Maestro Adrian Sylveen to Perform Brahms Sonatas April 9

NEW BRITAIN, CT - Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra Maestro Adrian Sylveen and pianist Nathaniel Baker will perform Johannes Brahms’ violin and piano sonatas nos. 2 and 3 live on Facebook Friday, April 9, at 8:00 p.m. EST. The free hour-long concert will be streamed on the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra’s Facebook page.

“Brahms’ work is a fascination of mine. He had the ability to create poetry out of pure sound, nothing else. His music is beauty that simply is - all you hear is pure sensation,” Sylveen said. “I have a long history with Nathaniel. He is exceptionally talented, and it will be good to perform Brahms’ work with him. This concert will be an intimate experience, and I hope people will join us for this special evening.”

Award-winning musician Adrian Sylveen enjoys a performing career both in the United States and in Europe. He is a founder and the artistic director of the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra and Connecticut Lyric Opera. Under his leadership, both Connecticut Virtuosi and Connecticut Lyric Opera have developed into major artistic institutions in the state, and both organizations continue to develop international partnerships and collaborations.

Sylveen is the winner of prizes at competitions in Poland and the United States and has participated in several international festivals such as Weimar, Łancut, and others. He received the American Council for Polish Culture award (“for his eminent performances as conductor and violinist in the U.S. and Europe”) and the “Primus Inter Pares” Award given by the President of the Republic of Poland. Sylveen was awarded permanent U.S. residency for “Extraordinary Abilities in the Arts”.

Sylveen holds Master of Music and Artist Diploma degrees from the Yale University School of Music and is also a graduate of the Paderewski Music Academy in Poznan, Poland (diploma with distinction). He is a faculty member of the Virtuosi Summer Music Institute in Farmington, Connecticut and an Artistic Director of the Greve Opera Academy and Chamber Music Festival in Greve-In-Chianti, Italy.

In his career, Sylveen has conducted approximately 35 operatic titles, more than 70 symphonies, and numerous concertos and chamber orchestral music works, with special emphasis on the music of Italian and Slavic heritage. He has conducted and performed concerts in the United States, Poland, Italy, Israel, Cuba, Switzerland, Germany, and the former Soviet Union, and worked with such ensembles as Israel Chamber Orchestra, Holguin Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra da Camera di Greve-In-Chianti, Olsztyn Philharmonic, Elbląg Chamber Orchestra, Central Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra, and others. From 2011 to 2013 he was a conductor for the Magnum Opus series with the New Britain Symphony – The Connecticut Virtuosi. He is also a founder of the Classical Orchestra of Pila in Poland and the Hartford-based Moniuszko Choir.

Nathaniel Baker has performed as a concert pianist throughout the U.S., Europe and South America. He studied piano with Luiz de Moura Castro and Irma Vallecillo. Nathaniel holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance and Music Theory from The Hartt School and a Master’s in Piano Performance from the University of Connecticut. He presently works as a staff accompanist at the University of Rhode Island. Baker has also served as music director for operatic and theatrical productions at Simsbury Light Opera Company, Choate Rosemary Hall, Madison Lyric Stage, and Seven Angels Theatre. He is the Music Director at Peace Dale Congregational Church in Peace Dale, Rhode Island.

Support for the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra’s Facebook Live broadcasts is provided by a generous Catalyst Grant from the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain.

The Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2017. The state’s premier professional chamber orchestra is dedicated to presenting both traditional and contemporary classical chamber works to the public. The Orchestra, led by Founder and Artistic Director Adrian Sylveen, continues to grow in size and repertoire, presenting approximately 35 times a year in many major performing arts centers throughout Connecticut and New York. The organization consists of 27 professional musicians and an administrative staff of four.

The mission of the Orchestra is to preserve and perpetuate the great traditions of orchestral music through the expansion of its public performance season, its education series, and by showcasing the excellence of regional and international talent. In its choice of repertoire, special attention is given to music from Eastern Europe.

The Orchestra collaborates on many projects with the New Britain Chorale, Central Connecticut State University, Middletown Concert Association, New York’s Chopin Foundation, and others. The Orchestra co-produces fully-staged opera productions with Connecticut Lyric Opera. In addition to performances, the Orchestra enriches the community by providing free tickets to local schools and hosting lectures on orchestral music. A frequent guest at the Kosciusko Foundation’s Chamber Music Series, in 2003 the Orchestra was invited to perform at the Gala Concert celebrating the 25th anniversary of John Paul II’s papacy.