Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents
Three Concerts Featuring the Music of Edvard Grieg
January 9, 10, 11 < Historic Asolo Theater
In conjunction with the Grieg Festival 2015, Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents, as part of its Special Events programs, three concerts of the music of Edvard Grieg, featuring the celebrated Norwegian musicians, Njǻl Sparbo, bass-baritone, and Einar Røttingen, piano, along with internationally-acclaimed pianist, Antonio Pompa-Baldi. Alan Dunbar, bass-baritone, Gregory Martin, piano, winners of the national Grieg Young Artists Competition in 2009. Gloria Musicae Singers, under the direction of Dr. Joseph Holt, are also featured.
(Sarasota, Florida) Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents three concerts as part of the 2015 Grieg Festival. In addition to the concerts, the festival, under the direction of Dr. Sylvia Reynolds Eckes, a leading Edvard Grieg scholar and Sarasota resident, brings together well-known Grieg performers, scholars, and young artists to celebrate the legendary composer’s life and music, focusing on the lesser-known works. Members of the International Grieg Society in Bergen, Norway, will join American artists and scholars in lectures and performances at Selby Public Library in Sarasota. The festival also includes a rare exhibit of manuscripts and letters from the Grieg Archives in Bergen, and the semi-finals and finals rounds of a national competition for pianists and singers who will perform only works by Grieg. For more information about the three concerts, visit http://artistseriesconcerts.org/event/2015-edvard-grieg-festival/. To purchase concert tickets, order online or call 941- 360-7399. For more information about the 2015 Grieg Festival, visit www.griegfestivalinflorida.org.
John Fischer, executive director of the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota, says he’s delighted to participate with the Grieg Festival. “Each of the three performances will be unique in content, allowing listeners to hear a variety of vocal, piano and choral works by Grieg, many of which have rarely been heard in the States and are performed by artists who are internationally-known for their Grieg interpretations,” he says.
Eckes, who has given hundreds of performances, presentations, and master classes on the music of Edvard Grieg, says that Grieg’s music has been popular in America since it was first heard–as early as the 1870s. “Grieg enjoyed meeting Americans who visited him in Bergen and who brought stories about how Americans embraced his music,” she says. “He had hoped to come to America in later years, but was not in good enough health to make the trip. Many of his works have enjoyed great success here and there have been numerous events and festivals to honor and recognize the beloved Norwegian composer.” Eckes adds that this year’s festival continues an initiative that began with the Grieg Festival 2009 in Winter Park, Florida. “The event also provides an opportunity for Grieg experts to share insights with young performers, continuing the promotion and performance of a more complete representation of his music.”
The first concert is Friday, January 9, 7:30 p.m., and features Alan Dunbar, bass-baritone; Gregory Martin, piano; both winners of the 2009 Grieg Festival Young Artists Competition, and the Gloria Musicae Singers, under the direction of Dr. Joseph Holt. The program includes songs based on the poems of Hans Christian Andersen, choral music, and solo piano pieces representing the folk lore of Norway. For performer bios, visit http://artistseriesconcerts.org/event/2015-edvard-grieg-festival/.
The second concert is Saturday, January 10, 7:30 p.m., and features Antonio Pompa-Baldi, piano; Njǻl Sparbo, bass-baritone; and Einar Røttingen, piano. The program includes songs of Norwegian and German poets, including Heine and Goethe, and piano music including the well-known Holberg Suite, Op. 40. For performer bios, visit http://artistseriesconcerts.org/event/2015-edvard-grieg-festival/.
The third concert is Sunday, January 11, 7:30 p.m., and features Antonio Pompa-BaldI, piano; Njǻl Sparbo, bass-baritone; and Einar Røttingen, piano. The program includes songs of Norwegian poets, piano works from the Lyric Pieces, and the Piano Sonata.
All three concerts will be at the Historic Asolo Theater in Sarasota, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. For more information about the three concerts, visit http://artistseriesconcerts.org/event/2015-edvard-grieg-festival/. To purchase concert tickets, call 941-360-7399.
Since 1996, Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota has presented an ever-expanding annual season of concerts by globally renowned and celebrated emerging artists. The 2014-2015 season runs through May 2015 and includes six concerts in its “Classical Recital Series,” four concerts in its “Pop Series,” and three special concerts. Three “Lunch, Look and Listen” events are also scheduled. For more information about the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota’s 2014-2015 season, visit www.artistseriesconcerts.org or call 941-306-1202.
The 2014-2015 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.
- Adrian Anantawan, violin, and Amy Yang, piano, performing works by Brahms, Ravel and Mozart. January 31 and February 1.
- Ying Quartet with Ayano Ninomiya, violin, Janet Ying, violin, Phillip Ying, viola, and David Ying, cello, performing works by Haydn, Auerbach, and Beethoven. March 14 and 15.
- Bion Tsang, cello, and Adam Neiman, piano, performing works by Faure, Beethoven and Rachmaninoff. April 18 and 19.
- Adrienne Danrich, vocalist, and Djordje Nesic, May 30 and 31.
Pop Series
At the Historic Asolo Theater; 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota.
- ““Into the Night with Gershwin”: The Music of George Gershwin and Marvin Hamlisch” with Thomas Pandolfi, piano. February 28, 7:30 p.m., and March 1, 2 and 7:30 p.m.
- “Trumpet Invasion” with Brandon Ridenour, trumpet, Mara Bonde, soprano, and Rich Ridenour, piano. May 2, 7:30 p.m., and May 3, 2 and 7:30 p.m.
- “A Romp With Gilbert & Sullivan” with Tracy Olivera, soprano, Bob McDonald, baritone, Steve Cramer, tenor, Joseph Holt, piano, and the Gloria Musicae Singers performing highlights from “Pirates” “The Mikado,” and “Pinafore.” May 9, 7:30 p.m., and May 10, 2 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.
- Trio Voila with Thomas Koch, guitar, Jane Hoffman, flute, and Laura Jensen Jennings, viola, performing works by Beethoven, Johanson, and Willis. January 22.
- “Best Of The Great American Songbook” with Jennifer Sheehan, cabaret/theater singer, and James Followell, piano, performing songs by Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim and more. February 12.
- Samus Haddad, baritone, and Lee Dougherty Ross, piano, performing spirituals and songs by Weill and Hoiby. March 19.
Soiree Series
Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m. and Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m. At the Weisenborne/Fischer residence. Call for address.
- Jennifer Kim, classical guitar. April 26 and 27.
Special Performances
At the Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota.
- “A Broadway Holiday” with Will & Anthony Nunziata, cabaret singers, Gloria Musicae Singers and Alvin Hough, Jr., piano, performing holiday songs. December 20, 7:30 p.m., and December 21, 2 and 7:30 p.m.
- 2015 Edvard Grieg Festival in Florida, featuring three concerts of lesser-known works performed by Alan Dunbar, bass-baritone, Gregory Martin, piano, the Gloria Musicae Singers, under the direction of Joseph Holt, Antonio Pompa-Baldi, piano,
- Njål Sparbo, bass-baritone, and Einar Røttingen, piano. Also featuring lectures, presentations, an exhibit of Grieg’s manuscripts, and a competition for prizes that include a concert tour in Norway. January 9-11. For a complete listing of all events, visit www.griegfestivalinflorida.org.
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.
