By Coral Gables Gazette staff

A rare evening of brilliance and nuance awaits Coral Gables audiences as cellist Leland Ko, fresh from his shared first prize at the 2024 Naumburg International Cello Competition, takes the stage with pianist Adria Ye as part of the Community Arts Program (CAP) Summer Concert Series. The performance will take place Thursday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ, located across from the historic Biltmore Hotel.

Now in its 40th season, CAP’s Summer Concert Series continues its tradition of presenting world-class talent in an intimate local setting. This performance—featuring works by Schumann, Mendelssohn, Debussy, and living composer Thomas Adès—marks Ko’s debut in Coral Gables and promises to be one of the summer’s most anticipated classical music events.

A program of depth and discovery

The evening’s repertoire showcases the emotional and technical range of the cello-piano duo. Opening with Nadia Boulanger’s rarely performed Three Pieces for Cello and Piano, the program journeys through Fauré’s Sonata No. 1, Schumann’s Intermezzo from the collaborative F-A-E Sonata, and Mendelssohn’s Sonata in B-flat Major, all in the first half.

After intermission, Ko and Ye turn to Thomas Adès’ Lieux retrouvés (Rediscovered Places), Op. 26, a modern four-movement suite evoking water, mountains, fields, and a macabre dance in the city. The evening concludes with Claude Debussy’s Sonata for Cello and Piano, a wartime masterpiece known for its introspection and flair.

Each selection was curated to reflect not only technical brilliance but also emotional subtlety—qualities that have made Ko one of the most talked-about young cellists on the classical circuit today.

An artist on the rise

Born and raised in the Boston area and of Chinese-Canadian descent, Leland Ko has performed internationally in Spain, Israel, Sweden, Italy, and Belgium, as well as in top venues across the United States, including Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, and Boston’s Symphony Hall.

Ko is a former Artist in Residence of the New York Piano Society and a current member of Trio Rai, a rising ensemble gaining acclaim for its contemporary interpretations. His chamber music pedigree is formidable, having trained at Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute, Yellowbarn, La Jolla Music Society, and the Perlman Music Program, where he studied under Itzhak Perlman, among other luminaries.

Of Ko’s playing, Perlman once remarked, “There’s a beauty of sound and subtlety that we don’t often encounter in a cellist of his age.”

Ko performs on a rare Matteo Goffriller cello from circa 1707, formerly played by Lorne Munroe, principal cellist of the New York Philharmonic for 30 years, and on loan through Sejong Soloists.

Accompanied by Adria Ye

At the piano, Ko will be joined by Adria Ye, a respected soloist and collaborator whose precision and musical insight have earned her a place on international stages. Together, the duo brings youthful energy and serious musicality to every piece they perform.

Free master class on July 25

In addition to the concert, Ko will lead a free public master class the following morning, Friday, July 25 from 10 a.m. to noon, also at Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ. The session is open to the public and offers a rare opportunity for aspiring musicians, educators, and enthusiasts to witness Ko’s interpretive process and teaching style firsthand.

An institution in Coral Gables arts

Now celebrating its 40th season, the Community Arts Program Summer Concert Series has become a cornerstone of Coral Gables cultural life, known for bringing national and international artists to the city while maintaining accessible ticket prices and a welcoming atmosphere.

This season’s lineup has included jazz, world music, and chamber performances. Ko’s upcoming concert stands out as a highlight, especially for fans of classical cello repertoire and chamber works.

If you go…

• What: Leland Ko, cello, with Adria Ye, piano
• When: Thursday, July 24, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
• Where: Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ, 3010 De Soto Blvd.
• Tickets: Visit communityartsprogram.org
• Master Class: Friday, July 25, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., free and open to the public

Whether you’re a seasoned classical listener or a newcomer drawn by Ko’s rising star, this performance offers a rare chance to experience major-league talent in an intimate Coral Gables setting—no flight to Lincoln Center required.