39th Annual Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series Opens Friday, November 16, 2018 at St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Church with Cellist Ani Aznavoorian & Pianis

 

NEWS from St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church, Los Olivos

For Immediate Release: October 24, 2018

 

For Further Information Contact:                                                                     

The Rev. Dr. Randall Day, St. Mark’s Priest & Rector; 805-688-4454; info@SMITV.org

AND Linda Burrows, Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series Coordinator; 805-688-7423; Lsbethechange@mac.com

AND Dr. Robert Cassidy, SYV Concert Series Artistic Director; 805-455-5474, robertlcassidy88@gmail.com

www.SMITV.org and www.smitv.org/syv-concert-series.html

 

39th Annual Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series Opens Friday, November 16, 2018 at

St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Church with Cellist Ani Aznavoorian & Pianist Robert Cassidy

        

CAPTION: Ani Aznavoorian, Principal Cellist of Camerata Pacifica and pianist Robert Cassidy will perform in the first program of the 39th annual Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series on Friday, November 16, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Church in Los Olivos.  Dr. Cassidy has also been named Artistic Director for the series. (Hi-res images available from laura@mariahmarketing.com)

 

Los Olivos, Santa Barbara County, California – The public is invited to attend the 39th annual Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series featuring renowned artists performing at St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church located at 2901 Nojoqui Avenue in Los Olivos.  According to Linda Burrows who coordinates the series, “The opportunity to experience great artists of passion and integrity perform masterworks by distinguished composers enriches one’s emotional and intellectual life.  To hear stirring music in St. Mark’s Church is especially moving and uplifting.”  According to music critic Josef Woodward, St. Mark’s Church is noted for stunning acoustics, serene ambiance and “It’s a fine place to hear serious music.”

 

The first event of the 39th annual series will feature renowned pianist Robert Cassidy and cellist Ani Aznavoorian, performing “The Beethoven Cycle Part II” on Friday, November 16, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. Cassidy remarked, “We created The Beethoven Project to immerse the audience in the emotional complexities and musical brilliance of Beethoven’s complete sonatas and variations for piano and cello.” The featured pieces on this program are three sonatas, Op 5. No 1, Op. 69, and Op. 102 No 1; as well as the 12 Variations from Mozart's Magic Flute.  The artists performed “The Beethoven Cycle Part I” at St. Mark’s on April 29, 2018 to great acclaim.

 

St. Mark’s Priest and Rector Dr. Randall Day is pleased to announce that Dr. Robert Cassidy has assumed the newly created role of artistic director for the Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series beginning this season. Day stated, “Dr. Cassidy will contribute his wealth of knowledge and experience to enhance the existing program and expand its influence throughout the region. He’s been a regular series performer, one of our artistic advisors and we welcome him in this new, influential role.”

 

Pianist Robert Cassidy has received widespread acclamation for his performances and recordings of both solo piano repertoire and chamber music.  A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Piano Performance from the Manhattan School of Music; and Doctor of Arts in Piano Chamber Music and Accompanying/Piano Performance from Ball State University. His recent recordings of the Debussy Preludes have received worldwide recognition for their sensitivity and insightful interpretations. Cassidy has performed nationally and internationally as a soloist and chamber musician. In addition to his performances, Dr. Cassidy continues his active teaching career and is currently Director of Piano Chamber Music for Santa Barbara Strings. Cassidy collaborates regularly with musicians from the Camerata Pacifica and is thrilled that Richard O'Neill and Ani Aznavoorian will perform in this year’s Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series. Having a pulse on the current trends in the music business, Cassidy will draw on his past work experiences at Lincoln Center, Inc., IMG Artists, and the American Pianists Association to develop innovative programming and cultivate future audiences for the Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series.

 

Cellist Ani Aznavoorian is described by The Strad Magazine as having “Scorchingly committed performances that wring every last drop of emotion out of the music. Her technique is well-nigh immaculate, she has a natural sense of theater, and her tone is astonishingly responsive.” Ms. Aznavoorian received both her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from The Juilliard School and continues to perform often in New York and also throughout the world including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, Tokyo Philharmonic, Helsinki Philharmonic, Finnish Radio Symphony, International Sejong Soloists, Belgrade Philharmonic, Juilliard Orchestra and Edmonton Symphony. Ms Aznavoorian also is a member of the faculty at summer festivals as well as the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana. This season marks Ms. Aznavoorian’s eleventh year as principal cellist with Camerata Pacifica. 

 

The 39th annual Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series will present these other renowned artists this season.

·       Saturday, January 12, 2019, at 7:00 p.m.:  The Los Angeles Reed Quintet (LARQ)

·       Saturday, February 23, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.: Violinist Paul Stein and Pianist Bridget Hough

·       Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.:  Violist Richard O’Neill and Pianist Robert Cassidy

 

Doors for each concert open 30 minutes prior to the start with tickets being sold at the door as well as online in advance www.smitv.org/syv-concert-series.html

 

General admission tickets are $20 and student tickets are $10 (with any student ID). Plus, there will be a complimentary reception following each concert to meet the artists and enjoy conversation and refreshments. For patron ticket purchases and any questions, please call SYV Concert Series Director Linda Burrows at 805-688-7423 or the St. Mark’s office at 805-688-4454 or visit www.smitv.org or www.smitv.org/syv-concert-series.html

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About St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church:  Formed in 1926 and serving the Santa Ynez Valley at its present location in downtown Los Olivos since 1979, St. Mark’s practices a spacious Christianity and welcomes people of all faiths or none. St. Mark’s is a no-fee community center for non-profit groups and community meetings, an arts venue for musical and cultural events, a welcome center for residents and area visitors, and a home to an Episcopal parish. St. Mark’s is also grateful to be home to the area’s Jewish community. St. Mark’s top-flight, non-sectarian professional preschool serves Santa Ynez Valley families with quality early-childhood education. Open doors, restrooms, free Wi-Fi, a shady courtyard, gardens, a labyrinth and water for pets are available for visitors and area residents all day, every day. For more information, please visit www.SMITV.org

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