Winners of the 2008 Master Players International Competition in Venice, Italy, the Chicago-based Lincoln Trio—Desirée Ruhstrat, violin, David Cunliffe, cello, and Marta Aznavoorian, piano—have been described by The Strad as "sensational...bewitching."

Formed in 2003, the Lincoln Trio takes its name from its home, the heartland of the United States, "land of Lincoln." The trio has been praised for its polished presentations of well-known chamber works and its ability to forge new paths with contemporary repertoire. The group's reputation as a first-rate ensemble draws an eclectic audience of sophisticated music lovers, young admirers of contemporary programs, and students discovering chamber music for the first time. Bringing together performing experience spanning the globe, all three members are artists of international renown. Violinist Desirée Ruhstrat has performed throughout the US and Europe, appearing at the White House and performing on live radio broadcast heard around the world with the Berlin Radio Orchestra; cellist David Cunliffe has performed with the BBC and Royal Scottish orchestras as well as touring as a member of the Balanescu Quartet; pianist Marta Aznavoorian has appeared with the Chicago Symphony and at the Kennedy Center and the Sydney Opera House.

Appearing throughout the United States, including Carnegie's Weil Hall, Ravinia Festival, the Indianapolis Beethoven Chamber Music Series, Lane Concert Series, University of Chicago, Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series, Music in the Loft, Poisson Rouge, the Trio was chosen to celebrate the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial celebration with President Barack Obama in Springfield, Illinois. Frequent guests of classical radio stations, in December of 2011 the Lincoln Trio celebrated the 60th Anniversary of WFMT and presented a LIVE world premiere broadcast from the Chicago Cultural Center. Other appearances include SiriusXM Radio New York, WQXR, WWFM and WTTW Arts across Illinois.

Champions of new music, the Lincoln Trio have performed numerous compositions written especially for them, including premieres of seven works by members of the Chicago Composers Consortium, Ravinia commissioned works for the Lincoln Bicentennial, Mischa Zupko, and most recently an award-winning work by young ASCAP winner Conrad Tao. This passion led the Lincoln Trio to their first full length recording, Notable Women released on the Cedille Label August 2011, which featured Grammy and Pulitzer prize-winning composer Jennifer Higdon, Joan Tower, Lera Auerbach, Stacy Garrop, Augusta Read Thomas, and Laura Schwendinger. The CD has received numerous accolades including NAXOS CD of the Month, Baker and Taylor CD Hotlist, Byzantion Recording of the month, TPR Classical Spotlighted album, WQXR/Q2 Music Album of the week, and UK Observer Hidden Gems of 201; Alex Ross of the New Yorker listed them on his "Nightafternight playlist for summer's end." As staunch proponents of music education, the Lincoln Trio are in-residence at the acclaimed Music Institute of Chicago and have given residencies at San Francisco State University and the University of Wisconsin Madison. As recipients of the 2011 prestigious Young Performers Career Advancement Award, the trio performed throughout the US and traveled to Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Germany, and Colombia, South America in 2011-12.

Visit their website for more information: www.lincolntrio.com