Some of the nation’s most celebrated classical pianists, as well as 20 of the most promising young pianists, will perform at USC’s second annual Southeastern Piano Festival June 6–12.
The festival will feature a series of evening piano concerts and afternoon workshops as well as master classes, all open to the public. The evening concerts require tickets ($10 adults, $3 students, free for students under age 18), and the afternoon events are free. Tickets are available by telephone at 6-5763, by e-mail at lgibson@mozart.sc.edu, or at USC’s School of Music.
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| Marina Lomazov |
"This festival offers the same quality of artists and concerts that one would find at Spoleto," said Marina Lomazov, artistic director for the festival and an assistant professor of piano. "It is thrilling to be able to host such an event."
The week’s festivities begin with "Piano Fireworks," a gala concert, at 6 p.m. June 6 in Drayton Hall. The concert will feature USC School of Music piano faculty members Lomazov, Charles Fugo, Scott Price, Joseph Rackers, and John Williams.
Other evening highlights will include "Rising Star Showcase" June 8, with Chu-Fang Huang, the winner of the 2003 Hilton Head International Piano Competition. Two artists showcases will feature Natalya Antonova June 9 and Antonio Pompa-Baldi June 10. All three concerts begin at 8 p.m. and will be held in the School of Music.
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| Natalya Antonova |
Antonova was a guest artist and lecturer at last year’s festival. A professor at Eastman School of Music and world-renowned concert pianist, she has performed throughout the former Soviet Union, Germany, and Eastern Europe.
Pompa-Baldi was a 2001 silver medalist at the Van Cliburn International Piano Festival and is an artist-in-residence at the Cleveland Institute of Music. He has performed in some of the most prestigious concert halls in the United States and Europe.
A series of daily master classes and workshops in the School of Music recital hall is open to the public.From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 11, the students will compete in a concerto competition for cash prizes and the chance to perform with the S.C. Philharmonic Orchestra. They also will perform at 8 p.m. The winners will perform at the festival’s closing concert at 6 p.m. June 12.
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| Antonio Pompa-Baldi |
The festival will offer some special features this year. An original watercolor, titled "Memory of Marina’s Chopin," by USC art professor Mary Robinson, will be available via silent auction throughout the week.
A limited number of prints of the watercolor will be available for sale. In addition, Rice Music House will host a special piano sale at the School of Music during the festival.
For more information on the festival, call Laveta Gibson at 6-5763 or visit the USC School of Music Web site.
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