Artists

East of the River, founded by internationally-renowned recorder players Nina Stern and Daphna Mor, explores the timeless gems of the Medieval European classical repertory together with virtuosic and haunting melodies of the traditions of the Middle East, Armenia, North Africa and the Balkans. East of the River’s music is arranged and interpreted by musicians whose backgrounds are of classical, Jazz and folk traditions.

 The group has performed on concert series including San Francisco Society for Early Music, Early Music Now (Milwaukee), Madison Early Music Festival, Academy of Early Music (Ann Arbor), Indianapolis Early Music, Five Boroughs Music Festival (New York, NY) Chautauqua Institution, Montclair State University’s Peak Performances, the Logan Series at Penn State Erie, and in New York City venues as varied as Bargemusic, Joe’s Pub, Le Poisson Rouge, and the Brooklyn Public Library. East of the River has been featured on several occasions at WQXR’s annual Chanukah celebration at The Greene Space.

Stern and Mor, called “recorder virtuosos” by The New York Times, each have impressive careers as soloists and chamber music players and have appeared as a duo with the New York Philharmonic, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Music Before 1800, and the world music ensemble Pharoah’s Daughter. In East of the River, Stern and Mor are often joined by renowned performers such as Kane Mathis on oud and kora, Balkan violinist Jesse Kotansky, and percussionists Shane Shanahan and John Hadfield. Other collaborators include virtuoso Turkish kanun player, Tamer Pinarbasi, acclaimed oud player and composer Ara Dinkjian, accordionist Uri Sharlin, oud/bass player Omer Avital and legendary percussionist Glen Velez. East of the River’s various artists have recorded and performed with artists Yo-Yo Ma, Philip Glass, Jordi Savall, Sting, Natalie Merchant, Aerosmith, Simon Shaheen, Joyce DiDonato, and many others.