Staff Report
The public is invited to attend the third performance in the 39th annual Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series featuring renowned artists at St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church, 2901 Nojoqui Avenue in Los Olivos, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23.
“The Romantic Spirit and All Its Colors” will be performed by violinist Paul Stein and pianist Bridget Hough. Concerts at St. Mark’s are non-religious, non-sectarian community arts programs.
The program will feature “Three Pieces, op 42,” by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, “Three Romances, opus 22,” by Clara Schumann, “Legende, opus 17,” by Henri Wieniawski, “Tango” from “Scent of a Woman,” and “Sonata in A Major” by César Franck.
“The SYV Concert Series is fortunate to welcome back Paul Stein and Dr. Bridget Hough, who each brought memorable solo concerts to this program in recent years. Their explorations of the Romantic Period will be a wonderful event,” said series Artistic Director Dr. Robert Cassidy.
Stein recently retired from the L.A. Philharmonic after 35 years in residence and has also been a soloist with other orchestras. He is a dedicated chamber musician and teaches on the faculty at University of La Verne, Pasadena City College and Glendale College.
He is also the artistic director of the Classical Kaleidoscope chamber music series at the Arcadia Library that has presented music from all over the world. He also founded the Chamber Music Express program, which introduces classical music to audiences at schools and libraries.
Hough is a versatile pianist known for her sensitive artistry and lyrical approach to the keyboard. At home in solo, chamber, vocal and instrumental repertoire, she has performed in festivals throughout the United States and abroad.
A specialist in collaborative piano, Hough received her doctor of musical arts in keyboard from UCSB in 2013. She has played for master classes and private coaching sessions with renowned artists and educators including Martin Katz, Stephanie Blythe and Leonid Kavakos as well as the St. Lawrence Quartet and the Emerson String Quartet.
As a dual career artist, Hough recently joined UCLA as executive recruiter for the Medical School & Health Sciences. She is also involved with the UCLA Mindful Music initiative, an interdisciplinary program designed to integrate music into communities in order to explore and share health benefits through live performances, education, and research.
“The opportunity to experience great artists of passion and integrity perform masterworks by distinguished composers enriches one’s emotional and intellectual life. To hear stirring music in St. Mark’s Church is especially moving and uplifting,” said Series Coordinator Linda Burrows.
Music critic Josef Woodward said St. Mark’s is noted for stunning acoustics, serene ambiance and “It’s a fine place to hear serious music.”
The final event in this 39th annual Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series will present the internationally acclaimed artist Richard O’Neill on viola performing with pianist Robert Cassidy at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 23.
Doors for each concert open 30 minutes prior to the start with tickets being sold at the door as well as online in advance www.smitv.org/syv-concert-series.html.
General admission tickets are $20 and student tickets are $10 (with any student ID). Plus, there will be a complimentary reception following each concert to meet the artists and enjoy conversation and refreshments.
For patron ticket purchases and any questions, call Burrows at 805-688-7423 or the St. Mark’s office at 805-688-4454, or visit www.smitv.org or www.smitv.org/syv-concert-series.html.
