Portland Ovations Presents Pianist Jonathan Biss with the Elias String Quartet, 4/11

Portland Ovations presents pianist Jonathan Biss with the Elias String Quartet performing a program called Schumann: Under the Influence at Hannaford Hall, USM Portland campus for an evening concert, Thursday, April 11th at 7:30pm.

Hailed as "one of the most striking North American pianists of the new generation," by the Toronto Globe and Mail, Jonathan Biss brings to Portland a deeply contemplated and designed program that pays tribute to composer Robert Schumann. This well crafted program by Biss draws connections to works preceding and following Schumann's significant contributions to music. In collaboration with the Elias String Quartet, who has established themselves as one of the most intense and vibrant quartets of their generation, Biss pairs Schumann's String Quartet in A minor, Op. 41 no. 1 and Piano Quartet, Op. 47 with Henry Purcell's Fantasias for string quartet and American composer Timothy Andres' New Work for piano and string quartet. Schumann: Under the Influence showcases why Biss is widely regarded for his artistry, musical intelligence and deeply felt interpretations, he loves the music that he performs and finds each work challenging to replicate, as expressed by Biss himself, "if I ever stop finding music challenging and life-altering, I'll quit and become an accountant."

Tickets for Jonathan Biss and the Elias String Quartet are $36 for Ovations' Members, $40 for the general public and a limited amount of $10 student tickets, are also available. This performance of Schumann: Under the Influence is sponsored by MPBN and support is generously provided by the Davis Family Foundation. To purchase tickets, visit www.portlandovations.org, contact PortTIX at 207-842-0800 or stop by the box office window at Merrill Auditorium.