Trio 826 with Guest Pianist

Trio 826 was created in 2011by three friends looking to explore ideas for innovation in the performance of classical music, old and new. The Trio’s members have vast experience as orchestral and chamber musicians, soloists and educators. Their mission with this ensemble is to reach new audiences, exploring ways to bring classical music to life, performing new and standard repertoire in a variety of venues with formal concerts and performances in intimate, informal settings. The members are: violinist Susanna Klein, assistant professor of violin & coordinator of strings at Virginia Commonwealth University, violist Julia Bullard, associate professor of viola & Associate Director of the School of Music at the University of Northern Iowa, and ‘cellist Hanna Holman, for the past eight years a member of the Maia Quartet, in residence at the University of Iowa; she has been appointed ‘cellist with the New York City Ballet Orchestra and serves as principal ‘cello of the Quad Cities Symphony.

The Trio will be joined for this appearance by guest pianist Rene Lecuona. Ms. Lecuona has performed throughout South America, Mexico, the Caribbean and the United States and is associate professor of piano at the University of Northern Iowa.

The Kelet Duo

The Kelet Duo, Katalin Viszmeg, violin and Pi-Hsun Shih, piano takes its name from the Hungarian, meaning “east, awakening, and rising”, reflecting the musician’s countries of origin (Hungary and Taiwan). The duo’s repertoire is an eclectic one, ranging from the western “classical” tradition, folk and ethnic genres (western & Asian), to film music and the avant-garde. Ms Viszmeg received Bachelorette and Master’s degrees from in her native Hungary at Budapest’s prestigious Franz List Music Academy. She has performed as a soloist with several ensembles in Hungary, Italy and the United States. She is currently principal second violin of the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra and performs with the Hartford Symphony. Pi-Hsu Shih has performed throughout North and South America, and Asia, collaborating with well-known ensembles including the Empire Brass and the Emerson Quartet. Ms Shih has appeared as soloist with the Mexico State Symphony, and SaoPalo State Symphony. She holds teaching positions at Mount Holyoke College and the Hartt School Community Division. She earned her Master’s degree from Boston University and a Doctorate from the Hartt School.

The Duo plans a program of Dvořák, Grieg, Smetana, Villa-Lobos and Chinese composers Ma Sicong(1912-1987) and Chen Yi (b. 1953)

Music From Manchester   Quintet of piano and strings

The Manchester Music Festival was founded in 1974 by pianist Eugene List and his wife, violinist Carroll Glenn They were joined nine years later by ‘cellist Michael Rudiakov who succeeded them as Artistic Director after their deaths. Rudiakov’s son Ariel, conductor and violist, assumed the leadership in 200, at the passing of his father.We are pleased to present the Festival’s Piano Quintet for this, their first appearance on our series. Violist/Artistic Director, Ariel Rudiakov will be joined by violinists Joana Genova and David Lisker, ‘cellist Benjamin Capps and pianist Jilio Elizade. Away from Manchester, all have distinguished careers in chamber music, solo and orchestral performance, appearing in important venues here and abroad.

They plan a program which will include the Quintet for piano and strings of Vittorio Giannini (1903-1966). Rudiakov, in his notes to MMF’s recording of the work, writes that it “is, in my opinion a masterpiece”. We are certain that this work by a, sadly, neglected, though prolific composer will delight our audience. Also on the program will be the Piano Quintet of Robert Schumann.

Rebel Baroque Ensemble

Rebel returns for a fourth appearance on the deBlasiis Series. Hailed by the New York Times as “Sophisticated and Beguiling” and praised by the Los Angeles Times for their “astonishingly vital music-making”, the New York-based Baroque ensemble REBEL (pronounced “Re-BEL”) has earned an impressive international reputation, enchanting diverse audiences by their unique style and their virtuosic, highly expressive and provocative approach to the Baroque and Classical repertoire. Co-directors, baroque violinists, Jörg-Michael Schwarz and Karen Marie Marmer join Matthais Maute, recorder & traverso, John Moran,baroque ‘cello and Donsok Shin, harpsichord, in a program entitled Barocco. Musical Treasures of the 17th & 18th-Century, with works from the Baroque and its subsequent, transitional, Rococo period. Included will be music by Purcell; Corelli; Mancini; Vivaldi; Geminiani; Biber; Leclair, Handel; Boyce and Telemann.

Ann Alton, violoncello and Gabrielius Alekema, piano

Cellist Ann Alton and pianist Gabriellius Alekema make their de Blasiis debuts with this duo recital. Ms Alton has appeared as soloist and in recital throughout U.S. and Europe. She has given solo and chamber recitals in many notable venues, including Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall, Salle Cortot. She performs with Tritonis Trio, Concordia Trio, Valcour Chamber Players, and is principal cellist with Lake Placid Sinfonietta. She has recorded for the Albany and Vox labels. Ms. Alton’s teaching includes master classes at Killington Festival, Villars International Festival, Valcour Festival and faculty positions at Concordia College, Manhattan School of Music, SUNY at Purchase and most recently at Skidmore College and Juilliard Pre-College. She holds degrees from The Juilliard School (B.M., M.M.) and the Manhattan School of Music (D.M.A.) Pianist Gabrielius Alekna was the winner of the second prize at the 2005 International Beethoven Piano Competition in Vienna, Austria and has garnered more than a dozen top prizes on both sides of the Atlantic. He has appeared as a soloist in both Europe and the U.S. Including performances with the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Juilliard Orchestra, the New Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra, the Belarus State Symphony Orchestra, and in his native country, the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra and the National Symphony. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Juilliard School.

They plan a program including Chopin, Piazziolla, and Barber.

Yvonne Chavez Hansbrough, flute and Young Kim, piano

Flutist Yvonne Chavez Hansbrough, Associate Professor at the College of Saint Rose, is director of the Saint Rose Camerata and principal flutist with the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra. Critics describe her playing as “soulful…haunting and memorable… fluid and effortless…rich low timbre, beautifully rounded upper register.” Hansbrough has performed at many venues across the U. S. including Piccolo Spoleto Chamber Music Festival and The Boston Early Music Festival and has performed with many orchestras including the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, the Albany Symphony, Glimmerglass Opera, appearing as a soloist with the Glens Falls and Nashville Symphonies. She holds degrees from New Mexico State University (BME) the University of Arizona (MM). She received her Doctorate in Flute Performance in 1991 from Florida State University. Pianist Young Kim has performed internationally as soloist in recital and with orchestra, in addition to appearing numerous times as a chamber musician. Critics praise her as “a pianist who is truly passionate, sensitive, and musical… an extremely polished, expressive, and vibrant pianist.” Her many recital venues include Steinway Hall in New York City, Ted Mann Concert Hall in Minneapolis, Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall in Santa Barbara, Memorial Chapel in Schenectady, and Troy Music Hall. A Steinway Artist, Young Kim holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Minnesota, an Artist Diploma from Yale University, a Master of Music from The Juilliard School, and her Bachelor of Music from Seoul National University.