The Oracle Piano Society’s Signature Series concerts for 2017-2018 kick off in October. This is your chance to see and hear world-class performances, and meet the artists, in a relaxed, intimate setting at the Oracle Center for the Arts, 700 E. Kingston St. in Oracle.
For this year’s series, Artistic Director Stephen Cook, himself a renowned pianist, has created an exciting program of concerts by musical masters ranging from classical masterpieces to theatre and video-game themes. There will be eight concerts, all on Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m. except for the kick-off Phantasmagoria concert on Saturday, October 21. Here is the whole exciting list.
October 21, 2017 (Saturday), 6 p.m. “Phantasmagoria” — come in Halloween costume to hear what Mr. Cook can make a piano do: he calls it a Spectral Spectacle and Masquerade.
November 5, 2017. A chamber concert: a violin and piano conversation. Anna Gendler from the Tucson Symphony and Alexander Tentser, director of the Pima Community College Orchestra.
November 19, 2017. Pianists Michael Manning and Eleanor Perrone will perform the immortal late piano sonatas of Franz Schubert.
December 3, 2017. The vibrant pianist Xuesha Hu will show the artistry and energy that won her the gold medal at this year’s international Bösendorfer competition.
January 21, 2018. Kabarett. Irish composer Christopher Norby and his band present a multi-media extravaganza featuring his diverse, original music for theatre, movies, apps and games.
March 25, 2018. Two famous pianists from the Republic of Georgia, Inga Kashakashvili and her husband, composer George Oakley, perform original compositions and waltzes.
April 8, 2018. A chamber duo: Sergio Gallo and Milton Masdiadri play music for piano and double bass (if you haven’t seen the double bass in performance, you are in for a real treat).
April 22, 2018. The series concludes with the premiere performance of the Oracle Piano Society’s own chamber ensemble.
This is a rare chance to experience music at this level and meet the artists themselves. A season ticket for all eight concerts is only $200. Individual tickets also are available — $30 in advance, $35 at the door (students are free). Order tickets at oraclepianosociety.org.
For more information, contact Coralee Thompson, events@oraclepianosociety.org