CityMusic Cleveland to present critically acclaimed but reclusive violinist Dylana Jenson
CLEVELAND, OH - CityMusic Cleveland, which has been wowing audiences and breaking down barriers to the widespread enjoyment of classical music through its free concert series performed in local venues throughout Northeast Ohio for seven years, will present critically acclaimed but reclusive violinist Dylana Jenson in their March 16 – 19, 2011 concert series to be performed at the Fairmount Presbyterian Church in Cleveland Heights; the Elyria First United Methodist Church and Cleveland’s St. Ignatius of Antioch Church and Shrine of St. Stanislaus Church.
Dylana Jenson was the first woman and, at 17, the youngest to win the Silver Medal at the Tchaikovsky Competition, thereby breaking gender barriers on the international classical music scene. She has enamored audiences at most major US venues, including Carnegie Hall, as well as in Europe, Australia, Japan and Latin America. Jenson’s is a story of struggle against prejudice and triumph through the beauty of music. When she chose to marry at 21, her wealthy benefactor demanded his instrument back believing a married woman could not be serious about her art. After a long struggle to reclaim her voice, Jenson has re-emerged on the classical music scene at 49, capturing all the sadness and longing of her struggle in the magnificence of her music.
Joel Smirnoff, who received a life time achievement award at this year’s Grammy’s, will conduct the series. Smirnoff, who is a recurring CityMusic Cleveland conductor, has appeared nationally and internationally as a conductor, making his American debut with the San Francisco Symphony and frequently guest conducting for the New World Symphony in Miami and the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra. A former Chair of The Julliard School’s violin department, Smirnoff has been a member of the Juilliard String Quartet since 1986 and its leader since 1997.
