 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Connie SHIH (piano collaboration) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pianist Connie Shih, born in Canada is considered to be one of
Canada's most outstanding young artists. In 1993, she won the
Sylva Gelber Award for most outstanding classical artist under
age 30. At the age of nine, she made her orchestral debut with
Mendelssohn's 1st Piano Concerto with the Seattle Symphony
Orchestra. At the age of 12, she was the youngest ever protégé
of Gyorgy Sebok at Indiana University, and then continued her
studies at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia with Claude
Frank, a protégé of Arthur Schnabel. Later studies were
undertaken with Fou Ts'ong in Europe.
As soloist, she has appeared extensively with orchestras
throughout Canada, U.S. and Europe and in recitals she has made
countless appearances in Canada, the U.S., Iceland, England,
Germany, and China. She frequently performs chamber music with
many world renowned musicians. To critical acclaim, she appears
regularly in recital with Steven Isserlis. She has performed at
the Wigmore Hall in London, the Carnegie Hall in New York, at
the prestigious Bath Music Festival and the Kronberg Festival.
This past season included collaborations with Steven Isserlis,
Susan Gritton and Anthony Marwood at the Aldeburgh Festival and
other performances with Tabea Zimmermann and Isabelle Faust.
Because it is known that Connie Shih has the ability to learn
complete works from memory in just a few days and is an avid
chamber musician, she is thus much sought after in recital. The
coming season includes performances in Germany (at the
Heidelberg Festival and the Brahmstage), in Scotland, Canada (the
Glenn Gould studio), New York (the Weill Recital Hall), as well
as the UK, several of which celebrating Mozart‚s 250th
Anniversary. Several will include chamber music collaborations
with such imminent artists, such as Steven Isserlis and Janine
Jansen.
Connie Shih's performances are frequently broadcast via
television and radio on CBC (Canada), on the BBC (U.K.),SWR and
WDR (Germany) and on other various television and radio stations
in the North America and Europe.
The late legendary Josef Gingold remarked, “I do not know of a
greater pianistic talent than Connie Shih. Her stupendous
technique, musicality, and deep musical understanding place her
in a class of itself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Roger CHASE (viola) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Born in London, Roger Chase studied at the Royal College of Music with Bernard Shore
and in Canada with Steven Staryk, also working for a short time with the legendary Lionel Tertis.
He made his debut with the English Chamber Orchestra in 1979, and in 1987 appeared as a soloist at
a Promenade Concert at The Royal Albert Hall in London. He has since played as a soloist or chamber
musician in major cities throughout the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, the Middle East, India,
most of Eastern and all of Western Europe and Scandinavia.
Chase has been a member of many ensembles, including the Nash Ensemble, London Sinfonietta, Esterhazy Baryton Trio,
Quartet of London, Hausmusik of London and the London Chamber Orchestra. He has been invited to play as guest principal
viola with every major British orchestra and others in North America and Europe, including with the Berlin Philharmonic.
He has recorded for the EMI, CRD, Hyperion, Cala, Virgin, Floating Earth, and Dutton Epoch labels, and has demonstrated
his diverse interests by playing with a folk group on an amplified viola, as a soloist on an “authentic” instrument,
and as an exponent of the avant-garde.
Chase has taught at the Royal College of Music, the Guildhall School and the Royal Northern College of Music.
He has been a professor at Oberlin College, and at Roosevelt University in Chicago. His playing has inspired
many composers to write for him, from solo pieces to concertos and chamber works. With pianist Michiko Otaki
he has played works inspired by and dedicated to Lionel Tertis in many venues including at the National Gallery
in Washington, Princeton University, and in Cleveland, Boston, Toronto, and elsewhere.
Recent recordings include the complete works for viola by Benjamin Dale, hitherto unrecorded concertos by Stanley Bate,
W H Bell (“Rosa Mystica”), and Chase's own orchestration of the Vaughan Williams Romance on the Dutton Epoch label,
and a CD of works written especially for Lionel Tertis entitled “The Tertis Tradition”, all on the Dutton Epoch label.
Shortly to be released are three CDs: Virtuoso Viola Repertoire on Naxos, Sonatas by Delius and John Ireland on
Dutton Epoch, and three sonatas by Brahms on Centaur.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
