Union’s 39th International Festival of Chamber Music continues Thursday night with an appearance by famed pianist Yefim Bronfman.
Bronfman will play “Sonata in C, Hob. XVI: 50” by Haydn; “Humoreske in B-flat, Op. 20” by Schumann; and “Twelve Etudes, Op. 10” by Chopin. The concert, which is his sixth Concert Series appearance, starts at 8 p.m. in Memorial Chapel.
Bronfman’s resume is studded with notable career highlights, awards and accolades. By the age of 23, Bronfman had made acclaimed debuts with the New York Philharmonic and at the prestigious Kennedy Center and 92nd Street Y venues. An Avery Fisher Prize recipient in 1991, he won a Grammy award six years later for his recordings of Bartók's three piano concertos with Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. More recently, Bronfman was a Carnegie Hall “Perspectives” artist for the 2007-08 season and a Grammy nominee in 2009.
The New York Times has said of the pianist: “Virtuoso with the chops that need no comparisons, yet his musicality purges that virtuosity of mere brilliance.”
On Sunday, March 20, Norway’s internationally acclaimed Stavanger Symphony Orchestra will kick of its first North American tour with a stop at Union. This innovative ensemble will be led from the first chair by the notable Italian conductor / violinist Fabio Biondi, who also acts as SSO’s artistic director for baroque music. The 55 musicians will present works by Vivaldi, Bach, Haydn and Mozart, the same selections they are scheduled to play later that week at the famed Carnegie Hall. The performance is at 3 p.m.
The concert series continues on Friday, March 25 with an appearance by the Belcea String Quartet at 8 p.m. The quartet will play selections by Haydn, Mark-Anthony Turnage and Beethoven.
All performances are held in Memorial Chapel. Tickets for the Bronfman performance are $25. Tickets for the Stavenger Symphony Orchestra and Belcea String Quartet are $20 each. Students are half price. Call (518) 388-6080 for tickets.