Piano festival announces 2016 guest artists lineup
Posted on: March 2, 2016; Updated on: March 2, 2016
By Glenn Hare, hareg@mailbox.sc edu, 777-3685
An A-list of internationally renowned pianists will headline the 2016 Southeastern Piano Festival, which takes place June 12-19 at various venues in Columbia. Among the guest artists are celebrated concert pianists, up-and-coming protégés and esteemed piano master teachers.
“We are excited to have such a tremendous array of talent coming to festival,” says Marina Lomazov, the festival’s artistic director.
Among the performers is Sergei Babayan, who returns to Columbia after his inspiring performance three years ago. Noted for his emotional intensity, bold energy and remarkable levels of color, he brings deep understanding and insight to a diverse repertoire. “Sergei gave an outstanding concert in 2013 and we are happy to have him perform again,” says Lomazov.
Babayan is a frequent guest at music festivals throughout Europe and the U.S. and has performed with many of the world’s foremost orchestras, including the Cleveland Orchestra, the London Symphony and Baltimore Symphony.
Eric Lu, the top prize winner of the Warsaw International Chopin Competition, is among the nation’s rising stars. In addition to his Columbia performance, his current concert schedule includes appearances in Spain, Canada and New York City’s Carnegie Hall.
Grande Dame of piano, Ann Schein and exciting young piano duo Soyeon Kate Lee and Ran Dank are among the other guest pianists participating in the festival.
In addition, 20 of the nation’s best pre-college pianists will take part in a rigorous program of daily lessons with University of South Carolina piano faculty, master classes with guest artists, culminating with the Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition. The winners of the competition receive cash awards and the opportunity to perform with the South Carolina Philharmonic and the South Carolina Youth Orchestra.
Another festival highlight is the annual Piano Extravaganza Concert, which showcases compositions for solo, duo, four hands and up to 10 pianists performing at the same time on five Steinway grand pianos.
“The Piano Extravaganza Concert is always an immensely popular event. We’ve got a fantastic show planned with some great musical surprises in it!” says Lomazov.
Individual tickets go on sale March 15. Visit the Southeastern Piano Festival website for a complete list of festival events and tickets sales.
2016 Southeastern Piano Festival schedule
June 12, 4 p.m. Johnson Performance Hall, Darla Moore School of Business
Marina Lomazov, Joseph Rackers, Philip Bush, Charles Fugo and other guest pianists
featured on Five Steinway Grand pianos
Ticket: $20 general admission, $5 students, free 18 and under
June 13, 7:30 p.m. USC School of Music
Eric Lu
Ticket: $20 general admission, $5 students, free 18 and younger
June 14, 7:30 p.m. Columbia Museum of Art
Sergei Babayan
Tickets: $20 general admission, $5 students, free 18 and younger
June 15, 7:30 p.m. USC School of Music
Soyeon Kate Lee and Ran Dank
Tickets: $20 general admission, $5 students, free 18 and younger
June 16, 7:30 p.m. Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
Ann Schein
Tickets: $20 general admission, $5 students, free 18 and younger
June 18, 7:30 p.m. USC School of Music
Winners of the Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition
Tickets: $10 general admission, $5 students, free 18 and younger
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