School of Fine & Performing Arts

Internationally acclaimed pianists Susan Starr and Robert Hamilton in Recital

NEW PALTZ — Electrifying talent and distinct musical personalities subtly describe the outstanding abilities of Susan Starr and Robert Hamilton who will be performing as part of PianoSummer on Saturday, July 28 at 8 p.m. in McKenna Theatre on the campus of the State University of New York at New Paltz.

Susan Starr is described by the New York Times, as “a star of the first magnitude.” Her program includes Schumann’s Fantasiestucke Op. 12, and Ginestera’s Sonata No. 1. Ms. Starr has performed on more than 50 occasions with the Philadelphia Orchestra since her debut at age six, an engagement that marked her as the youngest soloist to ever appear with a major orchestra. She has been heard with The New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony, the Moscow State Symphony, and the National Symphony (Washington, DC). She has been chosen as a soloist by several remarkable conductors including Leonard Bernstein and Robert Shaw.

Robert Hamilton is an internationally respected performer, teacher, and recording artist. He was a student of Sidney Foster at Indiana University School of Music, and Dora Zaslavsky at the Manhattan School of Music. Mr. Hamilton was prize-winner of the Busoni, Casella, Montivideo and Rudolph Ganz competitions, and has performed in the major concert halls throughout the world. He has recorded for Philips, Orion, and Summit Records, as well as for the BBC in London. Enthusiastically reviewed by Harold C. Schonberg of The New York Times, Robert Hamilton is portrayed as “…a very fine artist. All of Hamilton’s playing has color and sensitivity…one of the best of the million or so around.”

Mr. Hamilton’s program includes Mozart’s Fantasie in C Minor, KV 396, Schubert’s Adagio in E Major, and Barber’s Sonata.

Unquestionably the highlight of the summer arts season, PianoSummer at New Paltz is unparalleled in its quality and artistic excellence. Now in its twelfth year, PianoSummer is an international summer institute and festival dedicated solely to piano music. It features an integrated approach to performance and learning under the artistic direction of master pianist and teacher Vladimir Feltsman.

Tickets for the evening’s performance are $27 reserved adult, $22 reserved senior/student/staff, available by calling the Box office at (845) 257-3880 or on line at www.newpaltz.edu/piano.