Quartetto Cornetto, Orin Grossman, Artistic Director

Quartetto Cornetto, Orin Grossman, Artistic Director


8 p.m., Friday, October 28, 2011
Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts

Image: Orin Grossman Quartetto Cornetto, a new music group organized by pianist Orin Grossman, will present its debut concert at 8 p.m. on Friday, October 28, 2011 , at the Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University, where he is a professor of Visual and Performing Arts. Dr. Grossman's musical partner for this concert is violinist Netta Hadari . For its premiere performance, Quartetto Cornetto features an exciting program that illustrates the influence of American music on European composers: Maurice Ravel's "Sonata for Violin and Piano," complete with its "Blues" movement, and Igor Stravinsky's setting of "The Soldier's Tale", with its ragtime and jazz-influenced rhythms. The Stravinsky will be performed in Stravinsky's adaptation for piano, violin, and clarinet in addition to the narration for the soldier and the Devil, his nemesis. Tickets are $35.

"The two musical selections I've chosen for this performance are beautiful examples of European composers writing right after the First World War, looking to America for new inspiration," said Orin Grossman. "Ravel had just visited the United States and was delighted with the ragtime, stride, and Blues music he heard in New York City. He became quite friendly with George Gershwin, although he refused to give him lessons, saying `Why be a bad Ravel when you are such a good Gershwin?' Stravinsky was still a young man at the end of the war, famous for huge orchestral works. But the devastation of the war made large works impractical, so he decided to write a piece for a few instruments based on the classic legend of the man who sells his soul - represented by his violin - to the devil, and his attempt to win his soul back."

Orin Grossman graduated Magna cum Laude in Music from Harvard College. He continued his studies at Yale University, earning a Ph.D. in Music. Dr. Grossman came to Fairfield University in 1975 as an Assistant Professor of Fine Arts. In 1991 he was named Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. After 10 years as the Academic Vice President at Fairfield University, he returned to the faculty in the fall of 2009, where he is Professor of Visual and Performing Arts. Dr. Grossman has been particularly associated with the music of George Gershwin, lecturing and performing concerts of his song transcriptions, and classical pieces to critical praise around the world, including recent performances in Cairo, New York, Florence, and St. Petersburg, Russia, where he gave the Russian premiere of Gershwin's Second Rhapsody with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic.

Violinist Netta Hadari was born in London to Israeli parents. He holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Music from Southern Methodist University and Yale University respectively and has had solo engagements all over the world. His main teachers have been Emanuel Borok and Syoko Aki. Mr. Hadari teaches at his private violin studio in Fairfield, is an adjunct professor at Fairfield University and is the conductor of the Greater New Haven Youth Orchestra. He is also the development director of Music Haven, a non-profit organization that builds community around a professional string quartet in the underserved communities of New Haven.

We are delighted to welcome back to the Quick Center its former Executive Director, Tom Zingarelli, who will narrate and also play the part of the Devil. In addition to his many years at Fairfield University, Mr. Zingarelli has acted in numerous performances including a recent one-man show as P.T. Barnum. He is a member of Theatre Artists Workshop of Westport and currently records audiobooks for various publishers.

Tickets are available through the Quick Center Box Office: (203) 254-4010, or toll-free 1-877-ARTS-396 (1-877-278-7396). Tickets can also be purchased online at fairfield.edu/quick .

The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts is located on the campus of Fairfield University at 1073 North Benson Road in Fairfield, Connecticut. Entrance to the Quick Center is through the Barlow Road gate at 200 Barlow Road. Free, secure parking is available. Access for people with disabilities is available throughout the Quick Center for audience members and performers. Hearing amplification devices are available upon request at the Box Office. Fairfield University is located off exit 22 of Interstate-95. For further information and directions, call (203) 254-4010 or 1-877-278-7396, or visit fairfield.edu/quick .

Posted On: 10-18-2011 11:10 AM

Volume: 44 Number: 84