Gualala Arts Chamber Music Series presents: Manhattan Piano Trio Sunday, April 17, 2011, 4:00 p.m. at the Gualala Arts Center

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Gualala Arts will host the Manhattan Piano Trio on Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 4:00 p.m.

Manhattan Piano Trio Wayne Lee, violinist Dmitry Kouzov, cellist Milana Strezeva, pianist

Hailed by critics as "a grand departure from the usual" (News Herald), the Manhattan Piano Trio has quickly become one of the most creative, exciting, and dynamic young ensembles in the United States. With more than 300 concerts in its first five seasons alone, MPT is one of the most active groups in the classical music scene, welcomed by enthusiastic audiences in over 30 states, across three continents, and in venues such as Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Hall, and the Ravinia Festival. The Washington Post described the Trio as "impressive" and "outstanding," while the Sarasota Herald Tribune said "one seldom is privileged to enjoy music of such a wide range of styles performed with self-effacing skill and relaxed assurance."

The Manhattan Piano Trio has been recognized for its electrifying performances in international competitions. Since its inception in 2004, the Trio has captured grand prizes at the Plowman Competition and at the Yellow Springs Competition; runner-up at the Chesapeake Competition; and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Listeners' Choice Award in Melbourne.

Since its formation, MPT has carved out a unique niche for itself by performing concerts in a much wider range of settings - from major concert halls around the country to venues in smaller towns. The Trio has performed in prestigious venues such as the Clark Memorial Library at UCLA, Chamber Music Sedona and Pro Musica Detroit; alongside these engagements, MPT has maintained its goal of establishing and encouraging new concert series to grow in small towns often bypassed by other major classical groups.

Past seasons have brought the group to virtually every part of the country. Highlights include performances and return engagements at the Franciscan University, Kravis Performing Arts Center, William and Mary College, Shenandoah University, Fairmont Chamber Music Society, Young Harris Methodist College, St. Simon's Island Concert Association, St. Vincent College, Oxford College of Emory University and Lakes Chamber Music Festival in Minnesota. The Trio has also toured South Africa, performing in Pretoria, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Durban.

Program Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Piano Trio in D Major, Op. 70 No. 1 "Ghost" Allegro vivace e con brio Largo assai ed espressivo Presto Franz Schubert (1797-1828) Lieder (Songs) An die Musik An Sylvia Die Forelle Nacht und Träume Intermission Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Piano Trio in C Major, Op. 87 Allegro Andante con moto (Tema con variazioni) Scherzo. Presto - Trio. Poco meno presto Finale. Allegro giocoso

Strongly committed to educating new generations of musicians and music lovers, the Manhattan Piano Trio is adept at weaving informative talks into its performances, thereby imparting greater musical insight and emotional clarity to its audiences. The Trio also presents master classes and outreach programs to preparatory schools, colleges, and communities wherever it goes. As part of the community rebuilding effort in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, they were one of the first musical groups to perform in the city and were honored to give a benefit concert at the University of New Orleans.

The Manhattan Piano Trio is an ensemble that embodies, in the deepest sense, the borough that provides its namesake: these three musicians represent starkly different backgrounds, and yet connect on a fundamental level to enjoy making music together. Wayne Lee, violinist, is originally from San Francisco; the group's cellist, Dmitry Kouzov, grew up in St. Petersburg, Russia; and Milana Strezeva, pianist, is a native of Kishinev, Moldova and a naturalized American. Dmitry and Milana are founding members of the group; Wayne, who joined in 2008, is the most recent addition to the ensemble.

In addition to their rigorous concert schedule, the members of MPT are award-winning soloists who have performed internationally, bringing their experience and virtuosity to all of their trio programs. They are also devoted teachers; Milana and Wayne maintain private studios in New York, and Dmitry is Assistant Professor of Cello at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The performers themselves all completed graduate degrees at the Juilliard School, and the group still resides and performs regularly in Manhattan.

Listen to the Manhattan Piano Trio.

Tickets are $25 advance; $5 more day of concert (buy your tickets early!). Children and young people ages 7 through 17 are admitted free.

For advance purchase, go to Brown Paper Tickets or call them at 800-838-3006.
To purchase in person, visit the Gualala Arts Center or Dolphin Gallery in Gualala.

The Gualala Arts Center, located at 46501 Old State Highway in Gualala, CA,
is open weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and weekends from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Please call (707) 884-1138 for more information, or email info@gualalaarts.org.

Join us in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Gualala Arts, 1961 - 2011

Serving the coastal communities of northern Sonoma & southern Mendocino Counties.