Lorenz Concert lineup announced

The 34^th season of the Philip Lorenz Memorial Keyboard Concerts will begin Sept. 11. All concerts will be held in the Concert Hall in the Music Building. The 2005-06 programs are:

Sunday, Sept. 11,  3 p.m.

VAHAN MARDIROSSIAN

A prize-winning graduate of the Paris Conservatory, Vahan Mardirossian is considered one of Armenia’s leading pianists of the younger generation and described as “pianiste phenomenal” (Le Monde, Paris). His profound artistry has led to international engagements and collaborations with such world-renowned artists as the Russian cellist and conductor, Mstislav Rostropovich, and to a rapidly growing catalogue of recordings including works by Schubert, Händel, Brahms, Bach, and Tanguy. This concert is co-sponsored by the Fresno State Armenian Studies Program.

Sunday, Oct. 9, 3 p.m.

ALEXANDER   KOBRIN
Gold Medalist,
2005 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition

A previous top prize winner of the Busoni, Chopin, and Hamamatsu International Piano Competitions, this young Russian artist has already toured extensively to great acclaim throughout Europe, South America, and Asia. This event also celebrates the 100^th anniversary of the Fresno Musical Club.This concert is co-sponsored by the Fresno Musical Club and the Educational Employees Credit Union.

Friday, Nov. 4, 8 p.m.

GARRICK OHLSSON

Garrick Ohlsson has established himself worldwide as a musician of magisterial interpretive and technical prowess. With a repertoire ranging over the entire piano literature and including some 80 piano concerti, the American artist is recognized for his “tasteful virtuosity, elegant sense of proportion, and the balance between intimacy and declamation” (The New York Times), and he “plays as fast and furiously as any of his peers, but he never forgets to make the piano sing at all dynamic levels” (The Los Angeles Times).

Friday, Jan. 20,  8 p.m.

YUJA WANG

Seventeen-year-old piano sensation Yuja Wang has already performed in numerous major venues across Europe, Asia, and the United States. Recent highlight of her rapidly rising career was her acclaimed debut with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada, where she replaced Radu Lupu performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.4 conducted by Pinchas Zukerman. Born in Beijing, Yuja Wang is currently continuing her studies under Gary Graffman at The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.

Friday, Feb. 24, 8 p.m.

MIHAELA USRULEASA

The unique combination of vivacious playing, highest technical finesse, and lyrical talent makes Mihaela Ursuleasa one of the most remarkable young pianists in today’s piano world. Winner of the prestigious Clara Haskil International Competition at the age of only 16, the Romanian artist has already performed in many of the most prestigious venues including the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, the Cologne Philharmonie, Vienna’s Konzerthaus, the Zürich Tonhalle, and Carnegie Hall in New York.

Sunday, March 12, 3 p.m.

GILLIAN WEIR (organ)

Through her unique career as an internationally acclaimed concert organist, performing world-wide at the major festivals and with leading orchestras and conductors, Gillian Weir is famous as a distinguished musician known for her artistry, virtuosity, and integrity, her reputation extending well beyond the world of organ. In 1996 “the quintessential concert organist” (The American Organist) was created Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth. This concert is co-sponsored by the San Joaquin Valley Chapter, American Guild of Organists.

Thursday, March 30, 8 p.m.

YEFIM BRONFMAN

One of the most talented pianists performing today, the Russian-Israeli-American artist “stands out from  the crowd” (The Boston Globe) and is a “virtuoso, with chops that need fear no comparisons, yet his musicality purges that virtuosity of mere brilliance” (The New York Times). Yefim Bronfman has collaborated with such celebrated conductors as Daniel Barenboim, Herbert Blomstedt, Christoph von Dohnányi, Charles Dutoit, Lorin Maazel, Zubin Mehta, Esa-Pekka Salonen, and David Zinman.

Friday, May 5, 8 p.m.

PASCAL ROGÉ

Born in Paris, Pascal Rogé became an exclusive Decca artist at the age of seventeen. He exemplifies the finest in French pianism and is the winner of many prestigious prizes including two Gramophone Awards, a Grand Prix du Disque, and an Edison Award. His playing is characterized by “subtle gradations of touch, a seemingly hammerless sound production, cultivated pedaling, rhythmic vitality, and, above all, a knowing perception of the composer’s intent” (The Washington Post). This concert is co-sponsored by L’Alliance Française de Fresno.

Season ticket prices are $80 general; $50 seniors and $30 students.
Individual tickets are $12.50 general; $ 7 seniors and $ 5 students
Tickets may be purchased by sending a check to:
Keyboard Concerts
P.O. Box 14162
Fresno, CA 93650