Wassermann Piano Series Presents Sergey Belyavsky

LOGAN — The Wassermann Piano Series brings international prize-winning pianist Sergey Belyavsky to USU at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, in the Russell/Wanlass Performance Hall. Belyavsky will present a powerful program of Schumann, Liszt, Prokofiev, and Silvestrov, presented in partnership with the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation.

The Wassermann Piano Series is an annual series hosted by the Caine College of the Arts at Utah State University. Founded in 1980 by Irving Wassermann as the Wassermann Festival, the series has featured acclaimed soloists such as Krystian Zimerman, Sergey Babayan, Daniil Trifonov, the Brad Mehldau Trio, Stephen Hough, Marc-Andre Hamelin, and Yundi Li. The exceptional setting of picturesque Cache Valley combined with the world-class acoustics of the Russell/Wanlass Performance Hall make the Wassermann Piano Series a major arts event each year.

Along with presenting world-class performing artists, the college is committed to the late Irving Wassermann’s vision of maximizing the educational impact for aspiring music students. USU students enjoy the unique opportunity to work closely with all Wassermann guest artists in inspiring masterclasses that are also free and open to the public.

“We are really looking forward to hearing this virtuoso who has already made a strong reputation for himself at such a young age,” said Cahill Smith, associate professor of piano in the Caine College of the Arts. “We are equally excited to partner with the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation, who shares our institutional and artistic goals to further the cause of great piano music in Utah and beyond.”

Russian-born Belyavsky has won acclaim for his extraordinary technical abilities, mature musicality, and incredibly high professionalism. Born in Moscow in 1993 into a family of musicians, Belyavsky started playing piano at age 5 and since then has dedicated his life to music. At the age of 10 he had his debut solo recital and his first debut with the symphony orchestra at 11. His concert performances have now spanned the globe. By age 25 Belyavsky had toured and performed in 28 countries and some of the most famous venues in the world, including Carnegie Hall, Konzerthaus Berlin, and Alte Oper Frankfurt. Belyavsky has released three solo albums.

The Caine College of Arts Visiting Artists and Scholas Series is underwritten by the Marie Eccles Caine Foundation-Russell Family, the Tanner Charitable Trust and Differential Tuition provided by the students of the college.

Admission to Friday night’s concert is $25 general admission and $10 students. Additionally, Belyavsky will teach a masterclass at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, in the Russell/Wanlass Performance Hall that is free and open to the public. For more information or tickets, contact the CCA Box Office in room L101 of the Chase Fine Arts Center on USU’s campus, call 435-797-8022, or go online to cca.usu.edu.