Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Artist Series to present a master of the ivories

Misha Dichter will perform a solo piano recital at SV Pavilion


By SABINA DANA PLASSE
Express Staff Writer

Misha Dichter will play a benefit concert for the Sun Valley Artist Series on Sunday, Sept. 5, at 8 p.m. at the Sun Valley Pavilion. Courtesy photo

In less than one year, the Sun Valley Artist Series has garnered much attention and support from the Wood River Valley community. As an Idaho nonprofit organization, the series is devoted to the promotion and encouragement of classical music in the Wood River Valley. The idea for the Sun Valley Artist Series grew out of now Artistic Director Susan Spelius Dunning's living room where she would perform for a small group of friends and classical music lovers who wanted more.

The series made its season debut on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, with Chicago Symphony violinist Rudy Kremer and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum. Sold-out performances for the Sun Valley Artist Series followed.

A Labor Day benefit concert with internationally renowned pianist Misha Dichter will take place at the Sun Valley Pavilion on Sunday, Sept. 5, at 8 p.m. This is the first benefit concert for the Sun Valley Artist Series.

"This is a first-time solo recital in the pavilion, which will be historic," Dunning said. "We want to continue this every Labor Day weekend."

Dichter is a graduate of The Julliard School, and at age 20 while at the school he won the 1966 Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, launching an international career. In 1968, Dichter made his debut with Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic.

Dichter is an active chamber musician and performs with his wife, Cipa Dichter, a pianist. He is frequently a guest artist with major orchestras and symphonies around the world. He plays music festivals and concert series, and teaches master classes.

Dunning said she and series Executive Director Steve Garmon would like to bring more "rock-star" soloists to the pavilion because these musicians reflect the mission of the Sun Valley Artist Series.

"We want to emphasize that this is not just chamber music," she said. "We are bringing in very well-known soloists."

This winter the series will present five other concerts at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood, which can seat as many 400 patrons. The series will have free pre-concert talks before each performance. This year the series will add four "Great Composers" lectures at various locations throughout the valley. Local and national music experts will give the lectures.

"The 'Great Composers' lecture series is turning into a lecture performance," Garmon said. "The lectures and pre-concert talks are meant to help inspire people to learn more about what they are hearing."

Garmon and Dunning said the series could not happen without the support of the Sun Valley Center for the Arts or the Sun Valley Summer Symphony as well as the support of many groups and people in the valley.

"They opened the doors for us," Dunning said. "And Sun Valley Co. has been amazing too."

Dunning and Garmon said the benefit performance with Dichter is an opportunity for the community and visitors to enjoy a great concert with an excellent artist.

"We want to reach out to everyone," Dunning said. "We encourage parents to bring children because the music speaks to many people."

General seating is $47, $74 and $93 and patron seating is $225 with $125 tax deductible, which includes a post-concert Pavilion Terrace reception with Dichter. In addition, a $475 ticket with $375 tax deductible includes a Friday, Sept. 3, cocktail party with Dichter and post-concert Pavilion Terrace reception. Tickets are available at mySVFun.com or by calling 622-2108.

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Events schedule

Sunday, Sept. 5 Benefit concert with Misha Dichter performing a solo piano recital at the Sun Valley Pavilion at 8 p.m. For tickets, visit mySVfun.com or call 622-2135.

Sun Valley Artist Series 2010-11 season performance will take place at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum. All shows will start at 8 p.m. Pre-concert talks are free and will start at 7 p.m. For tickets, visit www.svwas.org or call 725-5807. In addition, the Sun Valley Artist Series will present free "Great Composers" lectures in Oct. and Nov. 2010 and May and June 2011. The dates, location and times to be announced.

Saturday, Dec. 11 Three-time Grammy Award winner Sharon Isbin will play guitar. 

Saturday, Jan. 8 Sun Valley Artist Series Artistic Director and international performer Susan Spelius Dunning will give a solo piano recital.

Saturday, Feb. 12 National Symphony Orchestra's Steven Honigberg will play cello and St. Louis Symphony Orchestra's Peter Henderson will play piano.

Friday, March 25 The Italian Saxophone Quartet will perform.

Saturday, April 30 The St. Petersburg String Quartet will perform.

Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com




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