Manhattan Piano Trio to open SFA's University Series

The Manhattan Piano Trio, hailed as "a grand departure from the usual," will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, in W.M. Turner Auditorium as part of the SFA College of Fine Arts' 2011-2012 University Series.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts will open its 2011-2012 University Series with a concert by the Manhattan Piano Trio at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, in W.M. Turner Auditorium.

"Since its inception in 2004, this trio has become one of the most creative, exciting and dynamic young ensembles in the classical music scene," said Dr. John W. Goodall, associate dean of the College of Fine Arts. "The grand prize winners of several international competitions, the Manhattan Piano Trio is a wonderful opening for our 2011-2012 season, 'Your Bridge to the Arts.'"

The trio, which has performed in over 30 states, Australia and South Africa, comprises pianist Milana Strezeva, violinist Wayne Lee and cellist Dmitry Kouzov, all of whom completed their graduate studies at the Juilliard School.

The musicians will open the concert with Joseph Haydn's "Piano Trio in D major, Hob. XV:16" and close with "Piano Trio in C major" by Gaspar Cassadó.

Strezeva will collaborate with each of the men individually as she and Lee perform Peter Tchaikovsky's "Valse-Scherzo" and she and Kouzov present Tchaikovsky's "Pezzo Capriccioso, Op. 62."

Joining the trio for the remainder of the program will be Russian-born soprano Svetlana Strezeva, laureate of the Tchaikovsky International Competition in Moscow and the Glinka Vocal International Competition in Minsk. The St. Petersburg Press called her "The Great Russian Nightingale."

Prior to the performance, SFA Assistant Professor of Piano Pedagogy Mario Ajero will give a 7 p.m. informative talk in Griffith Gallery, located across the hall from Turner Auditorium. The audience is invited back to the gallery for a post-performance reception to meet the artists and honor the event's corporate sponsor Cataract, Glaucoma & Retina Consultants of East Texas.

Turner Auditorium and Griffith Gallery are both located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Dr. on the SFA campus.

Tickets range from $17.50 to $35, with discounts available for seniors and students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.