Cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han will be performing the second and final part of the Complete Works for Cello and Piano by Ludwig van Beethoven on Wednesday, March 20, 1996 at 8 p.m. in Memorial Chapel.
On the program are one of Ludwig van Beethoven's (1770-1827) most famous sonatas from his middle period, Sonata in A major, Op. 69, as well as the last two sonatas from
his late period, Sonata in C major, Op. 102, No. 1 and Sonata in D major, Op. 102, No. 2. Also on the program is Seven Variations in E flat major, Wo. 046.
This will be the fourth appearance of Finckel and Han (who are married) in the Schenectady Museum-Union College Concert Series. They performed the first part of Beethoven's Complete Works for Cello and Piano in January. Both musicians have also appeared with other performers for several seasons of the series. Finckel, a member of the
Grammy-winning Emerson String Quartet was in Schenectady for a performance in November; Han appeared with cellist Yeesun Kim and violinist Pamela Frank in January.
Cellist David Finckel's extraordinarily diversified career brings him to the world's stages as recitalist and soloist with orchestras and chamber musicians. Born into a family of cellists, Finckel began his musical studies with his father, composer Edwin Finckel. By his early teens he had won virtually every competition for young soloists in his home state of New Jersey. At age 17, Finckel played for Mstislav Rostropovich, and was privileged the become the great cellist's only American pupil. He joined the Grammy-winning Emerson Quartet in 1979 and was soon playing over one hundred and thirty
concerts per year in virtually every music capital of the world.
Pianist Wu Han's popularity with audiences worldwide has made her one of today's most talked-about classical artists. Her current season includes a ten-concert recital tour of the United States, as well as chamber and concerto engagements. Wu Han has collaborated
with many string quartets including the Vermeer, the St. Lawrence, the Lark, the
Mendelssohn and the Emerson. A native of Taiwan, she began her musical studies at age nine and within a few years took prizes in all the major competitions in her country. She is
the winner of the Andrew Wolf Award for a pianist making a significant contribution to the world of chamber music.
Tickets, at $12 ($6 for students), are available at the Schenectady Museum, 382-7890, or at the door at 7 p.m. For more information, call 372-3651.