the Kosciuszko National Chopin Piano Competition, has toured with such notables as Patricia Kopatchinskaja, Tito Muñoz, and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, and collaborated with leading performers including Anne-Marie McDermott, Roberto Dian, Tessa Lark, and members of the Guarneri String Quartet.  Ms. Yang’s discography includes her solo album 'Resonance' (MSR Classics); a world premiere recording of Ezra Laderman compositions; and albums with violinists Itamar Zorman, Tessa Lark, and Danbi Um, tubist Carol Jantsch, and clarinetist José Franch-Ballester.