U.S. Pianist Stephen Swedish Caps Georgia Tour with Tbilisi Concert
On Saturday, October 21, the U.S. Embassy hosted a concert-reception featuring Dr. Stephen Swedish, the distinguished American pianist. Dr. Swedish was in Georgia to perform and work with promising young music students as a specialist hosted by the U.S. Embassy.
The concert reception at the Elene Akhvlediani museum concluded Dr. Swedish’s five day tour to three cities: Tbilisi, Sokhumi and Batumi. Dr. Swedish gave two master classes at the Tbilisi State Conservatory, a master class and impromptu concert at the Sukhumi Music School and a master class and concert at the Batumi Conservatory. Over 150 people attended the concert in Batumi which ended with a standing ovation. Dr. Swedish's concert repertoire included pieces by American favorites Gershwin and Brubeck, as well as a selection of music by European masters.
Dr. Swedish has been an Artistic Ambassador for the U.S. State Department since 1996. In over 50 years of performing he has built an international reputation as an outstanding solo performer and a world-class collaborator and chamber music player. His most recent recording work, Sonatas for Cello and Piano with German cellist Wolfgang Laufer, was released this year.
Dr. Swedish received his doctorate in music from Indiana University. He has served on the artist faculties of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the Universities of Wisconsin and Maryland and others. He has also taught in Europe at the Conservatorio dall'Abaco in Verona, Italy, the International Haydn Festival at the Esterhazy Palace in Eisenstadt, Austria and the Oberlin-in-Italy program in partnership with the Centro Studi Italiani in Urbania, Italy |
