JANUARY 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lexington, VA -- Clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein and pianist David Riley perform twentieth century chamber works in a free concert as part of the Sonoklect Festival of Modern Music. The performance takes place at Washington and Lee’s Lenfest Center on Friday, January 24th at 8:00pm. The duo will perform compositions by Camille Saint-Saens, Igor Stravinsky, Bohuslav Martinu, Francis Poulenc, Andre Messager and W&L professor Terry Vosbein.

Fiterstein was born in Minsk in the former Soviet Union and emigrated with his family to Israel when he was two years old. He studied at the Israel Arts and Science Academy and received his high school diploma from the Interlochen Arts Academy before receiving a Bachelor’s degree and a Graduate Diploma from The Juilliard School. In 2001 he won First Prize in the Young Concert Artists International Auditions. And the 23-year-old clarinetist has just won the Carl Nielsen International Clarinet Competition in Odense, Denmark.

Riley is a Sonoklect favorite, this being his fourth appearance in the series. As classmates at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Riley and Vosbein have worked together numerous times. Riley is now a leading collaborative pianist in New York, constantly in demand for recitals there and throughout the world. Lexington is fortunate that he manages to perform here so often.

Vosbein's "Scherzo for Clarinet and Piano" was commissioned by clarinetist Heather Millette who premiered it a Sonoklect concert in 1997. It is a one movement work with flowing melodies and a dancing cadenza. This marks the first performance by Fiteerstein and Riley of this popular composition.

The concert is free and open to the public. No tickets are required. Sonoklect regulars should take notice that this concert is on Friday night, rather than the normal Saturday. A reception will follow allowing the audience to meet and greet each other and the performers.



###