Bookended by two of Florence Price’s fantasies for violin and piano, this recital contrasts the exotic with the mainstream. Price wrote once that “In all types of Negro music, rhythm is of preeminent importance.” Against the fiery drive of the Price pieces and Bartok’s Second Sonata, based on Eurasian folk music, violinist Ann Yu and pianist Irwin Shung pit the more familiar yearning featured in Brahms’ and Bach’s compositions for string and keyboard.
Spiritual singer Ellaina Lewis sets our evening program off with the original spiritual melodies used by Price in her fantasy for violin and piano
Free student rush tickets (with valid student IDs) are available on the day of the event based on availability.
Two Fantasies
Saturday, June 10, 2023 7:30PM
Artists
Irwin Shung
Dr. Irwin Shung, whose playing has been praised by State Magazine for its “ease, technique, and musicianship,” has performed in North America, Europe, and Asia. Dr. Shung joined the faculty at the Cleveland Institute of Music in July, 2015, and also directs the Resonance Masters’ Series at Resonance at SOMA, situated in Bellevue, Washington. He currently serves as President of the Northeast Ohio Music Teachers' Association.
Shung received his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music in January, 2015, where he studied with Dr. Daniel Shapiro. He has also received instruction on piano from various distinguished teachers including Marian Hahn (Peabody Conservatory), Leon Fleisher (Peabody Conservatory), Herbert Stessin (Julliard School), and Gabriel Chodos (New England Conservatory). Awards received include the Pauline Favin Memorial Award from the Peabody Conservatory of Music, prizes in the 2012 Darius Milhaud Competition, as well as the Young Artist International Piano Competition.
Shung currently serves as piano faculty at the Notre Dame College in Cleveland. Shung’s performances have been featured by KING FM in Seattle, as well as WCLV Ideastream in Cleveland. His complete recording of the first book of Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier is available online, and a recording of the second book is forthcoming.
Ann Yu
Praised for her “full-bodied, rich and warm tone” (Cleveland.com), Cleveland-based violinist Ann Yu has captivated audiences with her beautiful sound, sensitive musicality, and engaging performances, drawing inspiration from her faith and her surroundings. Ms. Yu is the 1st prize winner of the 26th Annual Darius Milhaud Competition and has soloed with the CIM Orchestra twice, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the National Repertory Orchestra, among others.
An avid chamber musician, Ann has collaborated with Janine Jansen, Franklin Cohen, Mate Szucs, and Peter Slowik, attended prestigious chamber music festivals such as Caroga Lake, Thy Festival in Denmark, Kneisel Hall, Perlman Music Program Workshop, the New York String Orchestra Seminar, and Credo, where she currently serves as faculty.
Ann’s biggest passion lies in creatively using music to serve the community. She has received grants from the Cuyahoga Arts Council, the Ohio Arts Council, and the Center for Performance and Civic Practice to create unique, community-centered storytelling projects, collaborating with local organizations such as the Bishop William M. Cosgrove Center, Case Western Reserve University Department of Dance, and the Foluké Cultural Arts Center.
Ms. Yu is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music, receiving her master’s and bachelor’s degree in violin performance studying with Jaime Laredo, Jan Sloman, and William Preucil. She is a Teaching Artist for The Cleveland Orchestra and maintains a private studio of violin and viola students, some of whom are members of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, Akron Youth Symphony, and alumni of the Credo Chamber Music Festival.
Here's One Traditional African-American spiritual, Arr. William Grant Still
I'm Workin on My Buildin' Traditional African-American spiritual, Arr. Florence Price
Fantasie for Violin and Piano in F-sharp Minor Florence Price
Violin Sonata no. 2, sz. 76 Béla Bartók
Violin Sonata in E Major, BWV 1016 Johann Sebastian Bach
Intermission
Fantasie for Violin and Piano in G Minor Florence Price
Violin Sonata no. 1 in G Major, op. 78 Johannes Brahms