Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents
Amit Peled, Cello
Noreen Polera, Piano
“Homage to Pablo Casals”
April 9 and 10 • Historic Asolo Theater
The acclaimed Israeli cellist returns to Sarasota with a program that pays homage to his illustrious predecessor, Pablo Casals, whose influence has shaped Peled’s artistry as well as his own highly successful career.
“A glowing tone, a seductive timbre and an emotionally pointed approach to phrasing that made you want to hear him again.” –New York Times
“Having the flair of the young Rostropovich” —American Record Guide
(Sarasota, Florida) Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota’s 20th anniversary Recital Series continues with “Homage to Pablo Casals,” with renowned Israeli cellist Amit Peled and pianist Noreen Polera, April 9, 7:30 p.m., and April 10, 7:30 p.m., at the Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Performing on the legendary 1733 Gofriller cello used for 60 years by Pablo Casals, Peled pays homage to Casals with a program that includes Fauré’s Elegie, Saint-Saëns’ Allegro Appassionato and Beethoven’s Variation in Eb Major. Ticket prices range from $25 to $45 and are available at 941-360-7399 or www.artistseriesconcerts.org. Student tickets available at the door.
Voted by readers of the authoritative international music directory “Musical America” as a 2015 “Influencer” (someone making a positive difference in the music business worldwide), cellist Amit Peled has been acclaimed as one of the most exciting instrumentalists on the concert scene today. At 6’5” (and a former basketball player), Peled cuts an imposing and charismatic figure on stage and in addition to virtuoso performances, also utilizes his wit and amiable personality to engage with and grow classical audiences worldwide. Peled has performed as a soloist with many major orchestras and at such prestigious world venues as Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Salle Gaveau in Paris, Wigmore Hall in London and the Konzerthaus in Berlin. Following his enthusiastically received Alice Tully Hall concerto debut playing the Hindemith cello concerto, The New York Times praised his “glowing tone, seductive timbre and an emotionally pointed approach to phrasing that made you want to hear him again.”
In “Homage to Casals” Peled, accompanied by pianist Noreen Polera, will play the same legendary 1733 Gofriller cello that Pablo Casals used for 60 years. It was listening to a cassette tape of Casals that first sparked Peled’s love of the cello as a boy. Years later, when an older student of Peled’s arranged for him to meet Marta Casals Istomin, Pablo’s widow, the meeting ended with Casals Istomin offering Peled use of the same historical instrument that Casals had performed on almost exclusively from 1913 until his death in 1973. Peled is still stunned by the loan, likening it to “winning the lottery.”
Pianist Noreen Polera ranks among the most highly regarded and diverse chamber artists performing today, maintaining a career that has taken her to every major American music center and abroad. Her mastery and affection for the complete standard cello-piano repertory is well known, as is her attention and dedication to the works of living composers. In recent seasons she performed Elliott Carter’s venerable Sonata for Cello and Piano on tour in Paris, New York and Philadelphia, as well as new works by Lowell Liebermann, Benjamin C.S. Boyle and Kenji Bunch, all to critical acclaim. In addition to Amit Peled, Polera has collaborated with other such leading soloists as David Shifrin, Aurora-Natalie Ginastera, Yo-Yo Ma and Leonard Rose. Winner of the Accompanying Prize at the Eighth International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, she regularly collaborates with laureates of the Queen Elisabeth, Tchaikovsky and Naumburg international competitions.
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 Remaining 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.
- 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.
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. SOLD OUT.
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.
