Cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han highlight the musical talents of Vienna, Feb. 24
GAINESVILLE, Fla.—Vienna gave birth to some of the greatest composers in the classical music genre. David Finckel, of the Emerson Quartet, and Wu Han will highlight these composers and their compositions in “Voices of Vienna” at 5 p.m. on Feb. 24 at the University Auditorium.
Considered by many to be “the greatest musical city the world has ever known,” Vienna has been home to composers who have produced music without equal. “Voices of Vienna” features works by four of these “giants” of the classical world, including Franz Schubert, Ludwig van Beethoven, Anton Webern and Johannes Brahms.
Cellist David Finckel and Pianist Wu Han rank among the most esteemed and influential classical musicians in the world today. The talent, energy, imagination and dedication they bring to their multi-faceted endeavors as concert performers, recording artists, educators, artistic administrators and cultural entrepreneurs is unmatched. Their duo performances take them to some of the most prestigious venues and concert series across the United States, including San Francisco Performances; Stanford Lively Arts; New York’s Lincoln Center, The Morgan Library and Museum, Town Hall, and 92nd Street Y; Washington’s Kennedy Center, Smithsonian Institute, and Dumbarton Oaks; Wisconsin’s Union Theater; Milwaukee’s Pabst Theater; UCLA’s Performing Arts Series; the University of Chicago’s Mandel Hall; Princeton University Concerts; the University of Iowa’s Hancher Auditorium; the Cleveland Chamber Music Society; New Orleans Friends of Chamber Music; Santa Barbara’s UCSB Arts and Letters; and Aspen’s Harris Concert Hall.
The duo’s international engagements have taken them to Mexico, Canada, the Far East, Scandinavia and continental Europe to unanimous critical acclaim. Highlights from recent seasons include their debuts in Germany and at Finland’s Kuhmo Festival, their presentation of the complete Beethoven Cycle in Tokyo, and their signature all-Russian program at London’s Wigmore Hall.
David Finckel and Wu Han’s wide-ranging musical activities also include the launch of ArtistLed, the first musician-directed and Internet-based recording company, which is celebrating its 10th year. All nine ArtistLed recordings have received critical acclaim and are available via the company’s website at www.artistled.com. The duo’s “Russian Classics” recording, featuring works by Rachmaninov, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich, received BBC Music magazine’s coveted Editor’s Choice award. The two most recent additions to the ArtistLed catalogue feature the cello sonatas of Johannes Brahms, David Finckel’s recording of the Dvo?ák Concerto, and Augusta Read Thomas’ “Ritual Incantations” (world premiere recording). The upcoming “Russian Recital” album will feature works by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, and Scriabin, and will mark Wu Han’s first full-length solo recording for the label.
David Finckel and Wu Han have served as Artistic Directors of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center since 2004. They are also the founders and Artistic Directors of Music@Menlo, a chamber music festival in Silicon Valley that has garnered international acclaim since its inception in 2003. Prior to launching Music@Menlo, Wu Han and David Finckel served for three seasons as Artistic Directors of SummerFest La Jolla.
For many years, David Finckel and Wu Han taught alongside the late Isaac Stern at Carnegie Hall and the Jerusalem Music Center. They appeared annually on the Aspen Music Festival’s Distinguished Artist Master Class series, and in various educational outreach programs across the country. David Finckel and Wu Han reside in New York with their 13-year-old daughter Lilian.
“Voices of Vienna” includes Schubert’s Sonata in A Minor (Arpeggione), D. 821; Beethoven’s Sonata No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 5; Webern’s Two Pieces and Three Little Pieces, Op. 11; and Brahms’ Sonata No. 2 in F Major, Op. 99.
Tickets are $30, front orchestra and mezzanine; $25, rear orchestra; and $20, balcony.
Tickets are available by calling the Phillips Center Box Office at 352-392-ARTS (2787) or 800-905-ARTS (toll-free within Florida). Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster, 904-353-3309, or toll free at 800-277-1700. Orders may also be faxed to 352-846-1562. Tickets are also available in person at the Phillips Center Box Office, University Box Office at the Reitz Union and all Ticketmaster outlets. Ticketmaster is available on the on the internet at www.ticketmaster.com. Cash, checks, Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Group tickets are also available.
The Phillips Center Box Office is open Monday – Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. and two hours prior to the performance. Performance dates, times and programs are subject to change.