Classical Sunday: Russian Folk & American Jazz — Miriam K. Smith × Ming-Li Liu

Programming is one of the most personal parts of being a musician. For Miriam K. Smith, it begins with choosing music she truly loves—pieces that each reveal a little of her own personality and musical identity.

“My hope is that the audience will feel as if they know me at least a little bit by the end of the concert, even though we may have never spoken a word to each other.”

For this Classical Sunday, Miriam joins Ming-Li Liu in a program that travels across cultures and musical traditions, from works inspired by traditional Russian folk songs to music shaped by the sounds and spirit of American jazz.

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, Miriam also wanted to highlight composers who found inspiration in distinctly American sounds. The program moves through jazz and folk influences from around the world before reaching back into the rich tradition of some of Russia’s great composers.Jazz and traditional folk music are among Miriam’s own favorite genres to listen to, making this a particularly personal program—and one she is excited to bring to life for the first time in Palo Alto

Program

In the Style of Albéniz (based on Isaac Albeniz’s Tango No.2 from Suite Espinosa, Op. 65)

Rodion Shchedrin (1932-2025) 

Sonata for Cello and Piano in C Minor, Op. 

I. Allegro ma non troppo 

II. Adagio. Presto 

III. Allegro appassionato 

Samuel Barber (1910-1981) 

Scandinavian Suite 

I. Air et danse suédoise 

II. Vermelandsvisa 

III. Polska norvégien 

IV. Mélodie danoise 

V. Air et finale sur des danses norvégiennes 

Percy Grainger (1882-1961) 

Burlesque for Cello and Piano, Op. 97 

Nikolai Kapustin (1937-2020) 

Intermission 

Sonata for Piano and Cello in G minor, Op. 19 

I. Lento - Allegro moderato 

II. Allegro scherzando 

III. Andante 

IV. Allegro mosso 

Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) 

Zapateado Op. 23 No. 2 

Pablo de Sarasate (1844-1908)

Artists Bio Miriam K. Smith — Cello

Cellist Miriam K. Smith made her concerto debut at age eight and has since appeared as a soloist with the Cincinnati Symphony, Louisville Orchestra, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Youngstown Symphony, Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, and many others.

Her international recognition includes being a finalist in the 2026 Khachaturian Cello Competition in Armenia, a semifinalist in the 2024 Naumburg Cello Competition in New York, and appearances at the 2025 Prague Spring Competition and 2025 Isang Yun Competition in South Korea. She is also a 2024 YoungArts winner and recipient of the 2023 MacDowell Society Artist Grant.

An active recitalist and chamber musician, Miriam has performed throughout the United States and released three acclaimed albums: Kodály and Momentum on Azica Records, and Flair on MSR Classics.

Based in Cincinnati, Miriam studies with Alan Rafferty and performs on an 18th-century cello. Beyond the concert hall, she practices ballet and holds a blue belt in krav maga. https://miriamksmith.com

https://www.instagram.com/miriamksmithcello/ Ming-Li Liu — Piano Pianist Ming-Li Liu has been praised for her charismatic and passionate performances across the United States and Taiwan. A winner of the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) Concerto Competition, she performed Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 with the CCM Orchestra and has also received prizes at the Wideman International Piano Concerto Competition and several competitions in Taiwan.

An accomplished chamber musician and collaborative pianist, Liu has performed at the Indianapolis Violin Competition and Naumburg Competition and was named “Best Collaborative Pianist” at the Winstead Woodwind Competition. She has collaborated with artists including Nobuko Imai, the Ariel Quartet, Kronos Quartet, and musicians from leading American orchestras.

Liu is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance at CCM on full scholarship, where she previously earned master’s degrees in both piano performance and collaborative piano.