Slobodyanik joins Bryttan for performance with Mansfield University Orchestra

MANSFIELD, Pa. -World-renowned concert pianist Alexander Slobodyanik will join conductor Adrian Bryttan and the Mansfield University Orchestra in performing Stravinsky's 1947 "Petrushka" ballet score on Sunday November 16 at 3 p.m. The symphony concert will include Debussy's "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun" and works by Dvorak, Mascagni and Rossini.

To have an international soloist of Mr. Slobodyanik's stature travel to a small college in northern Pennsylvania, present master classes and perform with the orchestra is significant.

Since it's founding in 1857, the small (3,300 students) northern Pennsylvania school has had to compete on a shoestring budget with neighboring Goliaths like Penn State, Temple and Carnegie Mellon universities.

In such a small school dedicated to innovative approaches in education (vocational schools and student teaching first appeared here), Mr. Bryttan can offer the students the challenge of working on sophisticated repertoire and the rewards of performing with his friend and colleague, Mr. Slobodyanik.

What has made Mansfield a special place is the close contact with a dedicated faculty and the diversity of studies offered. A small student-to-teacher ratio and the variety of available degree programs, such as music therapy, music business and music education (in addition to music performance) draw some of the brightest talents from Pennsylvania and neighboring states. Students are also attracted by the university's liberal arts courses that cannot be found in most traditional music conservatories.

And the results are pretty impressive. The Mansfield music department can proudly point to being the only music school in the state to be recently awarded the statewide "Sphere of Excellence" award. The university's library has the finest collection of music holdings in the state and it has the second oldest wind ensemble in the country after Eastman. With over 200 public performances every year, Mansfield's performing ensembles consistently receive more invitations to state conventions than any other Pennsylvania school.

The driving force is the dedication of the teachers. The faculty, all performing professionals, are student-centered. Graduate assistants do not teach any undergraduate courses; faculty contact is the goal.

Mr. Slobodyanik's devotion to young students also is well-known. A visiting professor at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, he also teaches annually at the Piano Summer Festival at the State University of New York at New Paltz, and has had many prize winners among his private students. Within the past several years, several of his students have performed solos with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, among them Daniel Shleyenkov, a major talent from Belarus who not only studied with Mr. Slobodyanik but also lived in his home as a member of the family for several years.

Since his spectacular 1968 Carnegie Hall debut, Mr. Slobodyanik's artistry has received unanimous praise. Critics proclaimed the young, extremely gifted artist a leader of his generation. Since then he has appeared with leading orchestras and conductors throughout the world. The Los Angeles Times described him as "a master of pianistic touch and nuance," Die Presse in Austria called him "a phenomenal pianist who literally left every listener spellbound," and The New York Times proclaimed him "a major musician and pianist ... Mr. Slobodyanik is the genuine article."

Conductor Bryttan has a one-semester appointment at Mansfield University to teach all violin and viola students, present master classes and conduct the orchestra. The New Haven Advocate praised his "unaccustomed polish and precision," the Chicago Tribune hailed his "welcome Chicago Opera Theatre debut ... summoning vivacious playing for the Bartered Bride," and Classical New Jersey noted his "musical excellence ... brilliant and masterful...could have emerged from any orchestra pit in the world with honor." Alongside his many professional appearances in the United States, Europe and Asia, Mr. Bryttan's devotion to helping young students continues to be an important part of his career.

The concert will be at Steadman Auditorium, Mansfield University. For ticket information call (570) 662-4710.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, October 12, 2003, No. 41, Vol. LXXI

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