Jazz, rock, film, and classical music to mark the 7th edition of Music of America

Four Grammy winners join the concert series; Subscription tickets go on sale on September 1

August 31, 2016, Sofia
Jazz, rock, film, and classical music are to be presented during the 2016-2017 season in the Music of America concert series. Four remarkable events showcasing some of America’s most emblematic music are to bring much joy to our audiences during the period October 2016 – May 2017. The featured soloists are Grammy award-winning renowned artists in several genres, each of them making their Bulgarian debut. The Music of America series, which also features the Classic FM Radio Orchestra is being presented for the seventh consecutive year by Cantus Firmus music company with the support of the America for Bulgaria Foundation.
As a tradition, Music of America showcases some of the world’s most prominent classical music performers. After long negotiations with the managers of great violinist Gil Shaham, Bulgarian audiences will finally have the opportunity to hear him live on January 30, 2017 at Bulgaria Hall, alongside the Classic FM Radio Orchestra. Mr. Shaham is to perform the magnificent Beethoven Violin Concerto under the baton of Maxim Eshkenazy. Gil Shaham is hailed as on of the most remarkable violinists of our time. Both critics and audiences alike marvel at his meticulous technique and unparallelled warm rich sound. Apart from being a Grammy award-winning artist, as well as being named “Instrumentalist of the Year” by “Musical America”, he actively performs all over the globe with all major orchestras and leading conductors. In Bulgaria, Mr. Shaham is to perform on his unique 1699 “Countess Polignac” Stradivarius violin.
Another important series highlight is the concert titled “For Ella” celebrating First Lady of American jazz Ella Fitzgerald’s 100th anniversary. This project is to be presented by singer Patti Austin – a true legend of American jazz and soul music. Ms. Austin is the goddaughter of Dinah Washington and great music producer Quincy Jones, with whom she has worked over many years. Some of her duet partners have included Michael Jackson, James Ingram, and George Benson, among many others. Ms. Austin’s recordings have always topped the charts, and in 2008 her classical jazz album Avant Gershwin won her a Grammy. In 2016, she released her newest jazz album with songs, which Ella Fitzgerald made popular. In addition, Patti Austin started appearing in a series of concerts as soloist of major symphony orchestras in Detroit, Baltimore, Phoenix, Minneapolis, and Oregon featuring songs by Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington. Bulgaria is to become the next stop as part of this world tour, joining the rest of the music world on April 25, 2017 in celebration of Ella Fitzgerald’s centennial. Patti Austin’s concert, which also features the Classic FM Radio Orchestra and Big Band is scheduled for May 17, 2017 at the National Palace of Culture’s Hall One.
As a tradition, the film genre is also present in this year’s edition of Music of America. The upcoming season is to feature Hollywood star Richard Kaufman conducting the Classic FM Radio Orchestra on December 3, 2016 at Bulgaria Hall. Mr. Kaufman has dedicated his entire conducting career to cinema and television. He started working at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Studios music department as early as 1984, and recently he celebrated his 25th season as chief conductor for film music concerts at the Pacific Symphony. Mr. Kaufman has conducted the ‘CSO at the Movies’ series of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He is also a Grammy award-winning artist and a two-time Emmy nominee. In Sofia, Mr. Kaufman is to present excerpts from the cult films, The Magnificent Seven, The Untouchables, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Mission, as well as the latest instalment of the Star Wars saga, The Force Awakens.
This year, Music of America has added a new dimension to the series by presenting a rock concert. A legendary American rock artist is to be showcased as part of the series for the first time ever. His name is to be announced later.
Music of America subscription tickets go on sale September 1, 2016 at the Cantus Firmus box-office at Bulgaria Hall. The subscription package includes three concerts (December 3, January 30, and May 17). All ticket holders are eligible to participate in a raffle and can win three pairs of tickets to the Cinema and Classical Music 2 concert on October 28, 2016, as well as three subscription packages. The raffle will be broadcast live on October 25, 2016 on Classic FM Radio. Box-office hours of operation – Monday through Friday 9:30AM to 1:30PM and 3PM to 7PM. Tickets are also available online at www.ticketsbg.com.