FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ellen McDonald
816.213.4355
Ellen@mershonandmcdonald.com
2023-2024 Season Celebrates Astonishing Students
Plus Visiting Artists Who Are Among World’s Greatest
KANSAS CITY, MO (August 22, 2023) — Park University International Center for Music (Park ICM), under the direction of founder, Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Stanislav Ioudenitch, has for the last 20 years taken magnificent young instrumentalists, already identified as superior performers, and molded them into international virtuosos. Based upon the European master/apprentice relationship, this rare combination of time, talent, attention, location, and commitment has made Park ICM triumphant in a very short time, demanding the attention of the international music community. Having just completed the celebration of the Center’s 20th Anniversary, the next season brings virtuoso friends old and new, and continues to showcase ICM’s own award-winning faculty and students, resulting in a season packed with musicianship of the highest order.
“For the past two decades our Center has served as a haven for young prodigies,” said Ioudenitch, “providing them with an environment that fosters artistic exploration, creativity, and personal growth. We have witnessed the emergence of extraordinary talents who have graced the world’s most prestigious concert halls, garnered accolades, and touched countless hearts through their mesmerizing performances.”
Thanks to generosity of Park University and Park ICM’s donors, Park ICM concert tickets continue to be inexpensive or free. “We’re an educational institution,” said Lisa Hickok, Park ICM Executive Director, “which means it is our top priority to give our students the best possible performance opportunities whether in an orchestra, solo or in chamber groups. Furthermore, it is our mission to remove as many barriers as possible so that our audiences can be reflective of all those who are interested. Music must be shared so that everyone, no matter their ability to pay, may experience world-class classical music right here in Kansas City. And thanks to our very generous donors, we’re able to provide unbelievable performances at extremely accessible prices.”
Throughout the 2023- 2024 Season, Park ICM will have 13 offerings at venues throughout the metro including The 1900 Building in Mission Woods, Kansas; The Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel at Park University, in Parkville, Missouri; and The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Park ICM 2023 – 2024 Season
Mikhail Voskresensky, Piano
Sept. 22, 2023, 7:30 p.m. | 1900 Building
1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Mission Woods, KS 66205
To kick off its 21st Season, the Center will present one of the world’s most revered pianists whose story captured the hearts of music lovers all over the world last year. Born in Berndiansk, Ukraine, Soviet Union, Mikhail Voskresensky is a Russian pianist and pedagogue who left Russia for the United States in 2022 to protest the Russian invastion of Ukraine.
Trained under the legendary Lev Oborin, winner of the First International Chopin Piano Competition, Voskresensky rose to prominence, dazzling audiences worldwide. In the 1960s, the USSR sought to showcase his talent in demonstration of the artistic might of the USSR. However, when Voskresensky refused to assist the KGB during his tour, it was abruptly canceled, taking 13 long years before the state again allowed him to tour the West. In February of 2022, just before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Voskresensky played a concert in the glittery Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatory where he chaired the Piano Program. It was a poignant concert as he received a warm response from Yoheved Kaplinsky, a professor at Juilliard, who offered him a way to escape to the United States through an invitation to teach master classes at the Aspen Music Festival. After months of navigating vaccine hurdles, visa constraints, and slow-moving bureaucracies, Voskresensky and his family arrived safely in the United States.
Hailed as a maestro of the great Romantic tradition, Maestro Voskresensky’s story is a testament to the indomitable spirt of artistic freedom. Park International Center for Music is so pleased to bring him to Kansas City. His program will include:
- The Seasons, Op. 37by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
- Petite Suiteby Alexander Borodin (1833-1887)
- The Lark by Glinka-Balakirev (1837-1910)
- Fairy-tales of the Old Grandmother op.31by Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953)
- Sonata No. 5 op. 53by Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915)
Park ICM Orchestra Fall Concert
Oct. 6, 2023, 7:30 p.m.| Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel, Park University
8500 NW River Park Dr., Parkville, MO 64152
The International Center for Music Orchestra will present its first concert of the 2023-2024 season on Friday, October 6th at 7:30 PM. The program will be under the direction of guest conductor David Amado, music director of the Florida Classical Orchestra, and who will be making his return engagement with the ICM Orchestra. Maestro Amado has selected works for string orchestra of Hugo Wolf, Ottorino Respighi, and Peter Tchaikovsky to open this 7th year of concerts by the orchestra.
Park ICM String Studios
October 28, 2023, 7:30 p.m. | 1900 Building
1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Mission Woods, KS 66205
Park ICM’s concert season will then continue with an award-winning roster of string musicians in the studios of violinist Ben Sayevich, cellist Daniel Veis and violist Peter Chun. Program and performers to be determined.
Stanislav Ioudenitch Piano Studio Recital
Nov. 30, 2023, 7:30 p.m. | 1900 Building
1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Mission, KS 66205
An evening devoted to piano lovers; this concert features the entire studio of Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Stanislav Ioudenitch. “Musicians need to have the practical training of performing,” said Ioudenitch. “That’s what we’re trained to do, to perform in public. These young artists in my piano studio are already successful musicians. They are award winning instrumentalists, so something not to miss.” Program TBD.
Stanislav Ioudenitch has garnered notable successes in music competitions including the gold medal at the XI Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2001. The Van Cliburn Competition launched a career that has taken Ioudenitch around the world for appearances with major orchestras in many of the world’s important musical venues. In addition to concert performances, Ioudenitch has held a lifelong passion for teaching. He is the founder of the International Center for Music at Park University (Kansas City) where he is Artistic Director and master teacher of piano. In addition, he is the director of the Young Artists Music Academy (Kansas City) and vice-president of the Piano Academy at Lake Como, Italy. Ioudenitch is continually invited to teach masterclasses around the world.
https://icm.park.edu/faculty/stanislav-loudenitch/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag0bTwldnJI
An Intimate Christmas with Park ICM Orchestra
Dr. Steven McDonald, Conductor
Dec. 2, 2023, 7:30 p.m. | Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel, Park University
8500 NW River Park Dr., Parkville, MO 64152
After a sellout showing at its first-ever holiday concert last season, the International Center for Music Orchestra at Park University will perform its second annual holiday offering, “An Intimate Christmas with the ICM,” under the direction of Dr. Steven McDonald, ICM Orchestra music director. The program will once again offer a variety of Christmas pieces both familiar and less well-known, and serve as an elegant companion and contrast to the music presented by other fine ensembles in the Kansas City area. Performed in coordination with the Main Street Parkville Association’s Christmas on the River.
https://icm.park.edu/faculty/steven-mcdonald/
Rosamunde Trio
Jan. 25, 2024, 7:30 p.m. | 1900 Building
1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Mission Woods, KS 66205
The Rosamunde Trio was formed in 2002 by three international soloists: Martino Tirimo, piano; Ben Sayevich, violin; and Daniel Veis, cello. They have been performing together since and are pleased to present the “Trio No. 1 in G minor for Piano, Violin and Cello, Op. 15,” by Bedrich Smetana. Violinist Ben Sayevich is the head of the violin studio at Park ICM and cellist Daniel Veis is head of the cello studio at Park ICM. Their friend, pianist Martino Tirimo, will also perform two works by Ludwig van Beethoven to open the concert.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOzn7nCkTGk
Valentines with Park ICM Orchestra
Timothy Hankewich, Conductor
Feb. 9, 2024, 7:30 p.m. | Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel, Park University
8500 NW River Park Dr., Parkville, MO 64152
Park ICM’s Valentine’s Concert has become a community favorite. Produced in collaboration with the Main Street Parkville Association, the concert will be conducted by guest maestro Timothy Hankewich, music director of Orchestra Iowa, who returns for his third appearance with the ICM Orchestra. Hankewich has selected music by Bach, Boccherini, Debussy, Schubert, and Vivaldi, and the featured work will be Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 21, K. 467.”
Ben Sayevich, Violin & Lolita Lisovskaya- Sayevich, Piano
Feb. 29, 2024, 7:30 p.m. | 1900 Building
1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Mission Woods, KS 66205
Violinist Ben Sayevich has established himself as one of the most distinguished violinists of his generation. Sayevich also maintains a vigorous schedule as chamber musician. He is a founding member of the Park Trio, established at Park University and is violinist of the London-based Rosamunde Piano Trio. Sayevich established the string program of Park ICM in 2006. He is joined in concert by his wife, Park ICM Director of Collaborative Piano, Lolita Lisovskaya-Sayevich. The highlight of the evening will be the famed Sonata in A Major for Violin and Piano by César Franck and other works.
https://icm.park.edu/faculty/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s4Y6qKCgFg
Shmuel Ashkenasi, Violin, with Lolita Lisovskaya-Sayevich, Piano
Mar. 22, 2024, 7:30 p.m. | 1900 Building
1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Mission Woods, KS 66205
One of the world’s most celebrated musicians, Israeli violinist Shmuel Ashkenasi returns to Kansas City in March for a rare opportunity to see this level of talent in an intimate space of the 1900 Building’s 200-seat Parkway Room. Gold medalist of three international violin competitions, Ashkenasi is also considered a pre-eminent violin instructor. Having been taught by legendary pedagogue Ilona Feher in Israel, he arrived in the United States while still young and studied with Efrem Zimbalist at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ashkenasi became a member of the Curtis Institute faculty in 2007. Ashkenasi will be in concert with Lolita Lisovskaya-Sayevich, Park University collaborative pianist, and their program will include Bach’s “Violin Sonata in A major, MWV 1015,” Gabriel Fauré’s “Sonata No. 1 in A major, Op. wwww13,” and other works.
https://www.curtis.edu/person/shmuel-ashkenasi/
https://icm.park.edu/faculty/lolita-lisovskaya-sayevich/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e47d2SI71gs
Stanislav & Friends 2024
March 8, 2024, 7:00 p.m. | Helzberg Hall in The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
1601 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64108
For the fifth year, Park University’s signature event will be presented at the Kauffman Center and will feature Park ICM’s biggest stars including Kenny Broberg, Behzod Abduraimov, Igor Khukhua, Ben Sayevich, Daniel Veis, Maria Ioudenitch, and of course the event’s namesake, Stanislav Ioudenitch.
The evening will culminate with two piano virtuosos, Stanislav Ioudenitch and Behzod Abduraimov, who will come together to perform Francis Poulenc’s captivating “Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra” with the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra. Then meet the artists at a dessert reception immediately following the performance.
Patron tickets will be available at https://icm.park.edu/ after October 31, 2023.
Single Tickets will be available after December 8th, 2023, at https://www.kauffmancenter.org/ or by calling 816-994-7222.
Questions will be answered by calling 816-584-6484.
Spring With Park ICM Orchestra
Laura Jackson, Conductor
March 31, 2023, 7:30 p.m. | Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel, Park University
8500 NW River Park Dr., Parkville, MO 64152
The spring 2024 orchestra program will be under the direction of guest conductor Laura Jackson, music director and conductor of the Reno Philharmonic Association, who is making her return engagement with the ICM Orchestra. Jackson has selected a program of works for string orchestra featuring music of Sir Edward Elgar, Patrick Harlin and Franz Schubert.
Behzod Abduraimov, Piano, Daniel Lozakovich, Violin
April 14, 2024, 7:30 p.m. | 1900 Building
1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Mission Woods, KS 66205
The Los Angeles Times has reported, “Uzbekistani pianist Behzod Abduraimov is fast becoming one of the finest musicians of his generation.” The 33-year-old Park ICM alum will be joined in concert by 22-year-old violinist Daniel Lozakovich. “Daniel is one of the greatest stars of the young generation,” Ioudenitch said. “He’s an unbelievable violinist with a major career right now. Very hot.” Together they will perform works by Beethoven, Franck and the “Sonata No. 1 for violin and piano in A minor, Op. 105,” by Schumann.
http://59productions.co.uk/project/behzod-abduraimov/
https://www.harrisonparrott.com/artists/behzod-abduraimov
Park ICM Orchestra’s Season Finale
Barbara Yahr, Conductor
April 19, 2024, 7:30 p.m. | Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel, Park University
8500 NW River Park Dr., Parkville, MO 64152
The International Center for Music’s season will conclude with this fantastic orchestral program under the direction of guest conductor Barbara Yahr, now in her 20th year as music director of the Greenwich Village Orchestra of New York. Yahr, who is making her first appearance with the ICM Orchestra, has selected a program of works by Jan Sibelius, Karl Stamitz and Felix Mendelssohn.
https://www.gvo.org/bio/barbara-yahr/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUBl92QNrGYxpI9LWc_F9Xw
Photos and Digital Assets
Visit https://icm.Park.edu/events-performances/ for more information about Park ICM’s 2023-2024 performance season. High-res photos can be found at Park ICM 23-24 Season dropbox. Broll and digital content can be found at Park ICM 23-24 Season Broll YouTube. Additional press questions can be directed to Ellen McDonald at 816-213-4355 or ellen@mershonandmcdonald.com.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Ticket information and Student Discounts
1900 Building: Student tickets are available for $10 (with valid ID, one ticket per ID). General admission tickets are $30. All tickets may be purchased in advance at https://1900bldg.com/ or at the door prior to the performances based on availability. The Box Office opens 30 minutes prior to all performances.
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts: Tickets at the Kauffman Center will be available at https://www.kauffmancenter.org/ by December 8, 2023.
Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel: All tickets are free with reservation. Email ICMRSVP@Park.edu to secure your seats. Include which concert and all names of those attending with you.
Additional information on performances and any available discounts can be found at https://icm.park.edu/
Parking
Parking at the 1900 Building is free and readily available. Parking at the Kauffman Center is $10 and available at www.KauffmanCenter.org. Parking on campus is free and freely available. Handicapped parking should be arranged in advance by calling Gus Fernandez at 816-584-6448.
Social Media
Receive updates by joining Park ICM Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ICMPark/, @ICMPark on Instagram and following @ICM_Park on Twitter.
ABOUT PARK INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR MUSIC – Park ICM was established (ICM.Park.Edu) at Park University in 2003. This All-Steinway School trains and educates the next generation of accomplished musicians in a focused and creative atmosphere with an international faculty of renowned excellence. Park ICM offers degree, certificate, and diploma programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Our courses of study are focused in the areas of performance in violin, viola, cello, and piano. At the core of all ICM programs is one-on-one studio instruction providing vital interactions between the student and master faculty, now entering its 21st year. This extremely exclusive music academy selects just over 30 students each year to study in the historic European apprenticeship tradition. Each student receives individual studio instruction twice weekly. Park’s amazing campus provides focused and uninterrupted practice time 24-hours daily in a serene and extremely supportive environment. The international faculty’s incredible network of acquaintances throughout the world provides for master classes with renowned guest artists in each performance degree. The European tradition demands public concerts as part of student training that creates performances alongside faculty in sublime intimate concerts throughout Kansas City. Ultimately, the Park ICM master faculty mentors inspiring apprentice musicians and trains them in music and performance. The master faculty also coaches musicianship and career development so that the students will become award-winning musicians, traveling the world and entertaining the most discerning music lovers across all continents.
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Please direct all media inquiries to Ellen McDonald
816-213-4355 or ellen@mershonandmcdonald.com.
