2024

Salon à Trois

Salon à Trois spotlights music by women and queer-identifying composers in a variety of languages and styles.

Our September 2024 programs interweave sumptuous Romantic era music by Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, Cécile Chaminade, Amy Beach and Rebecca Clarke with fresh new sounds from living American composers including a World Premiere by California-based composer Nancy Bachmann, the Broadway-infused melodies of New York’s Ricky Ian Gordon, and captivating settings of poetry by Richard Wilbur by Dr. Vartan Aghababian. The repertoire we share will comprise both duos and trios for Soprano, Viola, and Piano.

September 14, 2024 – 7:30pm
Private Residence – San Francisco, CA

Salon à Trois spotlights music by women and queer-identifying composers in a variety of languages and styles.

May 11, 2024, 5pm
Hillary Nordwell’s Music Studio – Bellevue, WA

May 12, 2024, 4pm
St. Andrews Lutheran Church, Bellevue, WA

Vartan Aghababian – Composition Faculty Recital
April 7, 2024, 3:00pm
Marsh Chapel, Boston, MA

2023

August 21-24, 2023 – Lincoln, Provincetown, & Cambridge, MA
Salon à Trois 
Works by Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, Cecile Chaminade, Vartan Aghababian, Ricky Ian Gordon, Amy Beach, Nancy Bachmann, and Rebecca Clarke
Ann Moss, soprano
Justin Ouellet, viola
Hillary Nordwell, piano

May 13-14, 2023 – Bellevue & Kirkland, WA
Piano Trios by Women Composers of France and America
Works by Louise Farrenc, Jennifer Higdon, Amy Beach, Lili Boulanger, and Florence Price
Emily Herdeman Kelly, violin
Megan Titensor, cello
Hillary Nordwell, piano

2022

December 3, 2023 – Bellevue, WA
Comfy Concerts: A Holiday Celebration 
Comfy Concerts
Megan Titensor, cello
Hillary Nordwell, piano

July 16, 2022 – Online
Music of the Americas
Works by Teresa Carreño, William Bolcom, Jorge Federico Osorio, William Grant Still, Ricardo Castro, and Manuel Maria Ponce
Hillary Nordwell, piano
Miguel Aguirre, piano

May 1, 2022 – Seattle, WA
Clara Schumann Piano Trio
Works by Bach Hwaen Ch’uqi
Pamela Liu, violin
Megan Titensor, cello
Hillary Nordwell, piano
Hwaen Ch’uqi, piano

2021

June 6, 2021 – Seattle, WA
Rachmaninoff Sonata for Cello and Piano
Solo Selections by Bach and Schumann
Megan Titensor, cello
Hillary Nordwell, piano

2020

February 2, 2020 – Bellevue, WA
Sharing our Stories:
Music of Bach and Chopin
Comfy Concerts
Megan Titensor, cello
Hillary Nordwell, piano

February 9, 2020 – Seattle, WA
Chopin Cello Sonata and Bach Cello Suite in E-flat
Megan Titensor, cello
Hillary Nordwell, piano

2019

December 8, 2019 – Bellevue, WA
December 14, 2019 – Berkeley
Comfy Concerts
Holiday Celebration

July 21, 2019 – Oakland
Comfy Concerts
Schumann’s Carnaval, Op. 9
Hillary Nordwell, piano

February 3, 2019 – Pacifica
February 8, 2019 – Almeda String Academy
February 9, 2019 – Berkeley
Comfy Concerts
Around the World in Eight Cafes!
Paul Schoenfield: Café Music
Felix Mendelssohn: Scherzo (Trio in D Minor)
Astor Piazzolla: Spring (“Four Seasons”)
Butterfly Lovers’ Concerto
Mammals of Southern Africa
Erica Ward, violin
Lucas Chen, cello
Hillary Nordwell, piano

2018

December 9, 2018 — Berkeley
December 16, 2018 — Pacifica
Comfy Concerts
Holiday Celebration
Justin Ouellet, violin
Robin Reynolds, cello
Hillary Nordwell, piano

November 11, 2018 – Pacifica
Comfy Concerts
Schumann’s Carnaval, Op. 9
Hillary Nordwell, piano

September 29, 2018 – Pacifica
September 30, 2018 – Berkeley
Comfy Concerts
Mozart’s Melodies
Ann Moss, soprano & Hillary Nordwell, piano
Selected Art Songs
12 Piano Variations on “ah! Vous-dirai-je, maman”

July 15, 2018 – Holy Names University
Comfy Concerts
Frédéric Chopin
Polonaise Militaire, Op. 40 No. 1
Selected Preludes and Waltzes

July 22,  2018 – Alameda
Alameda String Academy
Dvorak Piano Quintet in A major
Schoenfield Café Music

April 14, 2018 – Berkeley
April 15, 2018 – Pacifica
Comfy Concerts
Cathy Kautsky, piano and narration
Poulenc: Babar, the Little Elephant
Eric Satie: Parade, for piano 4 hands

March 10, 2018 – San Francisco
March 11, 2018 – Pacifica
Comfy Concerts
Emil Miland, cello & Hillary Nordwell, piano
Johannes Brahms
Cello Sonata in F Major, Op. 99

February 4, 2018 – Pacifica
July 15, 2018
Comfy Concerts
Frédéric Chopin
Polonaise Militaire, Op. 40 No. 1
Selected Preludes and Waltzes

2017

December 10, 2017 — Berkeley
December 17, 2017 — Pacifica
Comfy Concerts
Holiday Celebration

September 24, 2017 — Berkeley
October 8, 2017 — Pacifica
Comfy Concerts
Ann Moss, soprano and Hillary Nordwell, piano
Songs of Vartan Aghababian and Poetry of A.A. Milne

July 16, 2017 — Oakland
NURTURING YOUR SUZUKI EXPERIENCE
with Special Comfy Concert featuring Hillary Nordwell!
10am-4pm at Holy Names University

April 2, 2017 — Pacifica
Comfy Concerts
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata in F-sharp Major, Opus 78
Für Elise, WoO 59
“Moonlight” Sonata, Op. 27, No. 1: Adagio sostenuto
Variations on a Theme by Giovanni Paisiello, WoO 70
Sonatina in F Major, Anh. 5, No. 2

February 7, 2017 — San Francisco
Noontime Concerts
Justin Ouellet, viola and Hillary Nordwell, piano
Georges Enescu – Konzertstück
Ludwig van Beethoven – Piano Sonata, Op. 78
Paul Hindemith – Viola Sonata, Op. 11 No. 4
Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, 660 California Street

January 29, 2017 – Berkeley
Comfy Concerts
American Art Song with Ann Moss, soprano
Berkeley Academy of Music
Berkeley Methodist United Church
1710 Carleton Street
Berkeley 94703

January 15, 2017 – Pacifica
Comfy Concerts
American Art Song with Ann Moss, soprano
Private Residence, Pacifica

2016

December 11, 2016 – Pacifica
Comfy Concerts
Holiday Favorites and Sing-Along
Private Residence, Pacifica

November 13, 2016 – Pacifica
Comfy Concerts
Clara Schumann – Soirées Musicales, Op. 6
Robert Schumann – Widmung (transcribed by Franz Liszt)
Private Residence, Pacifica

October 2, 2016 – Pacifica
Comfy Concerts
Paul Hindemith – Viola Sonata, Op. 11 No. 4
2:00pm, Private Residence, Pacifica
more information at comfyconcerts.com

September 30, 2016 — San Francisco
405 Shrader
Justin Ouellet, viola and Hillary Nordwell, piano
Georges Enescu – Konzertstück
Ludwig van Beethoven – Piano Sonata, Op. 78
Paul Hindemith – Viola Sonata, Op. 11 No. 4
405 Shrader Street, San Francisco

July 31, 2016 – Pacifica
Comfy Concerts
Robert Schumann – Selected Songs
2:00pm, Private Residence, Pacifica
more information at comfyconcerts.com

May 15, 2016 – Pacifica
Comfy Concerts
Ludwig van Beethoven – Piano Sonata in F-sharp major, Op. 78
Ludwig van Beethoven – Variations on a Theme by G. Paisello, WoO 70
Private Residence, Pacifica

April 10, 2016 – San Francisco
Noe Valley Chamber Music – Classical Kids
Robert Schumann – Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 6
1:30pm and 3:00pm, 1021 Sanchez, San Francisco

March 13, 2016 – Pacifica
Comfy Concerts
with Allan Crossman, composer and The Eusebius Duo
Allan Crossman – Florébius
Private Residence, Pacifica

February 28, 2016 – Pacifica
Comfy Concerts
with Ann Moss, soprano; Justin Ouellet, violin; Nellie Freed, viola
W.A. Mozart – Duo for Violin and Viola in G major, K. 423
W.A. Mozart – Aria from the Opera “Il Re Pastore”
Private Residence, Pacifica

2015

December 13, 2015 — San Francisco
Voila Viola – Justin Ouellet, viola
Clara Schumann – Soirées Musicales, Op. 6, IV. Ballade
Franz Schubert – Arpegionne Sonata
Lillian Fuchs – Sonata Pastorale for solo viola
Private Residence, San Francisco

November 29, 2015 – Pacifica
Comfy Concerts
with Emily Packard, violin and Robin Reynolds, cello
Holiday Celebration
Private Residence, Pacifica

October 23, 2015 — San Francisco
405 Shrader
Clara Schumann – Soirées Musicales, Op. 6
Robert Schumann – Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 6
405 Shrader Street, San Francisco

October 4, 2015 – Pacifica
Comfy Concerts
with Ann Moss, soprano and Justin Ouellet, viola
Franz Schubert – Apreggione Sonata, D. 821
Franz Schubert – Selected Lieder
Private Residence, Pacifica

August 25, 2015 — San Francisco
Noontime Concerts
Clara Schumann – Soirées Musicales, Op. 6
Robert Schumann – Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 6
Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, 660 California Street

August 16, 2015 – Pacifica
Comfy Concerts
Robert Schumann – Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 6
Private Residence, Pacifica

August 2, 2015 – Pacifica
Comfy Concerts
Clara Schumann – Soirées Musicales, Op. 6
Robert Schumann – Widmung (transcribed by Franz Liszt)
Private Residence, Pacifica

April 24, 2015 – San Francisco
The Eusebius Duo: Monika Gruber, violin and Hillary Nordwell, piano
Charles Ives – Second Sonata
Allan Crossman – Florébius
Aaron Copland – Nocturne and Ukelele Serenade
405 Shrader, San Francisco

September 30, 2014 – San Francisco
The Eusebius Duo: Monika Gruber, violin and Hillary Nordwell, piano
Works by Smetana, Suk, and Janacek
Noontime Concerts, San Francisco

October 24, 2014 – San Francisco
The Eusebius Duo: Monika Gruber, violin and Hillary Nordwell, piano
Works by Smetana, Suk, and Janacek
405 Shrader, San Francisco

May 30, 2014 – San Francisco
The Eusebius Duo: Monika Gruber, violin and Hillary Nordwell, piano
Richard Strauss – Violin Sonata in E-flat Major
Robert Schumann – Violin Sonata in A Minor
405 Shrader, San Francisco

2013

405 Shrader, San Francisco

2012

November 20, 2012 – San Francisco
San Francisco Noontime Concerts
Eusebius Duo with Alex Rosenfeld, French horn
Johannes Brahms – Trio in E-flat major for Piano, Violin and French horn
Martha Stoddard – Outbursts (an Homage to Johannes Brahms)
Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, 660 California Street, San Francisco

June 17, 2012 – San Francisco
Shenson Faculty Series
The Eusebius Duo: Monika Gruber, violin and Hillary Nordwell, piano
Erich W. Korngold – Much Ado About Nothing Suite, op. 11
Miklas Rosza – Duo, op. 7
Richard Strauss – Sonata in E-flat major for Violin and Piano, op. 18
Community Music Center, 544 Capp St, San Francisco

April 11 2012 — San Francisco
OAE Fundraiser: A Salon Celebrating Past, Present & Future
Featuring the CA Premiere of Mame Loshn (2010) by Miriam Miller
with original poetry by Sarah Traister Moskovitch
Private Residence

Old First Concerts
Eusebius Duo: Monika Gruber, violin and Hillary Nordwell, piano
Ravel – Sonate Posthume
Franck – Sonate in A major
Debussy – Sonate in G minor
Ravel – Sonate in G minor
Old First Church, 1751 Sacramento Street, San Francisco

January 10, 2012 – San Francisco
Noontime Concerts, 12:30pm
Eusebius Duo: Monika Gruber, violin and Hillary Nordwell, piano
Ravel – Sonate Posthume
Franck – Sonate in A major
Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, 660 California St, San Francisco

2011

November 20, 2011 – San Francisco
Violin Sonatas of the French Impressionism
French Wine Tasting (12pm), Concert (1pm)
French Vietnamese buffet, La Boulange desserts, and more wine to follow
The Eusebius Duo: Monika Gruber, violin and Hillary Nordwell, piano
Violin Sonatas by Ravel and Debussy
Salle Pianos and Events, 1632C Market Street, San Francisco (by Zuni)

September 22, 2011 — San Francisco
Ann Moss, Soprano & Hillary Nordwell, Piano
Of Loving and Being Loved: A Salon to Benefit Noe Valley Chamber Music
Jake Heggie – At The Statue of Venus (2005)
Robert Schumann – Liederkreis Op. 39
John Duke – Selected Songs
Private Residence

2010

September 29, 2010 – Stanford
Bing Concert Series
The Eusebius Duo: Monika Gruber, violin and Hillary Nordwell, piano
Beethoven – “Kreutzer” Sonata
Bach – Sonata in A major for violin and piano
Stanford Hospital Atrium, 300 Pasteur Drive, Palo Alto

August 29, 2010 – Port Angeles, WA
One Art Ensemble
Music of Britain and America
Miriam Miller – Mame Loshn (2010, encore performance)
Vartan Aghababian – 2 Songs for Soprano, Viola and Piano (2010)
Benjamin Britten – Lachrymae for Viola and Piano, Op. 48
John Dowland – Flow My Tears, If My Complaints
Roger Quilter – Elizabethan Lyrics
Aghababian – When We Were Very Young
Holy Trinity Church, 301 Lopez Avenue, Port Angeles

August 27, 2010 – Port Townsend, WA
One Art Ensemble
Music of Germany and America
Miriam Miller – Mame Loshn (2010, world premiere)
Vartan Aghababian – 2 Songs for Soprano, Viola and Piano (2010)
Robert Schumann – Adagio & Allegro Op. 70 for Viola & Piano, and Selected Songs
Works on the theme of childhood by Jake Heggie, Howard Frazin, and Jessica Rugani.
Quimper Unitarian Church, 2333 San Juan Ave, Port Townsend

June 5, 2010 – Lincoln, MA
One Art Ensemble
Nature, Love, and Fantasy: Three Centuries of Story and Song
Drei Träume by Liam Wade, Songs for Soprano, Viola and Piano by Vartan Aghababian, plus works by Jake Heggie, Robert Schumann, John Duke, Felix Mendelssohn, and Paul Hindemith.
Bemis Hall, 15 Bedford Road, Lincoln

April 30, 2010 – San Francisco
Concerts at Old First Church
One Art Ensemble
Nature, Love, and Fantasy: Three Centuries of Story and Song
Drei Träume by Liam Wade, Songs for Soprano, Viola and Piano by Vartan Aghababian, plus works by Jake Heggie, Robert Schumann, John Duke, Felix Mendelssohn, and Paul Hindemith.
Old First Church, 1751 Sacramento Street, San Francisco

April 11, 2010 – San Francisco
Noe Valley Chamber Music: In Her Words
Ann Moss, Steve Bailey, Picasso Quartet, One Art Ensemble
Virgil Thomson – Preciosilla (1927)
Cathy Berberian – Stripsody (1966)
Jake Heggie – Songs and Sonnets to Ophelia (1999)
Liam Wade – Drei Träume (2010)
Vartan Aghababian – Songs for Soprano, Viola, and Piano (2010, Premiere)
Weslie Brown – The Ballads of Weslie Brown (2010, Premiere)
Liam Wade – 4 Poems by Edna St. Vincent Millay (2008)
Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez Street, San Francisco

March 23, 2010 – San Francisco
Bach Birthday Event at Noontime Concerts
Eusebius Duo: Monika Gruber, violin and Hillary Nordwell, piano
All-Bach Program
Violin Partita in B minor
Piano Partita in B-flat major
Sonate for Violin and Piano in A major
Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, 660 California St, San Francisco

2009

September 1, 2009 – San Francisco
San Francisco Noontime Concerts
One Art Ensemble: Ann Moss, Alexa Beattie, Hillary Nordwell
Robert Schumann – Märchenbilder, Op. 113
Vartan Aghababian – 2 Songs for Soprano, Viola, and Piano (1988)
When We Were Very Young (2002)
2 Songs for Soprano, Viola, and Piano (2001)
Jake Heggie – My True Love Hath My Heart (1996)
Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, 660 California Street, San Francisco

August 15, 2009 – Port Angeles, WA
One Art Ensemble: Ann Moss, Alexa Beattie, Hillary Nordwell
Robert Schumann – Märchenbilder, Op. 113
Vartan Aghababian – 2 Songs for Soprano, Viola, and Piano (1988)
Jake Heggie – Rise and Fall
Selected songs of Felix Mendelssohn
Johannes Brahms – Viola Sonata in F minor, Op. 120 No. 1
Liam Wade – Drei Träume for Soprano, Viola, and Piano (2009)
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 301 E. Lopez Street, Port Angeles

August 13, 2009 – Port Townsend, WA
One Art Ensemble: Ann Moss, Alexa Beattie, Hillary Nordwell
Vartan Aghababian – 2 Songs for Soprano, Viola, and Piano (2001)
Robert Schumann – Märchenbilder, Op. 113
Selected songs of Franz Schubert, John Duke, Jake Heggie, Alan Smith, and Leonard Bernstein
Upstage Restaurant, 923 Washington Street, Port Townsend

July 28, 2009 – San Francisco
Noontime Concerts
One Art Ensemble: Ann Moss, Alexa Beattie, Hillary Nordwell
Johannes Brahms – Viola Sonata in F minor, Op. 120 No. 1
Selected songs of Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann, and Felix Mendelssohn
Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, 660 California Street, San Francisco

May 15, 2009 – San Francisco
Alexa Beattie, Artist Certificate Recital
Ann Moss, soprano
Hillary Nordwell, piano
West coast premiere of Songs for Soprano, Viola, and Piano by Vartan Aghababian
San Francisco Conservatory of Music, San Francisco