(Watchung, NJ) – Pianist Sophia Agranovich, an esteemed interpreter of music of the Romantic Era, will perform a recital in the sophisticated Heinz W. Otto Gallery of the Watchung Arts Center on Saturday, May 30th at 8 PM. A Musician Reception follows the concert.
The program will feature, among other compositions, Robert Schumann’s Carnaval and Fantasie, both of which are the central works of the Romantic period. Carnaval is an inventive, spontaneous and colorful piece expressing different characters and personality sides in a masked ball scene. Of the Fantasie, Schumann wrote to the love of his life, Clara Wieck: “The first movement may well be the most passionate I have ever composed – a deep lament for you.” The second movement is a triumphant rondo-march, and the third is one the most dreamy and other-worldly expression of love and beauty in music.
Sophia Agranovich, an internationally acclaimed virtuoso pianist, recording artist and educator, is “a bold, daring pianist in the tradition of the Golden Age Romantics… It’s the kind of daredevil exhibition that was bread and butter for the likes of de Pachmann and Hofmann and that most of today”s pianists shy away from.” – Fanfare. Her performances are mesmerizing audiences by the “orison of uncommon beauty” – Audiophile, “the extraordinary dramatic urgency”, “white-hot passion”, “the boldness of her conception” – Fanfare, “magnificent shading and superior musicianship” – American Record Guide.
A Steinway Artist, a First Prize winner of All-Ukrainian Young Artists and Bergen Philharmonic competitions, Ms. Agranovich had performed in USA, Europe, Israel, and Canada. Among her venues are Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, Steinway Hall, and Bargemusic, all in New York City, Salle Cortot in Paris, and Ehrbarsaal in Vienna. Ms. Agranovich has collaborated with prominent musicians and members of the major orchestras.
Sophia. Agranovich has earned Bachelor and Master Degrees at the Juilliard School where she held a full scholarship and teaching Fellowship, and continued post-graduate studies at Columbia University. Her teachers in Ukraine were Anna Stolarevich and Alexander Edelman (peers of Vladimir Horowitz at the class of Felix Blumenfeld) and at Juilliard – legendary Sascha Gorodnitzki and Nadia Reisenberg.
Ms. Agranovich is an esteemed pedagogue and adjudicator and is a recipient of numerous awards for teaching excellence. She is the Artistic Director of classical music series at the Watchung Arts Center in New Jersey, Program Chair of Music Educators Association of New Jersey, and active member of various professional music organizations. Sophia Agranovich is listed in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World.
Tickets for this performance are $16 in advance, $20 ($18 WAC members, $10 students) at the door. Tickets may be purchased online at watchungartscenter.eventbrite.com. To obtain more information about upcoming performances, classes and workshops, and monthly art exhibitions, please visit WatchungArts.org or call 908-753-0190.
The Watchung Arts Center, located at 18 Stirling Road in Watchung on the Watchung Circle, is a multi-disciplinary arts facility serving Watchung, the surrounding communities and the Tri-State Area.
