The inaugural Piatigorsky International Cello Festival, under artistic director Ralph Kirshbaum, will take place in Los Angeles from March 9 to 18, 2012. During the festival—produced by USC Thornton School of Music and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, in partnership with the Colburn School and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra—22 cellists, including many of Gregor Piatigorsky’s former students, will perform in orchestra and chamber music concerts, give master classes, and participate in interactive events. Among cellists scheduled to perform at the festival are Narek Hakhnazaryan (2011 Tchaikovsky Competition Gold Medalist), as well as Steven Isserlis, Laurence Lesser, Mischa Maisky, Nathaniel Rosen, Raphael Wallfisch, Jian Wang, and Alisa Weilerstein. Conductors Neeme Järvi, Courtney Lewis, and Hugh Wolff will lead concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall and venues at USC and the Colburn School. Evan Drachman, grandson of Gregor Piatigorsky, will participate in a panel discussion with six former Piatigorsky students during an evening celebrating Piatigorsky’s life on March 16.
Posted September 28, 2011