The Roanoke debut by the Hudson Trio will include a concert at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 14 in Virginia Western Community College’s new Center for Science and Health Professions Multipurpose Room, HP210. The concert is free and open to the public.
Americana, a program of irresistible American music, will reflect the trio’s eclectic approach to programming, combining standard works of chamber trio repertoire with rarely performed compositions. From Arthur Foote, “The Dean of American Composers,” comes music of great drama and romanticism, reminiscent of a young Johannes Brahms. A hundred years later, pianist Paul Schoenfield gives us Café Music–composed in the restaurant in which he played nightly–where jazz tones mix with fiery classical virtuosity. In between, audiences will hear some of their favorite melodies from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess and an arrangement of his gorgeous piano Preludes. Our favorite Cole Porter song sounds even better arranged for the Trio, and some swinging Scott Joplin Rags will have the audience wanting to dance in their seats. Impressionistic sonorities in New York composer Ernest Bloch’s Nocturne feed the imagination, and the Orange Blossom Special showcases our take on American country fiddling.
The Hudson Trio features violinist Caroline Chin whose playing has been described by the Chicago Sun Times as “…riveting and insightful, who lights up in passages of violin pyrotechnics.” Chin, who gave her solo debut at the age of 12, has performed throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. Chin is also deeply involved in music education in the classrooms of New York Public Schools where she develops outreach programs.
Cellist Robert Burkhart has been dubbed “the adventurous cellist” by Russell Platt of the New Yorker. He frequently collaborates with living composers as a member of the American Modern Ensemble. He recently concluded a residency at Yale where he was presented on WQXR’s “Young Artists Showcase.” He has performed with orchestras for over 15 years and is principal cellist of the New York Symphonic Ensemble, where he has been featured soloist in several tours of Japan.
Vladimir Valjarevic, pianist, has been praised by critics for his “caressing legato” “silk-on-velvet seductiveness” (Fanfare Magazine), “beautiful lyricism and a wide variety of tones and colorings, perceptively applied with care” (All Music Guide.) A dedicated chamber musician and soloist, he has performed throughout the United States, Europe and Japan. Valjarevic participated in the European premier of Cage’s “Four Walls” in Berlin and Hamburg. At the SWCC Festival of the Arts, he performed world premiers of pieces written for the Festival by Aleksandra Vrebalov and Dick Hyman. He is on the piano faculty at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Mannes College in New York and also teaches at Rutgers University. Valjarevic is affiliated with the Beijing International Music Festival and Academy in China.
Contact (540) 857-8914 or ewilliams@virginiawestern.edu for performance information.
