American Piano Duo Performs at Utah State University
Utah State University hosts American Piano Duo members Jeffrey Shumway and Del Parkinson in concert at 7:30 p.m. in the USU Performance Hall Wednesday, Nov. 9.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to have one of the premier piano duos in the area visit Utah State,” said Kevin Olson, assistant professor in the USU Department of Music in the Caine College of the Arts. “Jeffrey Shumway and Del Parkinson are both renowned soloists and the way they collaborate in ensemble situations is an experience that shouldn't be missed.”
Shumway and Parkinson have been a piano duo team since 1984. They first met at the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition where both were prize winners. Their friendship cemented as they studied at The Juilliard School in Manhattan together. Afterward, both earned doctorates in piano with honors from Indiana University.
“The American Piano Duo program promises to be fun for both classical piano aficionados and those new to piano concerts,” said Dennis Hirst, associate professor in the USU Department of Music in the Caine College of the Arts.
The evening holds special meaning for USU’s Olson.
“Their concerts are always eclectic and entertaining and I’m especially excited to have them perform the Utah premiere of one of my own compositions at this concert, Impressions on a Theme by Beethoven,” said Olson.
The American Piano Duo is featured on the Tantara Records label owned by Brigham Young University. The duo’s first album, released in 1998, Celebrating Gershwin!, marked the centennial year of the composer’s birth. Their album of the Concerto for Two Pianos by Mendelssohn is the world premiere recording of the original version. Their newest album features the three major works for two pianos by Sergei Rachmaninoff.
“The duo will perform well-known pieces by Gershwin, Copland, Beethoven and Bernstein,” said Hirst. “I suspect audience members will recognize some of the material used in Olson’s piece as it draws upon music of Beethoven featured in the Academy Award-winning movie The King’s Speech.”
Today Shumway is a member of the piano faculty at Brigham Young University while Parkinson is a professor of piano at Boise State University. From these positions they have linked up as a piano duo performing all over the United States, Europe and Mexico.
Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for seniors and youth, $5 for USU faculty and staff and free for USU students with ID. Tickets can be purchased at the CCA Box Office located in room 139-B of the Chase Fine Arts Center, by calling 435-797-8022 or online.
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Writer: Rachelle Nielson, 435-797-9203, rachelle.nielson@usu.edu
Contact: Denise Albiston, 435-797-1500, denise.albiston@usu.edu
Pianists Del Parkinson (seated) and Jeffrey Shumway, the American Piano Duo, are featured in concert at Utah State University Wednesday, Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m., Performance Hall.
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