Principal cellists of two internationally acclaimed orchestras come together for Bach Series - here in Pittsburgh. Oct 9th, 2019 7:30 pm, Bach Series I, Feb 19th, 2020 Bach Series II(Adam Liu and Friends "Bach Extravaganza" at Duquesne University PNC Hall)
Cellists’ Bach Extravaganza~
A rare opportunity where the principal cellists of two internationally acclaimed orchestras come together for Bach Series — here in Pittsburgh!
October 9th and February 19th at Duquesne University, two performances of Bach classics will be presented by the world-famous Cleveland Symphony Principal Cellist Mark Kosower, and from our own Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Principal Cellist Anne Martindale Williams, Assistant Principal Cellist Adam Liu, and Cellists Alexandra Lee and Karissa Shivone.
This musical extravaganza is put on by these musicians for the general public and community, with no cost for admission. Registration to book tickets begin today, and seats are limited!
Admission: Free (12 years above, reservation required)
Time: 2/19/2020 Wednesday, 7:30 pm
Location: Duquesne University PNC Hall, 408 Magee Street, Pittsburgh PA 15219
Order Free Tickets:manager@lydiamusiccenter.com
*Lydia Music Center serve the community with Best Quality String Rental for Lowest Cost.for string rental:
Key Performers:
Mark Kosower
A modern player with a “signature sound” and distinctive style of playing, cellist Mark Kosower embodies the concept of the complete musician performing as concerto soloist with symphony orchestras, in solo recitals and with pianist Jee-Won Oh, and as a much admired and sought-after chamber musician. He is Principal Cello of the Cleveland Orchestra, a scholar and teacher of cello at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and the Kent/Blossom Music Festival. Mark’s performance repertoire and discography are testaments to a deep devotion, not only to frequently heard repertoire such as Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations and concertos of Haydn, Walton, Elgar and Dvořák but, significantly, to less well-known concertos of Alberto Ginastera, Miklos Rozsa, Frederich Gulda and Victor Herbert. Mr. Kosower has recorded for the Ambitus, Delos, Naxos International and VAI labels, including as the first cellist to record the complete music for solo cello of Alberto Ginastera (Naxos). He was described as a “powerful advocate of Ginastera’s art” by MusicWeb International, and Strings Magazine noted of his Hungarian music album (also with Naxos) that “the music allows Kosower to showcase his stunning virtuosity, passionate intensity, and elegant phrasing.”
Mark Kosower’s 2018/2019 performances feature Beethoven’s Triple Concerto with the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra (Ohio) and music director/conductor David Danzmayr, Ginastera Cello Concerto No. 2 with the Cleveland Orchestra and conductor Gustavo Gimeno and two cello gems, Dovřák’s Rondo, Op. 94 and Victor Herbert’s Cello Concerto with the Canton Symphony.
Kosower is known for varied traditional and contemporary repertoire. His many honors include an Avery Fisher Career Grant, a SONY Grant and was top prize winner in both the Rostropovich and Pablo Casals International Cello Competitions, among others.
Other orchestral appearances have included symphony orchestras throughout the US, Europe and Asia, and recitals at the Kennedy Center, Aspen Music Festival, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, the National Gallery of Art, on the Great Performer’s Series at Lincoln Center. the Chatelet in Paris, the Alte Oper in Frankfurt, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, and the Teatro Municipal in Rio de Janeiro.
In addition to his busy performing career, Mark is also a dedicated teacher. He is on the cello faculty at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Kent/Blossom Music Festival. Kosower gives masterclasses around the world.
Anne Martindale Williams
Anne Martindale Williams has enjoyed a successful career as principal cellist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra since 1979. Throughout her tenure with the orchestra, she has often been featured as soloist both in Pittsburgh and on tour in New York at Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall. Williams was soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony in the Pittsburgh premier of The Giving Tree conducted by the composer, Lorin Maazel. She has also collaborated with guest artists such as Yehudi Menuhin, André Previn, the Emerson Quartet, Lynn Harrell, Joshua Bell, Gil Shaham and Pinchas Zukerman in numerous chamber music performances. She made her London debut performing Dvořák’s Cello Concerto with the Royal Philharmonic, Andre Previn conducting. Her solo in The Swan on the Pittsburgh Symphony’s recording of Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saëns was described by Grammophon critic Edward Greenfield as “…the most memorable performance of all.”
Williams divides her time between the orchestra, teaching at Carnegie Mellon University, and solo and chamber music performances in America, Europe and the Far East. She has appeared in several nationally televised productions including Concertos, produced by the BBC and Previn and the Pittsburgh, produced by WQED. She has given master classes at many universities and festivals throughout the country, including The Curtis Institute of Music, SUNY at Stony Brook, Manhattan School of Music, the New World Symphony in Miami, the National Orchestral Institute, Aspen, Credo at Oberlin College and the Masterworks Festival. She also has performed at many of America’s prestigious summer music festivals including Aspen, Caramoor, Skaneateles, Maui, Rockport Festivals in Massachusetts and Maine, Grand Teton, Strings Festival in Steamboat Springs, Orcas Island, and Mainly Mozart in San Diego. For many years she has enjoyed performing throughout the country with her Piano Trio, which includes her good friends Andrés Cárdenes and David Deveau.
Williams has performed numerous times as soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, performing Schumann’s Concerto in A minor, Tippett’s Triple Concerto, Previn’s Reflections, Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 3 and 6, Strauss’s Don Quixote, Bloch’s Schelomo, Dvořák’s Cello Concerto, Dutilleux’s Tout un mondelointain, Saint-Saëns’ Concerto No. 1 and Brahms’ Double Concerto, as well as Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro for String Quartet. In recent seasons, she was featured in Haydn’s Concerto in C, Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations, Elgar’s Cello Concerto, and Haydn’s Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Cello, Oboe, Bassoon and Orchestra, and Walton’s Cello Concerto.
Williams is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music where she studied with Orlando Cole. Her Tecchler cello was made in Rome in 1701. Her husband, Joe, is the director of student ministries at Beverly Heights Presbyterian Church in Mount Lebanon. They reside in Pittsburgh.
Adam Liu
Adam Liu joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as assistant principal cello in 2003. Prior to this appointment, Liu held the position of associate principal cello with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra under Charles Dutoit for six seasons, including the entire 1999-2000 season as acting principal cello. He participated in many international tours and is featured on CD recordings with Montreal.
Liu was born in Tianjin, in north China. He came to the United States in 1986 after being offered a full scholarship from the Piatigorsky Foundation to study at Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore with Stephen Kates. After the completion of his studies in Maryland, he was offered a full scholarship to study further at the University of Southern California with Lynn Harrell. After completing his master's, Liu joined the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra.
Liu began his musical life at the age of 6 with intense study of the erhu — a two-stringed Chinese musical instrument. Taking the advice of his family, he switched to the cello, with the newly available study of western music. The erhu has always held a special place in his heart, as it represents his childhood and country of birth. He enjoys playing the erhu in his spare time.
Liu has been a featured soloist with many fine orchestras worldwide, including the symphonies of Montreal, Victoria, Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, San Antonio, Baltimore, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh.
He plays on a fine Italian cello made in 1759 by Paolo Antonio Testore.
Liu has held the artist in residence position at the Duquesne University Mary Pappert School of Music since 2009 and is a member of the Duquesne Piano Trio.
Alexandra Lee
Alexandra Lee has been a member of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra since the 2014-2015 season. She earned her Bachelors of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music, studying with Stephen Geber. She was then a Fellow in the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida. Lee spent her summers at the Tanglewood Music Center, Spoleto Festival USA, National Repertory Orchestra, International Festival-Institute at Roundtop, Credo Chamber Music and Interlochen Arts Camp. A native of Pittsburgh, Lee was fortunate to take part in Duquesne University's educational offerings growing up; she was a City Music Center member and Duquesne Young Artist Competition winner.
Karissa Shivone
Cellist Karissa Shivone joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra during the 2016-2017 season at age 21. She comes to Pennsylvania most recently from Southern California, where she enjoyed performing regularly with the Los Angeles Philharmonic as a substitute cellist under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel, Semyon Bychkov, Leonard Slatkin, and John Williams. Originally from Seattle, Shivone made her solo debut at age 15 performing with Gerard Schwarz and the Seattle Symphony as a winner of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Audition. Subsequently, she appeared as soloist with the Colburn Orchestra at Zipper Hall and The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.
An avid chamber musician, she won the Silver Medal at the 2015 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition as the cellist of the Calla Quartet. Calla performed internationally in festivals and recitals including Melbourne, Australia, New York, Chicago, Fort Worth, and many venues in Southern California.
Shivone has performed alongside artists such as Joseph Silverstein, Alessio Bax, Alexander Kerr, Donald Weilerstein, Robert deMaine, Barbara Westphal, and Martin Chalifour at many prominent festivals including the Strings Music Festival in Steamboat Springs, Sarasota Music Festival, Mimir Chamber Music Festival, Perlman Music Program, and Heifetz International Music Institute.
Shivone received her Bachelor of Music degree from the Colburn Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Mr. Ronald Leonard. She began her studies at age 7 with Leslie Marckx, and has worked with renowned cellists Steven Isserlis, Efe Baltacigil, Raymond Davis, Meeka Quan-diLorenzo, Johannes Moser, Desmond Hoebig, and Richard Aaron.
A rare opportunity where the principal cellists of two internationally acclaimed orchestras come together for Bach Series — here in Pittsburgh!
October 9th and February 19th at Duquesne University, two performances of Bach classics will be presented by the world-famous Cleveland Symphony Principal Cellist Mark Kosower, and from our own Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Principal Cellist Anne Martindale Williams, Assistant Principal Cellist Adam Liu, and Cellists Alexandra Lee and Karissa Shivone.
This musical extravaganza is put on by these musicians for the general public and community, with no cost for admission. Registration to book tickets begin today, and seats are limited!
Admission: Free (12 years above, reservation required)
Time: 2/19/2020 Wednesday, 7:30 pm
Location: Duquesne University PNC Hall, 408 Magee Street, Pittsburgh PA 15219
Order Free Tickets:manager@lydiamusiccenter.com
*Lydia Music Center serve the community with Best Quality String Rental for Lowest Cost.for string rental:
Key Performers:
Mark Kosower
A modern player with a “signature sound” and distinctive style of playing, cellist Mark Kosower embodies the concept of the complete musician performing as concerto soloist with symphony orchestras, in solo recitals and with pianist Jee-Won Oh, and as a much admired and sought-after chamber musician. He is Principal Cello of the Cleveland Orchestra, a scholar and teacher of cello at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and the Kent/Blossom Music Festival. Mark’s performance repertoire and discography are testaments to a deep devotion, not only to frequently heard repertoire such as Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations and concertos of Haydn, Walton, Elgar and Dvořák but, significantly, to less well-known concertos of Alberto Ginastera, Miklos Rozsa, Frederich Gulda and Victor Herbert. Mr. Kosower has recorded for the Ambitus, Delos, Naxos International and VAI labels, including as the first cellist to record the complete music for solo cello of Alberto Ginastera (Naxos). He was described as a “powerful advocate of Ginastera’s art” by MusicWeb International, and Strings Magazine noted of his Hungarian music album (also with Naxos) that “the music allows Kosower to showcase his stunning virtuosity, passionate intensity, and elegant phrasing.”
Mark Kosower’s 2018/2019 performances feature Beethoven’s Triple Concerto with the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra (Ohio) and music director/conductor David Danzmayr, Ginastera Cello Concerto No. 2 with the Cleveland Orchestra and conductor Gustavo Gimeno and two cello gems, Dovřák’s Rondo, Op. 94 and Victor Herbert’s Cello Concerto with the Canton Symphony.
Kosower is known for varied traditional and contemporary repertoire. His many honors include an Avery Fisher Career Grant, a SONY Grant and was top prize winner in both the Rostropovich and Pablo Casals International Cello Competitions, among others.
Other orchestral appearances have included symphony orchestras throughout the US, Europe and Asia, and recitals at the Kennedy Center, Aspen Music Festival, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, the National Gallery of Art, on the Great Performer’s Series at Lincoln Center. the Chatelet in Paris, the Alte Oper in Frankfurt, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, and the Teatro Municipal in Rio de Janeiro.
In addition to his busy performing career, Mark is also a dedicated teacher. He is on the cello faculty at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Kent/Blossom Music Festival. Kosower gives masterclasses around the world.
Anne Martindale Williams
Anne Martindale Williams has enjoyed a successful career as principal cellist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra since 1979. Throughout her tenure with the orchestra, she has often been featured as soloist both in Pittsburgh and on tour in New York at Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall. Williams was soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony in the Pittsburgh premier of The Giving Tree conducted by the composer, Lorin Maazel. She has also collaborated with guest artists such as Yehudi Menuhin, André Previn, the Emerson Quartet, Lynn Harrell, Joshua Bell, Gil Shaham and Pinchas Zukerman in numerous chamber music performances. She made her London debut performing Dvořák’s Cello Concerto with the Royal Philharmonic, Andre Previn conducting. Her solo in The Swan on the Pittsburgh Symphony’s recording of Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saëns was described by Grammophon critic Edward Greenfield as “…the most memorable performance of all.”
Williams divides her time between the orchestra, teaching at Carnegie Mellon University, and solo and chamber music performances in America, Europe and the Far East. She has appeared in several nationally televised productions including Concertos, produced by the BBC and Previn and the Pittsburgh, produced by WQED. She has given master classes at many universities and festivals throughout the country, including The Curtis Institute of Music, SUNY at Stony Brook, Manhattan School of Music, the New World Symphony in Miami, the National Orchestral Institute, Aspen, Credo at Oberlin College and the Masterworks Festival. She also has performed at many of America’s prestigious summer music festivals including Aspen, Caramoor, Skaneateles, Maui, Rockport Festivals in Massachusetts and Maine, Grand Teton, Strings Festival in Steamboat Springs, Orcas Island, and Mainly Mozart in San Diego. For many years she has enjoyed performing throughout the country with her Piano Trio, which includes her good friends Andrés Cárdenes and David Deveau.
Williams has performed numerous times as soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, performing Schumann’s Concerto in A minor, Tippett’s Triple Concerto, Previn’s Reflections, Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 3 and 6, Strauss’s Don Quixote, Bloch’s Schelomo, Dvořák’s Cello Concerto, Dutilleux’s Tout un mondelointain, Saint-Saëns’ Concerto No. 1 and Brahms’ Double Concerto, as well as Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro for String Quartet. In recent seasons, she was featured in Haydn’s Concerto in C, Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations, Elgar’s Cello Concerto, and Haydn’s Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Cello, Oboe, Bassoon and Orchestra, and Walton’s Cello Concerto.
Williams is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music where she studied with Orlando Cole. Her Tecchler cello was made in Rome in 1701. Her husband, Joe, is the director of student ministries at Beverly Heights Presbyterian Church in Mount Lebanon. They reside in Pittsburgh.
Adam Liu
Adam Liu joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as assistant principal cello in 2003. Prior to this appointment, Liu held the position of associate principal cello with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra under Charles Dutoit for six seasons, including the entire 1999-2000 season as acting principal cello. He participated in many international tours and is featured on CD recordings with Montreal.
Liu was born in Tianjin, in north China. He came to the United States in 1986 after being offered a full scholarship from the Piatigorsky Foundation to study at Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore with Stephen Kates. After the completion of his studies in Maryland, he was offered a full scholarship to study further at the University of Southern California with Lynn Harrell. After completing his master's, Liu joined the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra.
Liu began his musical life at the age of 6 with intense study of the erhu — a two-stringed Chinese musical instrument. Taking the advice of his family, he switched to the cello, with the newly available study of western music. The erhu has always held a special place in his heart, as it represents his childhood and country of birth. He enjoys playing the erhu in his spare time.
Liu has been a featured soloist with many fine orchestras worldwide, including the symphonies of Montreal, Victoria, Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, San Antonio, Baltimore, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh.
He plays on a fine Italian cello made in 1759 by Paolo Antonio Testore.
Liu has held the artist in residence position at the Duquesne University Mary Pappert School of Music since 2009 and is a member of the Duquesne Piano Trio.
Alexandra Lee
Alexandra Lee has been a member of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra since the 2014-2015 season. She earned her Bachelors of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music, studying with Stephen Geber. She was then a Fellow in the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida. Lee spent her summers at the Tanglewood Music Center, Spoleto Festival USA, National Repertory Orchestra, International Festival-Institute at Roundtop, Credo Chamber Music and Interlochen Arts Camp. A native of Pittsburgh, Lee was fortunate to take part in Duquesne University's educational offerings growing up; she was a City Music Center member and Duquesne Young Artist Competition winner.
Karissa Shivone
Cellist Karissa Shivone joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra during the 2016-2017 season at age 21. She comes to Pennsylvania most recently from Southern California, where she enjoyed performing regularly with the Los Angeles Philharmonic as a substitute cellist under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel, Semyon Bychkov, Leonard Slatkin, and John Williams. Originally from Seattle, Shivone made her solo debut at age 15 performing with Gerard Schwarz and the Seattle Symphony as a winner of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Audition. Subsequently, she appeared as soloist with the Colburn Orchestra at Zipper Hall and The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.
An avid chamber musician, she won the Silver Medal at the 2015 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition as the cellist of the Calla Quartet. Calla performed internationally in festivals and recitals including Melbourne, Australia, New York, Chicago, Fort Worth, and many venues in Southern California.
Shivone has performed alongside artists such as Joseph Silverstein, Alessio Bax, Alexander Kerr, Donald Weilerstein, Robert deMaine, Barbara Westphal, and Martin Chalifour at many prominent festivals including the Strings Music Festival in Steamboat Springs, Sarasota Music Festival, Mimir Chamber Music Festival, Perlman Music Program, and Heifetz International Music Institute.
Shivone received her Bachelor of Music degree from the Colburn Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Mr. Ronald Leonard. She began her studies at age 7 with Leslie Marckx, and has worked with renowned cellists Steven Isserlis, Efe Baltacigil, Raymond Davis, Meeka Quan-diLorenzo, Johannes Moser, Desmond Hoebig, and Richard Aaron.