Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota Presents PIANO GRAND II at the Sarasota Opera House this Saturday

They're back! Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota launches its 22nd season with an exuberant reprise of "Piano Grand," a performance featuring five world-class pianists-Don Bryn, Joseph Holt, Andrew Lapp, Thomas Purviance and Jonathan Spivey-and five Steinway & Sons concert grand pianos. The all-new program features a diverse range of timeless favorites and familiar light classics. Saturday, October 7, 7:30 p.m., at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. Reserved seat tickets are $20 to $55 and are available online at www.artistseriesconcerts.org or by calling 941-306-1202. $10 student tickets are available at the door with current student ID.

"Last year's sold-out sensation struck a chord with area music lovers," says Dr. Joseph Holt, artistic director for Artist Series Concerts. "We received hundreds of requests to repeat the experience-and we're thrilled to be back on stage having so much fun." Holt explains that highlights of this year's all-new program include several arrangements that he created for the group, including "Carmen Medley," and "Movie Mayhem," which features favorite themes from popular 20th-century movies. The program also includes "Dance of the Hours" from Walt Disney's animated film "Fantasia," Tchaikovsky's "Capriccio Italien," Sousa marches and Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto #3."

According to Holt, the genesis of the multi-piano concert comes from a series of performances he organized during his tenure with The US Army Band in Washington, DC. "We featured 10 players on five pianos," explains Holt. "Multi-piano performances form a unique part of concert experiences and have been around since the 19th century. They're entertaining for the audience and a novel experience for pianists who typically don't perform with each other. Since we enjoy string quartets and wind quintets in performance, why not bring together five fabulous pianists and let the musical cacophony begin!"

Joseph Holt has enjoyed a wide-ranging musical career as conductor, pianist, chamber music performer, arts administrator, educator and arranger. Holt serves as artistic director for Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota; as artistic director of Choral Artists of Sarasota; and as director of music at Faith Lutheran Church. He was principal pianist with The United States Army Chorus, performing for U.S. presidents, dignitaries from around the world, and military officials for more than 20 years.

Sarasota Orchestra principal pianist Jonathan Spivey is also a founding member of Tampa's Arioso Trio and a national finalist in the Music Teachers' National Association Auditions. His concert appearances include Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall; Trondheim, Norway; Stockholm, Sweden; and Seoul, Korea. Spivey also performs with Belle Canto, the Sarasota Piano Quartet and has been an associate faculty member of the Sarasota Music Festival since 1992.

Pianist Thomas Purviance serves as adjunct piano faculty at State College of Florida and maintains a private teaching studio. As a performing artist during the 80's and early 90's Purviance performed throughout the United States and Europe as soloist in recital, with orchestra and as accompanist for vocalists. He has performed for various area-based groups, including the Steinway Society of Sarasota, Musica Viva, Sarasota Contemporary Dance Company, Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota, and Sarasota Festival of Vocal Arts. Purviance is widely known for his concerts featuring the virtuoso works of Chopin, Liszt and Rachmaninoff.

A Steinway Artist since 2013, 28-year-old pianist Andrew Lapp has appeared as a soloist with the Imperial Symphony Orchestra, Venice Symphony Orchestra, and the Sarasota Pops Orchestra. Lapp tours nationally and, in 2010, debuted as an accompanist at Carnegie Hall. Lapp is the pianist for Choral Artists of Sarasota.

Pianist, composer, arranger, orchestrator, Don Bryn splits his time between playing, writing, and teaching. He plays and conducts over 300 shows a year-with such performers as Burt Bacharach, Lorna Luft, Nestor Torres, John Raitt, Jim Nabors, and Charo. Bryn has been a musical director and arranger for a variety of shows for the Pittsburg Playhouse and Gargaro Productions in Pittsburgh. He has also performed with the Opera Theater of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble.

Tickets for Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota's 2017-2018 season are on sale now. Visit www.artistseriesconcerts.org for more information.

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