The Bushnell Announces 2003-2004 Webster Classical Series
Contact: Jennifer Gallagher (860) 987-6082; e-mail: jennifer_gallagher@bushnell.org
April 22, 2003, HARTFORD, CT - The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts is pleased to announce the 2003-2004 Webster Classical Series. The coming season, which marks Webster's third year of sponsorship, features world-renowned soloists and ensembles, as well as some of the world's finest symphony orchestras.
2003-2004 Webster Classical Series
Guarneri String Quartet Arnold Steinhardt, Violinist; John Dalley, Violinist; Michael Tree, Violist; Peter Wiley, Cellist David Soyer, Guest Cellist Sunday, October 19, 2003 3:00 p.m. Belding Theater For chamber music lovers, the Guarneri String Quartet ranks among the finest ensembles in the world. Renowned for combining virtuoso technique with the beauty and balance demanded of a world-class chamber group, the ensemble "has no superior on the world's stages" (New York Times). Founded in 1964, the Guarneri String Quartet has circled the globe countless times, playing the world's most prestigious halls. With the addition of eminent cellist Peter Wiley, protégé of the Quartet's original cellist, David Soyer, the ensemble is quite simply, "as good as it gets" (Miami Herald). For this special performance, which is part of the Quartet's 40th Anniversary Tour, Soyer will return and join the Quartet in a performance of Schubert's Cello Quintet.
Moscow State Radio Symphony Orchestra Navah Perlman, Pianist Friday, January 16, 2004 8:00 p.m. Mortensen Hall Program: Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2 and Piano Concerto No. 2 Formed in 1978 during the Brezhnev era, the Moscow State Radio Symphony Orchestra was created to fill a need for the symphonic repertoire of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Today, the Orchestra plays all over the world, in addition to maintaining its own 36-week long subscription series in Moscow. Their performance at The Bushnell will feature renowned pianist Navah Perlman, who is known for her lyrical eloquence on the stage. Daughter of famed violinist Itzhak Perlman, she has established herself as one of the most poetic and admired pianists of her generation and has performed to critical acclaim in major concert venues throughout North America, Europe and Asia.
Barbara Bonney, In Recital Tuesday, February 10, 2004 7:30 p.m. Belding Theater American-born Barbara Bonney is one of the world's most accomplished lyric sopranos, widely recognized as an exceptional recital and concert artist. She has been praised for her clear, radiant tone, interpretative gifts and stylish versatility in a broad repertoire that ranges from the Baroque to music from the 20th century. She leads the field in her chosen repertory of roles by Mozart and Richard Strauss and is known throughout the world as one of the finest Lieder and concert performers of her generation.
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Mariss Jansons, Music Director Thursday, March 18, 2004 7:30 p.m. Mortensen Hall Program: Stravinsky's Firebird Suite and Beethoven's Symphony No. 8 "Nothing short of extraordinary," is how critics have described the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's music director, Mariss Jansons. Audiences the world over have agreed. Whether at the Orchestra's home in Pittsburgh Symphony Heinz Hall, in New York's Carnegie Hall or on the stages of the grand concert halls of Europe, Jansons has captured the hearts of millions of listeners everywhere and brought audiences to their feet around the globe. The Bushnell is proud to host the Pittsburgh Symphony during Jansons' farewell tour before he takes the helm of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam. HSO Music Director Edward Cumming, who was Pittsburgh's Resident Conductor prior to moving to Hartford, will conduct a pre-concert talk.
David Finckel and Wu Han Thursday, April 15, 2004 7:30 p.m. Belding Theater David Finckel and Wu Han have emerged as one of the most popular cello-piano duos in the world. With praise from the press and their audiences, their success has placed them in the top rank of international musicians. David Finckel is best known as the cellist for the Emerson String Quartet, the Hartt School's resident quartet for more than 20 years. The couple first met at the Hartt School, where Wu Han, whose fiery and exhilarating performance style has won her fans all over the world, was a student. She entered the Emerson String Quartet Competition - the first year of the competition - with the Schumann Quintet. Wu Han won both the competition and the admiration of Finckel. Now, more than 20 years later, their repertoire spans the entire literature for cello and piano, with an equal emphasis on the classics and contemporary music. Their recitals now feature a growing number of works written specifically for them.
Ticket Information - * Current subscribers will receive their renewal packages in the mail in May, with information on how to keep their same seats at the subscription rate. * If you're not currently a subscriber and are interested in a subscription, please call The Bushnell Box Office at 860-987-5900. In June, new subscription orders will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis after all renewing subscribers have been accommodated. * Individual tickets for shows in the Webster Classical Series go on sale to the public in August.