Noted Chamber music group will perform at USU
A nationally acclaimed chamber music group is offering a master class to Utah State University students during its second visit to Logan in five years.
The Spoleto Festival USA will perform at the Harrison Auditorium in the Eccles Conference Center on Friday evening, Feb 25.
Three musicians also will be critiquing USU students’ performances in the campus music building from 10 a.m. to noon Friday. The mentoring session is free and open to the public.
The group plays chamber music not typically heard by audiences, said Bonnie Slade, a member of the Executive Board of Chamber Music Society of Logan, which booked the tour.
“There’s a good mix of ages,” she said. “Young professionals who have recently broken into the music business as well as seasoned professionals who have worked their magic around the world.
Tickets are available at discount student rates. Students at other universities, including Stanford, pay as much as $40.
Five artists make up Spoleto Festival USA, playing rare combination of instruments: two pianos, a cello, violin and clarinet.
“They get together for a tour a year,” said Sue Samon, Chamber Music Society chairwoman. “They’re the best of the best.”
Violinist Chee-Yun’s performance was described as “staggering virtuosity and musicality,” said a reviewer from American Records Guide.
Todd Palmer, clarinet, won the Young Concert Artist International Auditions in 1990.
Stephen Prutsman, piano, was a medalist at the 1990 Piano Competition and recently preformed at the White House for President George W. Bush.
Andres Diaz will play on a 1698 Matteo Goffriller cello with a bough made by his father, Manuel Diaz.
Charles Wadsworth, the artistic director, one of the pianists and host of the evening, is also acclaimed as a creator of chamber music events worldwide.
“Charles Wadsworth calls himself the host for the evening because he introduces each of the pieces, gives background [information] and anecdotes,” Samon said. “It’s great to have this right before the pieces to give you something to think about.
The group will perform pieces from composers Samuel Barber, Igor Stravinsky, Johannes Brahms and Bedrich Smetana
Spoleto Festival USA will take place 7:30 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $5 for students with ID and $15 for all others and can be purchased at the Taggart Student Center or the Spectrum ticket offices.
-ashleywach@cc.usu.edu