NEWS RELEASE
ALGOMA UNIVERSITY
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Algoma University is pleased to announce that world renowned Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki will be performing an intimate solo concert at the Sault Community Theatre Centre on July 19 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the University’s inaugural Summer Concert Series.
Jan Lisiecki is a 21-year-old Canadian pianist who garnered international attention at only 15 years of age upon signing an exclusive contract with Deutsche Grammophon and being awarded the prestigious Diapason Dévourerte. Lisiecki has performed around the globe as a solo pianist and concerto soloist. He has matured his performance with leading orchestras, including the Orchestre de Paris, New York Philharmonic, and BBC Symphony. In 2013 he received his first Juno Award as well as the Leonard Bernstein Award and named Gramophone’s Young Artist of the Year, the first-ever North American to receive this honour.
“I am greatly looking forward to visiting Sault Ste. Marie for the first time and performing for the audience. Bringing classical music throughout Canada is one of the things closest to my heart, and I’m very thankful that this concert was possible. The programme will offer lots of variety: some works are well-known and instantly recognizable, others will be a discovery for the audience. I am certain the evening will be fun for both myself and those in attendance!” said Lisiecki.
Dr. Edward Turgeon, chair of the Music and Visual Arts Department at the university is excited to be hosting Lisiecki this summer, having already had the opportunity of seeing him perform.
"I had the pleasure to hear Lisiecki at the 2005 national finals of the Canadian Music Competition in Edmonton, where I was serving as judge. As Jan played during the competition's final round, I put down my pen and listened in amazement at the level of artistry, maturity and technical command in Jan's playing. One rarely hears that degree of sophistication from a 9 year-old… Now, a decade later, he's in great demand around the world, playing more than 100 concerts per year, enjoying an exclusive multi-recording contract with Deutsche Grammophon, appearing in the largest centres and with the world's finest orchestras – all at the age of 21.”
Following Lisiecki’s solo concert, pianists and Artists-in-Residence Duo Turgeon will perform a concert in Shingwauk Hall on Algoma U’s campus on July 23 at 3 p.m. Space is limited. Parking will be provided.
Duo Turgeon is a world-renowned husband and wife piano duo. Drs. Anne Louise-Turgeon and Edward Turgeon, two members of Algoma U’s music faculty, have established themselves as one of the North America’s prominent piano duos, having performed hundreds of concerts around the world. Duo Turgeon is the only North American piano duo to have taken first prizes in both the International Schubert Competition for Piano Duos (Czech Republic) and the Murray Dranoff International Two Piano Competition (Miami).
Tickets for both events can be purchased by visiting the Sault Community Theatre Box Office in the Station Mall or online at www.saultctc.ca. Tickers for Lisiecki’s concert are $40 for adults and $15 for children. Duo Turgeon concert tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for children and students.
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