Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents
Lunch, Look and Listen:
With cellist Ann Alton and pianist Joyce Valentine
January 21 • Michael’s On East
“Ann Alton played with rounded tone and ideal phrasing…an outstanding artist!
–-Albany Times Union.
“Joyce Valentine can make the piano weep or set it on fire, and deftly conveys every mood in between.” – Solo Piano Publications
(Sarasota, Florida) Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota’s “Lunch, Look and Listen” series continues with cellist Ann Alton and pianist Joyce Valentine performing Chopin’s Cello Sonata in G minor, Op.65, Piazzolla’s Grand Tango, and Couperin’s Pieces en Concert, Thursday, January 21, at 11 a.m., with lunch to follow at 12:15 p.m., at Michael’s On East Ballroom, 1212 East Avenue South, Sarasota. Tickets are $45, which includes lunch. To purchase tickets, call 941-306-1202 (Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.).
Called “an exquisite performer” by High Performance Review and “an outstanding artist” by Albany Times Union, cellist Ann Alton has appeared as recitalist, orchestra soloist, and chamber musician in major halls throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. She has won awards from the Woolley Foundation, the National Federation of Music Clubs, Koussevitzky Music Foundation, and the National Arts Club. Alton is principal cellist of the Lake Placid Sinfonietta, and has recorded on the Albany and Vox labels. A dedicated teacher, Alton has taught cello at preeminent colleges around the country, including Manhattan School of Music, Skidmore College and at the PreCollege Division of the Juilliard School.
The New York Times hailed Joyce Valentine’s Carnegie Hall debut as “brisk, centered, propulsive and altogether thrilling.” Valentine began playing the piano at age of two and a half, giving her first performance just four months later. After her first full-length recital at the age of six, she was accepted into the Juilliard Pre-College Division in New York City and later graduated from the Juilliard School of Music. Since then, she has performed as soloist in concert halls across the country, including such illustrious venues as Carnegie Recital Hall and Alice Tully Hall. Since moving to Bradenton in 2001, Valentine has been an active soloist, chamber music performer, and musical director for theater productions. Locally, her solo appearances include the Venice Symphony, the Northport Orchestra, and the Sarasota Pops Orchestra. Her original music and arrangements for piano and cello have been recorded on an album entitled, “Reunion,” created for Yamaha Corporation’s Mark III Disklavier piano.
Since 1996, Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota has presented an ever-expanding annual season of concerts by globally renowned and celebrated emerging artists. The 20th-anniversary 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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Bob McDonald singing songs made famous by Broadway leading man John Raitt: March 27 & 28.
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 several major national and international varieties of concert, opera, orchestral, Broadway and film performances throughout their season. The majority of the performances are staged at the restored Historic Asolo Theater at The Ringling.
