Matthew Lipman is a 2015 Avery Fisher Grant winner, has recorded with Rachel Barton Pine and Sir Neville Marriner. Since graduating from Juilliard Lipman is now on the viola faculty at Sony Brook University and concertizes around the world. His debut CD, Ascent, is in tribute in part to his mother (d. 2014), and commissioned “Metamorfose” from Clarice Assad in her memory. In his conversation with program director John Pitman, Lipman shares stories of how he transitioned from trumpet to viola in grade school; his somewhat awkward first session with his longtime piano partner Henry Kramer; and makes the case that there are enough quality works for his instrument to deflate the inevitable viola jokes. Lipman’s recording is a regular feature of All Classical Portland’s playlist.