03 Feb 2014 Van Cliburn winner to perform with Conway symphony
by Taylor Woods
The University of Central Arkansas Public Appearances series will feature Ukranian Vadym Kholodenko, winner of the 2013 Van Cliburn Piano Competition, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, in the Donald W. Reynolds Performance Hall.
Kholodenko will perform a concert including solo piano works and a concerto accompanied by the Conway Symphony Orchestra. The program will begin with Mozart – Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K. 467, followed by an intermission, and will finish with Medtner – Forgotten Melodies I, op.38.
“We’re really excited about this concert because it’s the first time we’ve ever had the Van Cliburn winner on the UCA campus,” said Amanda Horton, director of UCA Public Appearances.
The concert is sponsored by Little Rock radio station B98.5.
According to cliburn.org, the quadrennial Van Cliburn International Piano Competition is a world-renowned competition known for its dedication to the discovery of the world’s finest pianists. Before the competition, a jury travels the world to hear pianists perform for a live audience in order to showcase their talent. From these auditions, 30 pianists are invited to compete for the coveted Cliburn medals.
“Another thing that I found interesting about the Van Cliburn competition is that the top three just have a small differentiation in their scoring,” Horton said. “All top three are excellent musicians, but [Kholodenko] was the gold winner. We’re excited to have him.”
According to the website, Kholodenko captured the attention of audience members through his “powerful performances marked by vibrant imagination and intelligence.” Kholodenko has since made appearances with The Philadelphia Orchestra at the Mann Center, Aspen Summer Festival and La Jolla Music Society. He was also named the Mariinsky Theatre’s September Artist of the Month by Valery Gergiev. Kholodenko’s 2013-14 season has included tours of Japan and Italy, appearances with the Porto Symphony Orchestra, Moscow State Academic Orchestra and Rostropovich Festival.
“He’ll be in Conway for a few days working with UCA students and also working with the (Conway) Symphony Orchestra,” Horton said. “We’re thrilled to include the Conway Symphony Orchestra in this concert. They’re an amazing group of musicians. Anytime we can bring our local artists together with one of our touring artists it’s just a lot of fun.”
According to conwaysymphonyorchestra.org, the Conway Symphony Orchestra provides the Central Arkansas community with musical performances and is composed of approximately two-thirds pre-professional musicians and one-third professional musicians from across the region.
Horton said Kholodenko would also work with invited UCA students in a master class on Monday, Feb. 10.
“I want Reynolds to bring educational experience to the UCA students,” Horton said. “It’s great to have [Kholodenko] interact with our students. It means a lot to expose the students to professional artists.”
Tickets, available at the UCA Ticket Central Box Office, are $30-$40 for the adults, $27-$37 for senior citizens, $25-$35 for UCA alumni, $23-$33 for UCA faculty and staff, free for UCA students with a current student ID and $10 for non-UCA students and children. For tickets, call 501.450.3265 or toll free from anywhere in Arkansas at 1.866.810.0012 or visit uca.edu/tickets.
For more information, contact Horton at 501.450.3682 or [email protected].
