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Gradus ad Parnassum Music Academy

Gradus ad Parnassum Music Academy fosters a deep appreciation for classical music through education and performance. We provide a platform for musicians to explore and share Baroque masterpieces, enriching cultural experiences for all.

You might think there is not much in common between Bach and Klezmer, orbetween Traditional Russian music and Jazz. Yet the TransAtlantic Duo ofAlexander Paperny (balalaika) and Vladimir Fridman (guitar and vocals)command their instruments with virtuosity to seamlessly bring together all thesediverse styles in their exploration of the world&rsquo;s musical heritage. Don&rsquo;t miss yourchance to hear this!Alexander and Vladimir have been working together for a long time. In Moscow,Russia (1988-1998) they played in an Eccentric Show Group Jazz Balalaika, withwhich they toured all over the world and recorded several CDs. Alexander lives inHamburg, Germany and Vladimir lives in Gaithersburg Maryland, US but thedistance did not separate musicians.Since 2005 Duo annually touring in USA and Europe. In USA duo performed fewtimes in Kennedy Center of Arts in Washington DC and many other great venues. VLADIMIR FRIDMAN is a musician with the ability to move flawlesslythrough classic, jazz, traditional music of different countries with improvisationalspirit, soul and true virtuosity.Vladimir&#39;s website address: <a fr-original-style="" id="isPasted" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">www.vfridman.com</a> ALEXANDER PAPERNY is one of the most famous balalaika musiciansin Western Europe. His genuine virtuosity and temperament merge into an unusualcombination. He and his instrument carry you away into a magical world ofsounds.Alexander&#39;s website address: <a fr-original-style="" rel="noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">www.balalaikarus.com</a>

Transatlantic Duo: Vladimir Fridman, guitar and Alexander Paperny, balalaika

Join us for &ldquo;Sarn Oliver and Friends,&rdquo; an evening of chamber music that brings our community close to the heart of the classical tradition 🎻. Hosted by Gradus ad Parnassum Music Academy, this concert reflects our mission to nurture musicians and share the richness of classical music with audiences of all ages.&nbsp; PROGRAMDohnanyi Serenade in C Major op 10&nbsp;1. Marcia- Allegro&nbsp;2. Romanza- Adagio non troppo&nbsp;3. Scherzo- Vivace&nbsp;4. Tema con variazioni- Andante con moto&nbsp;5. Rondo- Allegro Vivace&nbsp;Sarn Oliver Violin&nbsp;Shinya Abe Viola&nbsp;Jonah Kernis Cello&nbsp; &nbsp;Sarn Oliver. &nbsp;Travels Trio&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;1. &nbsp;Awakenings&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;2. Kazan Bells&nbsp; &nbsp;Sarn Oliver Violin&nbsp; &nbsp;Jonah Kernis Cello&nbsp; &nbsp;Evelyne Luest Piano &nbsp; Intermission &nbsp;Aaron Kernis. &nbsp;Lullaby from &quot;Before Sleep and Dreams&quot;&nbsp;Evelyen Luest &nbsp; Piano&nbsp;Brahms . C minor Piano Quartet&nbsp;1.Allegro non troppo&nbsp;2. Scherzo: Allegro&nbsp;3. Andante&nbsp;4. Finale: Allegro comodo&nbsp;Sarn Oliver Violin&nbsp;Shinya Abe Viola&nbsp;Jonah Kernis Cello&nbsp;Evelyne Luest Piano

Sarn Oliver and Friends

Join us for an evening of piano and violin with Florin Parvulescu and Xak Bjerken 🎻🎹 Experience masterworks of the classical repertoire up close, performed by two renowned artists who share our commitment to nurturing musical talent and honoring the traditions of this music. Your registration helps Gradus ad Parnassum Music Academy bring high‑quality performances and music education to audiences of all ages. Reserve your seat, invite a friend, and be part of our listening community. 🚀

Florin Parvulescu and Xak Bjerken

Join us for Starla Breshears&rsquo; cello recital 🎻, presented by Gradus ad Parnassum Music Academy.&nbsp;Starla Breshears is an emerging American cellist recognized for her expressive artistry and remarkable technical command. A native of California, she began studying the cello at the age of three and has since developed into a compelling soloist and chamber musician.She is a recent graduate of the Colburn School Music Academy, where she studied with distinguished faculty, and previously trained in the Pre-College Division of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music with Jean-Michel Fonteneau and Richard Aaron. She has also worked with renowned artists including Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Alisa Weilerstein, and Amit Peled.Breshears has appeared as a soloist with numerous orchestras and has earned top prizes in competitions such as the ASTA State Solo Competition and the Pacific Musical Society &amp; Foundation Competition, as well as recognition at the Stulberg International String Competition. An active chamber musician, she performs with the Breshears Quartet, an award-winning family ensemble.She was recently appointed as a cellist with the San Francisco Symphony, becoming the youngest musician to win an audition and join the orchestra.Program:&nbsp; Dmitriy Cogan, piano Johann Sebastian Bach (1685&ndash;1750)Partita in A minor for Solo Flute, BWV 1013 Allemande, Courante William Walton (1902&ndash;1983)Cello Concerto II. Allegro appassionato Eug&egrave;ne Ysa&yuml;e (1858&ndash;1931)Sonata for Solo Cello Suzanne Sorkin (b. 20th/21st c.)&quot;Fused&quot; for Solo Cello Johannes Brahms (1833&ndash;1897)Sonata No. 2 in F Major for Cello and Piano, Op. 99I. Allegro vivace II. Adagio affettuoso Robert Schumann (1810&ndash;1856)Adagio and Allegro in A-flat Major, Op. 70<div fr-original-style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 1.5; box-sizing: inherit;"> </div>

Starla Breshears cello recital

Join us for an evening of piano artistry with Sofya Gulyak 🎹, presented by Gradus ad Parnassum Music Academy. Experience masterful interpretations that bring classical works to life. Program:BACH-BUSONI Chaconne in D minorFRANCKv Prelude, Fugue, and Variation, Op. 18BACH-BUSONI Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland (Savior of the Nations, Come), Chorale Prelude BWV 659BACH-BUSONI Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565CHOPIN Prelude in C-Sharp minor, Op. 45CHOPIN Rondo &agrave; la Mazur, Op. 5CHOPIN-LISZT Meine Freuden (My Joys)CHOPIN-LISZT Madchens Wunsch (The Maiden&rsquo;s Wish)LISZT Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 (with cadenza by Sofya Gulyak) In September 2009 Sofya Gulyak was awarded the 1st prize and the Princess Mary Gold Medal at the Sixteenth Leeds International Piano Competition &ndash; the first woman in the history of the competition to achieve this distinction. Since then she has appeared all over the world to great acclaim. Her recital programs are frequently reviewed in superlatives, and her concerto appearances with major orchestras are noted in glowing terms by the world&rsquo;s music press. Sofya has been praised for her &quot;tremendous precision and coloration...exquisite soft playing ...with delicacy&quot; and described as a &ldquo;Rach star&quot;(Washington Post).&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Sofya Gulyak&rsquo;s resume includes prizes from many prestigious piano competitions: she is a 1st prize winner of William Kapell International Piano Competition in the USA, Maj Lind Helsinki International Piano Competition, Tivoli Piano Competition in Copenhagen, Isang Yun International Piano Competition in South Korea, San Marino Piano Competition, winner of Busoni Competition in Italy and prize winner of Marguerite Long Piano Competition in Paris. Recitals and concert appearances have been numerous, with Sofya Gulyak having performed all over the globe in such venues as La Scala Theatre and Sala Verdi in Milan, Herculessaal in Munich, Salle Cortot, Salle Gaveau and Salle Pleyel in Paris, Wigmore Hall and Cadogan Hall in London, Grand Hall of Moscow Conservatory, Konzerthaus in Berlin, Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Kennedy Center in Washington, Salle Bourgie in Montreal, Palais de la Musique in Strasbourg, Hong Kong City Hall, Shanghai Grand Theatre, Tokyo Opera City Hall, Osaka Symphony Hall, Musashino Cultural Centre in Tokyo, National Hungarian Opera in Budapest, National Forum of Music in Wroclaw, Finlandia Hall in Helsinki, Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, Teatro Municipal and Cidade des Artes in Rio de Janeiro, Auditorium Manzoni in Bologna, Salle Moli&egrave;re in Lyon, Cankarjev Dom in Ljubljana, Walt Disney Hall in Los Angeles, King Theatre in Rabat, Kursaal in Bern, Tivoli Concert Hall in Copenhagen etc..Sofya Gulyak appeared as a soloist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Finnish Radio Symphony, Saint-Petersburg Philharmonic, Rio de Janeiro Symphony, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Hall&eacute; Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony, Orchestra of Opera North, Orchestra dell&rsquo; Arena di Verona, Orchestra Filarmonica di Bologna, Budapest Philharmonic, Enescu Philharmonic, Stavanger Symphony, Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz, Slovak Radio Symphony, Helsinki Philharmonic, Copenhagen Symphony, Ulster Symphony, Orchestre National de France, Shanghai Philharmonic, NFM Wroclaw Philharmonic, Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana, Oulu Philharmonic, Leipzig Philharmonic, Pensacola Symphony, Tatarstan Symphony, Philippines Philharmonic, Morocco Philharmonic and others. She collaborated with conductors such as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Sakari Oramo, Mark Elder, David Hill, Donald Runnicle, Vasily Petrenko, Carlo Rizzi, Alexander Lazarev, Alan Buribayev, Eiving Gullberg Jensen, Karl-Heinz Steffens, Theodor Guschlbauer, Giancarlo Guerrero, Rory McDonald, Danail Rachev, Fabio Mastrangelo, Michele Mariotti, Marat Bisengaliev, Fuat Mansurov, Alexander Sladkovsky, Daria Stasevska, Eiji Oue, Mario Kosik, Jesus Medina, Christian Zimmermann, Peter Rubardt and others.&nbsp;The festivals in which Sofya Gulyak participated include Klavier Ruhr Festival, Chopin Festival in Duszniki-Zdroj, Festival de Sceaux, International Keyboard Festival in New York, International Strasbourg Festival, Busoni Festival, Harrogate Festival, &ldquo;Joy of Music festival&rdquo; in Hong Kong, Krak&oacute;w Piano Festival, New Zealand Piano Festival, Ravello Festival, Festival Chopin in Paris, Shanghai International Piano Festival and many others.Sofya Gulyak recorded for Champs Hill Records and Piano Classics labels. Her recordings received &nbsp;5 stars review in Diapason magazine (&ldquo;What a pleasure to hear the piano blossoming and projecting in the most vivid of ways when played by Sofya Gulyak. The singing sound alongside dazzling and powerful execution distinguishes an outstanding natural pianist&rdquo;), glowing reviews from &ldquo;Gramophone&rdquo; (&ldquo;This is a stunning debut album&hellip;&rdquo;) and &ldquo;Guardian&rdquo; magazines (&ldquo;Sofya Gulyak is a fearless pianist, never afraid to scale the most technically demanding heights of the repertoire and equally proud to wear her heart on her sleeve&rdquo;), American Record Guide (&ldquo;The Handel Variations is among the top contenders on record. She keeps you on the edge of your seat, as the music presses ever forward. Sometimes I was reminded of the young Argerich&rdquo;) , &ldquo;Fanfare&rdquo; magazine (&ldquo;Her musicality is beautifully attuned to the spirit of Brahms&hellip;I must praise Kazan-born Russian pianist Sofya Gulyak, whose impressive reading places a stronger emphasis than Perahia&rsquo;s on the continuity of the variations&hellip;She&rsquo;s a natural Brahmsian whatever his moods.&rdquo;) &hellip; &nbsp;CD with the Chaconnes for piano was released on Champs Hill records (&ldquo;&hellip;A fascinating collection, superbly realised and beautifully recorded&hellip;&quot;-Artdesk; &ldquo;Gulyak is a musician of exceptional depth and profundity, and a pianist with seemingly unlimited technical resources&hellip; I can&rsquo;t wait to hear more of her&hellip;Of particular note are her beautiful versions of the Nielsen, the Casella, a ferocious Busoni Toccata, and a sparkling account of the Handel Chaconne.&quot;-Fanfare Magazine)&nbsp;In 2025-26 Sofya makes her debut with Indianapolis Symphony, California Symphony and Alexandria Symphony orchestras, Xiamen Philharmonic in China, Oviedo Symphony in Spain and London Sinfonia in the UK. She also returns for solo recitals at Salle Bourgie in Montreal for &ldquo;Grand Interpreters&rdquo; series and Vancouver Chopin Society in Canada, Liszt Festival in Austria(with live broadcast on ORF radio in Vienna), and gives recitals in China, United Kingdom, Germany, United States, Canada, Italy etc..As chamber musician Sofya Gulyak collaborated with Wihan, Chilingirian, Arianna quartets, Quartetto di Venezia, soloists of English Chamber orchestra, violinists Olivier Charlie and Marianne Piketty, viola player Tatjana Masurenko, baritone Loa Falkman, cellists Quirine Viersen and Yuki Ito (with whom she recorded a CD of Rachmaninoff&rsquo;s music for Champs Hill Records).Sofya Gulyak is a native of Kazan (Russia) where she studied in a Special Music College under Nailya Khakimova, and then in Kazan State Conservatoire under Professor Elfiya Burnasheva. After that she continued her studies at the Piano Academy &quot;Incontri col Maestro&quot; (Imola, Italy) with Boris Petrushansky and at the Royal College of Music in London with Vanessa Latarche. Sofya Gulyak attended as a jury member of the international piano competitions in Italy, Serbia, France, Germany, Russia, Greece, United States, China, South Korea, Singapore etc. and was invited to teach master classes in China, Italy, Austria, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Hong Kong, Mexico, USA, Canada, Germany.Over decade she has been a professor of piano at the Royal College of Music in London. Since 2023 she is a professor of piano at Jacobs school of Music at Indiana University.&nbsp;Her playing has been broadcast on radio and TV in Russia, Poland, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, United States, Finland, Denmark, Serbia, New Zealand, Brazil, Mexico, United Kingdom (BBC3 and BBC4) and other countries.&nbsp;www.sofyagulyak.com

Sofya Gulyak Piano Recital

Inspired by Fantasia in C major for Violin and Piano by Franz Schubert, this program explores the many faces of musical fantasy&mdash;where form gives way to imagination. From the luminous lyricism of Ludwig van Beethoven to the shifting textures of Paul Hindemith, the passionate urgency of Johannes Brahms, and the dreamlike elegance of Pablo de Sarasate, each work invites the listener into a world where the violin transcends the expected and becomes a voice of pure imagination.<div data-edge="true" fr-original-style="" style="width: 100%; line-height: 1.5; box-sizing: inherit;"> </div>

Violin Fantasie

THIS IS A MUST-SEE EVENT FOR ALL VIOLIN NERDS OUT THERE!We have talked with Sarn about playing a recital together and doing it on multiple violins, switching instruments in between movements for a long time and finally we are doing it! Sarn collects violins and owns multiple instruments from different periods from old 17-18th century Italian instruments to modern violins by great contemporary makers. We are going to perform some of the most beloved violin sonatas by Gabriel Faure and Cesar Franck with our friend and a great pianist Liz Dorman, as well as a violin duet written by Sarn. After, we will discuss the differences in sound and timbre of the violins and talk about history of violin making in general.&nbsp;David Chernyavsky

Soirée Française: Our favorite French violin sonatas

Gradus ad Parnassum Music Academy presents: Ensemble Mirable:Katherine Kyme (violin),&nbsp;William Skeen (cello and viola da gamba)Kevin Cooper (guitar), and&nbsp;JungHae Kim (harpsichord)<p fr-original-style="color: rgb(29, 29, 29); font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: system-ui; font-size-adjust: none; min-height: 20.3px;" style="color: rgb(29, 29, 29); font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: system-ui; font-size-adjust: none; min-height: 20.3px; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;"> <p fr-original-style="color: rgb(29, 29, 29); font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: system-ui; font-size-adjust: none; min-height: 20.3px;" style="color: rgb(29, 29, 29); font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: system-ui; font-size-adjust: none; min-height: 20.3px; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;"> Ensemble Mirable Program Georg Philipp Telemann (1681 -1767), Trio Sonata in b minor TWV 42:h6Largo - VivaceAndanteAllegroDietrich Buxtehude (c.1637-1707), Sonata Op 1, in a minor BuxWV 254&nbsp; Francesco Corbetta (1615-1680), Preludio and Chiacona&nbsp; Jean-Marie Leclair&nbsp;(1697-1764), Sonata VIII &agrave; 3&nbsp; William Byrd (1540-1623), Fantasia in C&nbsp; Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), Sonata for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord g minor BWV 1029&nbsp;VivaceAdagioAllegro Marin Marais&nbsp;(1656-1728) Sonnerie de Saint Genevi&egrave;ve du Mont-de-Paris&nbsp;

Gradus ad Parnassum Music Academy

Gradus ad Parnassum Music Academy

Gradus ad Parnassum Music Academy

Past events

Past events

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Transatlantic Duo: Vladimir Fridman, guitar and Alexander Paperny, balalaika

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Sarn Oliver and Friends

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Florin Parvulescu and Xak Bjerken

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Starla Breshears cello recital

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Sofya Gulyak Piano Recital

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Violin Fantasie

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Gradus ad Parnassum Music Academy

Past events

Past events

View event

Transatlantic Duo: Vladimir Fridman, guitar and Alexander Paperny, balalaika

View event

Sarn Oliver and Friends

View event

Florin Parvulescu and Xak Bjerken

View event

Starla Breshears cello recital

View event

Sofya Gulyak Piano Recital

View event

Violin Fantasie

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Gradus ad Parnassum Music Academy