The Zandieh Trio Performs Live at Oyster Bay Music Festival

The Zandieh Trio and their father performing Charles' first composition (screenshot from the live stream)

The Zandieh Trio Performs Live at Oyster Bay Music Festival

On Sunday night, the Oyster Bay Music Festival hosted a live concert at Heckscher Park in Huntington, New York. The Festival is thrilled to be able to hold performances again this summer, their tenth anniversary. The OBMF has also been live-streaming many of the concerts for those who would still prefer an at-home experience.  

As my family settled in on our picnic blanket facing the Chapin Rainbow Stage on Sunday, sprinklers suddenly showered over us and other members of the audience. It gave the gathered group of strangers a chance to share a laugh and feel together as we repositioned to dry spots of grass.   

The Zandieh Trio’s Concert

Performing that night was The Zandieh Trio, three brothers who have all trained at Julliard. They painted the park with spectacular sound from sunset until fireflies were warming the dark night with their glow. 

Cameron excelling at violin and Christopher accompanying him on piano (Photo Credit: Jeff Rothburd)

Cameron Zandieh excelling at violin and Christopher accompanying him on piano (Photo Credit: Jeff Rothburd)

The dozen pieces they played began with the eldest brother Cameron showcasing his immense talent on the violin, alongside an accompaniment on piano from his youngest brother Christopher. 

Next Christopher played Frédéric Chopin’s “The Revolutionary Étude.” His later performance of Franz Liszt’s “Mazeppa” was absolutely breathtaking. You need some incredible hands to be able to play like him! 

Christopher Zandieh dominating the piano (Photo Credit: Jeff Rothburd)

Christopher Zandieh dominating the piano (Photo Credit: Jeff Rothburd)

Next, Charles Zandieh, with piano accompaniment from Christopher, performed on cello “The Swan,” one of Camille Saint-Saëns 14 vignettes from “The Carnival of the Animals.” His playing emulated the natural beauty and grace of a swan, and his manner demonstrated his connection to and respect for the instrument. 

The fourth piece was a trio by composer Astor Piazzolla during which the three brothers displayed the synergy of their skills in a gorgeous piece of music. 

First Composition by Charles

Charles Zandieh on cello (Photo Credit: Jeff Rothburd)

Charles Zandieh on cello (Photo Credit: Jeff Rothburd)

Charles showcased his own composed piece for the audience that night, and it was wonderful. Covid allowed the cellist some time to explore composition for the first time in his life. He wrote his “clarinet quartet” for piano, violin, cello, and clarinet because those are the instruments he, his brothers, and his father play. 

“I really aimed for a high classical, high romantic style. So it emulates composer styles like Beethoven and Schubert,” Charles described.

The Zandieh father playing his clarinet to his son's piece (Photo Credit: Jeff Rothburd)

The Zandieh father playing his clarinet to his son’s piece (Photo Credit: Jeff Rothburd)

The family performed the first two movements of the four-movement piece and received a well-deserved standing ovation from the crowd. The Zandiehs were passionate while performing, enhancing the already beautifully crafted composition.  

Watch these brothers play their instruments like extensions of their own bodies!

Learn More about the Zandieh Trio.  

Listen to Cameron’s single “I Don’t.”  

Find more of Jeff Rothburd’s photography here.

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