Piano Virtuoso, Derek Han, to Play at the Historic Asolo Theater

Sarasota, FL—Feb. 26, 2007--World renowned pianist and co-founder of Sarasota’s La Musica International Chamber Orchestra Festival, Derek Han will perform a program of Beethoven, Chopin, and others at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art’s Historic Asolo Theater on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 8 p.m. 

Born in the United States of Chinese parents, Han graduated at only 18 from Julliard, where he studied with Ilona Kabos, Gina Bachauer, Lili Kraus and Guido Agosti.  After winning a gold medal and first prize at the Athens International Piano Competition in 1977, Han continued to travel the world, performing and recording, with an international elite of orchestras and musicians. 

Playing in some of classical music’s most prestigious venues, Han toured with the Berliner Symphoniker and Philharmonie der Nationen across the United States and the United Kingdom, with the Bolshoi Symphony and Philharmonie der Nationen in the UK, and with the Moscow Philharmonic and Buenos Aires Philharmonic throughout Europe.

Collaborating with an international caste of musicians across five continents, Han played with the Warsaw Philharmonic, Residentie Orchestra, London Philharmonic, Budapest Symphony Orchestra, Nordwest Deutsche Philharmonie, Sofia Philharmonic, and Schleswig-Holstein Symphony.

Also an internationally regarded soloist, some highlights of his career include a performance with Sinfonia Varsovia under Yehundi Menuhin, South Africa 1996, in celebration of Lord Menuhin’s 80^th birthday.  Han’s more recent engagements include performances with the Czech National Symphony, Moscow State Symphony, Budapest Symphony, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic, Hong Kong Philharmonic, and other symphony orchestras across the U.S.

An impressive recording artist, Han’s discography includes the complete piano concerti of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, both piano concerti by composers Mendelsohn and Edward MacDowell, and piano concerti from composers Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Shostakovich, Chopin and more.  He recorded Rachmaninov’s Piano Concertos 1 and 2 with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra last year.

Tickets are $35, $40, and $35 and are available by contacting the Historic Asolo Theater Box Office at 941.360.7399.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, in its affiliation with Florida State University, is the largest museum/university complex in the nation.  It preserves the legacy of John and Mable Ringling, educating and enabling a large and diverse audience to experience and take delight in a world-renowned collection of fine art; Cà d’Zan, the Ringling historic mansion; the Circus Museum; the Original Asolo Theater; and historic architecture, courtyard, gardens and grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay.
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General Admission includes the Ringling Museum of Art, special exhibitions, Ca' d’Zan Mansion, Circus Museum, and Mable’s historic Rose Garden, all on 66 acres of lushly landscaped grounds. Adults are $25; senior citizens (65 and over) are $20; children ages 6-17 are $5.  Free Admission for children 5 and under accompanied by an adult, museum members.  Advance tickets are available by calling 941.358.3180. Visit Ringling.org for more information.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Florida State University, is one of the largest museum/university complexes in the nation.  It preserves the legacy of John and Mable Ringling, educating and enabling a large and diverse audience to experience and take delight in a world-renowned collection of fine art; Ca' d’Zan, the Ringling historic mansion; the Circus Museums; the Original Asolo Theater; and historic architecture, courtyard, gardens and grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay.
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