Thursday, January 27, 2011

David Garrett, Violin Virtuoso Performs at The Benedum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Media Contact:

Veronica Corpuz
(412) 471-6082
corpuz@pgharts.org

Diana Roth
412-471-8717
roth@pgharts.org

Electronic artwork is available upon request.


The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Presents

International Violin Virtuoso, David Garrett

Sunday, February 20, 2011, Benedum Center


Pittsburgh, PA: Internationally acclaimed violin virtuoso, David Garrett, will return to Pittsburgh for one performance only on Sunday, February 20, 2011, at 8:00 p.m., at the Benedum Center. This concert is part of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series.

A true prodigy, David Garrett began playing violin at age four, and was signed to the prestigious classical music label Deutsche Grammophon by thirteen. After leaving his native Germany for New York City as a teenager, Garrett was accepted at the world famous Juilliard music school, studying under the legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman.

Already described as “…an entire corpus of virtuoso violin art, expounded with a fearsome beauty beyond comprehension” by BBC Music Magazine, David Garrett has achieved a lifetime of musical accomplishments at only 28 years old. Garrett has gained international stardom, with gold and platinum selling discs internationally, and chart-topping albums in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Far East, U.S. and a Top 20 UK hit.His performance uniquely integrates classical medleys with modern pop hits like Vivaldi’s “Summer” and AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck,” while also featuring the artist’s original compositions such as “Chelsea’s Girl.”

Garrett comments, “Every good musician is always, in effect, a musician of instinct - throughout the course of their life, no matter how much theoretical knowledge is accumulated. For only when you really trust your innermost being, so absolutely convinced of one thing, can you also inspire others with it.”

David Garrett has been winning over audiences since the release of his self-titled debut album in June 2009. His numerous appearances have included performances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, Today Show, Fox News Channel, CBS Saturday Early Show and his first PBS smash, “Live In Berlin.” His technically jaw-dropping performance of “Flight of the Bumblebee,” was recorded in the 2010 Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest-ever performance of the piece (a blistering 66 seconds), wowing crowds the world over. In addition to being the best-selling new classical artist of 2009, he was also Billboard’s #9 highest-charting new artist overall, across all genres. His CD David Garrett, debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Classical Crossover Chart, and held the #1 position for nine weeks, remaining in the Top 10 for over 40 subsequent weeks.

Garrett’s current tour features classical compositions as well as pop and rock solo performances by Garrett, and accompaniment by his five piece band. Garrett’s tour will also highlight his latest album Rock Symphonies, released in summer 2010. Rock Symphonies displays Garrett’s love of both classical and rock, marrying the two genres with a fierce intensity and brings new interpretations of his favorite rock anthems by U2, Nirvana, Metallica and Aerosmith to name a few. "In so many ways, listening to popular music motivated me in my approach to classical music," he has said. Garrett adds, "It can also work the other way round - that's why I want to lead people to discover a mixture of different music.”

Tickets ($28.50, $33.50, $38.50, $43.50) for February 20, 2011, performance of David Garrett, at the Benedum Center, may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue), online at www.pgharts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. To purchase 10 or more tickets at special discounted rates, please call (412) 471-6930.
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