Toronto Cellist Karen Ouzounian Solos with Sinfonia Toronto

December 26, 2007

News Release

For immediate release

TORONTO CELLIST KAREN OUZOUNIAN SOLOS WITH SINFONIA TORONTO

'Toronto's Own' is a warm and romantic program that will melt the midwinter chill. This Sinfonia Toronto Masterpiece Series concert will take place on Friday, February 1, 2008 at 8 pm in Grace Church on-the-Hill (300 Lonsdale Road).

Conductor Nurhan Arman will lead the concert that begins with Shostakovich's Chamber Symphony opus 83. The brilliant young Toronto cellist Karen Ouzounian will be featured as soloist in Boccherini's Cello Concerto in B-flat major.

Karen Ouzounian is currently completing graduate studies at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York, where she studies with Timothy Eddy. She has served as principal cellist of the Juilliard Symphony and has performed frequently as a soloist and chamber musician in Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, Paul Recital Hall, the Juilliard Theatre and Morse Recital Hall.

Winner of numerous awards and scholarships, Ms. Ouzounian has received the Grunin Prize and Presidential Distinction award from the Juilliard School. She has also received prizes at the Canadian Music Competition and the Ontario Music Festival. She has appeared as soloist with Sinfonia Toronto and the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony. Ms. Ouzounian has performed solo and chamber music recitals in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Guatemala, Italy, Holland, Germany and Lebanon, and has been featured on the CBC's "Up & Coming" music program.

During the summer, Ms. Ouzounian has performed at the Marlboro Festival, Holland Music Sessions, Sarasota Music Festival, Casalmaggiore International Festival in Italy, Banff Centre for the Arts, and Orford Arts Centre. She has worked in masterclasses with Ralph Kirshbaum, Frans Helmerson, Janos Starker and Aldo Parisot.

The concert will also feature one of Beethoven's greatest masterpieces. His last String Quartet opus 135, written after he lost most of his hearing, is considered to be Beethoven's intimate and profound musical testament. It will be played in an orchestral version created for Sinfonia Toronto by Nurhan Arman.

There will be a free post-concert reception, giving audience members a chance to meet members of the orchestra, Maestro Arman and Ms. Ouzounian.

Tickets are $40 adult, $32 senior, $12 student (16-29) and can be purchased from 416-499-0403 or online with a $5 online only discount at www.sinfoniatoronto.com