Renowned violinist Sarah Chang presents an inspiring evening of Brahms, Franck, and Bartók
She shared the stage with the New York Philharmonic when she was only 8 years old and released her first album at 10. Now, captivating violinist Sarah Chang makes her debut at the Moss Arts Center. Joined by pianist Sonya Ovrutsky Fensome, Chang will perform sonatas by Brahms and Franck in an inspiring program that includes Bartók’s “Romanian Folk Dances,” on Tuesday, April 19, at 7:30 p.m.
The performance will be held in the center’s Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre, located within the Street and Davis Performance Hall at 190 Alumni Mall.
Chang has impressed audiences with her technical virtuosity and refined emotional depth, performing with some of the world’s most esteemed orchestras, conductors, and accompanists in an international career spanning more than two decades.
Highlights from Chang’s recent and upcoming seasons include performances with the New York and Los Angeles philharmonics, Philadelphia and National Symphony orchestras, and the Chicago, Boston, Cleveland, Montreal, Houston, Detroit, San Francisco, Toronto, Vancouver, Cincinnati, San Diego, and New Jersey symphonies. She also has performed at the Hollywood Bowl and at the Tanglewood, Ravinia, and Aspen music festivals, among others.
With a career that has blossomed internationally, the accomplished recital and chamber musician regularly travels the world, performing with artists such as Pinchas Zukerman, Yefim Bronfman, Leif Ove Andsnes, Yo-Yo Ma, Isaac Stern, Wolfgang Sawallisch, and members of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
Chang’s most recent recording featured the Brahms and Bruch violin concertos with Kurt Masur and the Dresdner Philharmonie. She has also recorded Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons;” Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1 and Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 live with the Berliner Philharmoniker; and the Dvořák Violin Concerto with the London Symphony Orchestra and Sir Colin Davis.
Along with Pete Sampras, Wynton Marsalis, and Tom Brady, Chang has been a featured artist in Movado’s global advertising campaign “The Art of Time.” In 2012, Chang received the Harvard University Leadership Award, and in 2005 Yale University dedicated a chair in Sprague Hall in her name. Other distinctions include the Avery Fisher Career Grant, Young Artist of the Year Award from “Gramophone,” Germany’s Echo Schallplattenpreis, Newcomer of the Year honors at the International Classical Music Awards in London, and Korea’s Nan Pa award. In 2011, Chang was named an official artistic ambassador by the U.S. Department of State.
Pianist Sonya Ovrutsky Fensome’s performances are known for their fresh, imaginative, and passionate interpretation. Her extraordinary artistry brings new life to a wide array of piano repertoire — from baroque to the 21st century.
Ovrutsky Fensome has performed in major venues in the United States, Europe, Russia, and South Africa, including Carnegie Concert Hall and Lincoln Center in New York, the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, Aspen Music Festival, Palace de Beaux Arts in Brussels, and Lucerne Music Festival.
Her numerous competition awards include the Aspen Music Festival Competition and Concert Artist Competition in New York. A passionate supporter of music education, Ovrutsky Fensome was appointed director of the Piano Academy at M. Steinert and Sons in Boston in 2014. Her commitment to teaching and inspiring young people in their study of piano music was recognized with the Top Teacher Award by Steinway & Sons for five consecutive years. Her music appreciation YouTube channel, “From My Piano Room,” dedicated to classical piano music, is quickly gaining recognition around the world.
This year, Virginia Tech marks its 150th year with an ongoing celebration of its impact and engagement. The arts are woven throughout the university's history and are a critically important part of its future. This performance is part of a range of special performances, exhibitions, and experiences happening throughout the month of April that demonstrate the incredible value the arts and creative experiences at Virginia Tech.
Engagement event
During her visit to Blacksburg, Chang will speak with Virginia Tech music majors about violin performance, touring, music education, and service.
Ticket information
Tickets for the performance are $20-45 for general public and $10 for Virginia Tech students and youth 18 and under. Tickets can be purchased online; at the Moss Arts Center's box office, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; or by calling 540-231-5300 during box office hours.
The Moss Arts Center adheres to the guidelines of the Virginia Department of Health and Virginia Tech in its operations, including protocols for face coverings and cleaning and sanitation. More information about these requirements is available on the Moss Arts Center website.
Paid parking is available in the North End Parking Garage on Turner Street. Virginia Tech faculty and staff possessing a valid Virginia Tech parking permit can enter and exit the garage free of charge. Virginia Tech has also partnered with ParkMobile to provide a convenient, contactless electronic payment option for parking, which may be used at any parking meter, campus parking space, or lot with standard F/S, C/G, or R parking.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Jamie Wiggert at least 10 days prior to the event at 540-231-5300 or email wiggertj@vt.edu during regular business hours.
