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Home | Concerts | Mosaic Masterworks | Music of the Americas

Music of the Americas

Saturday, April 10, 2010  8 PM
Conexus Arts Centre

Guest Artist: Thomas Yu, piano
Conductor: Victor Sawa

From George Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F with the influences of Dixieland, Charleston and the Blues, to the mysterious and contemplative Symphony No. 2 by Alan Hovhaness; this is a concert that clearly illustrates that not all great composers are from across the “pond”.

Programme:
Jeffrey Ryan: Visions of Joy
Hovhaness: Symphony No. 2 “Mysterious Mountain”
Gershwin: Cuban Overture
Gershwin: Piano Concerto in F
Villa-Lobos: “Little Train” from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 2
Bernstein: Candide Overture


Concert Sponsor

Donald & Claire Kramer Foundation

Canadian-born pianist, Thomas Yu, is one of the most versatile artists. His concert career has become sought-after, since winning the 17th International Competition for Outstanding Piano Amateurs, taking first prize, as well as the Press Award and Audience Award. Yu is also a winner of several national competitions, including the Canadian Music Competition and the Canadian Federation of Music Teacher’s Association Piano Competition. Following his recent performance of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in Paris, the audience erupted with a ten-minute standing ovation. Yu continues to delight audiences across Europe, Asia and North America. In addition to his musical endeavors, Dr. Yu obtained his DMD with Great Distinction from the University of Saskatchewan. He then went on to complete a residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, and recently completed his Master Degree in Periodontics at the University of Toronto.

Yu has been featured on CBC, Bravo!, TV5 and France 2 television. He has also recorded with CBC, Classical 96.3FM and Radio Classique. Yu has performed for the Governor General of Canada, Lietuenant Governor of Saskatchewan as well as the Mayor of Toronto. To celebrate their 100th anniversary, the University of Saskatchewan has named Yu as one of the school’s top 100 most influential alumni. Photographer Tony Hauser has also included Yu in his book, The Power of Passion, which features prominent Canadians such as Adrienne Clarkson, Richard Bradshaw, Stephen Lewis, Pinkas Zuckerman and David Suzuki.

A pupil of Bonnie Nicholson for several years, Yu now studies at the Glenn Gould Professional School of Music in Toronto with esteemed pedagogue Marc Durand. He has also worked with Leion Fleisher, Julian Martin, Robin Harrison and the late Marek Jablonski. As a laureate of the 2nd Canadian Chopin Competition, Yu also competed in the 15th International Chopin Competition in Warsaw, Poland. Thomas wishes to thank the Saskatchewan Arts Board, as well as Yamaha Piano Canada for their support in his musical endeavors.

http://www.thomasyu.ca/page/bio/