Virtuosity: March 7 & 9, 2010

PROGRAM:  John Adams’ Common Tones in Simple Time, Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 and young prodigy CHAD HOOPES playing Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1

“A minor miracle occurred here when the junior winner of the truly incredible Menuhin Competition, just 13 years old, walked onto the platform of the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff and performed Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with such aplomb and sensitivity that half the audience were in tears.

“Chad Hoopes, who comes from the US, is an artist to treasure. Possessed of a superb technique, he even directed the wonderful players of the Orchestra Of Welsh National Opera, who brought this impeccably organized and inspiring celebration of talent to a stunning finale.” - South Wales Echo

At age 14, Chad Hoopes already possesses the kind of technical mastery, ease of expression and joyful talent that come along only once in a generation. In April 2008, the Ohio seventh-grader, who began his piano studies at age four, won first prize in the Young Artists Division of the Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition, triumphing over Russian, American, Chinese and South Korean competitors. He has performed In Europe with the Brussels Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera, and in recital at the Menuhin Festival in Gstaad, Switzerland, and in the U.S. with the Cleveland Orchestra and Asheville, Akron, Minnesota, and Pittsburg Symphonies.  A performance with the Cincinnati Pops was recorded and released by Telarc in collaboration with NPR's “From the Top.”  Beyond the concert hall, Hoope’s virtuosity and exuberant personality have been featured nationally on CBS’ “Early Show,” PBS's “From the Top,” and NPR.