Piatigorsky International Cello Festival

March 18, 2012

Workshop for Young Cellists

09:30 AM | Thayer Hall/Colburn

Internationally recognized artist Antonio Lysy leads a free workshop for young, emerging cellists between the ages of 12 and 18. Lysy will work with students to prepare for a morning concert at Colburn’s Thayer Hall.

The workshop is open to cellists in two age groups: ages 12-15 and 16-18. To participate, post an audition video to YouTube by January 19, 2012 and send the link via email to: celloworkshop2012@gmail.com. A select number of participants will be chosen to perform as part of the mass cello ensemble during the festival’s closing concert later that evening at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

The event is free. Seating is first-come, first-served. To learn more about the audition requirements and to download sheet music, please click here.

Underwritten by Michel Levesque & Patricia Eastman Levesque.

Master Recital: Beethoven Plus

12:00 PM | Herbert Zipper Concert Hall/Colburn

In the final recital of the festival, five renowned cellists perform extraordinary works for cello. The recital begins will Antonio Lysy, accompanied by pianist Antoinette Perry, performing Beethoven’s E-flat variations, Bei Männern and Golijov’s Omararmor. Evan Drachman, also accompanied by Perry, will perform the Haydn-composed, Piatigorsky-arranged piece Divertimento as well as Piatigorsky’s Prayer. Nathaniel Rosen, with narrator John Rubinstein, showcases Beglarian’s whimsical work, Of Fables, Foibles and Fancies; Andrew Shulman, with pianist Jeffrey Kahane, finishes the afternoon with Beethoven’s Sonata in C Major, Op. 102, No. 1.

Repertoire

Beethoven: E-flat variations, Bei Männern, Antonio Lysy & Antoinette Perry (piano)

Golijov: Omaramor

Haydn/Piatigorsky: Divertimento, Evan Drachman & Antoinette Perry (piano)

Piatigorsky: Prayer

Beglarian: Of Fables, Foibles, and Fancies, Nathaniel Rosen & John Rubinstein (narrator)

Beethoven: Sonata in C Major Op.102, No.1, Andrew Shulman & Jeffrey Kahane (piano)

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

L.A. Philharmonic Concert: Weilerstein plays Tchaikovsky
& Respighi

02:00 PM | Walt Disney Concert Hall

Alisa Weilerstein performs Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations, and Respighi’s Adagio con Variazioni with the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Neeme Järvi. The program also includes Dvořák’s Carnival Overture and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5.

Repertoire

Dvořák: Carnival Overture

Tchaikovsky: Rococo Variations, Alisa Weilerstein

Respighi: Adagio con Variazioni

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

Closing Concert

07:30 PM | Walt Disney Concert Hall

The closing concert of the festival brings together over 100 cellists from Los Angeles music schools and outstanding orchestras, master class students from around the world, and many of the celebrated visiting artists. The Mass Cello Ensemble, conducted by Courtney Lewis, will perform works by Bach and Rouse.

In addition, the evening includes a final evening of exemplary performances. Ronald Leonard, with pianist Kevin Fitz-Gerald, performs Moór’s Prelude and Tortelier’s Sonata Breve. Mischa Maisky, with pianist Rina Dokshitsky, performs Rachmaninov’s Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14 and Élégie in E Minor, Op. 3, No. 1. Steven Isserlis, with pianist Connie Shih, performs Fauré’s Cello Sonata No. 2 and Adès’ Lieux Retrouvés. Laurence Lesser, Nathaniel Rosen, Jeffery Solow, and Raphael Wallfisch perform Stravinsky’s Suite Italienne as arranged by Gregor Piatigorsky.

Repertoire

Émanuel Moór: Prelude, Ronald Leonard & Kevin Fitz-Gerald (piano)

Tortelier: Sonata Breve

Rachmaninov: Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14, Mischa Maisky & Rina Dokshitsky (piano)

Rachmaninov: Elegie in E Minor Op. 3, No. 1

Fauré: Cello Sonata No. 2, Steven Isserlis & Connie Shih (piano)

Adès: Lieux Retrouvés

Stravinsky/Piatigorsky: Suite Italienne, Laurence Lesser, Nathaniel Rosen, Jeffrey Solow, Raphael Wallfisch

Bach: Air on a G String, Mass Cello Ensemble; Courtney Lewis, conductor

Rouse: Rapturedux

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

March 17, 2012

Master Class with Steven Isserlis

10:00 AM | Herbert Zipper Concert Hall/Colburn

Celebrated British concert cellist Steven Isserlis leads a cello master class on Saturday morning. Underwritten by the Los Angeles Philanthropic Committee for the Arts.

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

Master Class with Frans Helmerson

01:00 PM | Herbert Zipper Concert Hall/Colburn

Frans Helmerson hosts the final master class of the festival in the Herbert Zipper Concert Hall. Underwritten by the Los Angeles Philanthropic Committee for the Arts.

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

L.A. Philharmonic Concert: Maisky plays Shostakovich

08:00 PM | Walt Disney Concert Hall

Mischa Maisky performs Shostakovich’s Concerto No. 1 and Tchaikovsky’s Lensky’s Aria with the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Neeme Järvi. The program also includes Dvořák’s Carnival Overture and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5.

Repertoire

Dvořák: Carnival Overture

Shostakovich: Concerto No. 1, Mischa Maisky

Tchaikovsky: Lensky’s Aria

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

March 16, 2012

Thornton Recital

01:00 PM | Herbert Zipper Concert Hall/Colburn

USC Thornton School of Music cellists present a recital of cello works at the Herbert Zipper Concert Hall in The Colburn School.

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

Master Class with Ronald Leonard

03:00 PM | Herbert Zipper Concert Hall/Colburn

Renowned cellist Ronald Leonard hosts a master class at the Herbert Zipper Concert Hall. Underwritten by the Los Angeles Philanthropic Committee for the Arts.

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

Prelude Series: Great Cellists of the Past

06:00 PM | Herbert Zipper Concert Hall/Colburn

Laurence Lesser, L.A. native and president emeritus of the New England Conservatory of Music, presents an engaging exploration of the feats and personalities of famous cellists from the past.

Free with proof of purchase of a festival pass or ticket for “Remembering Piatigorsky.” Seating is first-come, first-served.

Remembering Piatigorsky

07:30 PM | Herbert Zipper Concert Hall/Colburn

Six of Piatigorsky’s outstanding former students, Terry King, Laurence Lesser, Mischa Maisky, Nathaniel Rosen, Jeffrey Solow, and Raphael Wallfisch together with his grandson Evan Drachman, celebrate the career of their great teacher through film and discussion.

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

March 15, 2012

Colburn Recital

01:00 PM | Alfred Newman Recital Hall/USC

Cellists from The Colburn School are welcomed to the USC campus to perform an afternoon of exceptional cello works.

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

Master Class with Lynn Harrell

03:00 PM | Alfred Newman Recital Hall/USC

A consummate soloist, chamber musician, recitalist, conductor, and teacher, renowned cellist Lynn Harrell’s work throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia has placed him in the highest echelon of today’s performing artists. In this master class at Alfred Newman Recital Hall, Harrell will replace Patrick Demenga, who is unable to attend the festival. Underwritten by the Los Angeles Philanthropic Committee for the Arts.

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

L.A. Philharmonic Concert: Kirshbaum plays Dvořák

08:00 PM | Walt Disney Concert Hall

Piatigorsky Festival artistic director Ralph Kirshbaum performs Dvořák’s Cello Concerto with the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Neeme Järvi. The program also includes Dvořák’s Carnival Overture and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5.

Repertoire

Dvořák: Carnival Overture

Dvořák: Cello Concerto, Ralph Kirshbaum

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

March 14, 2012

Master Class with Jeffrey Solow

11:00 AM | Herbert Zipper Concert Hall/Colburn

American cellist and former Piatigorsky student/assistant Jeffrey Solow leads a master class at the Hebert Zipper Concert Hall. Underwritten by the Los Angeles Philanthropic Committee for the Arts.

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

Master Class with Gary Hoffman

03:00 PM | Herbert Zipper Concert Hall/Colburn

International cello soloist and pedagogue Gary Hoffman leads this master class. Underwritten by the Los Angeles Philanthropic Committee for the Arts.

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

Prelude Series: The L.A. Cello Society

06:00 PM | Thayer Hall/Colburn

Cellists from the L.A. Cello Society join together for an evening recital.

Free with proof of purchase of a festival pass or ticket for “Master Recital: Perényi & Wang.” Seating is first-come, first-served.

Master Recital: Perényi & Wang

07:30 PM | Herbert Zipper Concert Hall/Colburn

Wednesday’s recital features a world premiere performance by Hungarian cellist Miklós Perényi of his own composition, Solo Cello Work. Perényi will also perform Ligeti’s Solo Sonata and Kodály’s Solo Sonata, Op. 8. Rounding out the evening, Jian Wang and pianist Rina Dokshitsky perform Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata and Franck’s Sonata.

Repertoire

Ligeti: Solo Sonata, Miklós Perényi

Perényi: Solo Work (World Premiere)

Kodály: Solo Sonata, Op. 8

Schubert: Arpeggione Sonata, Jian Wang & Rina Dokshitsky (piano)

Franck: Sonata

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

March 13, 2012

Master Class with Raphael Wallfisch

11:00 AM | Alfred Newman Recital Hall/USC

Raphael Wallfisch, a celebrated British cellist and professor of cello, leads this master class. Underwritten by the Los Angeles Philanthropic Committee for the Arts.

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

Master Class with Thomas Demenga

03:00 PM | Alfred Newman Recital Hall/USC

Cellist and composer Thomas Demenga leads a master class in USC’s Alfred Newman Recital Hall. Underwritten by the Los Angeles Philanthropic Committee for the Arts.

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

Prelude Series: Pain-Free Cello Playing

06:00 PM | Simon Ramo Recital Hall/USC

Victor Sazer, author of New Directions in Cello Playing, is a renowned Los Angeles cellist and pedagogue. In this talk he introduces the principles of body movement and the techniques to assure healthy performance habits.

Free with proof of purchase of a festival pass or ticket for “Master Recital: Hoffman & Helmerson.” Seating is first-come, first-served.

Master Recital: Hoffman & Helmerson

07:30 PM | Alfred Newman Recital Hall/USC

The third recital of the Piatigorsky Festival brings together two celebrated cellists for invigorating performances of classical cello works. Gary Hoffman, accompanied by pianist Rina Dokshitsky, performs Bernstein’s Meditations, Bloch’s From Jewish Life, and Boellmann’s Sonata. Swedish cellist Frans Helmerson, with USC Thornton faculty member Bernadene Blaha on piano, performs Elegy by Fauré and Sonata by Prokofiev.

Repertoire

Bernstein: Meditations, Gary Hoffman & Rina Dokshitsky (piano)

Bloch: From Jewish Life

Boellmann: Sonata

Fauré: Elegy, Frans Helmerson & Bernadene Blaha (piano)

Prokofiev: Sonata

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

March 12, 2012

Master Class with Nathaniel Rosen

11:00 AM | Alfred Newman Recital Hall/USC

Former USC Thornton faculty member and Piatigorsky student/assistant Nathaniel Rosen hosts a cello master class. Underwritten by the Los Angeles Philanthropic Committee for the Arts.

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

Master Class with Miklós Perényi

03:00 PM | Alfred Newman Recital Hall/USC

Internationally lauded Hungarian cellist Miklós Perényi presents a master class at the Alfred Newman Recital Hall. Underwritten by the Los Angeles Philanthropic Committee for the Arts.

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

Prelude Series: The Repertoire of Piatigorsky

06:00 PM | Simon Ramo Recital Hall/USC

Terry King, master musician, scholar, and former protégé of Gregor Piatigorsky, explores Piatigorsky’s extensive repertoire.

Free with proof of purchase of a festival pass or ticket for “Master Recital: the Piatigorsky Legacy.” Seating is first-come, first-served.

Master Recital: the Piatigorsky Legacy

07:30 PM | Alfred Newman Recital Hall/USC

Monday’s recital couples world-renowned cellists with celebrated pianists for a unique evening of exemplary performances. Nathaniel Rosen, with pianist Ayke Agus, begins the concert with Milhaud’s Concerto No. 1. Laurence Lesser, with USC Thornton faculty member Bernadene Blaha on piano, performs Sonata, Op. 6 by Strauss, followed by Lekeu’s Sonata in G Minor performed by British cellist Raphael Wallfisch and USC Thornton faculty member and pianist Kevin Fitz-Gerald. The recital concludes with three works performed by Jeffery Solow and Ayke Agus: Davidoff’s At the Fountain as well as two pieces arranged by Piatigorsky, Boccherini’s Sontata in C Major and Prokofiev’s Masques.

Repertoire

Milhaud: Concerto No. 1, Nathaniel Rosen & Ayke Agus (piano)

Strauss: Sonata, Op. 6, Laurence Lesser & Bernadene Blaha (piano)

Lekeu: Sonata in G Minor, Raphael Wallfisch & Kevin Fitz-Gerald (piano)

Boccherini arr. Piatigorsky: Sonata in C Major, Jeffrey Solow & Ayke Agus (piano)

Prokofiev arr. Piatigorsky: Masques

Davidoff: At the Fountain

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

March 11, 2012

Master Class with Jean-Guihen Queyras

11:00 AM | Herbert Zipper Concert Hall/Colburn

Illustrious French cellist Jean-Guigen Queyras leads a master class in Herbert Zipper Concert Hall. Underwritten by the Los Angeles Philanthropic Committee for the Arts.

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

Master Class with Laurence Lesser

03:00 PM | Herbert Zipper Concert Hall/Colburn

Former Piatigorsky student and New England Conservatory president emeritus Laurence Lesser hosts a cello master class. Underwritten by the Los Angeles Philanthropic Committee for the Arts.

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

Prelude Series: An Overview of the Bach Cello Suites, presented by Tim Page

06:00 PM | Herbert Zipper Concert Hall/Colburn

Bach’s Cello Suites are timeless and powerfully intimate. You’ve heard them countless times, but how well do you know them? Hear them as if for the first time through this new introduction.

Free with proof of purchase of a festival pass or ticket for “The Six Bach Cello Suites.” Seating is first-come, first-served.

The Six Bach Cello Suites

07:00 PM | Herbert Zipper Concert Hall/Colburn

A unique opportunity to hear the six solo suites of Bach performed by six different cellists, all of whom over many years have lived with, taught, performed and recorded these core masterpieces. Underwritten by the Mari & Edmund D. Edelman Foundation.

Repertoire

Suite I, Ronald Leonard

Suite II, Frans Helmerson

Suite III, Jian Wang

Suite IV, Thomas Demenga

Suite V, Miklós Perényi

Suite VI, Jean-Guihen Queyras

Tickets

To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

March 10, 2012

Master Class with Jian Wang

11:00 a.m. | Alfred Newman Recital Hall/USC

World-renowned cellist Jian Wang will host the first of many master classes to be held throughout the Piatigorsky Festival. Underwritten by the Los Angeles Philanthropic Committee for the Arts.

Tickets
To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

Master Class with Ralph Kirshbaum

3:00 p.m. | Alfred Newman Recital Hall/USC

Piatigorsky International Cello Festival artistic director Ralph Kirshbaum will lead students in a master class. Underwritten by the Los Angeles Philanthropic Committee for the Arts.

Tickets
To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

Prelude Series: Narek Hakhnazaryan

6:00 p.m. | Alfred Newman Recital Hall/USC

Narek Hakhnazaryan, 2011 gold medal-winner at the prestigious International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, is joined by pianist Rina Dokshitsky in Shostakovich’s Sonata in D Minor, Op. 40 and Tchaikovsky’s Pezzo Capriccioso, Op. 62.

Free with proof of purchase of a festival pass or ticket for “Master Recital: Queyras & the Demengas.” Seating is first-come, first-served.

Master Recital: Queyras & Demenga

7:30 p.m. | Alfred Newman Recital Hall/USC

In the first recital of the festival, French cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras will perform two cello suites: Cassado’s Suite for Solo Cello and Britten’s Suite No. 1. Internationally acclaimed cellist Thomas Demenga and pianist Robert Thies will perform a series of cello works by Bach, Chopin, Tsintsadze, and Webern as well as solo pieces by Tsintsadze and T. Demenga.

(Please note: Patrick Demenga, previously scheduled to appear with his brother Thomas, will not be able to attend the festival.)
Underwritten by J. & A. Beare.

March 09, 2012

Opening Concert of Piatigorsky Festival

7:30 p.m. | Bovard Auditorium/USC

The opening concert of the festival presents seven distinguished international artists appearing in an evening of diverse cello concertos. Coming Together, the title of the concert, is an underlying theme of this festival. Indeed, the concert features a Festival Orchestra led by the principal players of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra partnered with some of the finest students from the USC Thornton School of Music and The Colburn School.

Led by the conductor Hugh Wolff, who began his conducting career as an assistant and protégé of the great Russian cellist and conductor Mstislav Rostropovich, the Festival Orchestra will accompany seven leading international cellists in a wide-ranging evening of concertos, including Antonio Lysy and Peter Stumpf performing Vivaldi’s Double Concerto, Miklós Perényi performing C.P.E. Bach’s Concerto in A Minor, Jian Wang performing Haydn’s Concerto in D Major, Thomas and Patrick Demenga performing the American premiere of Thomas Demenga’s Double Concerto, and Jean-Guihen Queyras performing Haydn’s Concerto in C Major.