Kavafian Duo makes debut in UD's Master Players Concert Series

1:38 p.m., Nov. 7, 2013--The second University of Delaware Master Players Concert Series (MPCS) program of the year will feature the Kavafian Duo at 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 22, in the Gore Recital Hall of the Roselle Center for the Arts.

The concert is part of the MPCS Great Musical Families Recital Series. Last year, the Paul Kantor family trio gave the inaugural performance of the series.

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This year, the world-famous Kavafian family showcases two sister performers, Ida and Ani Kavafian, along with long-time collaborative pianist Jonathan Feldman.

As artists on the roster of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the sisters, who are world-class violinists and violists, have performed with the symphonies of Detroit, Colorado, Tucson, San Antonio and Cincinnati, and they have recorded the music of Mozart and Sarasate on the Nonesuch label.

They celebrated the 25th anniversary of their first performance together at Carnegie Hall in fall 2008 with a concert at Lincoln Center, which featured their Curtis Institute and Yale University students and colleagues.

The previous MPCS event, “Mozart Celebration III,” was presented to a sold-out audience. Tickets for MPCS events go quickly and those who plan to attend are encouraged to purchase them well in advance.

An MPCS Prelude dinner will be available before this concert event, with speaker Stuart Sharkey, UD Distinguished Faculty Fellow Emeritus and former University vice president..

In addition, three free master classes will be held from1:25-2:15 p.m., Friday, Nov. 22, with violinist Ida Kavafian in Gore Recital Hall, violinist/violist Ani Kavafian in Puglisi Orchestra Hall and Feldman in 118 Amy E. du Pont Music Building.

Upcoming events:

Saturday, Dec. 7, 3 p.m., Mitchell Hall. The holiday offering, “Music Wonderland – Holiday Pops,” is created and produced by Xiang Gao, MPCS director, and hosted by 2013 Miss Delaware Rebecca Jackson. 

The concert will feature the acclaimed UD Chorale performing holiday music under the direction of Duane Cottrell. Also performing will be instrumental ensembles including the Nittany Trombone Quartet, MPCS ensemble-in-residence 6ixwire Project, and the world-traveling UD Steel Band under the direction of Harvey Price. 

Selected scenes from The Nutcracker will be performed by leading members of the Mid-Atlantic Ballet under the artistic direction of director Patrick V. Korstange.

The concert will be free to children under the age of 14 accompanied by ticketed adults as part of an MPCS educational endeavor made possible by generous gifts from donors who participated in the UD alumni and friends China trip, which is led by Gao.

Following the concert, there will be a free “instrument petting zoo” from 4:30-5:30 p.m. under the direction of UD’s Suzanne Burton in Gore Hall and hosted by Project MUSIC scholars Sarah Kutash, Stephanie Espie and Trey Williams.