RENOWNED CELLIST MIKHAIL ISTOMIN

TO PERFORM AT UPT

TITUSVILLE, Jan. 29 -- The University of Pittsburgh at Titusville will feature Cellist Mikhail Istomin and His Piano Trio in the next Spotlight Series event, scheduled Wednesday, February 6, at 7:30 p.m. in Henne Auditorium.

Istomin began his musical education in Russia at the Special School for Gifted Children, affiliated with the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory.  He received his Master of Music degree from the St. Petersburg Conservatory, where he was invited to join the Chamber Orchestra.  Istomin’s talent took him to the St. Petersburg Philharmonic and the Orchestra of the Kirov Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre.

In 1987, Istomin joined the St. Petersburg String Quartet, which won the Grand Prize in the National Soviet Union Competition of String Quartets in 1989.  Subsequently, the Quartet was invited to Paris to participate in several concert programs dedicated to the 200^th anniversary of the French Revolution.  This was followed by an extensive tour of Germany, Spain, Hungary, Poland and Finland.

Following a tour in the United States, Istomin defected from Russia and sought political asylum.  In America, Istomin performed with the Richmond Symphony and was invited to serve on the faculties of Virginia State University and the Governor’s School for the Performing Arts at the University of Richmond.

Prior to joining the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in 1992, Istomin was Principal Cellist of the Pittsburgh Opera and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Orchestras.

In 1993, he was awarded the Passamaneck Award of the Y Music Society Recital Series and the Pittsburgh Concert Society Auditions.  He has appeared as soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in the Outreach Concert series, the McKeesport Symphony Orchestra, the Edgewood Symphony and the Williamsburg Symphonia.

In addition to his full time orchestra schedule, Istomin is a member of the newly formed Pittsburgh Piano Trio, has appeared in recitals in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia, and is a faculty member at Duquesne University and the City Music Center.

With his powerful command of the cello and communicative warmth of a true Romantic artist, Istomin promises to deliver a memorable performance.

For more information or to reserve tickets, call the UPT Student Affairs Office at 827-4460.

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