PICTURE IT!We could all see it with our ears! Valentina Lisitsa thrilled the audience at the lovely Plantation Chapel. Her "depiction" of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition was spectacular. Her grace, power, and talent culminated in true works of art. The audience was spellbound as she musically portrayed Mussorgsky's musical homage to his friend and artist Vityushka Hartmann. Her Gaspard de la nuit by Ravel known as a "triathlon for a pianist" left us breathless, but not Valentina. She magically illuminated the notes Ravel had used to "illustrate" the poems of the French poet Bertrand. She herself painted smiles on each face of the audience by beginning the concert with announced works by Beethoven, Chopin, and Liszt. We in turn painted a picture of appreciation to her as we stood to our feet after each piece with thunderous applause. Before Ms. Lisitsa began the last piece she told the audience that she hoped we enjoyed the piece as much as she enjoyed playing it. The joy was visible....and we all left knowing we had seen and heard a "Masterpiece"!
Emma Mills Bledsoe President, AICMF Board PERFORMING
Valentina Lisitsa, piano THE PROGRAM
Ravel Beethoven Chopin Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition |
CONCERT SPONSORSSupport from the following individuals made this concert possible. The Board of Directors and all of us at the Festival are most appreciative for their commitment to bringing excellent music to our community.
A very special thanks to Lea Gallardo, photographer, for allowing the use of her images of the concert and sponsors. You may view and/or download more concert images by Lea Gallardo.
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ABOUT THE ARTIST
Valentina Lisitsa was born in Kiev, Ukraine, in 1973. She started playing the piano at the age of three, performing her first solo recital at the age of four. She attended the Lysenko music school for Gifted Children and, later, Kiev Conservatory, where she studied under Dr. Ludmilla Tsvierko.
While at the Conservatory, Lisitsa met pianist Alexei Kuznetsoff. The two performed together and In 1991, they entered and won first prize in The Murray Dranoff Two Piano Competition in Miami, Florida. That same year, they moved to the United States to further their careers as concert pianists. In 1992 the couple married. Their New York debut was at the Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center in 1995.
Lisitsa has performed in various venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Benaroya Hall, Musikverein and Royal Albert Hall. She has also collaborated with violinist Hilary Hahn for various recital engagements.
Amelia Island Chamber Music supporters will remember many spirited performances by Valentina. Many will also recall an amazing performance on Two Pianos with Alexei and Valentina both playing at the Chapel.
Valentina Lisitsa was born in Kiev, Ukraine, in 1973. She started playing the piano at the age of three, performing her first solo recital at the age of four. She attended the Lysenko music school for Gifted Children and, later, Kiev Conservatory, where she studied under Dr. Ludmilla Tsvierko.
While at the Conservatory, Lisitsa met pianist Alexei Kuznetsoff. The two performed together and In 1991, they entered and won first prize in The Murray Dranoff Two Piano Competition in Miami, Florida. That same year, they moved to the United States to further their careers as concert pianists. In 1992 the couple married. Their New York debut was at the Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center in 1995.
Lisitsa has performed in various venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Benaroya Hall, Musikverein and Royal Albert Hall. She has also collaborated with violinist Hilary Hahn for various recital engagements.
Amelia Island Chamber Music supporters will remember many spirited performances by Valentina. Many will also recall an amazing performance on Two Pianos with Alexei and Valentina both playing at the Chapel.
“I was impressed, sometimes dazzled and sometimes even taken aback by the ferocity of her fortissimos. And she is also a delicate, sensitive, fluid player who can ripple gently over the keys with the unctuous smoothness of oil.” — The Washington Post
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