Nichols Concert Hall Features CONCERTO EXTRAVAGANZA CONCERT, 5/14

In a unique concert combining the talents of Music Institute of Chicago's "Concerto Divas," pianist Marta Aznavoorian, violinist Desirée Ruhstrat and cellist Wendy Warner perform the top three concertos of the 2010-11 season, as voted on by MIC audiences, Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Accompanying the soloists will be an MIC orchestra of students, faculty, and alumni, conducted by James Setapen.

The program includes:
· Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor by Ludwig van Beethoven, performed by Aznavoorian
· Violin Concerto, Op. 14 by Samuel Barber, performed by Ruhstrat
· Variations on a Rococo Theme by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, performed by Warner
· Fanfare 80 (orchestral premiere) by Mischa Zupko, MIC Composer-in-Residence
"The response from audiences at Nichols Concert Hall has been overwhelming," commented MIC President and CEO Dr. Mark George. "We have received more than a thousand ballots. The quality and charisma of our artist faculty have caught the imagination of the voters. With our amazing soloists and an orchestra of MIC faculty, students and alumni, this will be a truly spectacular concert."

Marta Aznavoorian is a member of MIC's piano faculty and was the top prize winner at the Aspen Music Festival Piano Competition. She has appeared as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, New World Symphony, Aspen Concert Orchestra, San Angelo Symphony and San Diego Symphony. Desiree Ruhstrat is chair of MIC's Strings Department and has appeared as a soloist with orchestras throughout the world, including the Berlin Radio Symphony, Gottingen Symphony, Philharmonia Da Camera, Radio Suisse Romande, Orchestra Symphonica Auguescalientes, Colorado Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Concerto Soloists Of Philadelphia, Chicago Civic Orchestra, Debut Orchestra of Los Angeles and more. She and Aznavoorian also have performed chamber music nationally as members of the Lincoln Trio (with cellist David Cunliffe). MIC faculty member and cellist Wendy Warner is a part of the renowned duo WarnerNuzova. She has performed on prestigious stages including New York's Carnegie Hall, Symphony Hall in Boston, Walt Disney Hall in Los Angeles, Paris' Salle Pleyel and Berlin's Philharmonie.

Tickets for Concerto Extravaganza on Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. at MIC's Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston are $25 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students, available at musicinst.org or 847.905.1500 ext. 108.

ACCLAIMED PACIFICA QUARTET RETURNS MAY 21 TO NICHOLS HALL
Recognized as one of the world's great string quartets, Pacifica Quartet performs an all-Beethoven program on Saturday, May 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston.

Named Musical America's 2009 Ensemble of the Year, the Grammy-winning Pacifica Quartet-violinist Simin Ganatra, violinist Sibbi Bernhardsson, violist Masumi Per Rostad and cellist Brandon Vamos-has achieved international stature as one of the finest chamber ensembles performing today. Shortly after its 1994 formation in California, the Pacifica won top prizes in leading competitions, including the 1998 Naumburg Prize. The Quartet has since received many honors, including appointment to Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center's program for gifted young musicians and Chamber Music America's coveted Cleveland Quartet Award. In 2006 Pacifica received an Avery Fisher Career Grant, becoming only the second chamber music ensemble in the 30-year history of the program to be so honored. Also in 2006, the Quartet was featured on the cover of Gramophone magazine and heralded as one of "five new quartets you should know about," the only American quartet on the list. In 2009 Pacifica was appointed quartet-in-residence at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, following in the footsteps of the Guarneri String Quartet, which held the position for 43 years. Recognized for its virtuosity, exuberant performance style, and daring repertory choices, the Pacifica Quartet tours extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Ardent advocates of contemporary music, the Quartet commissions and performs many new works. In 2009 the Pacifica's recording of Carter's Quartets Nos. 1 and 5 earned them a Grammy Award in Best Chamber Music Performance. Pacifica is Faculty Quartet in Residence at the University of Illinois, and they are also resident performing artists at the University of Chicago and the Longy School in Boston.

Tickets for Pacifica Quartet on Saturday, May 21 at 7:30 p.m. at MIC's Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston are $25 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students, available at musicinst.org or 847.905.1500 ext. 108.

The Music Institute of Chicago (MIC) believes that music has the power to sustain and nourish the human spirit; therefore, our mission is to provide the foundation for lifelong engagement with music. As one of the three largest and most respected community music schools in the nation, MIC's musical excellence is built on the strength of our distinguished faculty, commitment to quality, and breadth of programs and services. Founded in 1931, MIC is one of the oldest community music schools in Illinois. MIC is a member of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts and accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. Each year, our world-class music teachers and arts therapists provide the highest quality arts education to more than 5,000 students of all ability levels, from birth to 100 years of age at campuses in Evanston, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lincolnshire, and Winnetka. MIC also offers lessons and programs at Steinway of Chicago stores in Northbrook and Downers Grove and early childhood and community engagement programs throughout the Chicago area and the North Shore. MIC's Nichols Concert Hall education/performance center, located in downtown Evanston, reaches approximately 14,000 people each year. MIC community engagement and partnership programs reach an additional 6,500 Chicago Public School students annually.

MIC offers lessons, classes, and programs through four distinct areas: Community School, The Academy, Creative Arts Therapy (Institute for Therapy through the Arts), and Nichols Concert Hall.

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.