High Desert Chamber Music’s Celebrity Recitals return for 2026 season

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Renowned Cellist Peter Wiley and pianist Anna Polonsky will return to Central Oregon to perform High Desert Chamber Music's Celebrity Recitals on April 20, 2026, in Bend.

The program includes a selection of works: Beethoven's Variations on The Magic Flute, Schubert's Arpeggione Sonata and Rachmaninoff's Sonata in G minor, Op. 19.

The upcoming performance marks the return of the artists to Central Oregon after their appearance on the High Desert Chamber Music Concert Series in 2017. High Desert Chamber Music is currently in its eighteenth season of bringing classical music to the community.

Isabelle Senger, executive Director for High Desert Chamber Music, expressed enthusiasm for the musicians' return. "We are delighted to welcome Wiley and Polonsky back to Central Oregon," Senger said. "Their previous visit left a lasting impression on our audience and this return—made possible through long-standing artistic relationships—highlights the kind of meaningful connections that continue to shape our Concert Series and bring extraordinary music to our community."

Wiley was a member of the Beaux Arts Trio from 1987 to 1998. He later succeeded his teacher, David Soyer, as cellist of the Guarneri String Quartet from 2001 to 2009.

Wiley is an Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient and has been nominated twice for Grammy Awards. He was accepted into the Curtis Institute of Music at age 13 and became principal cellist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra at 20.

During his tenure with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Wiley connected with Phillip Ruder, who is now a Bend resident and an advisory board member for High Desert Chamber Music. Ruder helped facilitate Wiley's visit to Central Oregon nearly a decade ago.

Pianist Polonsky is sought after as both a soloist and chamber musician. She is a recipient of a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship and the Andrew Wolf Chamber Music Award. Polonsky made her solo debut at age 7 in Moscow. She later continued her studies at the Curtis Institute of Music and The Juilliard School.

High Desert Chamber Music's mission is to bring exceptional chamber music and musicians to Central Oregon. The organization presents an acclaimed series of classical chamber music concerts that feature a roster of professional performing artists.

Tickets for the Celebrity Recital are available through High Desert Chamber Music online, by phone or in person at their office located in Downtown Bend. Title sponsorship for the event is provided by Pahlisch Homes, Newberry Hotel, Cascade A&E, Central Oregon Daily and Combined Communications.