Having cultivated a nonpareil artistic resume through their innovative activities both on- and offstage, David Finckel and Wu Han were named Artistic Directors of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in 2004. Their tenure represents the fourth directorship in the 40-year history of this prestigious arts organization, which is recognized among the most important leaders in the international chamber music community.
In their capacity as Artistic Directors, David Finckel and Wu Han present some 200 concerts, lectures, master classes, and outreach events each season, and spearhead the Society’s education initiatives, Chamber Music Society Two residency program for outstanding young artists, new music commissioning program, national radio broadcasts, and nationwide touring.
Under David Finckel and Wu Han’s directorship, the Chamber Music Society has inaugurated a great number of new initiatives:
•A wealth of unprecedented recording activity:
-Debut of the Chamber Music Society’s first in-house CD label, CMS Studio Recordings
-A partnership with Deutsche Gramophon’s Digital Concert Series
•An intergenerational approach to the CMS artist roster presents seasoned performers alongside the exceptional young artists of the CMS Two program
-Increased the number of musicians in the program
-Extended the residency period from two to three years
•Expanded national and international touring presence
•Established a performance and educational residency at New Jersey’s Drew University
•Developed a series of master classes with CMS Artists and guests
•Launched the International String Quartet series
•Presented mini-festivals presented throughout the season, including an annual holiday Baroque Festival
•Initiated CMS Season Composer concept which presents works (including a CMS commission) by a living composer in a variety of programs
