Spring concert series pushes boundaries of classical music

ZOFOThe Horizons Concert Series continues its tradition of providing international-caliber artistry by presenting four diverse programs this spring of Baroque through contemporary music. All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. in Ashurst Hall.

ZOFO Duet: Piano, Four Hands
Monday, Jan. 27

Since joining forces as a professional ensemble in 2009, internationally acclaimed pianists Eva-Maria Zimmermann and Keisuke Nakagoshi—the piano duo ZOFO—have electrified audiences from Carnegie Hall to Osaka, Japan, with their dazzling artistry and outside-the-box thematic programming for piano four-hands. This Grammy-nominated, prize-winning ensemble is among a handful of ensembles worldwide devoted exclusively to piano duos. Zimmermann and Nakagoshi are blazing a bold new path for piano four-hands by focusing on 20th- and 21st-century repertoire and by commissioning new works from noted composers each year.

ZOFO will perform music by Gershwin, Debussy, Corigliano, Urmas Sisask and Carl Vine.

ImaniWindsImani Winds
with Anne-Marie McDermott, Piano
Monday, Feb. 17

Imani Winds has established itself as one of the most successful chamber music ensembles in the United States. Since 1997, the Grammy-nominated quintet has taken a unique path, carving out a distinct presence in the classical music world with its dynamic playing, culturally poignant programming, adventurous collaborations and inspirational outreach programs.

Imani and McDermott offer a program of music by Mozart, Hindemith, Poulenc, Valerie Coleman and Jason Moran.

FlandersRecorderQuartetFlanders Recorder Quartet
Monday, March 10

The Flanders Recorder Quartet has evolved into one of the world’s top ensembles over the past quarter-century. The ensemble’s success in 1990 at the prestigious Musica Antiqua Competition in Brugge was the start of an extensive concert career.

Enjoy Baroque and contemporary works for recorders of all sizes in a program, titled “Musical Banquet.”

Jeffrey Swann, piano
with Steven Moeckel, violin
Monday, March 31

Jeffrey SwannJeffrey Swann enjoys an international performing career that has taken him throughout the United States, Europe, Latin America and Asia. He won first prize in the Dino Ciani Competition in Milan, a gold medal at the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels and top honors at the Warsaw Chopin, Van Cliburn, Vianna da Motta and Montreal Competitions, as well as the Young Concert Artists auditions in New York City. His large and varied repertoire includes more than 60 concertos as well as solo works ranging from Bach to Boulez.

The program also features violinist Steven Moeckel (concertmaster, Phoenix Symphony) and NAU music faculty in vocal and instrumental chamber music by Mozart and Chausson.

 

Individual tickets for the Horizons Concert Series are $20 for adults and $12.50 for seniors and NAU faculty and staff. Admission is free for children ages 17 and younger and for NAU students with an ID. For tickets to all events, call (928) 523-5661, toll free (888) 520-7214, or purchase online at nau.edu/cto.

Free parking for all Horizons events is available in lots P3 (behind Gammage), P8 (north of the College of Education on Knoles Dr.) and P4 (ADA stalls near Ashurst; must have hangtag).