Cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan and Pianist Christoper Shih to Perform at The Ware Center, 3/27

One of the fastest rising and highly-regarded cellists Narek Hakhnazaryan and dramatic classical pianist Christoper Shih perform together for the first time in an evening featuring the music of Tchaikovsky, Khudoyan, Rachmaninoff, Paganini and Shostakovich.

Narek Hakhnazaryan was awarded the Gold Medal at the 2011 XIV International Tchaikovsky Competition, the most prestigious prize given to a cellist. Already hailed a "seasoned phenom" by the Washington Post, and praised for his "intense focus and expressive artistry" by the New York Times, Hakhnazaryan is emerging as one of the most significant young artists on the world stage.

Narek's recent debuts include featured performances with the London Symphony, Mariinsky Orchestras, the Chicago Symphony, BBC Scottish Symphony, NDR Hamburg, Orchestre symphonique de Quebec, Vienna Chamber, the London Philharmonic, and the Seoul Philharmonic orchestras. His New York concerto debut of the Elgar Concerto was in Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall with the Orchestra of St. Luke's.

In the 12-13 season, Narek appeared with the Rotterdam Philharmonic, the Dallas Symphony, the Kansas City Symphony and the Filarmonica della Scala under Juraj Valcuha. His Summer Festival appearances included a recital at the Ravinia Festival and performances at the Aspen Festival under David Robertson.

Physician and pianist Christopher Shih has a remarkable dual career as both full-time practicing physician at Regional Gastroenterology Associates of Lancaster and actively concertizing pianist.

Hailed by the New York Times as "an intelligent and thoughtful musician," with "effortless performances" and "consummate control," he has performed in major venues in over a dozen countries around the globe, including France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Taiwan, Canada, and multiple cities in the United States.

He has soloed with numerous orchestras, including repeat engagements with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. In 2011, Christopher won the Sixth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs in Fort Worth, Texas. Fourteen years prior to that, he was a press and audience favorite at the professional Tenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

Chris Shih brought the house down and the audience to its feet with his dramatic rendition of "Carnival of the Animals" by Camille Saint-Saëns at the Opening of the Artistic Season of the Ware & Winter Centers last September.

The Music Series at the Ware Center is sponsored by Millersville University, Rodgers & Associates, 12:34 Microtechnologies, Ann B. Barshinger, Fine Living Lancaster Magazine, Dr. Mary Kearns and Dr. Jon Walker, Linda Holman Marcks, Pam & Hugh McGettigan and Peggy Neff.

The concert is followed by a reception with the artists.

Tickets: $23 | $20 seniors | $5 students. Reserved seating. Call 717-872-3811 or 717-871-2308. Online at www.artsmu.com. In person at the Ware Center Box Office (42 N. Prince St., Lancaster) or the SMC building on the MU campus. Tickets may also be purchased the day of the show, one hour prior to the performance. Discount parking vouchers are available for the Prince Street Garage, located at the corner of North Prince Street and West Orange.

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