Romances for Cello and Piano: A House Concert in The Heights

Join us for Romances, an intimate evening of cello and piano music presented in a relaxed house-concert setting in Houston's Heights neighborhood. Enjoy exceptional live performance alongside food, drinks, engaging stories, and great company.

This program pairs two of the great Romantic sonatas for cello and piano — César Franck's beloved Sonata in A major and Sergei Rachmaninoff's sweeping Sonata in G minor, Op. 19 — an evening of deep lyricism, warmth, and emotional range.

Date: Thursday, May 14th, 2026
Time: Doors open at 6:45 PM | Performance begins at 7:30PM
Location: 1322 Rutland St., Houston, TX 77008
Suggested Donation: $30 per person — proceeds go directly to the musicians and include dinner and drinks.

César Franck — Sonata in A major Allegretto ben moderato · Allegro · Ben moderato: Recitativo-Fantasia · Allegretto poco mosso

Sergei Rachmaninoff — Sonata in G minor, Op. 19 Lento – Allegro moderato · Allegro scherzando · Andante · Allegro mosso

Plus a surprise encore or two...

🎶 Inspiring Performances
Experience profound artistry in a comfortable and intimate setting.

🍽️ Potluck Gathering
Bring a dish or bottle to share and contribute to the evening’s communal spirit. Contributions are welcome but not required.

💬 A Personal Touch
Gain insight as the artists share brief reflections and stories about the pieces they perform.

🤝 Community and Connection
Engage with fellow music lovers and the artists in a relaxed, friendly environment that fosters a genuine sense of community.

David Dietz, Cello
Cellist David Dietz has performed across North America, Europe, and Asia as both performer and educator. His belief in classical music's power to strengthen communities drives projects spanning kindergarten classrooms to concert halls. Recent highlights include community concerts in the Houston Public Library system with Trio Menil and recitals at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Beijing's Central Conservatory of Music.

Chamber music is the heart of David's artistic practice. He is co-founder and Artistic Director of the Houston Music Festival, now in its third season, which reimagines chamber music through interdisciplinary collaboration with artists such as pianist Jon Kimura Parker, poet Outspoken Bean, and Xuan Films. He is also a founding member of Trio Menil, Grand Prizewinner at the 2023 Plowman Chamber Music Competition. Upcoming highlights include recitals with Jonathan Mak in Texas and Indiana, a piano trio tour with Mary Grace Johnson and Chelsea de Souza, and a performance with Brooklyn Rider.

David serves on the faculty of Lone Star College–University Park as Adjunct Instructor of Cello and maintains a robust private studio. He regularly appears in Houston classrooms and has given masterclasses at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, American Festival of the Arts, and Opus 1 Chamber Music School.

Jonathan Mak, Piano
Winner of the 2024 inaugural Concours international de musique de Sorel-Tracy, pianist Jonathan Mak made his orchestra debut at age 4 and has since appeared as guest soloist with numerous orchestras, most notably the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. Recent accomplishments include Grand Prize at the 2023 Bader & Overton Canadian Piano Competition, Grand Prize at the 2023 Plowman Chamber Music Competition with Trio Menil, First Prize at the 2024 Tuesday Musical Club's Young Artists Competition, and participation in the 16th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

Named one of CBC's 30 hot Canadian classical musicians under 30, Jonathan is a recipient of the Canada Council for the Arts–Michael Measures Award, the Sylva Gelber Music Foundation Award, and the 2023 Walter Prystawski Prize. He has performed at Bravo! Vail, Festival of the Sound, Ottawa Chamberfest, and the Edinburgh International Festival, and is an alumnus of DACAMERA's Young Artist Program.

Jonathan is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts at Rice University with Jon Kimura Parker. He holds a Master's of Music and Master's of Musical Arts from the Yale School of Music (Boris Slutsky) and a Bachelor's from the Cleveland Institute of Music (Daniel Shapiro), with minors in viola and German.

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