From Top Clockwise: Robert Thies, Cecilia Tsan, AlmaNova Duo and The New Hollywood String Quartet. Photo Courtesy Friends of South Pasadena Public Library.
In celebration of the South Pasadena Public Library’s 100th birthday in 1996, the Restoration Concert series took root, now celebrating 20 years during their 2016/17 season. The series is managed by dedicated volunteers and their efforts continue to support the series as well as fund key projects for the Library. Funds have been raised to purchase a nine-foot Steinway concert grand piano; 3,000 square feet of carpet and new chairs for the Community Room; chairs, audio and visual enhancements for the main Library, and other items as requested by the librarian and his staff.
The “20th” Celebratory Season of the Restoration Concert Series will present Robert Thies – piano (Sunday, September 18th), the California String Quartet (Sunday, October 23rd), a Piano Quartet with Cindy Wu (Sunday, January 15th, 2017), the Capitol Ensemble (Sunday, February 12, 2017), the “East-West Piano Trio” (Sunday, March 26th, 2017), the Mojave Trio (Sunday, April 23, 2017), as well as their “Quartet in Residence” – the famed New Hollywood String Quartet (Sunday, May 14th, 2017).
From the communities of the San Gabriel Valley and from as far away as Beverly Hills, Claremont, and Redondo Beach, they travel. Audiences have been enchanted with the unerring and warm-toned refinement of Robert Thies, pianist. Mr. Thies was the first American since the 50’s to win a gold medal at the International Prokofiev Competition in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Virtuoso and internationally known cellist Cecilia Tsan performs with passion, skilled fingering, and a deeply moving ear for details. Award-winning duo AlmaNova brought the haunting melodies of Sarajevo and innovative and inspiring works for guitar and flute not only to South Pasadena but around the world to five continents. Violinist Cindy Wu enjoys a versatile career as soloist, chamber musician and educator throughout North America, Europe and Asia; and is currently the “Artist in Residence” of the Da Camera Society, Los Angeles.
The New Hollywood String Quartet, now in its 10th year as “Quartet in Residence” with the Restoration Concerts’ series includes Tereza Stanislav hailed for her expressive beauty, intensity, sure technique and musical intelligence. Ms. Stanislav and Rafael Rishik – violins, with Mr. Rishik, at age six, one of the youngest students ever accepted to the Julliard School of Music. Robert Brophy, viola, graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England, and has his Master’s Degree from Rice University. Andrew Shulman, cello, was the first ever British winner of the Piatigorsky Artist Award – Boston 1990. His careers as cellist, conductor, educator and composer continue to take him world-wide.
The Sunday Concerts will be held at 4:00 p.m., at the South Pasadena Public Library Community Room (1115 El Centro Street, South Pasadena). Season ticket price: 8 concerts for $96. At the door when space permits is $20 for individual concerts.
For more information, contact (626) 799-6333 or visit www.friendsofsopaslibrary.org.
