The Dazzling Classical Saxophone

An exciting, genre-defying evening with one of the world’s most exciting saxophonists. The program features works both virtuosic and lyrical, including a showstopping arrangement of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.

Featuring:

• Claude Debussy: Rhapsody

• Robert Schumann: Fantasiestücke, Op. 73

• Hector Villa-Lobos: Fantasia

• Barry Cockcroft: KuKu

• George Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue (arr. Jun Nagao)

• Astor Piazzolla: History of Tango

• Astor Piazzolla: La Muerte del Angel (arr. Valentin Kovalev)

Presented in collaboration with the University of Miami Frost School of Music
and through the generous support of the City of Coral Gables.

Valentin Kovalev (saxophone)

Hailing from Siberia, saxophonist, and content creator Valentin Kovalev is an ebullient and highly eclectic performer whose unique style was developed after studying in Russia, France, and the US.

Visiting professor at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Valentin is an active educator who enjoys teaching masterclasses across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Valentin was recently named a winner and received the Audience Award from the prestigious Concert Artists Guild, a distinguished classical music management organization based in New York City.

Yoni Levyatov (piano)

Pianist and composer Yoni Levyatov made his recital debut at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall and his New York City concerto debut under the baton of Philippe Entremont. He has appeared with the Jerusalem Symphony, Manhattan Chamber, and Bogotá Philharmonic orchestras; the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas; and the Denver Brass. Mr. Levyatov’s most recent appearances include performances at Steinway Hall, Bargemusic, and the United Nations in New York; St. Mary’s College of Maryland; the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix; the Grand Philharmonic Hall in St. Petersburg; the Spiegelsaal of Schloss Rheinsberg in Rheinberg, Germany; Auditorio CajaCanarias in Tenerife, Spain; and the Tel Aviv Museum of Art in Israel.