David Finckel and Wu Han announced as artistic co-directors of South Mountain Concerts

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The South Mountain Concerts in Pittsfield, MA, has announced the appointment of David Finckel and Wu Han as artistic co-directors, effective January 2026.

The cello-piano husband-and-wife duo succeed Lou Steigler, who will retire at the end of 2025 having led the concert series since 1987.

’We are deeply honoured to have been selected to preserve and carry forward the legacy of South Mountain Concerts, said Finckel and Wu Han in a joint statement.

’Having had the privilege to perform on this series more than sixty times between us, we have grown to increasingly value South Mountain’s unwavering commitment to presenting only the finest music performed by the world’s best artists.

’The extraordinary hall, in its unique setting, is admired by musicians worldwide, and the vision of the founder is today more important to revere and sustain than ever before.

’We therefore pledge to honour South Mountain’s traditions and respect the history and quality to which its audience has been accustomed over decades.’

Finckel and Wu Han have served as founders and artistic co-directors of Music@Menlo since its inception in 2003. Earlier this year, the pair announced its decision to step down from their leadership roles following the 2026 festival.

The pair are artistic directors of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS) and also extend their leadership to the Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach and La Musica Chamber Music Festival in Sarasota, where Wu Han serves as artistic director.

Located in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts, South Mountain Concerts was founded in 1918 by Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge. Her 440-seat Concert Hall, built on her mountain property from the timber of an old textile mill, was christened ’The Temple of Chamber Music’ and is noted for its superb acoustics and is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings.

Upcoming highlights for South Mountain Concerts include performances from the Dover Quartet, Escher Quartet, and musicians from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.