Curtis Presents: Trio Zimbalist on January 11 at Field Concert Hall

Press Contacts:
Patricia K. Johnson | patricia.johnson@curtis.edu | (215) 717-3190
Ryan Scott Lathan | ryan.lathan@curtis.edu | (215) 717-3145

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PHILADELPHIA, PA—January 2, 2023—The Curtis Institute of Music kicks off its 2022–23 Curtis Presents series with internationally acclaimed Trio Zimbalist in a thrilling recital of chamber works on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at 8 p.m. on the stage of Field Concert Hall. Praised for their “precision and feverish intensity” (Greece’s EfSyn), the trio of Josef Špaček (Violin ’09), Timotheos Gavriilidis-Petrin (Cello ’17), and George Xiaoyuan Fu (Piano ’16)—all distinguished alumni of Curtis—is highly sought after across Europe and the U.S. and performs a breadth of repertoire that spans from the Romantic era to the twenty-first century’s most celebrated composers. This electrifying recital features performances of Lera Auerbach’s powerful and evocative Piano Trio No. 1, Op. 28; Mieczysław Weinberg’s astonishing Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 24; and Antonin Dvořák’s celebrated “Dumky” Piano Trio in E minor, Op. 90.

Trio Zimbalist takes its name from famed violin virtuoso Efrem Zimbalist, a towering presence at the Curtis Institute of Music as faculty and director for a combined forty years. Trio Zimbalist carries on the violinist’s storied legacy through its commitment to artistic excellence and draws upon the lineage of previous world-class ensembles formed at Curtis. Its members have studied with faculty representing the Guarneri Quartet, the Beaux Arts Trio, and the Chicago Chamber Musicians. With regular appearances at the La Jolla Music Society, ChamberFest Cleveland, Marlboro, and Moritzburg music festivals, they are active composers, adventurous and multidisciplinary collaborators, and passionate advocates for the impact of music on communities across the globe.

Curtis Presents returns to Field Concert Hall on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at 8 p.m., with the internationally renowned Rosamunde String Quartet and a gifted quartet of Curtis Students for a memorable night of chamber music. The season continues Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Gould Rehearsal Hall with Igor Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du Soldat (A Soldier’s Tale), featuring beloved actor John de Lancie, award-winning clarinetist David Shrifin, prominent violinist Soovin Kim, and an ensemble of Curtis students. The season concludes on Wednesday, April 19, at 8 p.m., with the Music of Richard Danielpour, a celebration of the Grammy Award winner. To learn more about these performances, as well as the Curtis Symphony Orchestra, Curtis Opera Theatre, Ensemble 20/21 concerts, Curtis Recital Series, and more, visit Curtis.edu/Calendar.

Single tickets start at $19 and are available for purchase at Curtis.edu. Subscriptions are also on sale for Curtis’s ongoing 2022–23 season. The flexible Choose Your Own subscription option offers 25% off ticket prices when purchasing tickets to two or more performances. For the 2022–23 season, Curtis is also offering a new Season Pass, with access to all performances for $149 per person. To order a subscription, visit Curtis.edu/Subscribe, call (215) 893-7902, or email tickets@curtis.edu.

About Curtis Presents

Past and future meet through Curtis Presents, which features a diverse collection of artists—alumni, faculty, students, and contemporary creators—whose musical foundations are rooted in the Curtis community. This series of intimate and innovative recitals offers a unique experience with exceptional artistry and one-of-a-kind programs.

About Trio Zimbalist

Praised for his remarkable range of color and virtuosity, Czech violinist Josef Špaček has emerged as one of the leading violinists of his generation. He is a sought-after soloist, performing regularly with the most distinguished orchestras around the world, including the Orchestre de Paris, Philadelphia Orchestra, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Frankfurt Radio Symphony, Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra; the Czech, Helsinki, Strasbourg, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and Rotterdam philharmonic orchestras; and the Tokyo and Shanghai symphony orchestras, among others. An avid chamber musician, Mr. Špaček has collaborated with Gil Shaham, Yuja Wang, James Ehnes, Noah Bendix-Balgley, and Kian Soltani. He previously served as concertmaster and associate artist of the Czech Philharmonic, the youngest in its history. Mr. Špaček performs on the ca. 1732 “LeBrun; Bouthillard” Guarneri del Gesù violin.

Born in Thessaloniki, Greece, cellist Timotheos Gavriilidis-Petrin gained international recognition as a top prizewinner at the prestigious International Paulo Cello Competition in Finland. In 2016 he made his U.S. solo debut with the Kansas City Symphony, under the direction of Robert Spano. He has also appeared as a soloist with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the Tapiola Sinfonietta, the Israel Camerata, NEC Philharmonia, and the Athens, Thessaloniki State, and Lahti symphony orchestras. An avid chamber musician, Mr. Petrin has participated in the Marlboro Music Festival, Chamberfest Cleveland, Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute, Caramoor’s Evnin Rising Stars, and the Dimitria Festival, among other programs.

Chinese-American pianist George Xiaoyuan Fu is establishing an international reputation as a captivating performer with distinctive intelligence and sensitivity. Mr. Fu has performed as a piano soloist with orchestras such as the National Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, North Carolina Symphony, and the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra. He has appeared at international venues such as the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, Kings Place, Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood, and Teatro Municipal in Santiago; while his live performances and interviews have been featured on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune and National Public Radio’s Performance Today. Mr. Fu is an active composer and performer of contemporary music, having collaborated with composers Krzysztof Penderecki, Harrison Birtwistle, George Lewis, Unsuk Chin, Tansy Davies, Phil Cashian, Matthew Aucoin, and Freya Waley-Cohen.

About the Curtis Institute of Music
The Curtis Institute of Music educates and trains exceptionally gifted young musicians to engage a local and global community through the highest level of artistry. For nearly a century Curtis has provided each member of its small student body with an unparalleled education alongside musical peers, distinguished by a “learn by doing” philosophy and personalized attention from a faculty that includes a high proportion of actively performing musicians. With admissions based solely on artistic promise, no student is turned away due to financial need. Curtis invests in each admitted student, ensuring no tuition is charged for their studies and they enter the profession free from educational debt. In a typical year, Curtis students hone their craft through more than 200 orchestra, opera, and solo and chamber music offerings in Philadelphia and around the world. Learn more at Curtis.edu.

CURTIS PRESENTS: Trio Zimbalist

Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at 8 p.m.
Field Concert Hall, Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust Street, Philadelphia

Josef Špaček, violin (’09)
Timotheos Gavriilidis-Petrin, cello (’17)
George Xiaoyuan Fu, piano (’16)

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