The Seattle Series will present a special chamber music concert on Friday, April 4, 2025, at 7:30 PM at Benaroya Hall, bringing together a remarkable ensemble of artists for an evening centered around the flute. The performance will feature Demarre McGill, Stefán Ragnar Höskuldsson, Jeffrey Barker, and Xiaohui Yang, in a program that explores the full expressive range of the instrument – from Baroque to contemporary.
The event offers a particularly rare opportunity to hear Stefán Ragnar Höskuldsson perform in the United States before his upcoming move to Germany, where he will take up the position of Principal Flute with the Berlin Philharmonic later this year. Currently Principal Flute of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Höskuldsson is widely respected for his elegant playing and international career, which includes performances with major orchestras and at leading venues around the world.
Demarre McGill, Principal Flute of the Seattle Symphony, will perform as both soloist and collaborator in the program. Known for his rich tone and dynamic presence, McGill has performed extensively as a recitalist and orchestral musician and is a dedicated educator, currently on faculty at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
Joining them is Jeffrey Barker, Associate Principal Flute of the Seattle Symphony, whose sensitive playing and versatility have made him an important voice in Seattle’s musical life. The ensemble is completed by Xiaohui Yang, a Naumburg Prize-winning pianist whose artistry has been praised internationally for its clarity, depth, and refined expressiveness.
The evening’s program includes:
- Principal Brothers No. 1 for solo flute by J. Lee III (written for McGill)
- Poulenc – Flute Sonata
- Doppler – Rigoletto Fantasy
- Bach – Partita in A minor for solo flute
- Borne – Carmen Fantasy
- Saint-Saëns – Odelette, Op. 162
- Kuhlau – Trio in G minor, Op. 13, No. 2
The concert will conclude with a trio performance by McGill, Höskuldsson, and Barker – an energetic and engaging finale to a program that blends lyricism, virtuosity, and collaboration.
Presented as part of The Seattle Series, the event reflects the ensemble’s ongoing commitment to bringing together accomplished artists in thoughtfully curated performances. For flutists, students, and music lovers alike, this concert offers an uncommon opportunity to hear an international lineup in a program crafted for chamber intimacy and shared artistry.
Tickets are now on sale through The Seattle Series website.
