CONWAY, Ark. (January 26, 2012) — Violinist Jennifer Koh and pianist Shai Wosner will present a dual recital on Sunday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in Reves Rectial Hall on the Hendrix College campus. The event, sponsored by Hendrix Special Events, is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Karen Griebling, professor of music, at (501) 450-1249.
The program will include “Sonata for violin and piano” by Leoš Janáček, “Sonata No. 1 for violin and piano” by Béla Bartók, “Romance for violin and piano” by Leoš Janáček, and Sonata No. 3 in D minor for violin and piano by Johannes Brahms.
Jennifer Koh Violinist Jennifer Koh is dedicated to performing the violin repertoire of all eras from traditional to contemporary, believing that the past and present forms a continuum. She is also passionate in her efforts to expand the violin repertoire and has established relationships with many of today’s composers, regularly commissioning and premiering new works. Born in Chicago of Korean parents, Koh began playing the violin by chance, choosing the instrument in a Suzuki-method program only because spaces for cello and piano had been filled. She made her debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at age 11. Koh earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Oberlin College and went on to study at the Curtis Institute. Since the 1994-95 season when she won the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, the Concert Artists Guild Competition, and the Avery Fisher Career Grant, Koh has been heard with leading orchestras and conductors around the world.
Koh brings the same sense of adventure and brilliant musicianship to her recordings as she does to her live performances. In addition to “The Singing Rooms,” released by Telarc in 2010, Koh has recorded six albums for the Chicago-based Cedille label, including her Grammy-nominated recording “String Poetic.” A committed educator, Koh has won high praise for her performances in classrooms around the country under her innovative “Music Messenger” outreach program. Now in its eighth year, the program continues to form an important part of her musical activities. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the National Foundation for the Advancement for the Arts, a scholarship program for high school students in the arts.
Shai Wosner Born in Israel, pianist Shai Wosner enjoyed a broad musical education from a very early age. He has attracted international recognition including praise from the The Chicago Sun Times for exemplifying a “remarkable blend of the intellectual, physical and even devilish sides of performance.” He has appeared with numerous major orchestras in North America and Europe. Wosner’s debut recording, released by Onyx in the fall of 2010, juxtaposes works by Brahms and Schoenberg and explores the inner connections between the musical languages of the two composers. The album was called “inventively conceived and impressive” by The New York Times. His second solo album featuring works by Schubert that incorporate elements of folk music was recently released by Onyx in October 2011.
Wosner studied at The Juilliard School. He is the recipient of an Avery Fisher Career Grant and recently completed a residency as a BBC New Generation Artist. Wosner currently resides in New York City with his wife and daughter.
Founded in 1876, Hendrix College is a national leader in engaged liberal arts and sciences education. Hendrix was named the country’s #1 “Up and Coming” liberal arts college for the third consecutive year by U.S. News and World Report. Hendrix is featured in the 2011 edition of the Princeton Review as one of the country’s best 376 colleges and is listed in the 2012 edition of the Fiske Guide to Colleges as one of 25 “Best Buy” private colleges included. Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. For more information, visitwww.hendrix.edu.