Music by Bach, Art by Charlot

MON Sep 11 7:30pm – Paliku Theatre
MON Sep 18 7:30pm – Doris Duke Theatre

Tresemble + Thomas Yee, harpsichord

Pianist Thomas Yee plays the treasured Challis harpsichord with the Tresemble. The unique instrument, now in the collection of the Honolulu Museum of Art, is best known for the original Jean Charlot mural on the lid.

John Rutter – “Suite Antique”
Johann Sebastian Bach – Brandenburg Concerto No. 5

Thomas Yee, Harpsichord
Dr. Thomas Yee is Professor of Music at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Associate Music Department Chair. He has also served on the faculty at the State University of New York at Buffalo. As a chamber musician he is a member of a faculty trio, Trio Xia, and a member of Trio Benetri.

The Challis harpsichord was commissioned by the Honolulu musician Gertrud Künzel Roberts (1906–1995) and for more than forty years, was frequently played by its owner in concert. It is remarkable because of the mural painted on its lid interior by the famous artist and family friend Jean Charlot. His artwork adds considerable value to the musical instrument, and the item has important cultural and social connections to Hawaii. The instrument is now owned by the Honolulu Museum of Art.