Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota Presents “Intercultural Harmonies” A Musical Celebration in Honor of International Day of Peace September 20 Historic Asolo Theater; Artist Series Concerts opens its 20th anniversary season with a special performance by an international ensemble of musicians performing a cross-cultural and globe-spanning selection of music in celebration of the International Day of Peace

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota Presents “Intercultural Harmonies” A Musical Celebration in Honor of International Day of Peace September 20 Historic Asolo Theater

Artist Series Concerts opens its 20th anniversary season with a special performance by an international ensemble of musicians performing a cross-cultural and globe-spanning selection of music in celebration of the International Day of Peace.

(Sarasota, Florida) Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota (ASC) opens its 20th anniversary season with “Intercultural Harmonies,” a special performance by an international ensemble of musicians performing a cross-cultural and globe-spanning selection of music in celebration of the International Day of Peace, Sunday, September 20, 2 p.m., at the Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Tickets are $40 and $45 and are available at www.artistseriesconcerts.org or by calling 941-360-7399 .

Cellist Udi Bar David, violinist Hanna Khoury, erhu virtuoso Jiebing Chen and percussionist Hafez Javier Kotain perform a concert featuring a special arrangement of Vivaldi’s “Concerto for Two Cellos in G minor, “Hora Mamtera” by Moshe Vilensky; the “Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto” by He Zhanhao and Chen Gang, a melodic love story inspired by traditional Chinese folk songs, and “Longa Farahfaza” by Egyptian composer Riad Al-Sunbati. The concert also features the Sarasota Young Voices, singing a selection of music from around the world, and traditional spirituals sung by gospel singer Ozanda Gray.

Led by Israeli-born cellist Udi Bar-David (who is also a cellist with the Philadelphia Orchestra), the quartet strives to spread the messages of hope, understanding and co-existence. Bar-David’s unique genre of cross-cultural music has been heard all over the world. The quartet also features Hanna Khoury, an Arab-Israeli violinist and violist trained in the classical traditions of Arabic and Western music; Jiebing Chen, a Chinese erhu (a two-stringed violin) virtuoso who has performed with Chinese, American and European orchestras; and Hafez Javier Kotain, a Venezuelan/Syrian percussionist fluent in both Latin and Arabic rhythms. The concert will also feature a performance by the Sarasota Young Voices, singing music from around the globe and gospel singer Ozanda Gray, peforming the traditional spirituals, “Give me Jesus,” and “You Can Tell the World.”

“We’re pleased to open our 20^th anniversary season with this dynamic, cultural cross-section of world-class musicians paying tribute to the International Day of Peace,” says Lee Dougherty Ross, artistic director of Artist Series Concerts. “It’s sure to be a dynamic concert that will engage, inspire and energize.”

The 20^th anniversary Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota’s season includes six concerts in its “Classical Recital Series,” five concerts in its “Pop Series,” four concerts in its “Special Performances” series, three “Soiree Series” concerts, three “Lunch, Look and Listen” concerts and three concerts in its North Port Performing Arts series. Many of the concerts are presented in multiple performances.

For more information about the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota’s 2015-2016 season, visit www.artistseriesconcerts.org or call 941-306-1202.

The 2015-2016 20th Anniversary Season at a Glance

Classical Recital Series

Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Asolo Theater; 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Tickets at 941-360-7399 or www.artistseriesconcerts.org.

·         Soyeon Kate Lee: This Korean-American pianist has been lauded by The New York Times as a pianist with “a huge, richly varied sound, a lively imagination and a firm sense of style,” and by the Washington Post for her “stunning command of the keyboard.” Her program will include Ravel’s La Valse, Brahms’ Intermezzi and more. October 31, 7:30 p.m., and November 1, 7:30 p.m.

·         Les Amies: Carol Wincenc, a Grammy-nominated artist and one of the most ac­claimed flutists performing today, leads this winning trio, which includes harpist Nancy Allen and violist Cynthia Phelps. January 23, 7:30 p.m.; and January 24, 7:30 p.m.

·         Akropolis Reed Quintet: Described by Fanfare Maga­zine as playing with “imagination, infallible musicality, and huge vitality,” the Akropolis Reed Quintet, (oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon and bass clarinet), is a cutting-edge ensemble that performs an innovative, living repertoire with acclaimed precision. February 20, 7:30 p.m., and February 21, 7:30 p.m.

·         Trio Celeste: Violinist Iryna Krechkovsky, cellist Ross Gasworth, and pianist Kevin Kwan Loucks combine to form an exciting, dynamic and intelligent ensemble. They are each strong instrumentalists in their own right and have what only the best groups have; an understanding of each other’s emotions, the ability to play with both power and subtlety, and what can best be described as a spark. March 5, 7:30 p.m., and March 6, 7:30 p.m.

·         Amit Peled is an Israeli-American cellist and virtuoso called a “larger than life presence on stage” (The Washington Post). Peled, a musician of profound artistry and charismatic stage presence, is known as one of the most exciting instrumentalists on the concert stage today. At 6’5″ tall (he was once a basketball player), Peled often surprises audiences with the ways he breaks down barriers between performers and the public, making classical music more accessible to wider audiences. April 9, 7:30 p.m., and April 10, 7:30 p.m.

·      20th Year Retrospective Celebration: As a close to the 20th anniversary season, Artist Series Concerts is bringing back favorites from past years. The performers that Sarasota audiences have loved before will be here again to entertain, celebrate and inspire. May 28 and 29, 7:30 p.m.

Pop Series

At the Historic Asolo Theater; 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Tickets at 941-360-7399 or www.artistseriesconcerts.org.

·         Carole J. Bufford in “Body and Soul.” This cabaret show earned rave reviews across the board, including from The New York Times and The Wall Street Jour­nal. November 14, 7:30 p.m., and November 15, 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.

·         Quartetto Gelato: For nearly two decades, this dazzling ensemble has enchanted audiences and critics worldwide with its exotic blend of musical virtuos­ity, artistic passion and humor. Classical in training and eclectic by design, QG not only thrills its audiences with its multi-instrument mastery, but also offers the bonus of a brilliant operatic tenor. With a performance rep­ertoire that spans the globe, including classical masterworks, operatic arias, the sizzling energy of tangos, gypsy and folk songs, the group’s theatrical stage presence and relaxed humor establishes an intimate rapport with audiences worldwide. December 5, 7:30 p.m., and December 6, 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.

·         Fred Moyer Jazz Trio: Fred Moyer on piano, Lowell Ringer on bass and Bob Savine on drums bring the sounds of Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Vince Guaraldi, Erroll Garner, Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea to the concert stage. The three musicians infuse the music with their own vitality and interpretations, much the way a chamber music ensemble approaches Bach or Beethoven. January 9, 7:30 p.m., and January 10, 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.

·         QuinTango, a touring quintet of two violins, cello, bass and piano, brings a century’s worth of tango repertoire to the concert stage with sizzling musicality and captivating narrative style. Winner of two consecutive WAMMIES, QuinTango is the only tango music group to have given a command performance at The White House. QuinTango has been heard on NPR’s “Morning Edition,” CNN, and network television in both the United States and Costa Rica. When QuinTango made its debut at Charleston’s Piccolo Festi­val, critic Robert Jones wrote exuberantly that “their concerts packed the place and sent the customers home tango crazy.” April 30, 7:30 p.m., and May 1, 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.

·         “My Favorite Things,” Music of Rodgers & Hammerstein, featuring acclaimed soloists Mara Bonde, soprano, Katherine Pracht, mezzo soprano, Aaron Blake, tenor, Marcus DeLoach, baritone, and the Gloria Musicae Singers: May 7:30 p.m., and May 8, 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.

Lunch, Look and Listen

One-hour concerts at 11 a.m. followed by lunch at 12:15 p.m. At Michael’s On East Ballroom, 1212 East Avenue South, Sarasota. Tickets at 941-306-1202.

·         Ann Alton, cello; Joyce Valentine, piano: January 21.

·         Miami Guitar Trio: February 18.

·         Gulfshore Trio: Reiko Niiya, violin; Susannah Kelly, cello; William Dawson, piano: March 17.

Soiree Series

Sunday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. and Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m. At the Weisenborne/Fischer residence. Call for address. Tickets at 941-306-1202.

·         Liana Branscome, violin, with Grigorios Zamparas, piano: violinist Liana Branscome, a 2015 Artist Series Concerts Scholarship award winner, joins forces with acclaimed pianist Grigorios Zamparas for a program of works by Grieg, Sarasate and more: September 27 and 28.

·         Priscila Navarro, piano: The 2014 Artist Series Concerts Scholarship award winner will perform works by Liszt, Gershwin and more: October 18 and 19.

·         Bob McDonald singing songs made famous by Broadway leading man John Raitt: March 27 & 28.

Special Performances

·         Season kick-off concert! This Jerry Herman Tribute honors the multi Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist of classic Broadway musi­cals, including Hello, Dolly!, Mame, La Cage Aux Folles, Dear World, Mack & Mabel, The Grand Tour, and Milk & Honey. Featuring the powerful vocals of Klea Blackhurst; and singer Jason Graae, who has won two L.A. Drama Critics Circle Awards; pianist, James Followell; and the Gloria Musicae Singers. October 11, 2:00 p.m. At Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota. Tickets at 941-360-7399 or www.artistseriesconcerts.org.

·         Axiom Brass and Gloria Musicae Singers in a holiday musical celebration. December 19, 7:30 p.m. and December 20 at 2:00 and 7:30 p.m. At the Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Tickets at 941-360-7399 or www.artistseriesconcerts.org.

North Port Performing Arts Center Series

Sunday afternoons at 3:00 p.m. At the North Port Performing Arts Center, 6400 W. Price Blvd., North Port. Tickets at 941-306-1202.

·         Miami Saxophone Quartet in “Four of a Kind.” Infectiously joyful arrangements, soulful improvisations, fine musical prowess and four of the finest saxophone players in the business in an afternoon of lively jazz, featuring “Sophisticated Lady,” “It’s a Raggy Waltz, “Lost and Found,” and much more: January 24.

·         Dick Hyman in Concert. A solo performance by the legendary Emmy Award-winning pianist and composer, renowned for his 50-year career as one of America’s most prolific and versatile jazz musicians: February 21.

·         “My Favorite Things: The Music of Rogers and Hammerstein.” Featuring the Qol Quartet, (Johanna Fincher, Robyn Rocklein, Adam Bielamowicz, and Christopher Holloway), and the Gloria Musicae Singers, directed by Joseph Holt: March 6.

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota was formed in 1996 as the Artist Series of Sarasota. The group is a non-profit corporation based in Sarasota, FL, that prides itself on presenting major national and international varieties of concert, opera, orchestral, Broadway and film performances throughout its season. The majority of the performances are staged at the restored Historic Asolo Theater at The Ringling.