Solstice Celebration of Music and Light

Saturday, June 22, 2024 @ 7 pm Stage 7 Pianos, Kirkland

Get ready for an intimate concert in celebration of the Summer Solstice. Emma Burge (violin), Mia HyeYeon Kim (piano), and Valentyn Lysenko (bandura) will play together for only one evening to create a magical moment in time. Prepare to be delighted by their virtuosity and to witness beauty and passion! 

Ukrainian bandura (a 62 string instrument of lute family) is often associated with folk music only. We will proudly present the bandura  as an academic instrument that sounds wonderfully  in  both  solo and chamber ensemble performances of classical music. As always, our music program includes something of renown composers, something of rarely performed East Central European music, and something Ukrainian. 

General admission $30. Youth under 16 is always free entrance. Tickets at the door (cash cover) or in advance via Eventbrite.

Buy tickets here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/solstice-celebration-of-music-and-light-tickets-894158160127

or book your Facebook calendar here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/403392045931761

Highlights of our awe-inspiring music  program:

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750)

Chaconne in D Minor arr. by Ferruccio Busoni (1866–1924)

Air on the G String

Sonata No. 3 in C Major, Largo and Allegro Assai

 

Frederic Chopin (1810 – 1849) 

Ballade No. 4 in F Minor

 

Mykola Lysenko (1842 – 1912)

From 3 Esquisses 


Henryk  Wieniawski  (1835 – 1880)

Légende Op.17 for Violin and Piano


Bohdana Frolyak (b. 1968)

Nocturne 

Click here to see the full program. The program is subject to change.

EMMA BURGE

Violinist Emma Burge is an avid supporter of contemporary and new music, seeking to combine her classical training with improvisation. Emma is a third generation Suzuki violinist, whose grandparents Sandy and Joan Reuning were pivotal in bringing the Suzuki method to the US. Emma recently moved to Seattle from Boston, where she got a degree from the New England Conservatory and was an active freelancer/teacher. Because of her intense performance education, Emma learned a lot about balance and how to use music as a positive force. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNx6X0toiRc

 

MIA HYEYEON KIM

Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, Mia HyeYeon Kim began her piano studies at age seven. Her accomplishments include prizes competitions including the Frances Walton Competition founded by Ladies Musical club of Seattle, the Metropolitan International Piano Competition, Texas International Piano Competition, Memphis International Piano Competition, Universal Music Competition, and Seoul Philharmonic Competition. Recently, she won the concerto competition at University of Washington, and performed Chopin Piano Concerto No.1 with UW Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Rahbee. She has performed as a soloist at venues such as Alvin Johnson/J.M. Kaplan Hall in New York, Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory in Boston, Cypress Hall at California State University Northridge, Youngsan Art Hall in Seoul, and the Palazzo del Vignola with the Napolinova Orchestra in Todi, Italy. She also presented at masterclasses for legendary pianists including Richard Goode, John Perry, Julian Martin, Antonio Pompa-Baldi, Enrico Elisi, Boris Slutsky, Jason Kwak, Hieyon Choi, and Gary Graffman.

https://www.pianistmiakim.com/bio

VALENTYN LYSENKO

Valentyn Lysenko brings back to life the 17-century Bandura, the iconic Ukrainian psaltery. He graduated from  Kyiv National Music Academy. Valentyn is a master builder of his own instruments. Valentyn has appeared as a headliner on numerous events in Ukraine and the United States including live TV shows, solo and gala concerts, and art exhibitions. He  performs classical works for the academic bandura and variations of folk music as well as his own compositions. The unique and wonderful sound of Valentyn's bandura creates a lofty and festive atmosphere. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La2YNgX6VRQ&t=45s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0OBAYbOjUI