This October 26 – November 10, 2019, the Florida International University School of Music will host its annual FIU Music Festival, bringing together acclaimed artists from across the classical and jazz music world for three weeks of curated performances and master classes at the Wertheim Performing Arts Center (The Wertheim), located at Florida International University’s Modesto A. Maidique Campus.
This year’s festival will feature eleven captivating and engaging concerts, designed to attract Miami audiences wanting to experience an inspiring lineup of artists and musical mastery. The festival is set to win audiences with high caliber artists including three-time Grammy® nominated Jazz pianist Joey Alexander, acclaimed cellist Julian Schwarz, USC’s pianist Bernadene Blaha, organist and alumna Katherine Meloan, jazz pianist Stephen Scott, the FIU Jazz Faculty Quartet, famed musicologist Frank Cooper, the FIU Festival Orchestra, the FIU Symphony Orchestra and Choirs, the FIU Jazz Big Band, and so much more.
Also performing will be FIU’s own distinguished Artist-in-Residence ensemble and faculty: pianist Kemal Gekic, violinist Robert Davidovici, and the Amernet String Quartet who will perform with their newest member from Yale, second violinist Avi Nagin.
This year, three concerts are co-presented by the Friends of Chamber Music of Miami including a recital with Gold Medalist Winner in the 14th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, notable Ukranian concert pianist Vadym Kholodenko, along with the Borodin Quartet and the Z.E.N. Trio.
The festival is more than a celebration of musical talent. It also offers a combination of unique, hands-on learning experiences for music students each fall. FIU students are given the opportunity to learn from, and play with, the best in the business. Students also prepare, produce, and manage the festival while developing their entrepreneurial acumen and fluency in music management under the guidance of faculty and professionals.
The FIU Music Festival is presented by the FIU School of Music and funded in part by Oceanbank, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, and The Betsy.
2019 Festival Lineup
- Oct. 26, 7:30pm: Opening Concert: Duruflé Requiem: FIU Symphony Orchestra & Choirs, Miami Arts Studio Orchestra and Choirs, Cellist Jason Calloway, Guest Conductor Henry Leck
One of the most beautiful choral works ever written, Duruflé’s Requiem is the perfect complement to the resonant acoustics of the Wertheim Concert Hall, blending choirs, orchestra, and organ in perfect harmony. Duruflé is often associated with the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral where his works have been performed over the last to today.
- Oct. 27, 4:00pm: Pianist Kemal Gekic and Musicologist Frank Cooper
Join world-renowned musicologist Frank Cooper and FIU Artist-in-Residence and preeminent pianist Kemal Gekic for an intimate multimedia presentation and performance featuring Chopin’s Prelude Op. 45 and Franz Liszt’s Apres une lecture du Dane: Fantasia Quasi Sonata.
- Oct. 30, 8:00pm: Z.E.N. Trio
An enthralling ensemble of electrifying performers, the Z.E.N. Trio is made up of three standout solo musicians – pianist Zhang Zuo, violinist Esther Yoo and cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan – who captured the music world’s attention as BBC New Generation Artists. Co-presented by Friends of Chamber Music of Miami.
- Nov. 1, 7:30pm: A Tribute to John Williams: FIU Festival Orchestra
Revel in fantastic music by America’s greatest living composer for film―the incomparable John Williams. This concert promises to be a delight for all ages, showcasing music from his best-known scores including Star Wars, Schindler’s List, ET, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jaws, Superman, and more.
- Nov. 2, 7:30pm: Joey Alexander & FIU Jazz Big Band
The 16-year-old piano prodigy and three-time GRAMMY® nominee is enjoying one of the most ascendant careers in Jazz as a composer, musician, and bandleader. As he embarks on an exciting career, which includes some high-profile U.S. performances and the release of new music, he performs with the FIU Jazz Big Band for what will be an unforgettable evening.
- Nov. 3, 4:00pm: Borodin Quartet
For more than seventy years, the Borodin Quartet has been celebrated for its insight and authority in the chamber music repertoire. Revered for its searching performances of Beethoven and Shostakovich, the Quartet is equally at home in music ranging from Mozart to Stravinsky. Co-presented by Friends of Chamber Music of Miami.
- Nov. 6, 7:30pm: Pianist Stephen Scott & FIU Faculty Jazz Quartet
With a career that spans decades, Stephen Scott has performed and/or recorded with Jazz legends such as Wynton Marsalis, Sonny Rollins, Freddie Hubbard, Bennie Golson, Dexter Gordon, Pieces of a Dream and Dr. John among other musical giants. He’ll be joined by the FIU Faculty Jazz Quartet for a night you don’t want to miss!
- Nov. 7, 7:30pm: Amernet String Quartet with Cellist Julian Schwarz
Praised for their “intelligence” and “immensely satisfying” playing by the New York Times, FIU’s Artist in Residence Ensemble the Amernet String Quartet will be joined by acclaimed cellist Julian Schwarz for a thoughtful and provocative program of Beethoven masterpieces.
- Nov. 8, 8:00pm: Vadym Kholedenko, Piano
Notable Ukranian concert pianist Vadym Kholodenko, Gold Medalist in the 14th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, performs an electrifying concert of Mozart, Beethoven, and Chopin. Co-presented by Friends of Chamber Music of Miami.
- Nov. 9, 7:30pm: Violinist Robert Davidovici and Pianist Bernadene Blaha
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven, acclaimed violinist and Artist in Residence Robert Davidovici will be joined by University of South California concert pianist Bernadene Blaha for a two-part concert exploration of selected Beethoven Sonatas for Violin and Piano, beginning with the first five for this performance.
- Nov. 10, 4:00pm: Finale: Wertheim Organ Showcase with Katherine Meloan
Organist Katherine Meloan is an artist whose expressive gifts and eclectic repertoire enable her to contribute to the musical world with distinctive and engaging performances. You will be enchanted by her performance of well-known organ music by J.S. Bach, Saint-Saens, Sweelinck, and Widor performed on FIU’s Wertheim Organ, the largest concert hall organ in South Florida.
Tickets are on sale now and may be ordered online at musicfestival.fiu.edu, by email at musictix@fiu.edu, or by calling (305) 348-0496. Tickets prices range from $10 – $25. $5 Student tickets.
