December 17, 2002
Contact: Susan Gwynne
(805) 893-2098
e-mail: gwynne-s@sa.ucsb.edu
The triumphant trio Sérgio & Odair Assad and Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg to perform at UCSB Campbell Hall
Summary Facts:
- Sérgio & Odair Assad and Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg
- A one-of-a-kind musical collaboration between the guitarist brother duo and the magnetic violinist
- Performing reinterpretations of gypsy songs and works by Bach, Piazzolla and Bartók
- Thursday, January 30 / 8 pm
- UCSB Campbell Hall
- General: $35, UCSB students: $20
- Tickets/information: UCSB Arts & Lectures at 893-3535
Classical brilliance and gypsy fire ignite in the exciting collaboration of Sérgio & Odair Assad and Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg. This unique trio will perform on Thursday, January 30 at 8 pm in UCSB Campbell Hall. Hailed as “today’s preeminent guitar duo” by the Houston Chronicle, Sérgio & Odair Assad are renowned for their technical virtuosity, sensitivity and uncanny ensemble precision. Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, called “one of the few classical artists who must be experienced in person” by the Washington Post, is acclaimed for her powerful and passionate sound, musical depth, formidable technique and exciting stage presence. As a trio these musicians bring to life a vivid and varied program featuring classical, traditional and gypsy songs from Argentina, Hungary, Romania, Russia and Spain, and works by Bach, Piazzolla and Bartók. In a concert review the Los Angeles Times wrote, “Supplementing the astonishing intimacy of their own musical linkage, [the Assads] connected with Salerno-Sonnenberg with a pure musicality that defined the essence of what quality chamber music is about.”
The Brazilian-born brothers Sérgio and Odair Assad began playing guitar together at an early age and went onto study for seven years with classical guitarist and lutenist Monina Távora, a disciple of Andrés Segovia. Their international career began with a major prize at the 1979 young artists’ competition in Bratislava. Now based in Europe, they have performed throughout the world and recorded widely, primarily for the Nonesuch and GHA labels. Their virtuosity has inspired a wide range of composers to write works for them, including Astor Piazzolla, Terry Riley and Roland Dyens. In addition to their trio with Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, the Assads have collaborated with such artists as Gidon Kremer, Yo-Yo Ma and Dawn Upshaw. The Los Angeles Times wrote, “The interaction of the Brazilian siblings is so precise, so perfectly synchronized, that it reaches far beyond musical partnership into a kind of creative symbiosis.”
One of the world’s preeminent violinists, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg is among the most dynamic, original and daring artists on the concert stage today. A 1999 winner of the prestigious Avery Fisher Prize, Salerno-Sonnenberg has performed with most of the world’s greatest conductors and orchestras. An American citizen, Salerno-Sonnenberg was born in Rome and emigrated to the United States at the age of eight to study at The Curtis Institute of Music and later studied with Dorothy DeLay at The Juilliard School. In 1981 she burst onto the music scene as the youngest recipient ever of the Walter W. Naumburg International Violin Competition. Salerno-Sonnenberg has released over 15 recordings and has made frequent television appearances on shows as various as PBS’s Live from Lincoln Center, The Tonight Show and Sesame Street. The Denver Post writes, “Big names sell but don’t always deliver. Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg does both.”
As part of their residency, Sérgio & Odair Assad will hold a Master Class with UCSB students on Friday, January 31 at 10 am at Geiringer Hall, UCSB Music Building (the UCSB Department of Music is a co-sponsor of the event). The class is free and open to public observation. Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg will conduct a Meet-the-Artist Discussion on Friday, January 31 at 11 am in the Townley Room, Santa Barbara Public Library. This event, co-sponsored by the Santa Barbara Music Club, is free and open to the public.
Arts & Lectures has presented The Assads previously on November 1, 1994 and on February 24, 1998. A&L screened Speaking in Strings, the Academy Award nominated documentary about Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, in summer 2000.
Sérgio & Odair Assad and Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg are presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures and sponsored by Montecito Magazine. Tickets are $35 for the general public and $20 for UCSB students.
For tickets or more information,
call UCSB Arts & Lectures at (805) 893-3535.
Editor: For photos, please call
Susan Gwynne at (805) 893-2098.