Pitt-Greensburg’s Joan Chambers Concert Series Opens October 9

The Joan Chambers Concert Series at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg will open its 2012-2013 season with a performance by Antonio Lysy, cello, and Patricia Hoy, piano, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 9, in the Mary Lou Campana Chapel and Lecture Center. This event, part of Pitt-Greensburg 50th anniversary celebration, is free and open to the public.

Cellist, teacher and artistic director of Incontri in Terra di Siena since its inception 24 years ago, Antonio Lysy has performed as soloist worldwide, in major concert halls, appearing with orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic and Philharmonia Orchestras of London, Camerata Academica of Salzburg, Zurich Tonhalle, the Zagreb Soloists, Orchestra di Padova e il Veneto, Israel Sinfonietta, and in Canada with the Montreal, Toronto, Symphony Orchestras, and Les Violons du Roi. He has collaborated with distinguished conductors such as Yuri Temirkanov, Charles Dutoit, Sir Yehudi Menuhin, and Sandor Vegh.

Lysy continues to perform regularly as a solo and chamber music artist in recitals and festivals around the world. He is committed to special projects, which enrich his diverse interests in music, and has initiated performances of unique dramatized recitals and multi-media productions, exploring the versatility of the cello’s voice from baroque to electric. Recital partnerships with distinguished pianists have also led to performances of the Beethoven sonata cycle with modern and authentic pianos in the United States, France, Canada, and Italy.

In 2012, performances of note included a multimedia concert version of his Latin Grammy award winning CD, “Antonio Lysy at the Broad: Music from Argentina.” The show, dedicated to his father, Alberto Lysy, premiered at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica to a sold out hall and will be returning for two performances the following season. Other highlights this year include a debut performance and historic first commercial recording on the Yarlung Records label of the Eric Zeisl cello concerto with the UCLA Philharmonia, directed by Neal Stulberg.

Lysy has recorded extensively for CBC Radio, BBC Radio, Classic FM, and other European radio networks. In addition, he has recorded for the Claves, Dinemec Classics, Fonè, and Pelléas labels. An album dedicated to cello works from Argentina, including a new work written for him by Lalo Schifrin, was released in 2010 on the Yarlung Records label. This recording was the winner of a Latin Grammy award for that work in the category “best classical contemporary composition.”

“Powerful,” “passionate” and “sensuous,” were words chosen by the press to describe Canadian pianist Patricia Hoy’s performances during her most recent concert tour. Hoy is no stranger to such accolades, having been described by the “Los Angeles Times as possessing” a “pleasing blend of romantic reverie and disciplined direction demonstrating excellence throughout (Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 1).” As a soloist, her tremendous interpretation of the romantic repertoire has garnered particular praise, as at once “subtle and lyrical” yet demonstrating “prodigious technique and elan.” Her appeal to audiences is perhaps best explained by one critic’s comment that she “entirely conveys elements of pure musical style and superb musical understanding.”

Hoy has performed with leading cellists throughout North America and Europe. She is an ardent researcher and performer of lesser known cello and piano works by recognized composers, as well as works by lesser known composers whose compositions warrant greater public exposure. With Canadian cellist and founding member of the Emerson String Quartet, Eric Wilson, she premiered and recorded Music for Cello and Piano by Canadian composer Stephen Chatman and in 2010 with German/American cellist Alexander Suleiman premiered works by the renowned German composer Franz Hummel and English composer Susan Oswell, in Neuburg, Germany.

Hoy’s dedication to challenging her audiences with less familiar repertoire interspersed amongst more conventional works has won her praise from audiences and collaborating colleagues alike. Her expertise as a programmer/performer has been recognized in prestigious venues including the Banff Centre. She has also served as a music consultant for several dance films by award winning filmmaker, Daniel Conrad.

Among her many orchestra appearances, Hoy has been a soloist with such orchestras as the Vancouver Symphony, Montreal Symphony, Ventura Symphony, CBC Radio Orchestra, and the Quebec Chamber Orchestra. She has performed in recital throughout North America and has been broadcast numerous times on public radio and television.

The Joan Chambers Concert Series is possible through the generous support of George F. Chambers, president emeritus of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. It brings local, national, and international artists to the Pitt-Greensburg campus for performances of the highest professional caliber. Featured performers include international opera star Andrew Zimmerman, the Swara Sonora Trio, thingNY, contralto Emily Marvosh with Greensburg pianist Matt Klumpp, and it has proudly presented some of Pennsylvania's finests ensembles, including the Heinz Chapel Choir and the Penn State Chamber Singers.

The series is named in honor of Joan Chambers, late wife of President Chambers, who was an ardent supporter and representative of Pitt‐Greensburg in the community for many years. While her interests were widespread, she especially enjoyed participating in book‐discussion groups, and attending cultural events. The Children’s Literature Collection in Millstein Library, another of her passions, was developed and named in her honor.

Founded in 1963 and celebrating its 50th anniversary, the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg is a publicly assisted, four-year, liberal arts college in southwestern Pennsylvania. A regional campus of the University of Pittsburgh, Pitt-Greensburg offers 24 baccalaureate degree programs, including new majors in Education and Spanish, as well as 18 minors. More than 13 percent of Pitt-Greensburg’s full-time faculty—the highest percentage of any University of Pittsburgh campus—have received the prestigious University-wide Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award.