Meet the artists

EMBASSY OF AUSTRIA
3524 INTERNATIONAL COURT, NW
SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 2008 7:30 PM

 

MATTHIAS SOUCEK, PIANO

The Austrian Pianist MATTHIAS SOUCEK studied in Vienna. He was the youngest winner of the "International Brahms-Competition" in Hamburg, Germany (1999) and was also awarded the 'Palm Beach Invitational Piano Competition' (Florida/USA), 'Concorso Internazionale di Musica G. B. Viotti' (Italy), the International Beethoven-piano-competition (Vienna/Austria) and many others. He played concerts at the Royal Dublin Society Concert Hall, Auditorium de Zaragoza, Casals Hall Tokyo and gave his debut at the world famous "Golden Concert Hall of the Musikverein" in Vienna (2006).'Clear and in one breath, with a dry and nicely accentuated left hand Mr. Soucek had an unmannered fluency and svelte shading' - Ionarts. We proudly welcome back Matthias. This phenomenal pianist will play Schubert, Mozart and Beethoven. Today Matthias Soucek is a remarkable concert artist who knows what it takes to enchant his audience. The way he extracts and magnifies myriad nuances from simple notes shows his unprecedented skill at the piano. When he starts spinning his intricate, sensitive and imaginative Stories of music his listeners feel magically transferred into other dimensions. His lucid style bathes the auditorium in all colors and splashes awed listeners with rainbow shards of life and spirit. He brilliantly expresses all kinds of feelings, such as lyrical, hymnic, dreamy as well as fiery, impulsive, frivolous and coquette moods which engulf the audience and leave each listener spellbound. He plays the piano like a string instrument and creates vibrations that touch and warm the soul. His charisma and presence are incomparable!

EMBASSY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
2650 WISCONSIN AVENUE, NW
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2008 7:30 PM

ILYA PETROV, PIANO

ILYA PETROV was born in 1985 in Krivoy Rog in Ukraine into a family of musicians, and began to study music in early childhood; his first teachers were his father and grandfather. At age seven, he had already performed a Mozart concerto with an orchestra, and three years later he appeared on stage playing Bach and Beethoven concertos and winning prizes at local and regional piano competitions. At the age of 9 he began to study at the Central School of Music in Kiev, performing in concerts in Ukraine and abroad.

In 1998 he won First Prize at the young performers competition "Little Prince", and immediately was accepted at the Chopin Music School in Moscow, continuing his education at the Chopin College of Music where his teacher was Professor Airapetian, who also taught at the Moscow Conservatory. In 2005 he was admitted to the Gnessin Academy of Music in Moscow to continue studying under Airapetian. In 2007 he began studies at the University of Miami.

A Guzik Foundation Award Winner in 2005 and 2006, Mr. Petrov maintains an active concert schedule, appearing both as a soloist and in chamber ensembles. His favourite composer is Liszt, whose works comprise a major part of Ilya's repertoire, along with works of Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Prokofiev and others.

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF HUNGARY
2950 SPRING OF FREEDOM, NW
FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2008 7:30 PM

 

MENDELSSOHN PIANO TRIO

Currently Ensemble-in-Residence for Washington DC's Embassy Series, Messiah College as well as Chamber Music in Grantham, PA, the Mendelssohn Piano Trio is one of the most exciting ensembles on the national and international music scene. The ensemble has performed and gave master classes in a variety of venues nationwide and abroad, including universities, colleges, art academies, and music festivals, as well as an international radio feature of Voice of America. The performance highlights of the Trio's upcoming 10th season are : National Concert Hall in Taipei, Taiwan, National Gallery of the Arts, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Embassy Concert Series, Black Rock Center of the Arts, and many others. Their fourth & fifth CDs will be released under the Centaur label with music of J. Suk, B. Smetana, and F. Mendelssohn. The Washington Post has described the group's Brahms cycle of Piano Trios and Piano Quartets presented by Embassy Series as "unfathomably beautiful", "transcendent" and "electrifying". Both the American Record Guide and Fanfare Magazine have praised the trio's recordings released on Centaur Records. Numerous classical music stations in the United States have also featured these recordings. The trio's recent performance at the National Gallery of Arts was broadcasted on NPR's "Performance Today" program.

EMBASSY OF AUSTRIA
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2008 7:30 PM

 

DMITRI BERLINSKY, VIOLIN
ELENA BAKSHT, PIANO

Violinist Dmitri Berlinsky's extensive performance schedule has taken him to the Mostly Mozart Festival, the Prague Spring Festival, the Aspen Music Festival, the Newport Music Festival, the Savannah Music Festival, the Settimane Musicale in Stresa, Italy, as well as appearances at the Ambassador in Pasadena, the Fiddle Fest, at Alice Tully Hall, the 92nd Street Y and Carnegie Hall.

Dmitri Berlinsky arrived on the International scene as the youngest winner in the history of the Paganini International Violin Competition in Genoa, Italy. This victory led to his performance on Nicolo Paganini's own Guarneri del Gesú instrument, a privilege shared by only a handful of artists in history. Subsequent triumphs at the Montreal International Violin Competition (Grand Prize), the International Tchaikovsky Competition and the Queen Elizabeth Competition in Brussels, led to appearances with major orchestras in Europe, Russia, the Far East, North and South America.

He has graced the stages at Avery Fisher Hall, The Kennedy Center, Tokyo's Suntory Hall, the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, the Leipzig Gewandhaus and the Palais des Beaux Arts in Brussels, among many others. Recently, he toured through South America with the Prague Chamber Orchestra. Mr. Berlinsky's Pavane CD recital Live at Waterloo recorded in Belgium has won critical acclaim. His latest recording, Souvenir D'un Lieu Cher is on the Helicon Records label.

He has been on the faculty of Michigan State University since 2001. Many of his students have won important International Competitions such as the Tchaikovsky, Menuhin, and Tibor Varga, and have assumed positions in orchestras including the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

In addition to his solo performances and his teaching, Dmitri Berlinsky is the founder of a new string ensemble, International Chamber Soloists which brings together some of the advanced string players at the MSU School of Music.

Of his Mozart Concerto #5 with the Utah Symphony, here's what the critics say:

The Salt Lake Tribune
"...By contrast, the orchestra presented itself with a pristine tightness in Mozart's 'Violin Concert No. 5.' Not only was Kogan right at home with this concerted composition, he had an obvious symbiotic relationship with the guest soloist du jour, Dmitri Berlinsky. Economical in the histrionic department, Berlinsky's playing was the antithesis of his calm demeanor. Sonically, this was electrifying playing to more than satisfy any discriminating aural palate. Berlinsky's tone and scholarly phrase work captured the essence of Mozart's score. In every respect, there was finesse all over the place."

Deseret News
"...The young Russian violinist Dmitri Berlinsky was the evening's soloist, playing Mozart's delightful Concerto No. 5 in A major, K. 219, 'Turkish'. Berlinsky showed an impressive command of his instrument both in bravura passages and in the more melodic parts of the work."

"...The enchanting 'Adagio' was sensitively played by both the conductor and the soloist, and Kogan's subtle accompaniment allowed the soloist's melodies to soar."

And more...

"Dmitri Berlinsky's eloquence and tastefulness imbued his reading of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with warmth and distinction." - Strad, 1995 "Berlinsky,..., gets around his instrument with all the skill of the most celebrated violinistic hot dogs - at 16, he was the youngest first-prize winner of Genoa's Paganini Competition - but with a seriousness of purpose..." The Baltimore Sun

"The full range of the violin was utilized by Berlinsky in Prokofiev's Sonata in D major as he deftly maneuvered through each daring passage with confident mastery. He shined on this remarkable piece, which takes everything out of the violin - including, in this case, a string that was sawed in two near the end of the last movement. Berlinsky continued playing with such calm that, had the string not been hanging from the violin, it is likely the audience would never have noticed it was broken." Anchorage Daily News

"Berlinsky displayed all his technical brilliance, especially in the demanding third movement, marked 'presto in moto perpetuo' (fast in perpetual motion). But his playing in the first two lyrical and emotion-charged movements was beautifully shaped and shaded, spinning out the long lines with deep understanding and emotion. (Barber Violin Concerto)" The Palm Beach Post

"...superbly played with beautifully contoured phrases. The artist captured the dark mood of the work and imbued it with a rich, warm tone throughout. Equally impressive, although in a different way, was the scherzo, in which he demonstrated manual dexterity that was almost athletic. ...Berlinsky is an extremely impressive young artist with fantastic technique..." Palm Beach Daily News

"The second half of the program featured the young Russian violinist, Dmitri Berlinsky, in Beethoven's Violin Concerto. As soloist with the Chamber Orchestra he demonstrated some remarkable qualities, including a particularly thoughtful relationship to the music. ... As particularly evidenced in the cadenza of the first movement and the entire second movement, Berlinsky is a poet of the violin. His playing possessed a quiet authority and inner lyricism that were quite individual. He also tossed of rapid decorative runs with a delightful ease and finesse, as if they were simply an afterthought."Albuquerque Journal

"Dmitri Berlinsky, whose strength recalls Maxim Vengerov, breezes through this recital with an ease that is sure to make others envious. He has technique and imagination to spare, there is no doubt about that; but when the respect of the composer's spirit takes precedence over everything, then the performer is 'pure bred'... this recital reveals an authentic musician." Repertoire (France)

ELENA BAKSHT is instructor of piano at the Michigan State University College of Music. Her career as a soloist and a chamber musician has taken her to concert halls throughout the world. Her most recent career highlights include appearances with the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Lawrence Foster; the Miami Symphony; the New Philharmonic of New Jersey; the Jupiter Symphony, NYC; the Bartlesville Symphony, OK; Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall and Carnegie Hall with violinist Dmitri Berlinsky; Carnegie Recital Hall; the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, FL; National Public Radiol ive broadcast with violinist Vadim Repin; and WQXR's Young Concert Artist's Series, NYC.

Other recent and upcoming engagements include appearances with Plano Symphony Orchestra, TX; Reading Symphony Orchestra, PA; New Philharmonic, Chicago, IL; Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, CT; Dupage Symphony, IL; Westfield Symphony, NJ; Chicago Symphonia, IL; Sussex Symphony, NJ; Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players, NYC; University of Chicago Recital Series and master class, IL; Weinberg Center for the Arts, MD; Embassy Series, Washington, DC; three appearances at the Phillips Collection, Washington, DC, all broadcast nationally on NPR; August Saint Gaudens Memorial Concert Series, NH; Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series, IL; St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts, FL; Stroudsburg University Concert Series, PA; Rutgers University Recital Series, NJ; Seton Hall University Concert Series, NJ; Beethoven Society Recital Series, Washington, DC, San Angelo Symphony, TX; Valley Symphony, TX; and Orchestra Philharmonic of Jalisco, Mexico.

Baksht has also appeared at the following festivals: Tanglewood Music Festival, MA; Fontainebleau Festival, France; 12th International Festival De Musica, Costa Rica; Bruges Recital Festival Series; Rutgers University Summerfest, NJ; Mackinac Island Art Festival, MI; and Gubbio Music Festival, Italy.

Being an active chamber musician, Baksht regularly collaborates with violinist Dmitri Berlinsky. Together they have been heard in numerous concert venues in the United States, Europe, South America, and Russia. She has also collaborated with violinist Vadim Repinand and violist Yuri Bashmet.

Baksht has created, organized, and presented interactive arts programs incorporating poetry and music in a new genre of public performance. These programs were presented at numerous locations, including: Zimmerli Museum at Rutgers University, NJ, and Michigan State University Arts Weekend. Due to the success of these programs, she has developed a unique museum and university course entitled, "Russia Through the Eyes of Poetry and Music," which she teaches at Michigan State University study abroad program in Volgagrad, Russia.

A native of Moscow, Baksht first came to public attention at the age of 11, when she appeared as a soloist with the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra and has performed throughout the former Soviet Union.

She studied at the Central School for Gifted Children with Sergey Dijurand and at the Moscow Conservatory with Henrietta Mirvis. Baksht earned her bachelor's degree from the Manhattan School of Music and her master's degree from the Julliard School of Music. Throughout the last years of her studies, Miss Baksht studied with Alexander Slobodyanik. She has also participated in various master classes with Daniel Barenboim, Emanuel Ax, Phillippe Entermont, Ursula Oppens, and Byron Janis.

EMBASSY OF POLAND
2640 16TH STREET, NW
FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2008 7:30 PM

MALGORZATA OLEJNICZAK, SOPRANO
RAFAL BARTMINSKI, TENOR
MICHAEL ADCOCK, PIANO

MALGORZATA OLEJNICZAK was born in Bedzin, Poland. She received professional musical education. All levels of her education have been connected with music. Starting her education at Primary Music School, then she continued at Secondary Music School (guitar classes) and finally gratuated from Academy of Music in Katowice, poland (vocal classes). She was also Minister's of Culture scholarship-holder for her outstanding achievements during her studies.

At the age of 18 she started singing lessons with Miroslawa Jasielska, MA. In May 2004 she graduated with honors from The Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice (Vocal-Acting Department), where she attended solo singing classes with professor Michalina Growiec. During her academic education, she performed on the stage, singing lyric and coloratura parts, for instance in operas such as "The Magic Flute" by W.A. Mozart (Pamina, the Queen of the Night, Papagena), "Der Schauspieldirektor" (Madame Herz), concert rendering of "Don Pasquale" by G. Donizetti (Norina). She had the opportunity to improve her vocal talent being coached by Professor Helena Lazarska. She attended numerous master classes.

Her diploma exam was at the same time her stage debut in The Stanislaw Moniuszko Grand Theatre in Poznan, where she sang the part of Gilda (G. Verdi - "Rigoletto"). Since that time she is a solist in Opera in Poznan where she successfully sings parts in operas: W.A. Mozart ("The Magic Flute" - The Queen of The Night), G. Rossini ("Il barbiere di Seviglia" - Rosina), G. Verdi ("Rigoletto" - Gilda, "Un ballo in maschera" - Oscar, "Don Carlos" - Voce dal ciel), G. Bizet ("Carmen" - Frasquita), S. Moniuszko ("Haunted manor" - Hanna).

The artist gives a lot of concerts singing both in recitals in Poland and in recitals abroad (Frankfurt, Buckeburg, Salzburg, Belgrade). With her enormaus repertoire she sings perfectly operas/operettas and musicals as well as songs and oratorio parts (F. Poulenc cycle entitled "La courte paille" and F. Chopin 12 Mazurkas in vocal and piano adaptation for Paulina Viardot considered as the most interesting).

She took part in prestigious concerts and festivals all over the country (for instance in a series of concerts called "On the trail of Maria Callas" held by K.Janda and S.Pietras promoting young talented singers). During her career she managed to cooperate and perform with The Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra, Polish Radio Chamber Orchestra "AMADEUS", philharmonics in Kalisz, Katowice, Zabrze, Zielona Góra, Baltic Opera, Cracow Opera, Silesian Opera, Cracow Chamber Opera and Music Theatre in Lublin. She has also recorded for The Polish TV Program TVP3. Since 2002 she has been cooperating with The Promotion and Dissemination of Music Institution "Silesia".

She repeatedly was awarded in national contests:

• 2003 - Special Award at II National Vocal Competition of H. Halska in Wroclaw for outstanding rendition of aria of The Queen of The Night from "The Magic Flute" by W.A. Mozart.
• 2002 - III prize at Interacademic Slavic Music Competition

 

She is a international contest repeat awards winner:

• 2007 - VI International Vocal Competition Stanislaw Moniuszko - III prize

 

Special Award of Grand Theatre - National Opera

 

Special Award for the best polish soprano at VI International Vocal Competition Stanislaw Moniuszko in Warsaw (sponsored by Karol Namyslowski Polish Peasant Orchestra Zamosc)

 

Special Award for the best polish artist at VI International Vocal Competition Stanislaw Moniuszko

 

2005 - XI Ada Sari International Vocal Art Competition - II prize

 

Ada Sari Special Award for the eminent coloratura soprano

 

Special Award for the best rendition of W.A. Mozart's work

 

2004 - Special Prize at 37th International Vocal Competition of A. Dvorak in Karlowes Vary in Czech given by Stating Opera Praha 2004

 

2002 - I Award at 18th International Vocal Competition of M. Schneider-Trnavsky in Trnava (Slovakia)

 

Her education and qualifications, precision and diligence enable her to achieve each goal set on her way to success.

MICHAEL ADCOCK, piano, was winner of the 1998 Lili Boulanger Memorial Award. He has cultivated a versatile career as both a soloist and frequent chamber music collaborator. Prizewinner in the 1996 Washington International Competition and winner in both the Chicago and New York Kosciuszko Foundation Chopin Competitions, Adcock made his Carnegie Recital Hall debut in December of 1998. A former student of Joseph Schwartz, Julian Martin, Leon Fleisher and Ellen Mack, his career has taken him to France, Italy and Australia, as well as a performance with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Notable musicians with whom Adcock has collaborated with include Denyce Graves, Ani Kavafian, James Buswell and the St. Petersburg String Quartet. A native of Virginia, Michael Adcock attended secondary school at The North Carolina School of the Arts, where he received the Irwin Freundlich Memorial Piano Award. Mr. Adcock took his Bachelor's degree from the Oberlin College-Conservatory where he graduated Pi Kappa Lambda. At Oberlin, he was twice awarded the Kaufman Prize in chamber music and received the Hurlbutt Award as most outstanding graduating senior in the Conservatory. Mr. Adcock received a Master's degree and Artists Diploma from the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, MD, where he was a prizewinner in the Yale Gordon and Harrison Winter Concerto Competitions. A former Artist-in-Residence at the Aspen Institute on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Adcock recently completed the Doctorate of Musical Arts at The Peabody Conservatory, where he was also an adjunct member of the theory and chamber music faculties. During the summer months, he Adcock is on the piano faculties of the Musicorda Festival in Massachusetts and the Sarasota Music Festival in Florida. Currently, Adcock resides in Washington, DC, where he maintains an active performance and teaching schedule, in addition to being on the faculty of the Washington Conservatory of Music.