Classical Music Discoveries

The Orchestra of Southern Utah presents an evening of Chopin and other Romantic Composers for this week's podcast performance. The recital features Julliard School student Hannah Sun and Dixie State College Director of Strings Dr. Paul Abegg. Hannah began studying the piano at the age of two in her native China. Her first teacher was her mother, concert pianist Qi Melody He. She has studied and performed piano in Australia and is currently a scholarship recipient at The Juilliard School in New York. Hannah has received numerous scholarships awards including First Prize in the Second New York Piano Competition in June 2004. As the First Prize Winner, she had the opportunity to concertize in venues up and down the East Coast. She performed in the documentary BEYOND THE PRACTICE ROOM, a behind-the-scenes look at the competition, shown on PBS as well as the McGraw-Hill Young Artists Showcase hosted by Robert Sherman on WQXR, New York’s Classical Music Radio Station. She has also received a scholarship to attend the Fontainebleau Summer Music Festival (where she received the Prix Nadia Boulanger), Silver Award from the National Foundation of the Advancement of the Arts, third prize in the Kosciuszko Foundation's Chopin Piano Competition, first prize in the Long Island School Media Association (LISMA) International Music Competition, full scholarships at the International Keyboard Institute and Festival at Mannes College of Music, full scholarship to the International Academy of Music in St. Petersburg, Russia, and grants from the Children's Foundation for the Arts. Hannah has performed with Orchestra of Southern Utah in 2005, the LaGuardia Symphony Orchestra in 2007, and the Corda Spirita Chamber Orchestra in Brisbane, Australia in 2008. More information about Hannah and her impressive career can be found at www.hannahsun.com. Hannah performs “Barcarolle Op. 60”, “Mazurkas Op. 33”, and “Andante Spianato and Grand Polonaise Brilliante Op. 22” by Chopin for her September 29th performance at the OSU Recital. Violinist Dr. Paul Abegg is Director of Strings at Dixie State College where he teaches violin and viola, coaches string chamber music, and directs the Dixie State Symphony Orchestra. He spends his summers teaching at the New England Music Camp in Maine. Dr. Abegg received his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music from Michigan State University while studying with Robert Dan. He earned a Bachelor of Music from Brigham Young University. As a performer, Dr. Abegg has played solo, orchestra, and chamber music throughout the United States, Japan, Great Britain, Brazil, and Europe. Currently serving as concertmaster of the Southwest Symphony, he has also played with the Utah, Phoenix, Lansing, Ballet West, Kalamazoo, and Spokane Symphonies. Dr. Abegg performs “Sonatina Op 100 Larghetto and Finale” by Antonin Dvorak. He is accompanied by pianist Tracey Bradshaw. Several OSU musicians are also performing during the September 29th recital. Tracey is also accompanying violinist Marin Colby. Marin will play “Sonata #3 Adagio molto maestoso and Allegro” by Jean Marie LeClair. Cellist Emily White and pianist Teresa Redd perform “Cello Concerto” by Camille Saint-Saens. Pianist Mary Anne Andersen plays “Mazurka Op. 17 No. 4” by Chopin. She also accompanies Johnny Gallis, who performs “Villanelle” by Dukas on French horn. The Southern Utah String Quartet plays “Quintet (1862) Scherzo, Allegro non troppo” by Alexander Borodin. The Southern Utah String Quartet is comprised of violinists Patty Walser and Suzanne Steward, violist Sara Penny, and cellist Leah Brown. Pianist Abel Reed plays “Prelude in C# minor” by Sergei Rachmaninoff. Podcast hostess: Sandy Hedgecock Recording/Sound: Ken Hedgecock Photo: Hannah Sun Used by permission