A pianist of “unerring, warm-toned refinement, revealing judicious glimmers of power” (Los Angeles Times), Robert Thies will perform Chopin’s ‘Revolutionary’ Etude in C Minor, op. 10 no. 12, as well as works by Debussy, Brahms, Scriabin and Beethoven during the “Second Sundays At Two” concert at Rolling Hills United Methodist Church on June 8. Renowned for his consummate musicianship and poetic temperament, Thies first captured worldwide attention in 1995 when he won the Gold Medal at the Second International Prokofiev Competition in St. Petersburg, Russia. With this victory, Thies became the only American pianist to win a Russian piano competition since Van Cliburn’s triumph in Moscow in 1958. Two years later, in 1997, Thies was chosen to perform some of Henryk Mikołaj Górecki’s most touching chamber music for the composer during his “Górecki Autumn” residency at USC in Los Angeles (pictured at right).
Robert Thies enjoys a diverse career as an orchestral soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician. He has already performed 40 different concerti with orchestras all over the world, including the Saint Petersburg Philharmonic, the Auckland Philharmonia (New Zealand), the Mexico City Philharmonic, Mexico’s National Symphony, the Fort Worth Symphony, the Pasadena Symphony, the Louisville Orchestra, and the Naples Philharmonic.
A dedicated chamber musician, Thies is highly sought after as a recital partner and collaborator in both instrumental and vocal chamber music. He frequently shares the stage with members of the LA Philharmonic and the LA Chamber Orchestra. He also performs frequently with his unique ensemble, the Thies Consort.
Sunday, June 8, 2014 – 2:00PM sharp!
Robert Thies Plays “Second Sundays At Two”
Rolling Hills United Methodist Church
26438 Crenshaw Blvd., Rolling Hills Estates CA 90274
Free admission. Donations appreciated.
Info: rhumc.org or (310) 316-5574
[Source: Clickable Chamber Music Newsletter of Southern California]