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Music of Joe Giarrusso
CVREP and Marquee Academy of Performing Arts present
Music of the World
Composed by Joe Giarrusso
Featuring The Latsos
on April 7, 2017 at 7:00.
Program:
Image sur un Jour – Opus 40 – solo piano
American Immigrant Suite – Opus 24 – solo piano
A Garden in Giverny – Opus 25A – 4-Hands, 1-Piano
Suite Italiano – Opus 48 – for 2 Pianos
The Marquee Academy of Performing Arts is located at 441 S. Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs. Tickets are $25 paid for in advance, and $30 at the door. Please call 760-296-2966 to buy tickets or online at cvrep.org.
The Waring is so pleased to present the original music of local resident and composer JOE GIARRUSSO on Saturday, January 16 2016 at 7 PM, at the Marquee Academy of Performing Arts in Palm Springs. Guest artists are Giorgi Latso on piano, John Walz on cello and narration by Sal Mistretta.
The concert features the WORLD PREMIER of Strega Nona, Opus 46 based on the world renowned Italian children’s story put to music by Giarrusso, and performed by Latso with narration by Mistretta.
Celebrated cellist John Walz will perform a three movement duet with Latso, Duet for Piano and Cello, Opus 12. Latso will also perform American Immigrant, Opus 24.
The Marquee Academy of Performing Arts is located at 441 S. Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs. Tickets are $25 paid for in advance, and $30 at the door. Please call 760-773-2575 to buy tickets or email ann@vwipc.org
All proceeds benefit the nonprofit music organizations the Waring International Piano Competition and International Classical Concerts of the Desert.
Composer Joe Giarrusso
Mr. Giarrusso has released two CDs of his compositions and his music has been heard in concerts in Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert. Giarrusso donated all proceeds from his concerts to the following nonprofits: Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre, Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, and the Steinway Society of Riverside County. Giarrusso is currently working on a comissioned Cantata for St. John of Neponuk Church in Prague for full choir, organ and orchestra.
Giarrusso’s original vocal music will be heard in March of 2016 to benefit OperaArts’ When I Rise honoring two survivors of the holocaust. The composition will feature piano, baritone and cello reuniting Latso, Mistretta and Walz.
Giorgi Latso, pianist
Pianist Giorgi Latso hails from Tsbilisi, Georgia, a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. He first touched the ivory keys when he was three, but could only play when his parents visited friends who had a piano. He began composing at the age of five. He began his formal piano studies at the age of six, and made his public debut at eight. He was invited to enter one of Tsibilisi’s music schools at the age of seven, and continued studying music until he was admitted into the Tbilisi State Concervatoire where he studied with distinguished Russian pianist Alexander Goldenweiser. He won several Georgian Presdidential Prizes and earned his Bachelors, Masters’ and Artist Levels in Georgia.
He then moved to Germany to continue his post-graduate studies. He received degrees from the Hannover Hochschuler fur Musik und Theater in Germany, from the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria and his Doctorate from the Thornton School of Music at University of Southern California. Upon graduation, he received a graduate teaching assistantship at USC.
Latso has been performing and recording albums around the world, from Taiwan and Asia to Europe. He has even performed for the Pope at the Vatican. For a full bio and discography, please visit www.latsabidze.com
John Walz, cellist
Cellist John Walz is a celebrated soloist and chamber music artist, known for his dazzling virtuosity and elegant musicianship. A student of the legendary French cellist, Pierre Fournier, he has appeared as soloist with more than 200 symphony orchestras on five continents. His performances of 25 different concertos include both standard showcases and rarities such as Marinu’s Concerto # 1 and William Schuman’s Song of Orfeus. In addition, he has had the honor of premiering works by many noted composers including John Williams.
In 1979, Mr. Walz along with pianist Edith Orloff, founded the Pacific Trio. Now performing with violinist Roger Wilkie, this renowned ensemble has played more than 900 concerts throughout North America and Europe. In addition to his solo and chamber music duties, he is currently the principal cellist with the Los Angeles Opera, a position he previously held with the Long Beach Symphony.
Sal Mistretta, actor
Sal Mistretta is an award winning actor who has appeared on Broadway, on National tours, on TV and in film. His resume includes working with directors Trevor Nunn and Hal Prince. He has performed on stage in CABARET, EVITA, GUYS AND DOLLS, SWEENY TODD, just to name a few. He has appeared on numerous episodes of Law & Order among others. His resume is too extensive to list here and do him justice. Please visit www.salmistretta.com for a full list of his credits. Locally he has appeared with ONE NIGHT ONLY for Jewish Family Services, with Coyote Stageworks, with the Musical Theater University at the Helene Galen Performing Arts Center, and with CV Rep.
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To excite, educate, and engage the community at large with the joy of classical piano by presenting, promoting, and nurturing classical music through live piano performance including international competitions, concerts, and local educational outreach programs for all ages.