Sirota to premiere piece at Sheldon chamber music opening

The 2012-2013 Sheldon Friends of Chamber Music Series opens Sept. 21 at the Sheldon Museum of Art with a concert that includes the world premiere of “Pange Lingua Sonata” by internationally known composer Robert Sirota, performed by violinist Hyeyung Julie Yoon and pianist Soyeon Kate Lee.

Sirota will be in attendance to discuss his work with the audience during a pre-performance talk at 7:30 p.m. The concert begins at 8 p.m. and also includes “Piano Trio in C Major, Op. 87” by Johannes Brahms and “Violin Sonata in C Minor, BWV 1017” by Johann Sebastian Bach. Cellist Gregory Beaver joins Yoon and Lee for the performances of the Brahms and Bach works.

The concert will be followed by a wine and hors d'oeuvres reception with the composer and artists in Sheldon’s Great Hall.

Tickets are $35 for general admission and $8 for students. Season tickets are available for $130.  To order tickets contact Morrie Tuttle at 402-435-5454 or info@sfcm.info. Sheldon Friends of Chamber Music is now in its 48th season presenting the finest chamber music ensembles. For more information visit www.sfcm.info.

Sirota’s compositions have been performed worldwide in venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Royal Conservatory in Toronto and the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow.  His latest works include “A Rush of Wings,” and “212: Symphony No. 1.”  His catalogue contains three operas, a full-length music theatre piece and orchestral, symphonic band, chamber and recital works. Sirota received his bachelor’s degree in piano and composition from Oberlin Conservatory and his Ph.D. from Harvard University.

Yoon joined Chiara Quartet as its second violinist in 2000.  She is currently teaching at Harvard University and is a research sssistant professor and artist-in-residence at UNL. Yoon has previously performed with the Charlotte Symphony, the Greater Grand Forks Symphony and the Mannes Orchestra.  She graduated with a bachelor of music from the Julliard School.

The 2010 first prize-winner of the Naumburg International Piano Competition, Lee has been a guest soloist with many orchestras worldwide.  In 2009, she released her second album following her critical success of her debut album in 2007. Last season, she performed at Finland’s Mantta Music Festival.  Lee earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Julliard School.

A member of Chiara String Quartet, Beaver is an artist-in-residence and research assistant professor at UNL. Beaver’s achievements include winning the 1997 Corpus Christi Young Artist’s competition and being selected as a quarterfinalist for the Australasian International Cello Competition in Christchurch, New Zealand.  He graduated with a bachelor of music in cello performance from Rice University and with a master of music in cello performance from the Julliard School.

Sheldon Museum of Art houses a permanent collection of more than 12,000 objects focusing on American art. Sheldon, located at 12th and R streets on the UNL City Campus, is open free to the public during regular hours: Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.; closed on Monday. The Sheldon Museum of Art is located at 12th and R streets on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln City Campus.

Writer: Emily Rust