Five Internationally Acclaimed Competition Winners Join Maestro Nir Kabaretti over Two Days, January 17–18, 2026
Santa Barbara audiences will have a rare opportunity to experience all five Beethoven piano concertos in a two-day immersive journey, as Maestro Nir Kabaretti leads the Santa Barbara Symphony and five international competition-winning pianists in theBeethoven Piano Concerto Marathon on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 7:30 PM and Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 3:00 PM at The Granada Theatre.
The weekend opens on Saturday evening with one of Beethoven’s most rousing openers, Overture to Egmont, Op. 84, followed by Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, performed by Min Joo Yi, the 2025 Music Academy of the West Solo Piano Concerto Competition winner. Yi brings clarity and emotional depth to this bold, dramatic work. The program continues with Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, featuring Evren Ozel, bronze medalist of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and an Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient. Ozel’s thoughtful and expressive playing will highlight the warmth and innovation of one of Beethoven’s most beloved concertos.
On Sunday afternoon, the Marathon continues with Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, with Dmitry Shishkin, a Silver Medalist of the International Tchaikovsky Competition and winner of the Geneva International Music Competition. Shishkin brings a crisp technique and energetic style to Beethoven’s youthful score. Next is Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, performed by Angie Zhang, an American Pianists Awards laureate known for her sensitivity, versatility, and nuanced interpretations. The weekend concludes with Beethoven’s iconic Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, “Emperor,” performed by Jonathan Mamora, a multi-international competition winner whose powerful, expressive playing makes him a compelling voice for this triumphant finale.
“Beethoven’s concertos remain towering masterpieces that chart the evolution of a composer who reshaped the musical world,” shared Music & Artistic Director Nir Kabaretti. “To share this musical journey with five rising star pianists — who each bring a unique voice and talent — will be a deeply moving experience for the audience and orchestra alike.
“The Symphony has a long tradition of nurturing emerging musicians, and opportunities to perform with a professional symphony orchestra are instrumental in helping launch their professional careers.”
PERFORMANCE DETAILS
Tickets for the Beethoven Piano Concerto Marathon can be purchased online, in person, or by calling the Granada Theatre box office at (805) 899-2222. Patrons who buy tickets for both performances receive a 20% discount. For additional details, visit TheSymphony.org. Patrons can also subscribe to the remaining season with a flexible four-series package. Call (805) 898-9386 or visit The Symphony website for details.
THE ARTISTS
Nir Kabaretti, conductor
Soloists, five winners & medalists of international piano competitions
THE REPERTOIRE
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2026
OVERTURE TO EGMONT, OP. 84
CONCERTO NO. 3 — Min Joo Yi (Music Academy of the West Solo Piano Concerto Competition Winner)
CONCERTO NO. 4 — Evren Ozel (Cleveland International Piano Competition Winner)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2026
CONCERTO NO. 1— Dmitry Shishkin (International Tchaikovsky and Geneva International Competition Winner)
CONCERTO NO. 2 — Angie Zhang (American Piano Awards Winner)
CONCERTO NO. 5 — Jonathan Mamora (Palm Springs International Piano Competition Winner)
EVENT SPONSORS
Marathon Sponsor
Zegar Family Foundation
Artist Sponsors
Ann & Eric Capogrosso
Ellen Lehrer Orlando & Thomas Orlando
Selection Sponsors
Christine & Michael Holland
Robert Koenig & Joel Lindsey
Bob & Val Montgomery
Howard Jay Smith & Tricia Bivans Dixon
ABOUT THE GUEST ARTISTS
Min Joo Yi is a native of Bellevue, Washington. She is a doctoral candidate at the Peabody Conservatory, where she also earned a Master of Music and a Graduate Performance Diploma. A prize-winning pianist, she has been recognized by competitions including Verona International, Wonderlic (2nd prize), Yale Gordon (3rd prize), and Piano Campus (bronze). She has received numerous scholarships and fellowships and previously studied at Princeton University, where she earned an AB in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. Yi is also a 2024 Music Academy of the West alumna, solo piano.
Evren Ozel is an American pianist and bronze medalist of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. He is recognized for his refined artistry and thoughtful interpretations. A 2023 Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient, he has appeared with major orchestras including the Minnesota Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, and Jacksonville Symphony. His debut recording of Mozart concertos with the ORF Radio Symphony Vienna is scheduled for release in 2025. A dedicated chamber musician, Ozel is a 2024–27 Bowers Program Artist with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
Dmitry Shishkin is a Silver Medalist at the XVI International Tchaikovsky Competition and a winner of the Geneva International Music Competition. He is celebrated for his distinctive artistry and musical integrity. He has appeared with major orchestras including the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Budapest Festival Orchestra, Prague Radio Symphony, and Warsaw Philharmonic. He has performed at renowned venues, including Wiener Musikverein and Wigmore Hall. A frequent guest at international festivals, Shishkin trained in Moscow, Sicily, and Hannover.
Dr. Angie Zhang is an acclaimed American pianist and top prizewinner of the International Chopin Competition on Period Instruments, the American Pianists Awards, Honens, and the Juilliard Concerto Competition. She has performed at major festivals and venues worldwide, appeared over 40 times as a soloist with professional orchestras, and collaborated with leading artists and ensembles. A champion of new and underrepresented music, she is also a noted fortepianist and founder of the ModernPlus Music Festival. Zhang is also a 2022 Music Academy of the West alumna, solo piano.
Jonathan Mamora is an Indonesian-American pianist, praised for his assured technique, expressive lyricism, and deep commitment to service through music. A Southern California native with an emerging international career, he has won top prizes at major competitions, including Hilton Head, Scottish, Maria Canals Barcelona, Olga Kern, Antwerp Piano, Dallas, and Palm Springs. Mamora has performed across four continents, debuted at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall to critical acclaim, and competed in the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.
For full guest artist biographies, click here.
