Steinway Society the Bay Area
Announces 2005-06 Season

San Jose, CA. June, 2005 - Steinway Society’s 2005-06 piano series will feature nine pianists in eleven recitals to be held at Le Petit Trianon Theatre, 72 N. Fifth Street, in downtown San Jose. The Steinway Society presents six classical piano recitals as its main subscription series and three additional concerts that include jazz and other innovative programs. The three additional concerts were offered for the first time last season in an effort to expand audiences and provide greater variety in programming, and their popularity has ensured their continued inclusion as an option for Steinway Society’s piano-loving patrons.  In addition, Steinway Society will present three free “Community Access Concerts,” two at the Trianon and one as part of the “Season of Hope” series at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph.

Ellen Tryba Chen, artistic committee chair, commented: “The primary objective of our series is to bring pianists of the highest caliber to San Jose.  South Bay piano aficionados know they don’t have to go to San Francisco or even to Stanford to hear first-rate pianists in recital; in fact, our series often draws music lovers from outside Santa Clara County to our beautiful Petit Trianon Theatre.  All six classical pianists on our series have proven themselves in concert halls around the world.” 

Chen added, “We also delight in showcasing talented young pianists, many from our own backyard, on our Young Artists Program.   And the non-classical ‘Additional Concerts’ were such a success last season that we are committed to including them as an option for our patrons.  Finally, we are particularly proud of our continued ability to offer the joys of piano music free of charge to families who may have never before attended a piano concert with our Community Concerts.”

Classic Six Series

The 2005-06 season boasts a formidable array of world-class classical pianists from the legendary and internationally acclaimed to the up-and-coming young talent on the cusp of a promising career. 

Uruguay-born pianist Enrique Graf will open the season on October 9, 2005. Known and loved for his illuminating performances of Latin American music, Mr. Graf is respected as well for the depth and breadth of his vast repertoire.  He performs regularly in concert halls from New York to Moscow and throughout Latin America. His illustrious career includes an active chamber music schedule, recordings for major labels, and faculty positions at Carnegie Mellon and the College of Charleston.

Returning for her third Steinway Society appearance on October 29 & 30, the ever-more-popular Olga Kern has established a monumental career in the US and abroad after her gold medal success at the Van Cliburn Competition in 2001.  Ms. Kern’s brilliant style, Russian temperament, and unmatched charisma consistently win her standing ovations and rave reviews wherever she performs.  She appears for Steinway Society audiences again in a double performance, Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon, and it is expected that both will sell out completely as they did in 2003.

Following her highly acclaimed appearances with Symphony Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Symphony, Steinway Society is thrilled to present Natasha Paremski in her first Bay Area solo recital on January 7 & 8, 2006.  Born in Russia, this nineteen-year-old rising star came to the Bay Area with her family in 1995.  She currently divides her time between her studies at the Mannes College of Music in Manhattan and an impressive array of engagements across the US and in Europe; her schedule next season will include debut recitals at Wigmore Hall in London and the Louvre in Paris.

Stephen Swedish is a celebrated American pianist and chamber musician. He has partnered in concert with some of the great legends of classical music including cellist Janos Starker and violinist Josef Gingold.  He has recorded on the RCA Red Seal, Mercury, and Gasparo record labels.  He performs on February 12, 2006.

Long before the prestigious Van Cliburn Competition took place in May-June 2005, Steinway Society had reserved the March 26 date for its gold medalist. Booking an unknown pianist carries with it some risk, but this time it was more than warranted: rarely in competition history has agreement been so complete among both audiences and the jury: Alexander Kobrin of Russia carried away the Gold.  No stranger to either piano competitions or the performance circuit, Mr. Kobrin had already distinguished himself with medals at the Busoni, Chopin, and Hamamatsu competitions, and has toured extensively in Europe, North and South America, and Asia.

Closing the “Classic Six” season in May, 2006 will be Frederic Chiu. Born in the US, Mr. Chiu spent much of his early career in Paris, and concertized extensively in Europe.  He now lives in Connecticut and has expanded his reach to include performances throughout the US and Asia. Mr. Chiu has recorded over twenty CDs for the Harmonia Mundi label. Known and respected as much for his unconventional approach to teaching as for his playing, Mr. Chiu’s “Deeper Piano Studies” workshops and master-classes are sought after by pianists throughout the world.

Three Additional Concerts

In addition to the basic subscription series, three non-classical concerts have been added to the schedule, interspersed throughout the season. 

Jazz stylist Joe Augustine will appear on November 13, 2005. He will perform his own compositions as well as arrangements of traditional Broadway and Popular favorites.  With fifteen CDs to his credit, Mr. Augustine has recorded for national jazz labels as well as independent labels.

Richard Glazier is one of today’s foremost interpreters of “American Popular Songbook” classics.  His multi-media concert program entitled Gershwin – Remembrance and Discovery has delighted audiences throughout the US; other programs feature the much-loved music of Harold Arlen and Scott Joplin.  Mr. Glazier comes to San Jose on June 11, 2006.

For the first time this season, Steinway Society’s traditional Young Artists concert has moved from the “Classic Six” subscription series to join the “Additional Concerts” group.  This concert, on April 23, 2006, features carefully selected, exceptional young performers, many from the Bay Area.  Each has won in prestigious local or national piano competitions.  This concert is eagerly anticipated by many Bay Area families and Steinway Society friends who all agree: performances by these dedicated, enthusiastic, and tremendously talented up-and-coming young musicians can be every bit as spine-tingling and memorable in their own way as performances by our more seasoned artists.

Community Access Series

Over the past two seasons Steinway Society has presented an outreach program called the Community Access Series consisting of three one-hour concerts.  The project was designed to be a family-friendly set of concerts introducing various aspects of the world of piano music.  They are educational without being dry and entertaining without being simplistic, and the programs are carefully chosen to have great audience appeal.  These concerts are subsidized by grants and are free to the public.  Dates and programs will be announced in future press releases and on the Steinway Society website.

STEINWAY SOCIETY THE BAY AREA
The Steinway Society is a nonprofit volunteer-based organization that was founded in 1993. The organization’s mission is: To promote excellence in piano performance and music education in the Bay Area. The Steinway Society has grown to become one of the Bay Area’s foremost arts organizations. Empowered by a highly motivated volunteer Board of Directors, it continues to offer the Bay Area the highest quality performing artists.

Le Petit Trianon Theatre is an ideal venue, unique in the Bay Area for salon type piano recitals where audiences can enjoy up-close and personal performances reminiscent of 19th Century musical gatherings. The acoustics are ideal for piano recitals and small ensemble performances. The newly acquired Steinway D concert grand is an added bonus, its marvelous vibrant tone can be heard clearly from every corner of the theatre. A new Versailles style courtyard was completed last season, lending a beautiful surrounding for patrons to enjoy intermission refreshments (cookies, soft drinks, champagne and coffee are served at intermission and after concerts free of charge to patrons).
 
TICKET INFORMATION
Subscriptions series are offered for 6 concerts, “Classic 6,” priced from $89-$169, and for all 9 concerts, “Full 9,” priced from $119-$199.  A new pick-your-own series of 4 concerts, “Personal 4,” is being introduced this season, priced from $59-$139.  Subscribers enjoy up to 50% savings. Subscribers receive priority seating and other benefits as well.  Renewal deadline is June 17, 2005. New subscribers are seated after the deadline. Single tickets are available August 1, 2005. Tickets and subscriptions may be purchased by phone, mail, fax, or email.
 
CONTACT INFORMATION
Steinway Society The Bay Area
72 N. Fifth Street, San Jose, CA 95112
PHONE 408-295-6500
FAX (408) 998-0234
E-mail: steinwaysociety@trianontheatre.com
Website: www.steinwaythebayarea.com
 
STEINWAY SOCIETY THE BAY AREA
2005-06 SEASON
Classic 6 Series                                                    
ENRIQUE GRAF
Sunday Oct. 9, 2005, 7:00 PM 
OLGA KERN
Sat. Oct. 29, 2005, 8:00 PM
Sun. Oct. 30, 2005, 4:00 PM
NATASHA PAREMSKI
Sat. Jan. 7, 2006, 8:00 PM
Sun. Jan. 8, 2006, 4:00 PM
STEPHEN SWEDISH
Sun. Feb. 12, 2006, 7:00 PM
VAN CLIBURN GOLD MEDAL WINNER
Sun. March 26, 2006, 7:00 PM
FREDERIC CHIU
Sun. May 14, 2006, 7:00 PM
Additional Performances

JOE AUGUSTINE, PIANO TRIO
Sun. Nov. 11, 2005, 7:00 PM
YOUNG ARTISTS CONCERT
Sun. April 23, 2006, 7:00 PM
RICHARD GLAZIER
Sun. June 11, 2006, 7:00 PM