Grand Piano Series and Artis—Naples form grand alliance
Naples, Florida – August 8, 2024 – Now entering its ninth season, Grand Piano Series, led by President and Artistic Director Milana Strezeva, continues to captivate audiences with rising stars and already-soaring artists from around the world.
Grand Piano Series can also boast a new partnership with a great Southwest Florida arts organization:
Housed on the campus of Southwest Florida’s premier visual and performing arts destination, each of the series’ elegant Artis—Naples venues seats between 150 and 250. Myra Janco Daniels Pavilion and Sharon and Timothy Ubben Signature Event Space are designed for exceptional acoustics and an intimate connection with the artists.
Evenings at Daniels
The stars come out and shine at this season’s Grand Piano Series evenings at Daniels Pavilion.
After her recent solo debut at the Berlin Philharmonic, world-renowned pianist Polina Osetinskaya, described as “a magnificent musician (whose) performances always explore new facets of even the most familiar scores,” ushers in the holidays in November, with Bach, and with Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite.
December brings disarming young Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient Sterling Elliott on cello and the series return of prize-winning Gilmore Young Artist pianist Janice Carissa, performing selections of Scriabin, Janáček, and Brahms.
Noted by critics for her “powerhouse sound, forceful musical personality, and sheer virtuosity,” 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition silver medalist Anna Geniushene plays Handel, Brahms, Liszt and Rachmaninoff, among others, in February.
May brings back 2015 Chopin National Piano Competition winner Eric Lu, playing to his strengths with an all-Chopin program. Already being compared to Radu Lupu, the late Romanian pianist whom Lu describes as “one of the gods of piano,” the young virtuoso’s career has soared over the six years since he took first place at the prestigious 2018 Leeds International Piano Competition.
"Eric last graced our series in the summer of 2018 and has since earned international recognition, performing with such renowned orchestras as the Chicago Symphony, Boston Symphony, and London Philharmonic,” said Strezeva.
Afternoons and evenings at Ubben
The intimate Ubben Signature Event Space doubles patrons’ options for enjoyment by hosting afternoon and evening performances by the same artists.
In January, the Grand Piano Series continues venturing beyond the piano, first with Trio Bohémo, a violin/cello/piano trio fresh from capturing prize after prize in worldwide chamber music competitions, including first place, best interpretation, and audience prize at Vienna’s International Joseph Haydn Chamber Music Competition.
March features a star-studded performance, including series director Milana Strezeva, a founding member of the award-winning Manhattan Piano Trio. Strezeva joins one of the biggest names in chamber music today — the Prague-based Pavel Haas Quartet — in an all-Dvořák program. BBC Music Magazine feted the Czech ensemble on its 20th anniversary by naming it one of the magazine’s 10 greatest string quartets of all time. The group has won five Gramophone Classical Music Awards for recordings, including Dvořák trios, quartets, and quintets.
Finally, Andrew von Oeyen brings Ubben twin March performances of “Angels and Demons,” a piano program that promises to explore “the heavenly and diabolical in music, its saints and sinners, both literally and figuratively. Some of the works are deeply religious, others hedonistic; some are inspired by the flesh, others by the spirit; and in some cases, both.”
Grand Piano Series, 2024-2025 Season
Ticket prices range from $50 to $59 and can be purchased at Artis—Naples box office. For assistance, call 239-597-1900.
Learn more about Grand Piano Series and sign up for email updates at grandpianoseries.org
Performances are at either Ubben Signature Event Space or Daniels Pavilion, Artis—Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Boulevard, Naples.
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m. (Daniels) – Polina Osetinskaya plays Bach and Tchaikovsky
Wednesday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. (Daniels) – Sterling Elliott and Janice Carissa play Scriabin, Janáček and Brahms
Thursday, Jan. 23, 3 p.m. (Ubben) – Trio Bohémo Opens in new window play Haydn, Smetana, and Brahms
Friday, Jan. 24, 7:30 p.m. (Ubben) – Trio Bohémo Opens in new window play Haydn, Smetana, and Brahms
Thursday, Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m. (Daniels) – Anna Geniushene plays Handel, Brahms, Liszt and Rachmaninoff
Thursday, Mar. 6, 3 p.m. (Ubben) – Pavel Haas Quartet with Milana Strezeva play all Dvorak program
Thursday, Mar. 6, 7:30 p.m. (Ubben) – Pavel Haas Quartet with Milana Strezeva play all Dvorak program
Wednesday, Mar. 26, 3 p.m. (Ubben) – Andrew von Oeyen, “Angels and Demons”
Thursday, Mar. 27, 7:30 p.m. (Ubben) – Andrew von Oeyen, “Angels and Demons”
Thursday, May 1, 7:30 p.m. (Daniels) – Eric Lu Opens in new window plays Chopin