O'Connor, UK String Quartet on Woodsongs

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 9, 2009) - The University of Kentucky's Verdi String Quartet performed with internationally recognized violinist Mark O'Connor at the most recent taping of "The Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour." Local audiences who weren't able to catch the Oct. 5 concert at the Kentucky Theatre can still check out the quartet's performance by tuning in to a television broadcast of the event to be aired at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, on Insight Communications channel 17.

O'Connor was the featured artist of the Oct. 5 taping. A multi-Grammy-winning violinist and composer who is widely recognized as one of the most gifted contemporary composers in America, he is considered one of the brightest talents of his generation. O'Connor has studied and recorded with some of the 20th century's greatest musicians, including Stephane Grappeli, Benny Thomasson, and Yo Yo Ma. As an artist he is known for his knowledge of a multitude of musical styles and genres.

Most recently, O'Connor has melded and shaped these influences into a new form of American classical music and is perpetuating his vision of an American school of string playing. His latest CD is a journey into the heart of America and contains his String Quartets Nos. 2 and 3. Like all of O'Connor's work, each piece takes inspiration from the landscape and traditions of America to produce music that is both familiar and original.

UK's Verdi String Quartet played several numbers with O'Connor on "Woodsongs," including selections from his "Strings and Threads," and "Appalachia Waltz." The quartet is comprised of Irina Kagan and Diogo Pimental on violin; Lubitza Braikova on viola; and Geoffrey Hershberger on cello.

"The Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour" is broadcast to more than 500 radio and TV stations around the world, including stations in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Belgium, Holland, France, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Poland, Slovenia, England and Yugoslavia.

The Verdi String Quartet's performance with O'Connor was the first event in a residency with O'Connor at UK School of Music. Throughout October, the violinist will participate in classes, a masterclass, a teacher's workshop, and outreach activities with schools. O'Connor will also perform in two concerts with the UK Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra and O'Connor will play in Ashland, Ky., Oct. 27, and then join the UK Chorale in Lexington Oct. 30, at the Singletary Center for the Arts.