CCM will celebrate the art of the piano with a series of special events this February. The fifth annual Bearcat Piano Festival presents master classes and guest artist concerts from Feb. 6 – 11 in the Robert J. Werner Recital Hall and the Mary Emery Hall Master Classroom, followed by the ninth edition of CCM’s Pianopalooza showcase at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16, in Corbett Auditorium.
Launched in 2010 by CCM’s Piano Department Chair Awadagin Pratt, the Bearcat Piano Festival has grown into a veritable piano spectacular with several days of master classes and recitals by piano greats. This year’s Festival will feature a “Friends, Family and Favorites” theme:
- Performances by “friends” include Assistant Professor of Piano at the University of Louisville Dror Biran and University of Michigan doctoral student pianists.
- The festival celebrates “family” as Professor Emeritus Frank Weinstock returns to the CCM stage, while Momoro Ono – Juilliard graduate and brother of UC President Santa J. Ono – makes his CCM debut.
- As for “favorites,” CCM presents performances by acclaimed pianist Boris Slutsky and 2013 World Piano Competition Gold Medalist Marianna Prjevalskaya (who also studied with Slutsky). This will mark the first time in the history of the World Piano Competition that the winner is presented in a public recital.
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, Pianopalooza IX, directed by CCM’s Division of Keyboard Studies Head Michael Chertock, will include songs of love and romance. The program showcases spectacular student pianists and features special appearances by CCM faculty artists including Awadagin Pratt, James Tocco and Chertock himself. Pratt will perform music by Rachmaninoff, Tschaikovsky, Schumann and celebrated jazz pianist (and Cincinnati native) Fred Hersch. Tocco and Chertock will present selections from Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story.
Pianopalooza IX and the Bearcat Piano Festival promise to excite audiences with the beautiful sound and versatile styles that this popular and complex instrument has to offer — the perfect listening opportunity for music and keyboard enthusiasts of all ages.
Event Information
Please see individual listings below for additional information. The Boris Slutsky, Marianna Prjevalskaya and Pianopalooza IX concerts require paid admission. All other Bearcat Piano Festival events are free and open to the general public. All dates and programs are subject to change.
Visit ccm.uc.edu/boxoffice/bearcatpianofestival for the most current information.
____________________
2014 BEARCAT PIANO FESTIVAL AND PIANOPALOOZA SCHEDULE
2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6
Master Class: Charles Dennis Thurmond
Charles Dennis Thurmond presents a lecture/demonstration on 400 years of improvisation in all forms.
Location: Robert J. Werner Recital Hall
Admission: FREE
____
7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6
Concert: Frank Weinstock
The Bearcat Piano Festival welcomes Professor Emeritus Frank Weinstock back to the CCM stage for a concert performance.
Location: Robert J. Werner Recital Hall
Admission: FREE
____
2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7
Master Class: Frank Weinstock
Frank Weinstock conducts an open master class featuring CCM student pianists.
Location: Robert J. Werner Recital Hall
Admission: FREE
____
7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7
Concert: Boris Slutsky
Since his orchestral debut at Carnegie Hall with the New York Youth Symphony in 1980, Boris Slutsky has appeared on nearly every continent as a soloist and recitalist. He emerged on the international music scene when he captured the First Prize at the 1981 William Kapell International (University of Maryland) Piano Competition. Now the Piano Department Chair at Peabody Conservatory, Slutsky was also a mentor to 2013 World Piano Competition winner Marianna Prjevalskaya.
Location: Robert J. Werner Recital Hall
Tickets: $15 general, $10 non-UC students, UC students FREE.
____
2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8
Master Class: Boris Slutsky
Boris Slutsky conducts an open master class featuring CCM student pianists.
Location: Robert J. Werner Recital Hall
Admission: FREE
____
7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8
Concert: Marianna Prjevalskaya
Marianna Prjevalskaya thrilled a sold-out audience in CCM’s Corbett Auditorium during the 2013 World Piano Competition. The Gold Medalist returns to CCM for a post-competition piano recital as part of the fifth annual Bearcat Piano Festival.
Location: Robert J. Werner Recital Hall
Tickets: $15 general, $10 non-UC students, UC students FREE.
____
2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9
Concert: Dror Biran
Assistant Professor of Piano at the University of Louisville School of Music, Dror Biran’s competition honors include the top prize at the M.K. Ciurlionis International Piano Competition in 1995 and the Cleveland International Piano Competition in 1997. Biran has also been a recipient of multiple scholarships from the America-Israel Cultural Foundation for distinguished musicians.
Location: Robert J. Werner Recital Hall
Admission: FREE
____
7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9
Concert: Doctoral Pianists from the University of Michigan
Guest artist doctoral students from the University of Michigan perform as part of the Bearcat Piano Festival.
Location: Robert J. Werner Recital Hall
Admission: FREE
____
2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10
Master Class: Choong Mo Kang
One of the premiere teachers in the world (and a jury member on many prestigious competitions) offers an open master class featuring CCM student pianists.
Location: Robert J. Werner Recital Hall
Admission: FREE
____
8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10
Master Class: Momoro Ono
Momoro Ono conducts an open master class featuring CCM student pianists.
Location: Mary Emery Hall, Room 3250
Admission: FREE
____
8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11
Concert: Momoro Ono
Creighton University Piano Professor Momoro Ono, brother of UC’s own President Santa Ono, performs works by Bach, Brahms, Haydn, Schumann and Stravinsky.
Location: Robert J. Werner Recital Hall
Admission: FREE
____
7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16
Concert: Pianopalooza IX – Keys to Love and Romance
Michael Chertock, director
Celebrate the art of the piano with the ninth installment of this popular concert, showcasing CCM’s most spectacular student pianists, with special appearances by CCM’s faculty artists. This year’s theme is Love and Romance, featuring music of Schumann, Rachmaninoff, Tschaikovsky and selections from Leonard Bernstein’s Westside Story.
Location: Corbett Auditorium
Tickets: $15 general, $10 non-UC students, UC students FREE.
____________________
Purchasing Tickets
Tickets for the Boris Slutsky, Marianna Prjevalskaya and Pianopalooza IX concerts can be purchased in person at the CCM Box Office, over the telephone at 513-556-4183 or online at ccm.uc.edu/boxoffice/bearcatpianofestival.
All other Bearcat Piano Festival events are free and open to the general public.
Parking and Directions
Parking is available in the CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the UC campus. Please visit uc.edu/parking for more information on parking rates.
For detailed maps and directions, please visit uc.edu/visitors. Additional parking is available off-campus at the new U Square complex on Calhoun Street and other neighboring lots.
For directions to CCM Village, visit ccm.uc.edu/about/directions.
CCM Season Presenting Sponsor: The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation
Community Partner: ArtsWave
CCM is proud to be an All-Steinway School
CCM VILLAGE NEWS ARCHIVES 