PSO Kinderkonzert Series Begins October 20th

PORTLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA'S KINDERKONZERT 2008-09 SERIES OPENS WITH "STRINGS: FOUR SEASONS," OCTOBER 20
Introducing young children to instrument families and musical concepts

PORTLAND, Maine – The Portland Symphony Orchestra (PSO) kicks off its popular Kinderkonzert series of the 2008-09 season with "Strings: Four Seasons" beginning October 20 and running through November 19.

The PSO String Quartet will guide kids aged 3-7 through the experience of how music can remind us of our surrounding environments. The PSO String Quartet, comprised of violin, viola, cello and double bass, will demonstrate how music can tell a story in much the same way as words and pictures. Various stringed instruments can conjure different seasonal weather patterns and their subsequent moods – the plucking of violin strings might make one think of a rain shower while the deep sounds of the double bass may being to mind a thunderstorm.

The "Strings: Four Seasons" program opens on October 20 at the Crooker Theater in Brunswick High School and then travels to nine other locations in Maine and New Hampshire for a total of 24 performances.

Kinderkonzerts are entertaining, interactive programs with Portland Symphony musicians where kids ages 3 - 7 can sing, dance, wiggle, clap, and have fun listening and learning about music and instruments. School systems can coordinate the Kinderkonzert visit with Science and English Language Arts instruction in addition to Visual and Performing Arts. Specially prepared worksheets designed to support Maine's Learning Results are available online or by contacting the PSO.

Sponsored by Time Warner Cable, all Portland Symphony Orchestra Kinderkonzert tickets are $3 per person with advance reservation, $4 at the door (adult or child). For additional information, reservations and ticketing information visit www.portlandsymphony.com or call (207) 773-6128.

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PSO Kinderkonzert Schedule for Strings: Four Seasons:

October 20, 2008 | 9:30, 10:30, 1:00

Crooker Theater, Brunswick High School

116 Maquoit Road, Brunswick

October 21, 2008 | 9:30, 10:30, 1:00

Gorham High School

41 Morrill Ave, Gorham

October 22, 2008 | 9:30, 10:30

South Portland High School Auditorium

637 Highland Avenue, South Portland

October 23, 2008 | 9:00, 10:00, 11:00

Olin Arts Center, Bates College

75 Russell Street, Lewiston

October 30, 2008 | 9:30, 10:30

Reiche Community School

166 Brackett Street, Portland

November 3, 2008 | 9:30, 10:30

Manchester Elementary School

17 School Street, Manchester, ME

November 7, 2008 | 9:30, 10:30, 1:00

Fairfield School

75 Beach Street, Saco

November 14, 2008 | 9:30, 10:30

Town & Country Motor Inn

Route 2, Shelburne, NH

November 18, 2008 | 9:30, 10:30, 1:00

Oxford Elementary School

79 Pleasant Street, Oxford, ME

November 19, 2008 | 10:30 *

Hear Me Now

New Gloucester, ME

* Sold out

Lafayette Quartet Performs at Bartok Symposium

LAFAYETTE STRING QUARTET PERFORMS AT INTERNATIONAL BARTÓK SYMPOSIUM

"Bartók's String Quartets: Tradition and Legacy"
University of Victoria
September 19 & 20, 2008

Attention string quartet enthusiasts: In these two upcoming concerts, the Lafayette String Quartet is performing two distinctly different programs showing how the music of Bartók was so strongly influenced by the music of Beethoven and how, in turn, Bartók's music influenced the next generation of the great Hungarian composers György Kurtág and Zoltán Jeney. This will be one of the rare opportunities to hear the diversity of these giants back to back.

These concerts are taking place in conjunction with the international symposium "Bartók's String Quartets: Tradition and Legacy." All symposium events are free and open to the public.

The Lafayette String Quartet has performed the Beethoven Cycle to critical acclaim across Canada. Their "thought-provoking interpretations" and "technically perfect ensemble" are not to be missed. "Splendid… powerful and riveting in every way." (New York Times)

Open Rehearsal – Lafayette String Quartet with Judit Frigyesi (Bar Ilan University)
Phillip T. Young Recital Hall
Friday September 19, 1:30-2:30 pm (free event)

Concert #1:
Lafayette String Quartet
Phillip T. Young Recital Hall
Works by Beethoven, Jeney, Bartók and Kurtág
Friday September 19, 8:00 pm

Concert #2:
Lafayette String Quartet
University Centre Farquhar Auditorium
Works by Beethoven, Jeney, and Bartók
Saturday, September 20, 8:00 pm

Concert Tickets:
$23 & $19 for each concert
Box Office: 250.721.8480, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday

NEC Students Sweep Four Top Prizes at International Klein Strings Competition

New England Conservatory String Players Sweep Irving M. Klein Competition

Take First, Second, and Third Prizes, Tie for Fourth

Four New England Conservatory string students swept the 23rd annual Irving M. Klein International String Competition, held June 14—15 at San Francisco State University. This was the second major competition this month in which NEC students took the top prizes: On June 8, two NEC violists, Dimitri Murrath and Emily Deans, took First and Second Prizes at the Primrose International Viola Competition.

At the Klein Competition, Tessa Lark (Frederick), 18, from Richmond, KY and a student of Miriam Fried, won both First Prize and the Weiss Prize for Best Performance of a Commissioned Work by Frank Stemper. Her prizes included a cash award of $10,000 and solo appearances with the Peninsula and Santa Cruz Symphonies, recitals in San Miguel de Allende (Mexico), and the Tulsa Chamber Music Series (Oklahoma), plus a benefit concert and other performances to be announced.

Second Prize of $5000 went to Robin Scott, 21, from Indianapolis, IN who also studies with Fried.

Ying Xue, 22, from Urumqi, China and a student of Donald Weilerstein won the $2500 Third Prize.

Emily Deans, the 23-year old violist who was a prize winner in the Primrose competition, shared the 4th Prize. She is a student of Kim Kashkashian.

Founded in 1985, the Klein is recognized as one of the world’s leading competitions for young string players, age 15—23. This year, 74 young musicians, hailing from 11 countries, entered the competition. Eight played in the semi-finals and finals in San Francisco. The jurors included members of the Alexander and Cypress Quartets, Peter Gelfand, Marc Gottlieb, Patricia Taylor Lee, Melvin Margolis, Jeffrey Miller, Donna Mudge, Alice Schoenfeld, and Frank Stemper.

For further information, check the NEC Website at: http://www.newenglandconservatory.edu/faculty/index.html

or call the NEC Concert Line at 617-585-1122. NEC’s Jordan Hall, Brown Hall, Williams Hall and the Keller Room are located at 30 Gainsborough St., corner of Huntington Ave. St. Botolph Hall is located at 241 St. Botolph St. between Gainsborough and Mass Ave.

2008 AVS Primrose Competition Update

ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS INTERNATIONAL STRING COMPETITIONS TO BE HELD IN TEMPE, ARIZONA JUNE 1-8

Phoenix, AZ - The Primrose International Viola Competition (PIVC), one of the most renowned string instrument competitions in the world, takes place June 1 through June 8, 2008 at Arizona State University's Herberger College of Music.

The 11th Competition features the world's best young violists up to age 29. The competition received a record number of entries this year - up thirty percent from 2005. The 75 competitors represent the countries of Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Mexico, New Zealand, Romania, Taiwan, Turkey, and the United States. The 2008 Competition awards over $30,000 USD in cash and prizes, including a viola by Italian master luthier Carlo Testoni and select engagements in the United States and Europe. The Competition offers the Phoenix area one week of exceptional international competition, exquisite music and an exhilarating finish. All rounds are open to the public, and audiences can expect to hear a broad survey of the viola repertoire.

Renowned violist and 1993 Competition First Place winner Nokuthula Ngwenyama serves as current director of the Primrose International Viola Competition. She is joined by former Competition director Claudine Bigelow of the United States, who serves as this year's jury chair. Joining the Competition as jurors for the first time will be Amir Shiff of Israel, Bruno Pasquier of France, Steven Tenenbom of the United States, Eugene Sarbu of Romania, and Ensik Choi of Korea. Carol Rodland of the United States will return having served as juror for the semi-final and final rounds in 2005.

In addition to the performances, which include the world premiere of Recitativo for solo viola by New Orleans composer and violist Scott Slapin, there will be many exhibits and educational symposiums as part of the 36th International Viola Congress, concurrently held June 4 through June 8, 2008.

Founded in 1979 as the first international competition solely for violists, William Primrose served as chair of the jury for its inaugural year. The American Viola Society (AVS), through an endowment established by memorial contributions made by friends, collegues, artists, and admirers, has sponsored the competition since 1986. The Competition continues to function as an inspiration to young artists. Over the last thirty years it has continued to attract the most distinguished jurors and most talented applicants worldwide. The Competition has an international reputation for identifying the talent of tomorrow and is respected for its artistic and professional integrity. Its laureates occupy principle seats of major symphony orchestras, act as professors in major centers of higher education, and have achieved success as international soloists.

Opening ceremonies and the competitors' drawing of lots are held Sunday, June 1, 2008 at 5 PM. Competition performance rounds begin Monday, June 2 at 9:30 AM.
For more information email info@primrosecompetition.org or go to www.primrosecompetition.org.

Toronto Cellist Karen Ouzounian Solos with Sinfonia Toronto

December 26, 2007

News Release

For immediate release

TORONTO CELLIST KAREN OUZOUNIAN SOLOS WITH SINFONIA TORONTO

'Toronto's Own' is a warm and romantic program that will melt the midwinter chill. This Sinfonia Toronto Masterpiece Series concert will take place on Friday, February 1, 2008 at 8 pm in Grace Church on-the-Hill (300 Lonsdale Road).

Conductor Nurhan Arman will lead the concert that begins with Shostakovich's Chamber Symphony opus 83. The brilliant young Toronto cellist Karen Ouzounian will be featured as soloist in Boccherini's Cello Concerto in B-flat major.

Karen Ouzounian is currently completing graduate studies at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York, where she studies with Timothy Eddy. She has served as principal cellist of the Juilliard Symphony and has performed frequently as a soloist and chamber musician in Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, Paul Recital Hall, the Juilliard Theatre and Morse Recital Hall.

Winner of numerous awards and scholarships, Ms. Ouzounian has received the Grunin Prize and Presidential Distinction award from the Juilliard School. She has also received prizes at the Canadian Music Competition and the Ontario Music Festival. She has appeared as soloist with Sinfonia Toronto and the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony. Ms. Ouzounian has performed solo and chamber music recitals in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Guatemala, Italy, Holland, Germany and Lebanon, and has been featured on the CBC's "Up & Coming" music program.

During the summer, Ms. Ouzounian has performed at the Marlboro Festival, Holland Music Sessions, Sarasota Music Festival, Casalmaggiore International Festival in Italy, Banff Centre for the Arts, and Orford Arts Centre. She has worked in masterclasses with Ralph Kirshbaum, Frans Helmerson, Janos Starker and Aldo Parisot.

The concert will also feature one of Beethoven's greatest masterpieces. His last String Quartet opus 135, written after he lost most of his hearing, is considered to be Beethoven's intimate and profound musical testament. It will be played in an orchestral version created for Sinfonia Toronto by Nurhan Arman.

There will be a free post-concert reception, giving audience members a chance to meet members of the orchestra, Maestro Arman and Ms. Ouzounian.

Tickets are $40 adult, $32 senior, $12 student (16-29) and can be purchased from 416-499-0403 or online with a $5 online only discount at www.sinfoniatoronto.com