Sunday, April 21, 2013 at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center Viola and Piano Unite to Ignite a Fiery Chamber Program

Aventura, FL, April 03, 2013 --(PR.com)-- The fourth and final of the Miami International Piano Festival’s “Four Classical Sundays at Five” will feature pianist Kemal Gekic and violist Michael Klotz in a special chamber program at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center in Aventura, FL at 5 P.M on Sunday, April 21st.

Kemal Gekic and Michael Klotz
This will not be the first time these two highly acclaimed artists have joined forces. Klotz, the violist with the Amernet String Quartet (Ensemble in residence at FIU) and Gekic (Artist in Residence at FIU) have had the opportunity to collaborate on several chamber projects in the past, but this will be the first time with just the two musicians in a program that features works that showcase this unique pairing of instruments.

Michael Klotz made his solo debut with the Rochester Philharmonic at the age of 17. He has also appeared as soloist with the Miami Symphony, Eastman Philharmonia, Mannes Bach Festival Orchestra, Bowdoin Festival Orchestra, and the World Youth Symphony in London, England. In 2002 he became one of the few individuals to be awarded a double Master's Degree in violin and viola from the Juilliard School. Also a dedicated teacher, Klotz teaches viola and chamber music as an Artist-in-Residence at Florida International University.

Kemal Gekic has graced the stages of the Miami International Piano Festival since his US debut at the second annual Festival in 1999 which ultimately led to his appointment as Artist in Residence at FIU. Since then he has been an inspiration to students and audiences and is a collaborating partner with Festival Artistic Director, Giselle Brodsky on many projects. His worldwide touring schedule has earned him enthusiastic fans across the globe and his many exquisite recordings have made him the “standard bearer” for much of his repertoire, and in particular, his Liszt interpretations.

It is interesting to note the works tonight weren’t actually written for viola and piano. Bach’s Gamba Sonata in G minor is in fact an arrangement of the Trio Sonata for two flutes and basso continuo in G major that Bach composed around the same time and bears witness to what is perhaps Bach's most important contribution to the development of eighteenth century chamber music: the elevation of the harpsichord from subordinate to equal (sometimes superior), fully written-out musical partner in the duo sonata style. Bloch’s Suite Hebraique was written for violin or viola with versions for orchestra and piano. It draws on traditional Jewish sources, such as the sound of the shofar's call, as Bloch explored his Judaic heritage. In addition to a somewhat standard instrumentation, Prokofieff’s music for the ballet Romeo & Juliet also requires the use of the tenor saxophone, the cornet, viola d'amore and mandolins which add an Italianate flavor to the music. Klotz & Gekic have selected the pieces typically performed by viola and piano. Finally Rachmaninoff’s beloved Cello Sonata in G minor has also been transcribed for viola. Each piece will surely be exquisitely executed by two consummate collaborative musicians.

About the Four Classical Sundays at Five Concerts
The Miami International Piano Festival’s Four Classical Sundays at Five are intimate, classical, salon-style recitals presented at the beautiful Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. They feature some of the most renowned artists from around the globe and revitalize the tradition of the salon concerts of the 19th century. Each artist is invited to speak with the audience and reveal their insights and thoughts about the repertoire, the composers and their own personal interpretations. This creates a level of intimacy between performer and spectator that is not typical at more conventional recitals. A post-recital meet-the-artist reception allows audience and performers to get to know one another even further.

Concert & Ticket Info:
When: Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, 3385 NE 188th Street Aventura, FL 33180
Tickets: $30 (1/2 price for students with I.D.)
By phone: 954-462-0222; On-line: www.AventuraCenter.org

About the Miami International Piano Festival
Established in 1998, the Miami International Piano Festival is the public outreach vehicle of Patrons of Exceptional Artists, a non-profit organization dedicated to the immediate discovery, promotion, nurturing, and professional support of extraordinary artists with the long term goal of insuring continuity with the great classical traditions of the past.

Hailed as unique, the Miami International Piano Festival has been recognized as one of the most exciting recital series in the world today. The Festival presents artists, both emerging and established, who have their own distinct voices, who are not only capable of challenging convention but who are able to demonstrate that there are important interpretive ideas still to be expressed both in mainstream and rare repertoire - artists who clearly deserve international careers.
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Miami International Piano Festival
Katerina Kavouklis
305-935-5115
miamipianofest.com
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